The online gaming world is a vast and slightly overwhelming place that can appear intimidating to newcomers. Here’s how to tackle your entry into this cyber-space.
In the last year, the gaming industry has seen a boom in the online sector as many were left to find alternative ways of socialising and connecting with others. Thus, online gaming took off.
For those who are not familiar, this side of the industry can be tricky to navigate, so here’s a step-by-step guide including some easy etiquette guidelines for you to follow so that you can enjoy your transition into the world of online gaming.
Here are 10 steps that will ensure your smooth entry to the online community.
1. Have Fun
Duh! Having fun is the main objective of online gaming, but it’s the most commonly forgotten step for many gamers out there.
Games stimulate the brain while trying new things and experiences that would have serious real-world consequences. No matter the number of failures or defeats; you are always able to try again.
Games are not supposed to add unnecessary stress to your life. They are a great tool to relax and unwind so making sure you’re still having fun is very important.
2. Play Your Game
The world of online gaming isn’t only about first-person shooters or multiplayer online role-playing games like Elder Scrolls Online and World of Warcraft (WOW).
If you used to enjoy a board game or two with friends every Friday night or a game of cards on the weekend with your family, you could now do it all online. Playing this way is a great way to ease into the online community as you’ll still have all the familiarities of the game you know and love while playing it virtually on your PC or mobile phone.
3. Preparation
Before you hastily jump online, make sure you know what the game is about and how to play it. There is no greater sin than a newbie coming into a game not knowing how anything works. That would be the best way to instantly aggravate the community you intend getting involved in.
4. It’s All About Friends
The best and most enjoyable way to enter any game, whether it’s online or not, is to get your friends involved. The game will seem less overwhelming when you have someone you’re familiar with doing it with you.
Sharing experiences and making friends is all that the gaming community is about.
5. Take It Slow
No one realistically expects you to be a professional from the beginning. Take your time to familiarise yourself with all the controls and options before you start to put yourself under any pressure. There are plenty of online tutorials that you can check out before logging on.
As a newbie, make sure you stick to levels that you know will suit your skill level, then work your way up to where the big boys are. This way, you’ll have way more fun and get more out of the experience overall.
6. Use Provided Controls
Just like any online platform, the gaming community has plenty of trolls and toxic people who will try and bully you or take the joy out of the very reason you are there. Use the tools provided by the developers to block those people and report any toxic behaviour that you witness. Consider this your duty to the community.
7. Keep It PG
In conjunction with reporting any toxicity in the community, make sure you take steps to ensure that this online experience is kid-friendly. While staring at our screens, we often forget that there are real people on the other side of those controls, and they might be young and impressionable.
Don’t be one of the toxic people who attacks anybody without thinking of their age or temperament.
8. Watch Your Wallet
Online games like to advertise themselves as “free-to-play” when they involve multiple in-game expenses that can add up quite quickly.
For new gamers, it can be easy to get carried away and not realise how much you are spending. When the game allows you to progress faster if you pay a little bit extra, step back and think about whether it is worth it and whether or not you might enjoy putting in the hard work instead.
Don’t put yourself in this position and get tied up in this money trap. Budget if you plan on spending some money, and make sure you stick to that budget.
9. Stay Secure and Sensible
One thing that gamers often forget to keep an eye on is their security. These online games require you to log into several unknown servers with potentially millions of other players. Unfortunately, in this day and age, someone out there is bound to have malicious intent.
Practice basic security measures when setting up your online account.
- Always use strong passwords
- Never share your password with others
- Never share your personal information in the game
- Don’t click on links in emails if they don’t seem genuine
- Game publishers will never ask for your password
- Never click on links from other players
10. Don’t Be a Jerk
Don’t be a toxic person that sucks all of the fun out of the game for others. Try not to be a sore loser. You’re bound to experience defeat and embarrassment; take it on the chin like a trooper and get on with it.
The world of online gaming has endless possibilities and can be extremely fun when appropriately used and treated respectfully and responsibly. Remember to have fun while staying safe and keeping others safe.
