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Gaming is a form of entertainment that has increased tremendously in popularity in recent years. Video games transport you to a world where you can do things you probably never will in real life. Not only is this a great way to escape from everyday stresses, but it can also be a way to meet new people, spend time with friends or family, and gaming can even become a career. However, if you haven’t always been interested in games, it might seem a little overwhelming to jump on the gaming train now. With so many competing gaming platforms, genres, game styles, and even costs to consider, you might struggle to figure out where to begin. We understand the struggle, so we created this beginner’s guide to help you start playing games and having fun.
Table of Contents
- What Does It Mean To Be a Gamer?
- 5 Tips To Get Started With Gaming
- Beginner’s Guide To Shopping for Games
- Conclusion
What Does It Mean To Be a Gamer?
In the past, being a gamer was associated with a stereotypical image of a teenage boy locked away in a dark room playing video games. However, this is no longer the case. As the gaming industry developed, it’s become much more diverse, attracting players from all walks of life. There are no longer any age limits or gender restrictions on who can become a gamer. Now, a gamer is considered anyone who enjoys playing video games. This can range from enjoying simple puzzle games on your phone or playing highly competitive, multiplayer shooters online. Professional gamers are also becoming more well-known. These hardcore gamers make a living by gaming competitively.
So, what’s stopping you from delving into the entertaining world of gaming? If the only reason is that you don’t think you’re a gamer, that’s not good enough. Anyone can be a gamer if you have a passion for it. Who knows, you might just download one addictive puzzle game on your phone, and just like that, you’re on your way to becoming a gamer.
5 Tips To Get Started With Gaming
Gaming involves so much more than just starting to play. Many different aspects need to be considered, such as which platforms you want to use, what types of games you want to play, the difficulty levels of those games, the skills required, and more. However, it can seem like a never-ending maze to find the game for you.
One of the most important things to remember is to choose what you like, not what you think other gamers will pick. Equally important is to remember that gaming is about balance. Do you want to play games for extended periods? Think about how that will impact your day-to-day activities and how to achieve this while keeping a healthy balance. Perhaps you’re just looking for something casual to keep you entertained?
Choose Your Platform
There are many different gaming platforms and consoles to choose from. You might’ve started doing some research and found very conflicting answers regarding which option is the best. This is because choosing a console is personal, and one isn’t necessarily better than another, but they might offer different things. You will always have die-hard fans that swear one console is better than another.
To find the best option, consider how you plan on gaming. Do you plan to just enjoy some casual games while on the commute or during your lunch break? In this case, mobile gaming might be a better option. Another alternative is a handheld console, like the Nintendo Switch. However, if you want to spend more time gaming and have a dedicated space you can use, you can consider either a console, like Xbox or PlayStation, or a PC.
Next, think about how much you’re willing to invest in gaming. Getting a state-of-the-art gaming setup is quite a financial investment. As such, it’s worth considering before committing to a platform. If you don’t want to spend a lot on your gaming pursuits, then mobile gaming might be a good fit. Most people already have a mobile device, and many mobile games are available for free or at a very affordable price.
Consoles and PCs require more of a financial investment. However, modern consoles have a much longer lifespan than before, giving you a better return on your investment. The new generation consoles, i.e., Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, still have many years ahead of them before you need to start thinking about upgrading your console. However, eventually, you’ll need to think about upgrading them once the next generation is released and gaming studios stop making games for the older generation of consoles.
PC gaming can vary in price depending on what your needs are. You might already have a PC at home that you can use for gaming. Alternatively, you might want to buy a new one with better specs for newer games. It’s also possible to upgrade a PC while keeping the investment low by just buying and installing more RAM or a better graphics card.
Finally, think about titles you want to try. Unfortunately, all games aren’t available on all platforms, and some gaming studios bring out exclusives only to a particular device. PC has the largest selection of games, with services like Steam offering an estimated 67 821+ games at the moment. These range from free and paid games.
On the other hand, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo don’t offer quite as many games as PC. Nintendo Switch currently offers 12 062 games, while PlayStation offers 4974 titles, and Xbox has 3059 games available. However, as more gaming studios start embracing crossplay capabilities, we should see more games coming to consoles as well, including some of the best console games.
Find the Right Game
The next step is finding the right video game to start playing. Do you have the budget to spend on AAA titles? Or do you prefer to try out free games first? Perhaps you’re somewhere in the middle and looking at options to try many different games without spending much money.
Mobile and PC offer the widest selection of free games. Free games are a great way to dip your toes into the world of gaming without breaking the bank. This is also a great way to discover what type of games you enjoy.
Most platforms now also offer a subscription service that enables you to play a wide range of games for a small monthly subscription fee. Xbox Game Pass is a great example of this, with many games becoming available for players. This service even offers AAA games and first-day releases, so you can really benefit from your subscription.
Discover Different Gaming Genres
The number of gaming genres has exploded. No matter your interests, there should be a game for you to play. There are so many different genres, from puzzle games to immersive role-playing games; first-person shooters, adventure, and survival are just some of the genres you can consider.
The first thing you need to think about is what interests you. Do you enjoy a storyline with complex character development? Do you want something relaxed that you don’t need to think about? Do you enjoy the thrill of competition when playing against others?
If you’re unsure what game is right for you, the gaming community might be able to point you in the right direction. Take a look at some recommendations for the best games for beginners, watch YouTube videos or read blog posts on the topic to get some helpful information.
Learn the Basic Controls
Once you’ve chosen a game that you want to play, you should take some time learning the basic controls. You’ll soon come to find that many games utilize a similar control style. However, every now and again, the controls might differ greatly, so you also need to be flexible when moving between different games.
If your game offers a tutorial, play that first, as it’s the best way to get a good understanding of the controls. Some games automatically build in the tutorial right at the start of the game, which is very useful. If your game doesn’t offer a tutorial, read some guides or watch YouTubers playing the game to get a feel for how things work.
Don’t Underestimate Tutorials, Resources, and Game Guides
Finally, the gaming community is quite expansive and supportive. Don’t forget that you’re not alone in your gaming journey. If you get stuck, there are other tools available to help you navigate out of the situation. Tutorials, game guides, and how-to videos are just some of the resources available.
If you’re after a more interactive solution to your gaming problems, online forums and chat groups dedicated to specific games can also prove useful. Many games also have dedicated social media pages that you can join to learn all the latest tricks and gain valuable information.
Beginner’s Guide To Shopping for Games
Games are broadly divided into three categories. These categories have nothing to do with the genre but more to do with the game’s skill level. However, understanding these categories will make it much easier when you’re looking to download or buy a video game.
Here are descriptions of the categories you can use when looking at different games:
- Casual games: These games appeal to a large number of people, especially beginners. They’re usually simpler and don’t require a huge time investment. Puzzle games like Candy Crush Saga are an example of a casual video game.
- Mid-core games: These games require more of a time investment and often include some basic strategy or combat. Video games like Roblox and Genshin Impact fall into this category.
- Hardcore games: These video games require high engagement, and the player needs to remain active during battles or story chapters. There’s also more of a time commitment involved. These include titles like Monster Hunter, Dark Souls, and massive online games.
Conclusion
Gaming is a fun hobby to pursue and can provide you with hours of entertainment. To get started, you don’t need any specific skills. You can even make it a socializing opportunity and play with your friends or family. However, starting your gaming journey can seem a little daunting at first. After all, how do you know which platform to use or games to buy if you’ve never played before?
Follow our simple tips, and you’ll soon find yourself enjoying a video game the way you want to. Regardless if you opt for a PC, console, or mobile, a whole new world of entertainment awaits you when you take your very first steps and become part of the gaming community.