Gaming is a passion shared by millions; and it is one’s inherent competitive instincts that push him/her to master a game. Though spending considerable time, money and energy helps give some gamers a competitive advantage over others, here are a few general pointers that will hopefully help those who have limited resources but want to be ahead of the curve.

Be specific: Let’s get this out of our way. If you want to be better at games, you have to work and learn one game at a time. Every game (even if in a single genre) plays out a little differently, so you have to choose one to master before moving on to the next one. Trying to handle multiple games at one time is going to make you forget strategies and shift your focus.

Know the theory: We understand, this is starting to sound like a lecture, but knowing the theory or the engine behind a game is ultimately going to benefit you in mastering the physics of the game. This comes in very handy when trying to master a first-person shooter (FPS), third-person shooter (TPS) or sports games. Knowing how the game will respond to a particular move definitely helps you in determining your strategy.

Start with the basics: Playing the tutorials is for kids – wrong! They are there to lay the foundation of the game. They help you understand the controls of the game the way they are meant to be. One can’t expect to ace the difficult combos without getting the basics right. The assumption that tutorials or training modes are for ninnies will eventually come back to haunt you. The ‘knowledge gap’ becomes particularly obvious when people try to perform advanced level skills or pull off hard combos in a game (like FIFA, NBA, Street Fighter etcetera), and fail magnificently. The only success they do find is, headlining a YouTube video titled, EPIC <game title> N0oB fail

Plan and strategise: Don’t jump into the game without planning your strategy and gauging your strengths and weaknesses. Use different and unique tactics to surprise your opponent and to avoid becoming predictable. If playing a team game, then know your role and work for the benefit of the team instead of personal glory.

Execute and finish: Planning is worthless if you can’t execute a move perfectly. Timing plays a huge role in nearly all games, so get your timing right. Pounce on any given opportunity and finish off your opponent.

Practice, practice and..…ummm did I mention, practice: The most important, hence last stated. The more you practice the better you get – simple. Working hard and investing time are two of the most important ingredients to master a game. Review your skills over and over again, till they become second nature, and you don’t have to think before executing them. More often than not, it is those milliseconds that matter the most.

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