From an outsider's perspective, the table looks like it came out of a dumpster. The immense amount children's stickers can testify to that; blanketing the whole table in a plethora of rainbows, you'll be amazed by where you can find them. As for the table itself, the players are in disrepair. Most, if not all, are covered in tape making you question whether they're the actual Foosball players that came with the table. One player is even missing, being replaced by a stack of playing cards folded in on itself as a substitute. All of this has been the result of years of never-ending use. Whether it be in the early mornings before school or late after school to the point Dr. Radnitzer kicks us out, the table is rarely ever seen unoccupied. It has been disassembled and reassembled back twice now, been the subject to multiple layout changes, and even had its legs stolen at one point, yet it never ceases to bring together students with its competitive spirit.
As much of a story the table itself has to tell (I could go on and on), the politics of the game are just as interesting. One of the more prevalent patterns mimics the early dynasties of ancient China. This scenario is set into motion when two players team up and begin to dominate the table. As time passes, other teams form in an attempt to dethrone the original team, challenging them for their spot on the table. As the original team is beat, the successors take over and the cycle repeats until the period ends or a general consensus is reached to disband the dynasty (although this rarely happens). However, this pattern has been shifting towards a more disorganized state, with individual games taking precedence over team-based ones. Just like the Warring States period, this shift can be accredited to a rearrangement of the power rankings, with the once unbeatable falling to rising players. In this state of disarray, everyone vies for position on the skill ladder, trying to assert their dominance and claim superiority. I suspect once this ladder is officially determined, the meta will shift back towards an era of team-play.
When it comes to the game itself, you would think players just smack their pieces back and forth on the table. While this may be true (I can hear a match being played all the way from room 109 while writing this...), but there is a delicate strategy involved in these loud and perceptively reckless movements. Foosball is a game of positioning, reaction, and power; each of which are instrumentally important to succeeding in the game. While "one-tricking"/perfecting one of these aspects is possible and consists of a majority of the player-base, each one can be countered by the other (positioning > power > reaction > positioning...). Those who wish to truly separate themselves from the rest and be crowned king of Foos must master all three of these aspects. Only one person at Uni has been close to achieving that feat, but sadly lost all their ability over the summer leaving the Foosballers in the state of disarray they are now.
As much of a story the table itself has to tell (I could go on and on), the politics of the game are just as interesting. One of the more prevalent patterns mimics the early dynasties of ancient China. This scenario is set into motion when two players team up and begin to dominate the table. As time passes, other teams form in an attempt to dethrone the original team, challenging them for their spot on the table. As the original team is beat, the successors take over and the cycle repeats until the period ends or a general consensus is reached to disband the dynasty (although this rarely happens). However, this pattern has been shifting towards a more disorganized state, with individual games taking precedence over team-based ones. Just like the Warring States period, this shift can be accredited to a rearrangement of the power rankings, with the once unbeatable falling to rising players. In this state of disarray, everyone vies for position on the skill ladder, trying to assert their dominance and claim superiority. I suspect once this ladder is officially determined, the meta will shift back towards an era of team-play.
When it comes to the game itself, you would think players just smack their pieces back and forth on the table. While this may be true (I can hear a match being played all the way from room 109 while writing this...), but there is a delicate strategy involved in these loud and perceptively reckless movements. Foosball is a game of positioning, reaction, and power; each of which are instrumentally important to succeeding in the game. While "one-tricking"/perfecting one of these aspects is possible and consists of a majority of the player-base, each one can be countered by the other (positioning > power > reaction > positioning...). Those who wish to truly separate themselves from the rest and be crowned king of Foos must master all three of these aspects. Only one person at Uni has been close to achieving that feat, but sadly lost all their ability over the summer leaving the Foosballers in the state of disarray they are now.
This was a very engaging blog to read, it showed interclass dynamics that are often invisible if you do not look for them. I also liked the parallel to the Chinese Empire, relating historical context to a modern conflict. However I think the most impressive thing about this blog, was how it gave a whole window into the life of the Foosballers.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed this blog post. The depiction of what differentiates a novice FOOS player from a professional was engaging. I especially found your analogy about Chinese history quite fascinating as the cycles from supremacy of one group are quite similar to that of one or two FOOS players dominance over other players. Very nice work!
ReplyDeleteNice post! Something that I've found really interesting is the very competitive foosball "culture" which exists among the people who play. People have made rankings on who the best players are, and others have made surveys and emailed them out to people to see who is universally considered the best. I think this fits into your point about Chinese dynasties and how everyone is trying to knock each other off. I'm glad this "king of the hill" way of playing contributes to the competitive culture.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this because your blog really characterized the Foosball table and Uni Foosball Culture. I enjoyed how you organized the blog, moving from one characteristic, to the next, and to the next. You did a good job of covering each aspect.
ReplyDeleteYour point about how while only one person could reach the feat of mastering all three aspects, but got bad over the summer because of lack of practice which led to disarray in the table reminded me of Avatar the Last Airbender. When the world needed this player the most, he disappeared. Also interesting is that The Last Airbender is heavily based on East Asian culture, and you compare foosball to Chinese dynasties.
ReplyDeleteAs a person who doesn't play foosball, I found your description of Uni foosball culture really interesting, especially your comparison with the dynasties of ancient china. I liked how you used the physical description of the foosball table to give the reader more information about the sport. I also love how your blog post lets non foosball players understand why foosball players can get so intense.
ReplyDeleteI like the parallel that you draw to the Chinese dynasties, it fits really well. I like your description of foosball at Uni as more than just something that people do for fun, but it's hugely competitive. I like your description of the table and its disarray and the prevalence of stickers and the modifications made to the broken players. I like how you bring a organized view to a game that seems chaotic from an outside perspective
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this reading this about people wacking around a ball on a table because of your story and wording somehow oddly aligns with the avatar of the last foos bender. I also think that most games that seems simple on the surface but really complicated below the surface.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really engaging post! The foosball table is an integral part of the lounge, and you've done a good job illuminating that. I especially like how you describe all that the table has been through over the years. Part of the "charm" of the foosball table is simply how long it's been around and how clearly used it is. All the wear and tear on the table shows how much it's loved by Uni students. You introduce that idea with the general description of the table, then expand it into how Uni students use it. All in all, very fun post.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. I like how you bring historical research and metaphors to build up the unique, engaging game that Foosball is. Now I can say I have a new appreciation for Foosball, every time I see it again. Foosball is also something we see a lot at Uni, so I like this slice-of-life post.
ReplyDeleteI really feel the energy, the strategy, and excitement you feel towards Foosball. It's not something I've tried outside of occasionally playing you during 6th period, and even then I can tell the difference in skill level, so imagining this all powerful foosball king is such a wild image.
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