Tips From Long-Time Gamers To Help You Make the Most of This Hobby

Gaming has exploded over the past couple of years as one of the most popular and beloved hobbies that we can all enjoy. Video games have evolved a lot since their inception, and the target audience has expanded to include everyone and anyone. It’s more accessible than ever before and more and more people have started trying out video games ever since the Covid-19 pandemic.

So if you’re new to gaming, then you’ll love these helpful tips that we’re about to share with you. This is advice from veteran gamers of all levels and backgrounds, so you’ll definitely find some useful and potentially even motivational advice in this list!

There are lots of different games, so find a genre that really suits you

If you’re new to video games, then you’ve probably been introduced to them by some videos, a friend, or even a streamer on YouTube or Twitch.TV. If this is the case, then you’ve probably been interested in the types of games you’ve seen. For many people, this usually means the most popular games such as Fortnite, Minecraft, or League of Legends. However, two of those games are competitive “player versus player” (PVP) games that involve competing against others. If this is the type of game you want, then that’s great! But there are also many relaxing games that you could play as well, such as the aforementioned Minecraft. There is a huge spectrum of video games, so don’t hesitate to branch out a bit and try something new.

For instance, you can find a plethora of story-driven video games that are almost like interactive films. You can even find a story-focused experience in multiplayer games, such as Final Fantasy 14. There are also games that focus on rhythm and music, such as the popular VR game Beat Saber. And for those that prefer slower games with an emphasis on strategy, there are games like Civilization. Not all games need to be fast and action-packed, and they also don’t need to have serious themes with war and violence.

So in short, don’t let mainstream video games control your preferences. While there may be many players and large communities, plenty of people enjoy sitting back with a relaxing game that they can enjoy at their own pace. After all, gaming is a hobby for entertainment, so don’t let others dictate how you enjoy your games.

Gaming can be expensive, but there are lots of ways to reduce the costs

Like any hobby, you can expect to pay quite a bit of money to collect a full library of games. However, things are starting to change nowadays and more and more people are moving away from physical copies. Digital games come with many advantages, and there are also lots of ways to take advantage of sales too.

For example, you can get lots of free games if you know where to look. There are many free-to-play titles on PC, and you can even get free games on consoles as well. For more recent titles and paid games, you can actually get huge discounts just by waiting for seasonal sales on platforms such as Steam or the PlayStation Store. In many cases, you can get discounts of up to 90% or more on older games, saving you a huge amount of money.

This also extends to buying consoles, peripherals, and even downloadable content. In general, you should try to pick up a console while it’s on sale or even used as they can be quite expensive when new. This is especially the case when buying an older console as lots of people upgrade to newer versions over time, and they’ll want to sell their older one for a great deal.

You should also look into building a computer if you want to play PC games on a budget. Buying a computer works most of the time, but there’s a lot of nuances here because you have to think about components such as your graphics card. You can easily spend upwards of $2,000 on a computer and it might be terrible for gaming because it has specs that are designed for productivity or office work.

Gaming can get frustrating, so don’t be afraid to look for help

Games can get really frustrating, especially if you’re playing something challenging such as Elden Ring. Don’t be afraid to look at guides or ask your friends for advice if they’ve played it before. This is both a great way to make the game more enjoyable and also strike up a conversation with others about games so you can learn more.

Joining gaming communities is part of the fun of video games. Sure, playing on your own and figuring out a game can be enjoyable too, especially if you like the challenge of playing solo. However, there’s no harm or shame in asking others for help. In the future, you could pass on your advice to a new gamer as well.

Avoid the fear of missing out on any game that you play

FOMO really sucks in some video games. Nobody likes falling behind their friends, and it can be all too tempting to buy something that is on sale when you don’t really need it. The former mainly counts for things like buying and playing a game on release, or not being able to spend as much time on a video game as your friends do. This is normal–a lot of people will fall behind their friends who can dedicate more time to a game, but there’s no use getting annoyed or frustrated over it. Just enjoy the game at your own pace and don’t worry about others!

The latter is usually a predatory tactic that some companies use to get you to pay more for extra things. This is usually the case for downloadable content, such as unique character customization options. When companies put these up for sale, it can feel like you’re missing out if you don’t buy it. However, the reality is that you probably don’t need those things, and they’re purely cosmetic so they don’t really affect the game. Do your best to avoid the temptation and you’ll save a lot of money and be happier.