Playing With / Player Versus Player

Basic Trope: In a videogame, players are the enemies of the other players.

• Straight:
  • A game has a mode where two or more players oppose each other.
  • Two players have a match in an arcade fighting game.
• Exaggerated:
  • A game where hundreds of players play simultaneously. See also Massively Multiplayer Online Game.
  • An arcade fighter allows four players to play simultaneously. Two is typical for the genre.
• Downplayed: PVP is in the game, but it's not listed as a major feature and few players indulge in it.
• Justified:
  • A reason is given ingame for why the characters are fighting.
  • Jim and John are arch rivals according to the story of an arcade fighter. Different players take control of Jim and John.
• Inverted:
  • A game doesn't include a PVP feature. Only one player plays at a time. Alternatively, an game where the players only work together, and can't hurt each other in any way. See Coop Multiplayer.
  • A single player arcade fighting game.
  • Player Versus Environment
  • A game allows the player to watch a fight between two (or more) computer-controlled characters
• Subverted:
  • A game has a genre where players expect PVP as part of the standard feature set, but it isn't included.
  • An arcade fighting game doesn't include a PVP feature. Players expect a PVP feature in the fighting game genre.
  • Friendly Fireproof is disabled, and Griefers are killing their "teammates".
• Double Subverted:
  • A game looks like it's going to be single player only in a genre where it's expected. But there is one (or several) stages where a second player can join in and help out.
  • Most of the levels in an arcade fighter are played solo. But a second player can join in on Stage 3.
  • The Griefers get what's comming to them.
• Parodied: The video game has a level where only one player can advance, as decided by a fist fight between the actual players.
• Zig Zagged:
  • A selection of levels in a videogame are PVP, but not all of them.
  • In an arcade fighter, a players fights another player if available. They fight the computer if no other player is available.
• Averted:
  • A game does not include a PVP feature. Gamers don't expect a game of its genre to include one.
  • A long format RPG doesn't include a PVP feature. Players of that genre don't expect a PVP feature.
• Enforced:
  • For certain game genres, gamers expect a PVP feature.
  • A PVP feature is included in an arcade fighter because gamers expect it and all companies in the arcade fighter space include a PVP feature in all of their games.
• Lampshaded: The game acknowledges or points out the trope of players being enemies of other players through dialogue, narration, or self-awareness within the game itself. For example, a character may make a comment like, "Oh great, another player trying to take me down."
• Invoked:
  • The game has No Fourth Wall and players are explicitly told that their enemies are other players.
  • The game has a Boss Battle which the boss is controlled by another player.
• Exploited: A player takes advantage of the game's mechanics, systems, or features related to player-versus-player (PVP) interactions in order to gain an advantage or achieve personal gain. This can involve using specific strategies, loopholes, or exploits to outsmart or overpower other players.
• Defied: In the context of PVP in a game, defying the trope would involve the game actively subverting or going against the expectation of players being enemies. This could include implementing cooperative gameplay elements or mechanics that discourage or prevent direct competition or conflict between players.
• Discussed: The trope of players being enemies is brought up and discussed within the game, either by characters or through in-game dialogue or narrative. The topic may be explored or debated in relation to the game's story or mechanics.
• Conversed: In an irrelevant or unrelated situation within the game, characters or players engage in conversation or dialogue about the concept of players being enemies. This can happen as a casual conversation or as a way to provide humorous or meta commentary.
• Deconstructed: Trolls and griefers find the PVP environment to be a perfect setting to wreak havoc. As a result, many players Rage Quit after being continually harassed by them.
• Reconstructed: A code of conduct for PVP is drawn up and penalties are enacted for those who harass other players.
• Untwisted:
  • A game has a genre where players expect PVP as part of the standard feature set and it isn't available at the start but it becomes available later.
  • Players cooperate to beat an arcade fighter. After the final boss is defeated, there is one last level where the players fight each other.

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