Description
In the fighting games community, a 'John' is someone who cannot seem to accept defeat gracefully. Instead of recognizing their own shortcomings or giving credit to their opponent, they come up with various excuses to justify their loss. These excuses can range from blaming the controller, lag, distractions, or even claiming that they were not playing seriously. The term originated as a reference to an individual known for making such excuses, and it has since become a common part of fighting game culture. Calling someone a 'John' is generally seen as a way to call out poor sportsmanship and encourage players to take responsibility for their performance, learn from their mistakes, and improve their skills.
Examples
- After losing a match in Street Fighter, Mark started complaining that his controller wasn't working properly, which led others to label him as a 'John'.
- During a Tekken tournament, Sarah kept saying that the lag was the reason for her loss, rather than acknowledging her opponent's superior strategy, leading to whispers of 'John' from the crowd.
Additional Information
- The term 'John' is not exclusive to any one game and can be used across various fighting games.
- Using this term can sometimes discourage players from improving, as they might focus more on excuses than on honing their skills.