So I know the internet is rather a poor place to post a blog such as this, since GameFaqs and other great sites will list strategies of all sorts to let people know. However, most of these I find almost always focus more on players looking for intermediate-advanced methods of playing, and rarely give newcomers any real tips than just movesets, layouts, stats, and combos. So in this post, I'm throwing it out what I think are fundamentals of most genres. Feel free to throw out opinions and criticisms, because these are just things that have worked for me.
Before we go into the genres, here's some basic tips on all games.
Difference between Cheap and Cheating
In every genre, there will be cheaters. Cheating mainly comes down to people using cheats, glitches, lag, or mods to put the game in their favor. If it wasn't intended for the game, it's usually not appropraite to use it. In this case, I believe it's the one form of exploiting that shouldn't be allowed.
On the other hand, you'll learn about mechanics that may be cheap. Spawn killing in FPS/TPS can bring a lot of advantage to your team, and it's not exactly cheating. Certain moves in fighting games can be easily spammed to pressure players, but that's not exactly cheating. And things like rushing in strategy games can be cheap, but it's not exactly cheating. These forms of exploitations no matter how low they are, are still intended for the game. If the other player/team can't adapt to the strategy you're using, then it's them that's at fault. Sooner or later, you'll run into players/teams that won't fall for the trick, and punish you. Games are about adapting, and whoever can outthink the other is the true winner.
Balancing Mentality
Let's be honest, simple things frustrate us. Work does. School does. Relationships. Anything! And games aren't left out of the equation. To me, anything that you can derive satisfaction or pleasure from can cause the opposite effect as well. So it's safe to say you'll run into a lot of people that may potentially piss you off.
You're going to have people that perform actions to you... such as tea bag in Halo or CS. You'll have players shouting insults (intelligent and mindless) at you. You're going to lose... and sometimes a lot. This may spark a bit of rage in you.
Most people will say, "Grow up. It's just a game." Well if people are allowed to get pissed off at the most mundane things in life, then why keep out video games? You know yourself better than I do, so if you want to cuss out the other player, do it. If you want to teabag them, then teabag them. If you rage quit, then it's probably for the best reasons. To me, it's only too far when you start destroying objects in your possession (controllers) or if you're taking it out on family/friends/loved ones.
It's really up to you to be in control. It's the mindgame of video games.
Now onto the genres...
FPS/TPS genre
One of the most popular genres in the industry are beginning to hit the mainstream easier. At first, most casual players found these games a bit intimidating since the controls are a funk, and maps can be daunting at first. They've gotten easier with certain mechanics, but there are still a few things to learn.
Find the Controls that Work for You
Most people who never have never tried a game at first will always ask, "What are the controls?" And they'll get to know the default or the player they are playing with preference, but I feel most players never find anything that work for them.
So open the menu, and just fine tune what kind of controls what you want. Maybe inverted works better for you. I never knew why I like it so much, but it does. Games like Halo 3 offer a list of schemes that will match your playstyle (I use bumper jumper) while games like TF2 will give you complete control over every action of the game. Take the time to adjust sensitivity, toggle crouches, and other things. Once you know what works for you, the game will be easier.
Know the Maps
If you've never hopped into an online game, I suggest exploring the maps offline first. Find the spots where you think will have the most logical advantage, and know where the weapons/vehicles/etc. spawn on the map. Knowing is half the battle (Gah GI Joe lol). Once you start hopping into matches, pay attention to where most of the action takes place. In almost every game, most players will find spots on the map that are easy to get kills, easily defendable, or just plain works to your advantage. Learning from others will get you into the game much easier.
Team Player or Lone Wolf?
These kinds of games highly popularize the use of "teamwork". In which case, two guns are better than one when shooting at someone. For example, if two players in CS are firing at another player, and they all have the same weapons and similar amount of accuracy, then the third man is most likely going to die. But that's what you'd call a DUH fact. The point is, working together with others can garner some success. More players flooding a base will more likely complete the objective, or that's the illusion at least.
The thing is, I've been in plenty of situations where my whole squad/group/party has been killed off by one guy. It only takes one well-placed grenade and a few good shots to clear a whole room. One laser shot will wipe out a decked out warthog. And one man will sometimes completely sneak behind an entire team and get the capture point. Lone wolves can get the job done just as well as any other team. So it's a matter of finding out what you are.
If you think you're a teamplayer, then start finding people to play with. XBL party system is a great way for players to communicate in matches without the noisy chatter of strangers on your team. Find people you want to play with, and won't cuss you out at every corner. Once one guy starts flaunting his list of insults to his mates, then the whole morale degrades rather badly.
But if you're a player that can't stand working with a group of knuckleheads, then go get the job done yourself! My biggest word of advice is make sure you're actually contributing to the team. Being that player running around and getting constantly killed and not doing anything isn't considered helpful. Can't handle it on your own? Then best start working with the others on your team.
Fighting Genre
Oh boy, out of all the genres I've ever played in the gaming industry, this one I believe is the most irritating of them all. I feel it comes down to the fact that it's all up to you to win. Unlike other games, you can't go pointing the finger at anyone but yourself for the loss. It's a beast to handle, but if you're up for the challenge, then you'll find some of the most competitive fun the industry has to offer.
Find Your Character
A few fighting enthusiasts may disagree with me on this, but if you want to do good in this genre, you really need to focus on one or a handful of characters. When you focus more on one character, you'll learn not only their moves and combos, but what works for them against other characters. Timing will become more natural, and by using one character, you kind of start to learn them all. Other players will do you good by showing what works and doesn't work. So if you bored with the one you're using, just pick up another and start to figure out, "How they did that." Speaking about figuring out stuff...
Value Replays
You're going to come across some combos that make you go, "WTF just happened?" In this case, use your replay feature if the game has one. Analyze what your opponent did to you: watch every move and whatnot. You'll notice in parts that if you had recovered differently then you could've prevented as much damage, that some moves in the combo are slower/low hits that can be blocked, and what your opponent did to bait you into a super/throw/super throw. Knowing trends that players use will benefit you greatly.
Never Stop Training
As if I was talking about some RPG, you should never stop training. Honing your skills, making sure you can pull off that move/combo, and learning how to evade/counter/block attacks helps more than it hurts. As strategies of characters evolve, you'll need to be on your feet as well.
Be Ready To Fight The "Best/Worst"
A lot of fighting games have developed a rank/true skill for their online. This is really another mindgame that is meant to intimidate/provoke players into playing at a state that's sometimes not their best. In Blazblue and Soul Calibur 4, I've ran into many players that have left the room because I was simply a higher level. To any beginner, this is fault you can't fall into. Even if it's a loss, it will be a good way to learn how the big boys play, and from there you can adapt your playstyle. Besides, you might even win. At the same time, I've seen low-level players dominate the so-called "Better" players. Just because they're a hgiher rank, doesn't mean they're unstoppable. In some cases, High-level players lose just because the players are using a strategy they simply forgot, spamming. In reality, you have to be ready for anything. I say take every fight you can get, because you'll get something out of it with the right mindset.
To be continued...
