There are so many different kinds of games, requiring many different skillsets.
Since I'm old now, and tend to play at the end of the day after work and while having a beer or two, I don't particularly like twitch-based games. My reflexes are slower, and I just don't care enough to try to be competitive. I don't like shooters at all.
In games that focus on building, I'm so-so, but don't really spend a ton of time in them.
I've been called good in some MMO's, but again, not in the top few percent I'm sure.
I love some of the older turn-based games, like Heroes of Might and Magic III.
In a game where I get to roam around and explore, maybe harvest and craft some, or go out fishing for the day. I'm great
After reading the responses I wondered why I wasn't very good at video games and a couple came to mind.
1) I often blame my age, lack of hand eye coordination, failing vision etc. which play a part of course, but certainly not the whole story.
2) I got into video games late, not until I was around 20, and just like learning a foreign language, I believe it's much easier to acquire the skills when young.
Let's face it, board games didn't require much in the way of skills and I never was one for sports outside of tennis, ping pong or bowling.
3) Poor pattern recognition skills, I struggle to see them in a game, I'm the guy who needs big red blotches on the ground to not stand in the fire or glowing indicators to remember to block or evade, which is also why I don't care for action combat.
4) Lack of attention, interest in excelling, lazy even. Yep, while I could crutch on my ADHD, I won't, fact is I was never interested in studying for hours on how to be the best, to learn the fights, I just like to go out and kill stuff. Not surprising I have no issue with "tank and spank" designs, I'm just not cut out to "dance with the stars."
One final note, when my son was around 14 it became clear I could no longer beat him or his friends at dueling, their knowledge and reflexes exceeded mine.
My guess is they could have beaten me sooner, but were just letting me win for a little while longer.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
If talking PVP then no i never liked it so do not do it. Do not like games like LOL, Planetside (never tried it in fact), or Fortnite either.
PVE, i play and enjoy, barring the raiding. Way too much hurry up and wait and needless angst about a game for my taste.
These type of questions always bring to my mind the strangeness of people that play games.
I am always first interested in is it fun? If i do not enjoy a game the first 30 minutes it is done for me. Of course i do not look down on people that enjoy all the drama and such that goes into their hobby....i just do not understand it and do not try to really....why i like that there are so many options out there now, even if i do not like the way they monetize them. Something for everyone if they really look.
Kind of like asking what food people like to eat...never convince me to eat things i see others eat...not even to try, just to strange to me. But i won't try to stop you from eating what you enjoy....just do not try to make me try it.
I'm bad at PvP because I have the reflexes of a cantaloupe.
I'm bad at PvP, that's a whole different level from PvE content for me. It's not that I hate PvP, I would do it if I could be decent, keep up with others and stop dying all the time. All that dying is disheartening! That's why I gave up PvP. I just can't keep up. I only stick to PvE because the mobs are more AI predictable.
Proud MMORPG.com member since March 2004! Make PvE GREAT Again!
I would say that I am not great at video games, that's probably why I play them casually. I prefer MMO's open worlds and MMORPG's where I can do what I want and not be tied down to linear content. I would never play dark souls type games cause they are just too hard for me and stressful. Why am I bad at some games? I just don't have the hand dexterity to play precise, fast paced games.
I played Dark Souls 2 and got maybe halfway through or so...What I learned is I am bad at using a controller....I was terrible at doing the jumps and rolls to avoid getting hit.
I just realized something, i've been a gamer my whole life, but I'm actually not a good gamer. I don't think i'm particularly talented at it. I've put in like 2k hours into PoE hardcore mode and the highest i've gotten is lvl 93 twice (albeit i make my own builds usually and don't follow guides). I did reach like top 10 i think in a void league in PoE with my class but of course the funny thing is i died when my keyboard glitched or i hit the wrong button and stood still for too long.
I've played about 2,750 1v1 games on the ladder of sc2 since i'm came back and I'm diamond 3 which is about top 35% percentile or so. I also had early coaching and still fucked it up.
I've never been top anything in any game, part of it is that i was a gamer through college, professional school, 80 hour work weeks, etc.
You know how everyone is a good driver? Does everyone believe they are a good gamer? I don't think i'm actually good at games.
Sincerely,
Cryomatrix p.s. I'm a terrible driver btw, i'm like the only male in the western hemisphere that will admit that.
Very good question!
My answer would be: who am I comparing myself against?
If I am comparing myself against all of humanity?
Hell yes! I'm a gaming god! Out of the 7+ billion people on this planet, I reckon I'm better at games than 99% of people. Because most people aren't gamers, and most gamers are pretty casual. So the fact that I've been playing games for 30 years now means I'm better at them than nearly everyone else.
If I am comparing myself against just gamers?
Hell yes! No longer a gaming god, my ranking will have slipped, but I bet im still better than the majority of gamers. Why? Because most gamers are casuals, they aren't pushing themselves, they're most likely gaming on their phones. I have more experience than most of them and that experience will allow me to be better than most of them.
If I am comparing myself against specific types of gamers?
Totally depends on the group. I'm pretty average when it comes to twitch / action games. I'm a bit better at racing games. I'm a lot better at RPGs and MMORPGs. I'm pretty decent with sim games.
But, there will always be someone better. There will always be someone willing to put more time in than me. There will always be someone more intelligent than me. So, I'll never be the top, I'll never be the best, but then I've never tried to be. I don't have the motivation to seek to be the best. So, I settle for being the best in my guild, or simply being good enough to overcome all the content.
Also, I'm a great driver! Never had an accident, never had a speeding ticket, still have a clean licence, yet still drive like a racer whenever possible. In my opinion, if you have to repeat a task over and over, like driving, you should get better at it.
It always confuses the hell out of me how some drivers can be so bad after years of driving! Its like they learned enough to pass their test, then just said "fuck it, thats good enough" and never improved. I'm constantly experimenting and improving! Sometimes I might aim to hit as many apexes as well as I can. Sometimes it might be aiming for perfect gear changes. Sometimes it might be using my brakes as little as possible. Sometimes it might be driving for perfect fuel economy. These little tests and experiments help keep driving interesting and help me improve.
Currently Playing: WAR RoR - Spitt rr7X Black Orc | Scrotling rr6X Squig Herder | Scabrous rr4X Shaman
I just realized something, i've been a gamer my whole life, but I'm actually not a good gamer. I don't think i'm particularly talented at it. I've put in like 2k hours into PoE hardcore mode and the highest i've gotten is lvl 93 twice (albeit i make my own builds usually and don't follow guides). I did reach like top 10 i think in a void league in PoE with my class but of course the funny thing is i died when my keyboard glitched or i hit the wrong button and stood still for too long.
I've played about 2,750 1v1 games on the ladder of sc2 since i'm came back and I'm diamond 3 which is about top 35% percentile or so. I also had early coaching and still fucked it up.
I've never been top anything in any game, part of it is that i was a gamer through college, professional school, 80 hour work weeks, etc.
You know how everyone is a good driver? Does everyone believe they are a good gamer? I don't think i'm actually good at games.
Sincerely,
Cryomatrix p.s. I'm a terrible driver btw, i'm like the only male in the western hemisphere that will admit that.
Very good question!
My answer would be: who am I comparing myself against?
If I am comparing myself against all of humanity?
Hell yes! I'm a gaming god! Out of the 7+ billion people on this planet, I reckon I'm better at games than 99% of people. Because most people aren't gamers, and most gamers are pretty casual. So the fact that I've been playing games for 30 years now means I'm better at them than nearly everyone else.
If I am comparing myself against just gamers?
Hell yes! No longer a gaming god, my ranking will have slipped, but I bet im still better than the majority of gamers. Why? Because most gamers are casuals, they aren't pushing themselves, they're most likely gaming on their phones. I have more experience than most of them and that experience will allow me to be better than most of them.
If I am comparing myself against specific types of gamers?
Totally depends on the group. I'm pretty average when it comes to twitch / action games. I'm a bit better at racing games. I'm a lot better at RPGs and MMORPGs. I'm pretty decent with sim games.
But, there will always be someone better. There will always be someone willing to put more time in than me. There will always be someone more intelligent than me. So, I'll never be the top, I'll never be the best, but then I've never tried to be. I don't have the motivation to seek to be the best. So, I settle for being the best in my guild, or simply being good enough to overcome all the content.
Also, I'm a great driver! Never had an accident, never had a speeding ticket, still have a clean licence, yet still drive like a racer whenever possible. In my opinion, if you have to repeat a task over and over, like driving, you should get better at it.
It always confuses the hell out of me how some drivers can be so bad after years of driving! Its like they learned enough to pass their test, then just said "fuck it, thats good enough" and never improved. I'm constantly experimenting and improving! Sometimes I might aim to hit as many apexes as well as I can. Sometimes it might be aiming for perfect gear changes. Sometimes it might be using my brakes as little as possible. Sometimes it might be driving for perfect fuel economy. These little tests and experiments help keep driving interesting and help me improve.
LOL, it's just your competitive nature, for most driving is a daily necessity, like shaving or taking a crap, no extra thought or training beyond what is necessary.
Wait, you probably have analyzed which way is more efficient, rolling the toilet paper over the top or from underneath. (Or use one of the new fangled butt sprayers)
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
I daydream too much while driving, plus i went from a model S tesla to a honda clarity . . . Once the electricity runs out on the clarity, it sounds like a dying goat.
Also, much cleaner to use a butt spray instead of smudging shit with a dry toilet paper. Also, better to pee sitting down so you dont get pee splashes all over your pants.
Good responses to this. I also think with SC2 and playing terran, the hardest to play imo, d3 isnt terrible. There ia bronze, silver, gold, plat, diamond, masters, grandmaster.
Catch me streaming at twitch.tv/cryomatrix You can see my sci-fi/WW2 book recommendations.
I just realized something, i've been a gamer my whole life, but I'm actually not a good gamer. I don't think i'm particularly talented at it. I've put in like 2k hours into PoE hardcore mode and the highest i've gotten is lvl 93 twice (albeit i make my own builds usually and don't follow guides). I did reach like top 10 i think in a void league in PoE with my class but of course the funny thing is i died when my keyboard glitched or i hit the wrong button and stood still for too long.
I've played about 2,750 1v1 games on the ladder of sc2 since i'm came back and I'm diamond 3 which is about top 35% percentile or so. I also had early coaching and still fucked it up.
I've never been top anything in any game, part of it is that i was a gamer through college, professional school, 80 hour work weeks, etc.
You know how everyone is a good driver? Does everyone believe they are a good gamer? I don't think i'm actually good at games.
Sincerely,
Cryomatrix p.s. I'm a terrible driver btw, i'm like the only male in the western hemisphere that will admit that.
Very good question!
My answer would be: who am I comparing myself against?
If I am comparing myself against all of humanity?
Hell yes! I'm a gaming god! Out of the 7+ billion people on this planet, I reckon I'm better at games than 99% of people. Because most people aren't gamers, and most gamers are pretty casual. So the fact that I've been playing games for 30 years now means I'm better at them than nearly everyone else.
If I am comparing myself against just gamers?
Hell yes! No longer a gaming god, my ranking will have slipped, but I bet im still better than the majority of gamers. Why? Because most gamers are casuals, they aren't pushing themselves, they're most likely gaming on their phones. I have more experience than most of them and that experience will allow me to be better than most of them.
If I am comparing myself against specific types of gamers?
Totally depends on the group. I'm pretty average when it comes to twitch / action games. I'm a bit better at racing games. I'm a lot better at RPGs and MMORPGs. I'm pretty decent with sim games.
But, there will always be someone better. There will always be someone willing to put more time in than me. There will always be someone more intelligent than me. So, I'll never be the top, I'll never be the best, but then I've never tried to be. I don't have the motivation to seek to be the best. So, I settle for being the best in my guild, or simply being good enough to overcome all the content.
Also, I'm a great driver! Never had an accident, never had a speeding ticket, still have a clean licence, yet still drive like a racer whenever possible. In my opinion, if you have to repeat a task over and over, like driving, you should get better at it.
It always confuses the hell out of me how some drivers can be so bad after years of driving! Its like they learned enough to pass their test, then just said "fuck it, thats good enough" and never improved. I'm constantly experimenting and improving! Sometimes I might aim to hit as many apexes as well as I can. Sometimes it might be aiming for perfect gear changes. Sometimes it might be using my brakes as little as possible. Sometimes it might be driving for perfect fuel economy. These little tests and experiments help keep driving interesting and help me improve.
LOL, it's just your competitive nature, for most driving is a daily necessity, like shaving or taking a crap, no extra thought or training beyond what is necessary.
Wait, you probably have analyzed which way is more efficient, rolling the toilet paper over the top or from underneath. (Or use one of the new fangled butt sprayers)
Whilst I do have strong opinions on the best way to take a shit, this isn't the place to discuss them!
Currently Playing: WAR RoR - Spitt rr7X Black Orc | Scrotling rr6X Squig Herder | Scabrous rr4X Shaman
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
I'm bad at PvP because I have the reflexes of a cantaloupe.
I'm bad at PvP, that's a whole different level from PvE content for me. It's not that I hate PvP, I would do it if I could be decent, keep up with others and stop dying all the time. All that dying is disheartening! That's why I gave up PvP. I just can't keep up. I only stick to PvE because the mobs are more AI predictable.
I enjoy PvP when the participants are having fun, not try-hard "win at all costs" kinds of players. I'd lose if I thought I could get a laugh by losing in some terrible way
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse. - FARGIN_WAR
FPS: I lack precision, reflexes and positioning RTS: bad at mechanical skills, forget where are my units, lack global overview MOBA: lack restraint, positioning, combination of skills, etc. MMORPG: troubles remembering skill bar abilities, bad at duels or skirmishes
You get a certain point in life you're not as good as you once was in gaming. I don't even have time to worry about ladders these days. 20 years ago maybe. Just playing for fun after my non gaming stuff finishes these days.
FPS: I lack precision, reflexes and positioning RTS: bad at mechanical skills, forget where are my units, lack global overview MOBA: lack restraint, positioning, combination of skills, etc. MMORPG: troubles remembering skill bar abilities, bad at duels or skirmishes
That sounds too similar to me!
RTS... I had such trouble the Warcraft games and later with StarCraft. I alwqays lost where I had left off
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse. - FARGIN_WAR
You get a certain point in life you're not as good as you once was in gaming. I don't even have time to worry about ladders these days. 20 years ago maybe. Just playing for fun after my non gaming stuff finishes these days.
Yes, that is also due to time commitment... as you've alluded to.
I am good at video games, almost all genres. I've been playing my whole life. Self-competition and improvement, not interested in e-peen stuff.
Playing a single quarter playthrough on Streetfighter 2 arcade machine, on any character... and smashing human challengers... was a fun after school activity.
But I find myself in games on help channels (ones that have them), helping out players... that gives me great joy. I often stop and help players struggling with a fight in game, and converse a bit afterwards to see if they need tips. I'm a sucker for giving gold away to noobs to help a bit get started.
Just like Mortal Online 2 Stress Test thread... trying to give advice and links to guides to help new players (even though I physically can't play it this weekend).
Comments
------------
2024: 47 years on the Net.
1) I often blame my age, lack of hand eye coordination, failing vision etc. which play a part of course, but certainly not the whole story.
2) I got into video games late, not until I was around 20, and just like learning a foreign language, I believe it's much easier to acquire the skills when young.
Let's face it, board games didn't require much in the way of skills and I never was one for sports outside of tennis, ping pong or bowling.
3) Poor pattern recognition skills, I struggle to see them in a game, I'm the guy who needs big red blotches on the ground to not stand in the fire or glowing indicators to remember to block or evade, which is also why I don't care for action combat.
4) Lack of attention, interest in excelling, lazy even. Yep, while I could crutch on my ADHD, I won't, fact is I was never interested in studying for hours on how to be the best, to learn the fights, I just like to go out and kill stuff. Not surprising I have no issue with "tank and spank" designs, I'm just not cut out to "dance with the stars."
One final note, when my son was around 14 it became clear I could no longer beat him or his friends at dueling, their knowledge and reflexes exceeded mine.
My guess is they could have beaten me sooner, but were just letting me win for a little while longer.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
PVE, i play and enjoy, barring the raiding. Way too much hurry up and wait and needless angst about a game for my taste.
These type of questions always bring to my mind the strangeness of people that play games.
I am always first interested in is it fun? If i do not enjoy a game the first 30 minutes it is done for me. Of course i do not look down on people that enjoy all the drama and such that goes into their hobby....i just do not understand it and do not try to really....why i like that there are so many options out there now, even if i do not like the way they monetize them. Something for everyone if they really look.
Kind of like asking what food people like to eat...never convince me to eat things i see others eat...not even to try, just to strange to me. But i won't try to stop you from eating what you enjoy....just do not try to make me try it.
Proud MMORPG.com member since March 2004! Make PvE GREAT Again!
Proud MMORPG.com member since March 2004! Make PvE GREAT Again!
I played Dark Souls 2 and got maybe halfway through or so...What I learned is I am bad at using a controller....I was terrible at doing the jumps and rolls to avoid getting hit.
Wait, you probably have analyzed which way is more efficient, rolling the toilet paper over the top or from underneath. (Or use one of the new fangled butt sprayers)
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Also, much cleaner to use a butt spray instead of smudging shit with a dry toilet paper. Also, better to pee sitting down so you dont get pee splashes all over your pants.
Good responses to this. I also think with SC2 and playing terran, the hardest to play imo, d3 isnt terrible. There ia bronze, silver, gold, plat, diamond, masters, grandmaster.
You can see my sci-fi/WW2 book recommendations.
You can see my sci-fi/WW2 book recommendations.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
RTS: bad at mechanical skills, forget where are my units, lack global overview
MOBA: lack restraint, positioning, combination of skills, etc.
MMORPG: troubles remembering skill bar abilities, bad at duels or skirmishes
This isn't a signature, you just think it is.
RTS... I had such trouble the Warcraft games and later with StarCraft. I alwqays lost where I had left off
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
As bad as I am and as bad as you think you might be, you'll never be as bad as my girlfriend at non-mobile games haha.
Playing a single quarter playthrough on Streetfighter 2 arcade machine, on any character... and smashing human challengers... was a fun after school activity.
But I find myself in games on help channels (ones that have them), helping out players... that gives me great joy. I often stop and help players struggling with a fight in game, and converse a bit afterwards to see if they need tips. I'm a sucker for giving gold away to noobs to help a bit get started.
Just like Mortal Online 2 Stress Test thread... trying to give advice and links to guides to help new players (even though I physically can't play it this weekend).
It's all about fun, and spreading fun these days.