Computer Gaming Tips and Tricks

Computer gaming has become one of the largest entertainment industries worldwide, with over 2.8 billion players across the globe. From casual smartphone games to competitive esports tournaments, video games are more popular and advanced than ever before. With so many different games, platforms, and genres available today, becoming an expert gamer may seem daunting to those just starting out. However, there are some key tips and tricks that can help you quickly improve your skills and get the most enjoyment out of computer gaming.

In this essay, I will provide a comprehensive overview of useful gaming advice for beginners to advanced players. I’ll cover general gameplay tips, hardware considerations for building a gaming PC, how to choose games and gaming gear, tactics for specific popular genres like shooters and MOBAs, and habits for staying safe and healthy as an avid gamer. Whether playing for fun or competing at an elite level, these computer gaming strategies will enhance your overall experience and performance.

General Gameplay Tips

Here are some essential gameplay tips for success across all types of computer games:

• Master controls and settings – Take time to learn the control scheme and customize settings like mouse sensitivity to your preferences. This builds muscle memory and consistency.
• Use sound to your advantage – Quality headphones can help you hear important audio cues like enemy footsteps in shooters. Turn off music if it’s distracting.
• Adjust your posture – Sit upright with your arms level to avoid fatigue. Look slightly downward at the screen to reduce neck strain.
• Take regular breaks – Give your body and eyes a rest every 30-60 minutes. Stretching helps avoid health issues.
• Strategize and analyze – Think carefully about your gameplay goals, learn from failures, and self-analyze to continuously improve. Watch replays of matches.
• Collaborate and communicate – In multiplayer games, effective teamwork and coordination is key. Use a mic to talk with teammates.
• Explore the map – Learn the layout of game environments carefully. Find subtle paths and terrain advantages your enemies may not expect.
• Customize your experience – Tweak difficulty, UI elements, controls, and audio to tailor the challenge and experience to your liking.
Building a Gaming PC

Serious gamers know that your hardware can significantly impact in-game performance and visuals. Here’s a quick guide to components for assembling a high-end gaming PC:

• GPU – The graphics card is the most important component. High-end models from Nvidia (RTX 30 series) and AMD (Radeon RX 6000 series) offer smooth frame rates and realistic graphics.
• CPU – A fast multi-core processor like AMD’s Ryzen or Intel’s Core i7/i9 allows your GPU to perform at its best. Games utilize 4+ core CPUs.
• RAM – 16GB is standard for gaming, but competitive players may use 32GB or more for maximum game asset loading and future proofing. Speed of 3200MHz or higher is ideal.
• Storage – Use a 1TB or larger SSD for your operating system and main games. Supplement with a high capacity HDD for other data.
• Motherboard – Choose a board with solid VRMs to deliver stable power to your CPU and GPU. The chipset impacts supported processors.
• PSU – A 80+ Gold certified 750W+ power supply unit can efficiently deliver stable power to your GPU and components. Modular cables keep things tidy.
• Cooling – Effective cooling like large air coolers or liquid AIOs are essential to maintain high boost clocks on your GPU and CPU during long gaming sessions.
Choosing Games

With so many games available for PC these days, it can be hard to know what to play. Here are some tips for finding games you’ll enjoy:

• Consult reviews – Sites like IGN, PC Gamer, and Metacritic offer unbiased game reviews to help identify quality titles in genres you like.
• Research genres – Match games to the specific genres you enjoy most like shooters, MOBAs, MMORPGs, RTS titles, etc.
• Consider your hardware – Optimize game selection to match your PC’s capabilities. Newer and more demanding games require higher-end components.
• Watch streams – Seeing games in action on Twitch and YouTube helps assess gameplay and style before you buy.
• Try free games – MOBAs like League of Legends or hero shooters like Apex Legends offer free gameplay to try out.
• Assess communities – The size and type of player base indicates longevity and ongoing support with updates.
• Consider friends/streamers – Playing the same games as friends or streamers you follow allows you to play together and learn.
• Check system requirements – Confirm the game’s minimum and recommended specs align with your PC hardware before purchasing.
• Read previews – Game announcements and conventions like E3 give previews of upcoming games to help plan purchases.
Gaming Gear Basics

The right gaming peripherals can enhance your experience and performance in competitive play:

Mouse – For precision aim, choose an adjustable DPI gaming mouse with lightweight construction and extra buttons. Popular options include the Logitech G Pro Wireless and the Razer DeathAdder V2.

Keyboard – Mechanical keyboards with tactile switches from Cherry, Razer, or other brands allow rapid key presses. Some feature dedicated macro keys.

Headset – Prioritize clear audio and comfort from brands like SteelSeries, HyperX, or Astro. Noise-cancelling microphones are great for communication.

Mouse Pad – Larger cloth or hybrid mouse pads like those from Corsair provide ample space with consistent surface traction.

Monitor – Shoot for a 24-27 inch display with fast refresh rates of 144Hz-360Hz and response times under 5ms for smooth visuals. Curve and 4K optional.

Chair – Sturdy ergonomic gaming chairs with lumbar support cushions from Secretlab, Vertagear and others reduce fatigue during long sessions.

First-Person Shooter (FPS) Tips

First-person shooters like Valorant, Apex Legends, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive pit your aim and reflexes against others in fast-paced, lethal gameplay. Here are some tips for competitive shooting success:

• Practice crosshair placement – Keeping your crosshair always at head level improves reaction time for lethal headshots.
• Move unpredictably – Use crouching, jumping, and strafing in gunfights to dodge enemy fire and make yourself a harder target.
• Learn spray patterns – When firing full auto, memorize the gun’s recoil pattern and compensate by pulling in the opposite direction as you shoot.
• Utilize grenades – Fragmentation grenades force enemies out of cover or cause damage. Flashbangs impair vision temporarily.
• Play the objective – In team modes, focusing on the goal like defusing the bomb or capturing a point often matters more than kills.
• Try stealth – Walking and using suppressors hides your presence on the radar and helps sneak up on unwary enemies.
• Experiment with positions – Don’t always take the obvious sniping spots. Creative positioning catches opponents off guard.
• Fine-tune your sensitivity – Finding the right balance of mouse sensitivity for you (usually low) allows you to flick and track precisely.
MOBA Tips

Multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) like League of Legends and DOTA 2 blend real-time strategy, role-playing, and combat into intense competitive team-based matches. Use these tips:

• Learn abilities and heroes – Read guides to understand heroes’ skills and suggested item builds for winning matchups.
• Map awareness – Constantly glance at the minimap to spot missing enemies and identify objectives to target. Call missing enemies.
• Prioritize farming – Earn gold and XP quickly by last hitting minions efficiently in lane during the early game.
• Adapt item builds – Build items to counter enemies’ strengths. For example, armor against physical damage dealers.
• Cooperate with allies – Work with your team to ambush isolated enemies, contest objectives, and initiate teamfights.
• Track cooldowns – Keep note of enemies’ ability cooldowns and strike when their crucial skills are unavailable.
• Rotate maps – After the laning phase, move between lanes to press advantages and take objectives.
• Ward carefully – Use wards to gain vision in key areas like objectives and common gank paths to spot enemy movements.
Battle Royale Strategies

The battle royale genre spearheaded by games like Fortnite and Apex Legends provides unique gameplay with these key tactics:

• Pinpoint safe landing spots – Land in quieter areas with quality loot away from other players to gear up safely early.
• Gather materials – Harvest building resources in games like Fortnite to construct walls, ramps, and structures for cover and mobility.
• Use cover – Duck behind structures, terrain, and objects to minimize exposure to enemy fire during combat.
• Flank opponents – Use stealth or mobility abilities to attack enemies from the side or behind to catch them off guard.
• Stick with your squad – Stay near teammates for numerical advantage in fights. Revive downed allies when possible.
• Avoid unnecessary combat – Consider disengaging and fleeing the storm/circle rather than taking on unwise fights.
• Carry healing/shield items – Have heal and shield consumables on hand for sustaining through fights and outlasting rivals.
• Capitalize on airdrops – Grab powerful gear from airdrop packages before enemies, while being wary of ambushes.
Staying Safe and Healthy

To maintain a healthy lifestyle as an avid gamer, be sure to:

• Take regular screen breaks – Give your eyes a rest every 30-60 minutes by looking away into the distance.
• Stay hydrated – Keep water at your desk to drink regularly while gaming to stay refreshed.
• Eat healthy snacks – Choose fruits, nuts or yogurt instead of sugary treats for lasting energy.
• Protect accounts – Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication to prevent your game accounts from being hacked.
• Be wary of scams – Ignore shady links sent by strangers that promise free skins or boosts as they may infect your device.
• Stop when frustrated – Walk away rather than playing on tilt when you feel significant anger or frustration.
• Avoid toxicity – Use mute features liberally to avoid verbal harassment from rude players. Report abusive behavior.
• Sit correctly – Maintain good posture and positioning to avoid neck, wrist, and back issues after long sessions.
• Make time for exercise – Offset periods of sitting with regular cardio, strength training, and stretching.

Whether you’re looking to casually unwind or compete seriously in esports, these computer gaming strategies will help you get the most out of your time playing. Mastering controls, carefully selecting gear that suits your budget and genre preferences, learning in-game tactics tailored to shooters, MOBAs, and other popular titles, and forming positive habits will let you succeed and have fun.

The wide variety of games available today offers experiences for all interests and skill levels. Just be sure to prioritize your health by taking breaks, staying hydrated and fit, and avoiding toxicity. With these gaming tips in mind, you’ll gain skills, find communities, and relish the thrill of victory in your favorite games. The advice provided gives you a strong foundation – now it’s time to put it into practice as you team up with allies, lead your guild to victory, or claim that coveted chicken dinner.