The first Freakonomics book looked at this with respect to Sumo wrestling - huge scandal over there where this national sport of honor turned out to have a bunch of people throwing matches on purpose in the specific situation where a player already qualifying for championships was up against an opponent who needed to win one more match to qualify. Another great example where winning doesn't help one player at all but helps the other a great deal, so they arrange for the player to win who needs it.
Yeah, "spirit of the game" in tournament settings is just absence of rules clarity. Incentives do change depending on the professionalism required of the play. A game can have their mechanical ruleset, and yeah, you could say Sam kingmaking into getting their romantic partner the win will frustrate the rest of the players, but is ultimately inconsequential. Tournaments on the other hand may have life-changing outcomes and therefore are different variants altogether, and I opine should be treated as such, rules included. If they want players to "play to win", they need to stipulate what that means before they throw sanctions.
The first Freakonomics book looked at this with respect to Sumo wrestling - huge scandal over there where this national sport of honor turned out to have a bunch of people throwing matches on purpose in the specific situation where a player already qualifying for championships was up against an opponent who needed to win one more match to qualify. Another great example where winning doesn't help one player at all but helps the other a great deal, so they arrange for the player to win who needs it.
Yeah, "spirit of the game" in tournament settings is just absence of rules clarity. Incentives do change depending on the professionalism required of the play. A game can have their mechanical ruleset, and yeah, you could say Sam kingmaking into getting their romantic partner the win will frustrate the rest of the players, but is ultimately inconsequential. Tournaments on the other hand may have life-changing outcomes and therefore are different variants altogether, and I opine should be treated as such, rules included. If they want players to "play to win", they need to stipulate what that means before they throw sanctions.
Turns out the outcome was voided. Alas.
Brilliant article. I had heard "whiffs" of a controversy but I didn't know the details. Fascinating chain of events and I hope the results stand.