To me, success in this league is straight up whatever allows the majority of the team to feel success. Awards are nice, but if it comes during a losing season and/or for only one player, it's kind of depressing in a way, isn't it? Such a good performance used on such a busted season can suck. And while I've never won a championship, I've always enjoyed the road towards trying to get one. Watching as everyone starts to believe in what's going on and helping be a part of that positive momentum, is something that I think makes this whole seasonal loop such a great experience. As long as progress is being made and the team is always moving forward, things always feel successful.
As for beating specific teams, revenge games against rivals are fun, as are divisional matchups that can make or break a season, but it's really hard for me to try and seek out a ton of enjoyment from that, so much so that I'd consider that the meaning of success here. All in all, this league only flourishes if people are having fun. If people are being assholes to each other and causing people to lose the will to even want to keep being a part of the league, then this whole thing just loses it's point. That's why I always make sure to keep my personal relations with other teams good, because at the end of the day, we're here to play some simulated football, and nothing is better than when spirits are high and games can feel genuinely exciting instead of emotionally charged warfares.
(270 words)
As for beating specific teams, revenge games against rivals are fun, as are divisional matchups that can make or break a season, but it's really hard for me to try and seek out a ton of enjoyment from that, so much so that I'd consider that the meaning of success here. All in all, this league only flourishes if people are having fun. If people are being assholes to each other and causing people to lose the will to even want to keep being a part of the league, then this whole thing just loses it's point. That's why I always make sure to keep my personal relations with other teams good, because at the end of the day, we're here to play some simulated football, and nothing is better than when spirits are high and games can feel genuinely exciting instead of emotionally charged warfares.
(270 words)