Video games are an excellent way to unwind and are a favorite way to pass the time for many. In today’s time, it is estimated that there are more than 3.1 billion gamers in the world. The number includes both PC and console gamers and those who love gaming on their mobile phones.
Regardless of the platform you decide to play on, one thing that all of us gamers have in common is that we always try to beat the game we’re playing or other players we’re playing against.
If you’re competitive and always looking for new ways to improve, we’ve prepared several tips and tricks to help you learn how to be a better game. So, without further ado, let’s dive into it.
1. Practice Makes Perfect
The first tip we have for you is the most obvious one. If you want to improve your gameplay, the most efficient way is to play the game; it’s that simple. As you play more and more, it will become significantly easier to recognize patterns and discover tricks that will improve your gameplay.
This tip applies to all games, regardless of the type. In games like CS:GO and Drift Hunters practice can help you learn more about the maps you’re playing that can directly improve your ranking. Even in MMORPG games like World of Warcraft, practicing will help you learn about boss and mob mechanics that will help you clear dungeons and raids.
In other words, the more you play, the more you will be proficient at the game you’re playing. Of course, you will also have to be willing to learn and pay attention to how others around you play the game. If you aimlessly go through the content and let your teammates carry you, you are unlikely to improve. Therefore, always make the most of the time you spend playing a game.
2. Watch Replays and Streams
Apart from just playing the game, analyzing your gameplay is another effective method to help you learn how to be a better gamer. After all, a fresh pair of eyes will always notice a different or potentially better way of doing something.
For example, have you ever watched a friend play a video game, and you just had numerous ideas and suggestions for them or just thought about how you would do things differently?
Well, the same principle applies when it comes to analyzing replays, except, in this case, you should look for ways to improve your own gameplay. By analyzing your replays, you will be able to notice and, hopefully, correct your mistakes.
Of course, as you may already know, watching replays is not always available, and it depends on the type of game you’re playing. However, there are other similar options that can help you improve your gameplay, such as watching YouTube videos and guides or watching streamers play live on Twitch. This method is especially useful if you are new to the game or looking to take your gameplay to the next level.
On Twitch, some of the most popular streamers are usually pro-level gamers. Watching them play and explain their strategies can help less experienced gamers up their game. Moreover, you can always ask a streamer a direct question and learn how to improve.
3. Have the Right Gear
Believe it or not, your gear can greatly affect your performance, especially if you are a PC gamer. And no, we’re not talking about gaming chairs — those will not affect your performance whatsoever.
Namely, if you have an outdated PC, chances are your games won’t run smoothly, and you are most likely to have FPS drops. Not only will that make for an awful gaming experience, but it may severely affect your reaction time or cause your PC to freeze in the worst moments.
Of course, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars and always have the latest gaming gear available on the market. As long as your PC can run a stable 60 FPS in the game you’re playing with enough details so that you can actually see what’s going on around you, you’re good to go.
When it comes to FPS games like CS:GO, one of the things that professional players value the most is a high refresh rate, which is why they use monitors with a refresh rate of 144 Hz or 240 Hz. In addition, FPS players also rely on good computer mice that are light, precise, and have the best sensors on the market.
Finally, something that virtually every gamer needs is a good headset. However, it’s not only the sound quality you have to worry about when choosing a headset for your setup. In fact, a good microphone can make a world of difference when playing games where communication is the key.
After all, the goal is that your teammates hear you clearly so that they are able to react immediately to your calls and info.
4. Communication
We just mentioned that having a good headset is one of the essential parts of your gaming setup. However, a pricey headset won’t do you much good if you don’t know how to communicate with your team.
In today’s time, approximately 4.66 billion people in the world use the internet, which is one of the reasons most video games today are multiplayer games that you get to play online with or against other people on the web. Moreover, in a lot of games, communication and teamwork are essential for anyone who wants to compete at a high level.
For that reason, it’s extremely important for you to learn how to communicate properly. As they say, a little kindness goes a long way. Therefore, whenever you’re talking to your team, make sure that your tone of voice is appropriate. While some players are willing to learn and let you lead the way, others may get offended if you just assume that you’re a better player than them and start bossing them around, especially if you’re playing with strangers.
Additionally, you should learn when to communicate and try your best not to overdo it. While nearly all gamers enjoy good banter and like having fun and laughing, it’s also important to understand that in some situations, you should maintain your focus and use voice comms exclusively for talking about what’s going on in the game.
5. Learn How to Handle Toxicity
When you encounter other players in online games, one thing you should know is that not everyone is nice. Quite often, players from the enemy team will try to provoke you. In some cases, even your teammates may end up being toxic, especially if you’re losing the game.
The more competitive you become, chances are the more toxic environment you may find yourself in. In some situations, you may end up being toxic toward other players without even realizing it. To avoid all that, make sure to learn how to stay level-headed at all times.
Not only will your teammates appreciate and respect you a lot more and invite you to play with them again, but you are more likely to make good decisions and win the game. As you already know, when we are angry, we often make rash decisions.
Granted, while some players use anger as motivation, others will likely make mistakes that may cost them the game in the end.
6. Stay Healthy
As is the case with professional sports athletes, your physical well-being will greatly affect your video game performance. However, unlike professional athletes, you won’t have to go to great lengths to be in perfect shape.
Regular exercise can improve oxygen levels in your blood and boost your energy and productivity. In addition, a proper diet and hydration are equally important for your health.
If you are preparing for a gaming session, it would be good to avoid heavy-on-fat foods. Granted, even though they are extremely delicious, this food is hard for your stomach to digest. In other words, this is the main culprit as to why we often feel sleepy after a nice meal. However, this also means our energy levels drop for an hour or two after a meal, which is why a lot of professional eSports gamers avoid eating before their match.
Finally, make sure that you stay hydrated. Dehydration causes fatigue, so don’t forget to drink water because you are too busy gaming. At the same time, you should generally avoid sugary drinks or the ones that have caffeine.
In today’s time, a lot of brands are expanding into the “gaming drinks” market, so chances are you’ll encounter them. Even though drinks like these can give you a nice energy boost, the problem lies in the energy crash that comes afterward, so you shouldn’t always rely on them.
7. Take a Break
Sometimes, the best thing you can do to improve your performance is to take a break and stop playing for a while. This doesn’t mean you have to quit gaming altogether. However, instead of playing for hours on end, you should split your gaming session into several parts.
The most effective way to do that is to play for two or three hours at a time then make an hour-long break before you continue your gaming session.
According to Dr. Matthew Barr from the University of Glasgow, taking breaks from anything cognitively demanding allows your brain to recharge. Moreover, Dr. Barr also emphasizes that lack of sunlight affects your sleep and cognitive abilities, which means you are unlikely to perform to the best of your abilities.
The Bottom Line
While we have included some of the most effective ways to show you how to get better at gaming, you’re not limited to these tips and tricks to improve. However, no matter the route you decide to take, make sure not to let your improvement go to your head.
Even though confidence is an excellent personality trait, you should always have a healthy approach to gaming and be ready to learn new things.