Some video game players treat the pastime as a hobby, whereas others aspire to pursue a career in esports.
Regardless of your approach, there is no denying that enjoying a video game is easier when you are good at it, particularly if we are talking about online games with competitive elements.
There are multiple methods to become better at video games. Whether you plan to go hardcore and become a professional or prefer to stick to casual gaming, this article will provide you with valuable pointers.
Have Dedicated Time for Games
Casual players play games whenever they have the time and are up for it. On the other hand, those who want to become professional often stick to strict schedules, often giving up other things in their lives.
The takeaway from this is that you need to be consistent if you want to improve. Ideally, you should get up early and spend the time you have before you need to commit to other things in life.
If you stop even for a little bit, the odds are that you will struggle to keep up with the players who are playing every day, particularly in competitive games. It is also necessary to identify when things change in the video game.
Sometimes, it is updated that introduce new features. In other instances, it is new strategies figured out by players.
Ultimately, if you want to be good, you need to stick to a consistent schedule and play a video game, and that should be the foundation for improvement.
Study the Gameplay
The idea of looking at replays of other players does not sound like the most exciting thing. Nevertheless, it is another cornerstone of improvement.
Take sports, for instance. Teams study their opponents to prepare for the upcoming matches, and a similar principle applies in video games.
Even if you are not planning to become a professional, there is still a lot to learn from the gameplay of others.
These days, most competitive video games have a replay system that lets you download and spectate matches. And if such a feature is not available, you can find plenty of replays and live gameplay on platforms like Twitch TV and YouTube, which is another great source of studying and learning.
Seek Competitive Gameplay Opportunities
Switching from public games to tournaments is only one example of having an opportunity to participate in a competitive gaming environment.
Other examples include LAN tournaments and in-house leagues. The important distinction is that organized matches are opposite to public games. The latter has its upsides, but if you want to improve, you need to seek like-minded players.
Sure, as someone with next to no experience, you are unlikely to get invited to a LAN tournament, but you still have to start somewhere. Even amateur online tournaments will give you an opportunity to experience a different environment.
One other thing to mention about competitive gameplay is that you can treat it as an opportunity to meet new in-game friends. Some of them can become teammates, and others could become your practice partners.
Take a Break
It might seem counterintuitive, but taking a break is sometimes the best approach to becoming better at something, and that includes video games.
If you feel burnout from playing too much and cannot notice any progress, take a step back and do something else for a while.
Playing video games without breaks is not recommended long-term in the first place, and if you cannot find a balance in your life, expect to suffer from it, in more than just struggling to enjoy video games and get better at them.
Optimize Your Setup
The last tip is related to your setup. You can be a good and talented player, but do not expect to achieve results or feel enjoyment if there are technical issues with your gaming machine and other relevant aspects.
Since competitive games require you to play online, a poor internet connection often dampens one’s experience, and that is a good example of how a technical problem gets in the way of a gaming session.
Poor computer hardware is another example. Playing AAA titles or other games that are resource-heavy will lead to FPS drops and random crashes, which means you need to lower the graphics or get better hardware.
Accessory-related problems are also annoying. It is hard to communicate with other players if you are experiencing microphone issues. There is only so much you can communicate via text, not to mention that it prevents you from actually playing the game.
Knowing how to solve technical issues is the first part. The second part is about knowing which gaming accessories to get.
Gaming mice, mouse pads, keyboards, chairs, cooling pads, computer desks, monitors, microphones, headphones, and other gaming equipment enrich your experience and add to the experience.