The Fortnite and Mixer star Tyler “Ninja” Blevins sparked a discussion on Twitter. According to him, it shows a completely wrong attitude when players dismiss their losses with “It’s just a game.” He calls for more ambition and more anger after defeats.
This is what Ninja says exactly:
The phrase “It’s just a game” is such a weak mindset. You are agreeing with what just happened, agreeing with losing, agreeing that you executed your craft poorly. When you stop getting angry after a loss, you’ve lost twice.
There is always something to learn, there is always room to improve. Never be satisfied.
Tyler “Ninja” Blevins on Twitter
The tweet has now received 145,938 likes on Twitter and over 21,000 retweets.
Anyone who doesn’t get angry after gaming losses is lazy and terrible
This is more vivid: Another Twitter user complements Ninja’s post with his own words. In a clip, Ninja uses the absolute top stars of US sports as a comparison. No one would tell LeBron James (basketball) or Tom Brady (football) after a loss that it’s just a game.
Those who use the excuse “It’s just a game” are terrible people and just lazy.
This is how it is being discussed: On Twitter, Ninja’s tweet is being discussed differently:
- Some make it clear: They play without ambition and just for fun, for them that doesn’t apply
- Others warn: Ninja is a role model for many young players. They might misunderstand his “striving for greatness” statement as “It’s okay to freak out after a loss”
- Others mock Ninja’s somewhat arrogant manner; just a few years ago, he was a hardcore flamer who regularly freaked out on stream
- However, there are also some who agree with Ninja. He articulates a healthy ambition, a good drive. True athletes would agree with Ninja.
This is what it’s about: Ninja is on a mission to be perceived as a “leading gamer” who takes gaming into new dimensions. Ideally, he would be a kind of “David Beckham” of gaming, someone who hovers above everything and is untouchable.
Ninja apparently suffers from not being taken seriously enough as a “professional gamer.” He is invited to talk shows and has even made it to the cover of the major US sports magazine ESPN, but he is everywhere “the first gamer” to achieve that and is treated strangely as a result.
Ninja has complained that he always has to play when invited to talk shows like Ellen. However, you don’t expect athletes to perform their sport when invited to talk shows.
With his comparisons to US sports superstars, Ninja has already gotten into trouble. He said that the “kickers” in football are not to be taken seriously. As a professional in the NFL, you should make every kick. That shouldn’t be too hard.
Ninja himself is ambitious and excellent, especially in finances
How much do Ninja’s own claims hold true? Despite all the striving for excellence: The now 28-year-old Tyler “Ninja” Blevins has built a career as a strong player on Twitch and was able to impress with strong play in Fortnite’s early days.
But since Epic Games lowered the age limit and allows 13-year-olds to participate in Fortnite tournaments, Ninja no longer ranks among the world’s top players in Fortnite. He lacks some skills and reflexes. However, when it comes to earnings and the commercialization of gaming, he is far ahead: He is one of the 10 highest-paid gamers in the world.
One must give it to Ninja: He has endless ambition and can still get terribly angry about himself, his opponents, and the world after losses. Whether everyone else should do the same is something everyone must decide for themselves.
