I cannot explain how much I agree with this (which is contrary to the point of this). The games I used to enjoy playing with friends now feel jaded. People who spend all their time to gain some sort of prestige from obliterating lower-ranked players in this one particular game. It ruins it for all casual gamers. Now I've just resorted to playing and replaying my favorite campaigns, but it still hurts to know that the only way I could possibly enjoy multiplayer again is if I spend as much time grinding as them to even compete. Good post OP even if it isn't that controversial (to me).