It’s overly simplistic to say that if a person has reproduced, then they have ‘succeeded’ in the natural selection game.

There is a whole (potential) downstream genealogical tree branching off from each individual

Certainly, any person who reproduces has done “better” at the game than someone who has not reproduced at all. But that is still not quite enough.

If a parent reproduces, but none of their children themselves reproduce, then the parent has not actually succeeded in the game.

A gambling addict who can’t hold onto any money absolutely affects their downstream tree.