Do you want to finally win a game of Fortnite or speed run Demon’s Souls in under an hour? Maybe all you want to do is brush up on your K/D ratio in Call of Duty or become a more sneaky imposter in Among Us. Becoming a better gamer is a worthy goal if you’re having fun while you’re doing it, but if you don’t go about your goal in the right way, you may quickly find that you’re wasting your time.
When it comes to how to get better at video games, it all starts with being as specific as possible about what you want to accomplish. With this in mind, read on for our comprehensive guide on getting better at video games!
Get SMART
When it comes to any goal, the best way to start is to get as specific as possible. We recommend the SMART method of goal setting because it’s simple, memorable, and can boost your success of becoming a better gamer.
SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Although this may seem like a lot, if you follow this framework, reaching your goal of becoming better at video games will be easier and more realistic.
Instead of simply saying that you want to be a better gamer, what are the specific games? How can you measure that you’re getting better at that game? How long do you want it to take? Last but not least, you want to make sure that your goal is attainable and realistic.
One example is winning a game of Fortnite in one month. You can measure your progress by timing how long you survive for each match.
Practice Makes Perfect
When it comes to how to be good at video games, it’s important to remember that practice makes perfect. Once you’ve decided on your specific goal and the video game you want to master, you’ll want to set aside enough time to actually play the game. Getting better doesn’t just happen overnight!
However, you also don’t want to spend too much time playing the game and end up burning yourself out. The best practice time is consistent but also not too long that you’re making yourself bored with the game.
Consider how long you normally play the game as well as your lifestyle. If you find yourself wanting to play more but find that work or family interrupt your play time, see if you can change your schedule, such as waking up earlier in the morning.
If you find that you’re already putting hours into the game each day and aren’t making progress, try shortening your play times. Instead of one hour every day, shorten it to a half-hour.
Find the Experts
Whether you want to improve your K/D ratio, decrease your speed run time or pull off a flawless combo, there’s someone out there who’s already the expert. Take some time each day or week to watch tutorials or read about the games you want to master. Not only will this motivate you to keep trying, but you may also find tips or tricks that you would have never discovered on your own.
Here are a few of the most common sources:
- YouTube video game tips
- GameFaqs walkthroughs
- Official strategy guides
- Twitch playthroughs
The best source for information you can choose all depends on the game you’re playing as well as your goals. For instance, if you’re looking to speed run an older roleplaying game, you may find more walkthrough information on GameFaqs versus YouTube.
Join a Club or Team
Competitive games such as fighting games, racing games and more often have active communities even outside the screen. If you want to get into the competitive scene, see if there are any clubs or teams in your local area via Meetup that you can join. Clubs are often welcoming to new players with people who are willing to mentor you and show you the ropes.
Teams, on the other hand, may be harder to get into because of the competitive nature. You may need to win a match against a player or show off your skills in some other way in order to be considered. Joining a competitive team may be one of your goals to becoming a better gamer as well!
Take Care of Yourself
When you’re having fun and playing video games for hours in front of a screen, it’s normal to start forgetting about your own body and taking care of yourself. Make sure you keep a large bottle of water next to you, as the side-effects of dehydration can become serious if you’re not listening to your body’s signals.
You may also want to consider setting a timer on your phone if you’re prone to letting the time get away from you. For instance, you can set one for every 30 minutes to an hour in order to take a break, stretch, and get some fresh air. You’ll find that the simple act of taking breaks can keep you feeling fresh and energized even after a long gaming session.
If you struggle with feeling tired and fatigued, you’ll also want to consider working on your sleep schedule as well as exercising. We know that every article under the sun recommends these lifestyle changes, but they can go in a long way in helping you reach your goals.
Upgrade Your Gear
Although upgrading your gaming gear and tech isn’t necessary in order to develop your skills, it may make it easier over time. For instance, struggling with the frame rate of a game on an older PC can be extremely detrimental if you want to get better at playing fast-paced games like Call of Duty or Counter-Strike.
You can find some of the lowest prices for gaming computers on manufacturer’s sites, and don’t discount the value of used or refurbished equipment. A used gaming chair can be far more ergonomic and comfortable for you over time compared to a new office chair that doesn’t suit your body or posture.
Roleplaying games with immersive environments often benefit from a new pair of high-quality headphones that can help you enjoy the experience more.
Get Accountable
One of the hardest parts about reaching a goal is staying motivated and on-task. Goals are exciting to make and begin, but they almost inevitably become far less interesting after weeks or months of effort. In order to stay accountable, we recommend enlisting friends or family about your gaming goal.
If you have any friends or family that also like to game, this is even better because they can either play with you or strive to reach the same goal. You’ll feel less inclined to blow off your goal if you know that someone you love and respect knows about it. Subconsciously, you won’t want to let both yourself and them down.
Change It Up
Although it’s important to be as specific as possible when it comes to your goal of becoming a better gamer, it’s also important to have a comprehensive view. Although you may be tempted to play the same game or role over and over again in order to make progress, you may find yourself reaching a plateau. No matter how long you play, you can’t seem to get over one particular harder.
This is a great time to change it up. Play another game on the side that’s a completely different genre than the one you’ve been playing. If you’ve been focusing on mastering Garen in League of Legends, change it up for a little and see how Ashe plays. Not only does this help shake out the cobwebs from your mind, but this extra stimulation may also be all you need to give you a different insight into the hurdles you’re encountering.
Older games such as Donkey Kong, Ninja Garden, and more may also help with your finger dexterity and reaction times.
How to Get Better at Video Games: The Ultimate Strategy
When it comes to how to get better at video games, you need to start with a strategy that covers all the bases. By starting with a SMART goal, you’ll be able to choose a realistic goal in a timeframe that makes sense for you. You’ll also be able to measure your goal so that you’re able to determine when you’re successful.
However, it’s important to remember to take of yourself throughout the process. Along with drinking water and taking frequent breaks, keep your mind active by playing other games or roles on the side. Find family or friends that can support you and keep you accountable. Lastly, if the timeframe of your goal seems to be impossible, remember that you can always change it.
Ready for more gaming tips and tricks? Keep reading our blog for more informative articles!
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