Online gaming has never been more popular. In fact, the online gaming industry is worth more than a billion U.S. dollars, and that is according to the 2020 stats. Even if one only compares the gaming scene from a decade ago, one will find an astronomical difference not just in the quality of games but also in how acceptable they have become. Now one can easily make a career by playing online games and streaming their content via Twitch and YouTube.
However, before you go and create a Twitch account, you must first get better at your gaming. Improving skills in gaming is not an easy task. Sure, you can opt for gaming cheats that will help your gaming experience, but you are not actually improving your skills. It is pretty standard for players to feel stuck regarding their progression. However, there is no need for you to worry as we have created a list of top 10 ways which will help you improve your gaming skills and quite quickly at that.
1. You need to spend some time playing
No explanation is required for it. One must practice regularly in order to become good at anything. This is exactly the same in the case with online games as well. One of the biggest differences between novice or inexperienced players of the game and professionals is that the pro gamers spend countless hours perfecting their technique and getting used to the game mechanics. Something you ought to do as well if you want to be among the top percentile of any game.
Now naturally, you cannot be expected to play every top game for hundreds of hours to become good at it. That is why it is recommended that you keep your focus on only a couple of games that you really like. This way, you can improve your skills which in turn help you make a difference in your gameplay.
Ideally, the games you play are similar and there is a crossover in skillset. For example, if you focus on tricking games like Hearts or Spades, you’ll find that strategy and communication are similar between each game. This means as you get better at one game, you’ll get better at the other. Similarly, if you play first person shooter games, that hand-eye coordination and responsiveness will translate.
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2. Play with better players
Another way you can improve your playing skills is by partnering up with and against stronger and better players in the game. This is quite a helpful way to improve your gaming skills while also mastering gaming strategies early in the game. Regardless of the game, you are expected to learn the basic strategies and fundamentals of the game. It is the only way you can expect to hold your own against your betters. Playing with or against better players will force you to improve your gaming style to stay on par. Also, unlike playing with weaker players, you will be able to test your mettle against players that are better than you at the moment.
3. Invest in a gaming setup
This might come as a surprise to you, but the improvement in gaming skills is not just limited to one’s gaming style or how much time they spent on the gameplay. A crucial but often neglected factor for a good gaming experience is the gaming setup. Yes, that’s right. If you do not have a dedicated gaming setup, you will always struggle to perform against the top players.
Look at some of the top gaming professionals on Twitch. You will find that not only do they have a dedicated gaming setup, including the gaming P.C., but they also have a separate space for their play-through. Investing in gaming accessories like a comfortable ergonomic chair, gaming mouse, high-quality headphones, superior display, etc., only helps one perform better. So, to improve your gaming skills, you need to focus on these.
4. Record your gameplay
You can only improve your gaming skills if you know what mistakes you are making and then act upon them. And to do just that, you need to start recording your gameplay. Yes, it does sound like a piece of out-of-the-box advice, but actually, it is something that even professional players recommend, especially for beginner players. If you do not even know where your faults are, then how can you look forward to improving them?
Thankfully there are many third-party software and even in-built systems in many games that allow players to record their gameplay for a review later. Identify the mistakes you’ve made, note them down and then look for the strategies on how you can improve – it is as simple as that.
5. Watch others play
Expanding on our previous advice, if you want to become a better and more skilled gamer, you need to learn new strategies that average players are unaware of. Professional and semi-professional players have different ways of thinking and playing the game. Playing their favorite games is not a casual business for them; they take it pretty seriously. If you watch any professional player, you will find that they are first efficient and second not interested in any B.S. during their game. You will also observe that they have different strategies and unique movement styles that they employ. It actually goes without saying that it is something that might benefit you.
Luckily there are platforms like YouTube and Twitch where you can easily connect with professional streamers and observe how they approach any game. Keep an eye on their in-game settings, their gear, and even how they move. You can try to emulate such in your gameplay, once you have done that.
6. Participate in gaming forums
The online gaming community has certainly expanded from what it used to be a decade ago. There are now hundreds of forums that are solely dedicated to your favorite games. It is something that might benefit you. Join these forums and frequently check them for new tips, techniques, and even meta that will allow you to improve your gaming skills. Why should you try to do everything yourself when you can easily gather information from your peers?
You can also participate in discussions regarding what you might be lacking or how you can improve your gameplay.
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7. Opt for wired accessories
Now, this might come as weird advice for gamers, but you must opt for wired accessories during gameplay. There are many wireless gaming accessories available in the market, and no one is dishing on them. But it is pretty common for one to experience lag time during fast-paced games. You can try it out for yourself. Play a couple of rounds with a wireless mouse and then replace it with a wired one. You will notice that variation is there in the response time of both inputs.
Sure, the difference is only minimal at best, but when you are competing at the highest level, even such a slight disparity can make a huge difference. So, it is best to opt for wired accessories, especially if you are playing an online game on a P.C.
8. A healthy body is vital
Look at any gaming guide, and they would be all about how one needs to improve their focus to better their gaming skills. And no one denies that. A healthy and focused mind is essential to compete at the highest level in any sport, including eSports. But what many gamers often do is that they simply neglect their physical health and only focus on their mental well-being. This is not the correct approach. Without a healthy body, you cannot perform to the best of your abilities; forget about improving.
You must create a healthy and balanced diet, do regular exercise, and even go for a long walk from time to time. Doing so will massively help in enhancing your gaming skills.
9. Be a better communicator
The majority of the online games are squad-based, meaning you have to be part of a team and fight it out against other teams to win. Now you can try to go it alone, but this would not be the right course to take. Playing and winning against top players is all about how well a team operates. Regardless of how skilled you are, you would have zero chance of getting out of a 4v1 scenario. You need to learn how to play as a team, which means improving your communication skills.
Be an efficient communicator who does not need many words to communicate with the team. You can create jargon or code words to explain the next course of action quickly. Encourage other players of the team to speak as well. Doing so will not only improve your gaming experience but will also better your leadership qualities.
10. Rest Well
If there is one criticism that can be laid on online games is that they compel a player to spend hours and hours on improving the gameplay. This could result in a player getting minimum sleep and staying up well into the night, repeatedly playing the same game. Doing so would actually be counterproductive to your improvement.
Proper rest is critical for the brain to function to its potential. Also, not sleeping well could have an impact on one’s mood as well, resulting in them tilting during their game. You must avoid doing so and take a proper rest every day; only then can you perform anywhere close to your potential.
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Conclusion
Improving your gaming skills can be a fun and rewarding experience. By following the tips provided in this article, you can take your game to the next level. So, what are you waiting for? Start practicing and improve your skills today!