This is a reflection of those people.

My core group will backstab each other gleefully and when the game is over, that’s it. We’re done. Because none of this is real. We wouldn’t even help each other if we played with other people. We’re all trying to win.

Although I suppose you’re right. If I played with two people, and the role of one of them is simply to help the others game, I’d never play with them.