There’s a reason why more people play video games than ever before. A high level of photorealism means that you no longer need to rely on your imagination to enjoy a game (which is also why so many adults are playing them, compared to before).
Still, your ability to enjoy the game is not always about your mindset. To help explain how, here are the top ten practical changes you can introduce that would improve your gaming experience.
- Get a second monitor
You can start by purchasing a second monitor for your setup (if you don’t already have one). You can answer all your social media messages, browse guides, and more from here. If you’re already working from home as a freelancer, this will greatly boost your productivity.
For instance, some people just love playing sandbox mode while listening to a podcast or watching a show. The simplest way is to set the screen size in-game settings to “windowed borderless” so that switching between tabs doesn’t cause issues.
As for the guides we’ve previously mentioned, it is not the healthiest way to play games, but sometimes there’s no alternative. This is also great for people who like to min-max while gaming.
- Buy a great gaming laptop
Many people may find this point controversial because they believe the only right way to game is with a gaming desktop PC setup. A gaming laptop is a great purchase, even if you already have a gaming PC. Why? Well, for a few reasons.
First, you will have all your saved games and settings synced via platforms like Steam and GOG. This means you can pick up your game while commuting or on vacation.
Another thing to consider is coop. What if you have a gamer friend come over? Why not offer them to join you for a game?
Fortunately, gaming laptops are not expensive and are not hard to find. There are lots of solid options for you to choose from.
- Customize your controls and settings
You can adjust to the current control settings or set your own controls whenever you start a game. The latter is far more intuitive and convenient, especially if you’re playing other games simultaneously. Taking items on F in one game and SPACE in the other is confusing and may lead to frustration. This can be solved in a few seconds of control adjustments.
It’s not just about min-maxing graphics. For instance, some people genuinely dislike motion blur and film grain. Why not just turn them off?
Also, if your device is not up to the latest software standards, you can always lower the settings to improve the FPS. Remember that this will all affect your gaming experience in a good or bad way. Some people find the texture to be more important than FPS. More power to them.
- Change the difficulty
Some games are just too hard or too easy for you to enjoy them the right way.
Take, for example, Cyberpunk 2077. On very easy difficulty, you’ll never have to use the vast majority of features. Perks don’t matter. Upgrading gear is not mandatory. There’s no need to plan to attack organized crime activity spots since it’ll be a joke.
On the other hand, some games heavily rely on narrative. While a more challenging experience is always welcome, when playing games like The Witcher III: Wild Hunt or the Mass Effect trilogy for the first time, it’s fine to set the difficulty to the lowest and play just for the story.
Remember, you’re playing games to enjoy them, and with the wrong difficulty, you won’t be able to do so.
- Watch a guide
Tutorials and early tooltips don’t always give you the right guidance. So, you might want to look for a guide instead. Many videos are titled “25 things I wish I knew when I started X” or “10 beginner tips.” Watching just 15 minutes of these videos (which are usually made to be spoiler free) can make so much difference.
Some games have a steeper learning curve than others. For instance, 4X games or grand strategies suffer from this problem. You’ll never learn how to play Hearts of Iron IV, Europa Universalis IV, or Victoria III by following a tutorial. On the other hand, by finding the right content creator, you will rapidly advance.
- Invest in decent peripherals
You also want to get the best peripherals that you possibly can. First, you want to get the right headset. This can drastically change your performance as a competitive shooter. It will be much easier to know when someone’s sneaking up on you here. Also, a game is an art piece, meaning that the soundtrack is integral to the whole impression. The only way to enjoy it is with the right audio.
Then, there are the right mouse and keyboard. Regarding the mouse, some older versions have a very complex process for setting sensitivity. For people playing FPS games, there’s nothing more important. Adjusting it with just a button click can make a world of difference.
- Buy a great gaming chair
When gaming, you’ll spend all this time comfortably in your chair. This is the so-called gaming chair paradox. If the chair is good, you’ll never think about it. You won’t be grateful for its comfort, and you’ll never feel like it’s anything special. When it’s bad, you won’t be able to think about anything else.
It’s not just about that, either. People spend so much time in front of their computers. Even when not gaming, they work, listen to podcasts, or browse the internet. This means that your posture and overall back health depend heavily on this. There’s no position where you’ll spend more time than sitting in your gaming chair. This means that it’s worth investing a bit more.
- Actually plan your sessions
The next thing you want to do is plan your gaming sessions. Instead of just waking up, sitting behind a game, and playing, try thinking about your sessions in your free time.
Plan a build for your next RPG character or an agenda for your next strategy game.
You see when compulsively playing, you’ll forget to enjoy these runs. Instead, try scheduling them. Try to wrap up all your chores and work obligation by next Friday and decide to start gaming around 7 PM. This way, you’ll have something to look forward to, and your immersion level will be much higher.
- Remember that you’re playing for fun
People who play competitive games, like MOBAs, Battle Royales, or MMORPGs, sometimes forget what this is all about. Their game becomes a surrogate for real life, and they start seeing their gaming sessions as chores. As soon as this happens to you, it’s time to change the game.
Just remember that you’re playing for fun. So, if the game stops being fun, you must stop playing.
People also play games for the wrong reasons. Online games are sometimes seen as social occurrences (everyone at the office plays them together). This is amazing when it works and when it’s fun. Like any other form of peer pressure, you must learn to draw the line.
- Try using mods
Even a game you’ve played a hundred times before can have a completely different flavor after you install the right mod. Some mods give you small quality-of-life improvements, but others are completely game-changing (some say game-breaking).
This also opens up a whole new world of possibilities for you. Other than just using other people’s mods, you could make a mod of your own. This is an amazing opportunity to turn your favorite game into one you’ve always wanted to play.
In some scenarios, this eventually becomes a career. It’s not unheard of that a developer hires a modder of a successful mod.
With the right hardware and software improvements, you’ll be able to get the most out of your gaming sessions
In the end, there are so many great ways to customize your gaming experience, and most don’t require any investment. Buying a new monitor is an expense, but what about changing the settings? Explore these options a bit, and tell us what you think.
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