I'd say of course it's possible, but you probably do have to play the game like a sociopath. Just like you can watch a violent movie and not be horrified in th

I'd say of course it's possible, but you probably do have to play the game like a sociopath. Just like you can watch a violent movie and not be horrified in the same way you would if you were seeing the same things happen for real, you can behave in a manner in a game that you wouldn't in reality. As an aside I will say that manipulation and deceit are far from the only skills in the game. There are significant strategic and tactical elements, as well as probabilistic/game theory thinking as well. Plus, on the interpersonal side, it's as much about just reading people as it is about manipulating them.