If you want to become a better competitive gamer, you need to train smart and hard. But how do you train for specific game genres, such as FPS, MOBA, RTS, or fighting games? In this article, we will explore some of the most effective ways to improve your skills and performance in different types of games.
The first step to train for any game genre is to know your game inside and out. This means learning the rules, mechanics, strategies, tactics, meta, and terminology of your game. You should also study the maps, modes, characters, items, and abilities that are relevant to your game. By knowing your game, you will be able to make better decisions, communicate better with your teammates, and adapt to different situations.
I think that one of the most necessary steps, and prior to this first one, is to know your skills. Throughout my life in esports I have realised that many people play and want to compete in video games that they are not really good at, and although skill and ability is trainable, it has been shown that not everyone is good at certain genres. Maybe you think your genre is the first person shooter and on the other hand because of your mental agility you would be more comfortable in a mmorpg game. You'll never know. You have to try the genres and see where you fit in. If your skills fit a specific theme and you are good at it and you like it, that's it.
The second step to train for any game genre is to practice your mechanics. Mechanics are the basic skills and techniques that you need to execute in your game, such as aiming, movement, timing, combos, or micro-management. You should practice your mechanics regularly and consistently, using drills, bots, custom games, or tutorials. You should also focus on improving your accuracy, speed, precision, and consistency.
And not only that. You have to work on how others work the mechanics, especially if you are in a video game where you have a "meta". In many cases, knowing how your opponent works will improve your tactics when facing them. And I'm not talking about knowing the utilities of each character, I'm talking about knowing how other people work who may not see your style of play in the same way.
The third step to train for any game genre is to analyze your performance. Performance analysis is the process of reviewing your games and identifying your strengths and weaknesses. You should use tools such as replays, stats, or feedback to evaluate your performance. You should also compare your performance to other players , especially those who are better than you. By analyzing your performance, you will be able to learn from your mistakes , correct your bad habits, and set your goals.
I have spent the last 2 years understanding gaming performance specifically related to vision. I surround myself with experts and pair them with providers of evaluative tools. Recently I worked with a manufacturer to develop gaming lenses that fit a niche in the market. It’s been incredible to learn the opportunities that exist when you include the gamer in the development journey!!
Indeed. In my old esports team, the performance of each player was analysed annually, creating various statistics. This also allows us to know the player's performance for future recruitments or dismissals. The life of an esports player is usually quite short.
The fourth step to train for any game genre is to train your mindset. Mindset is the mental and emotional state that affects your performance. You should train your mindset to be positive, confident, focused, and resilient. You should also avoid tilt, stress, or burnout that can harm your performance. You should use techniques such as meditation, visualization, affirmations, or relaxation to train your mindset.
And it is not only the mind that needs to be trained. You also need to train your body. It is advisable to exercise, to stay on track and to stay focused. A healthy diet is also important, as is a good social climate.
The fifth step to train for any game genre is to play with others. Playing with others is the best way to test your skills, learn from others, and have fun. You should play with players who are at your level or higher, who share your goals and interests, and who can give you constructive feedback. You should also join a team, a community, or a tournament that suits your game genre. By playing with others, you will be able to improve your teamwork, communication, and adaptation.
Indeed. And it is crucial. Most videogames are competitive team games and the synergy must always be positive. If there are problems between team members, performance will definitely drop. If you are a solitary player, maybe team games are not your thing and you should turn to more individual games such as, for example, Fortnite.
The sixth step to train for any game genre is to experiment and diversify. Experimenting and diversifying means trying new things, such as different styles, roles, characters, or strategies. By experimenting and diversifying, you will be able to expand your knowledge, skills, and creativity. You will also be able to discover new ways to enjoy and improve your game.
Indeed. And this brings us back to point 1. All this really should be in the first place and not here. The child or adolescent should be offered a whole ecosystem of possibilities where he or she can experiment and try things out. After that, the skills will work themselves out. One player is not like another, they are all different and develop their cognitive work in different ways, excelling and excelling in different areas.
The gamer's path in the world of esports is not a smooth one. It requires a lot of sacrifice, just like any elite athlete. Late night parties, alcohol, tobacco or drugs are not good friends of our goal. If you want to be a high performance player, you must demand of yourself what others don't, do what others don't do and sacrifice what others would never sacrifice. That said, it was a pleasure to have been able to contribute to this great "AIrticle"