What's the point of being elite at your job?

[SoloWingMetatron]

There's nothing wrong with taking enjoyment in improving ones self game wise and even becoming one of the best players in the game. That is not the issue.

The issue is the people who try to achieve this and then make a point of stating that they deserve special recognition or are in some way superior to everyone else. Usually via a visual cue like a piece of armour or something so that everyone else can see the elite level they are. This by very definition is a selfish thing, and in MMO's the concept of ones self is very limited by the very nature of the game. It is a team based game. The only way a player can get anywhere (even the best players) are off the backs of others. Therefore not one player in FFXIV can truly be "elite" as they did not get where they are off their own back. You could be the best player in all of FFXIV but if you aint got a static, you aint clearing anything...there is a difference between being a great player and an "elitist" player.

Usually you will find the elitists are not the best, as a truly great player does not require an exclusive piece of armour to glamour or whatever to make them feel like a skilled player.

Do you tell people that make music or videos for youtube that what they're doing is just a hobby and that they shouldn't try? Imagine telling an independent filmaker or game designer that what they're making is "just a movie/game."

This statement also does not make sense. The reason people are saying it is just a game is coz you are not achieving anything that will change or effect your life in any real or meaningful way. A person who makes music videos/films/games does that as their career or to further their career. They get paid to do it which allows them to live their life and pay the bills. Playing FFXIV even at the best ability will never allow you to achieve those things, therefore by very definition it is frivolous and just a game. That doesn't mean you can't have fun with progressing through it though. But it does still mean those "elitists" need some perspective so they can be great players without the terrible attitude.