It’s probably hard to believe there’s anything you could possibly do to make your gaming sessions more enjoyable. After all, for most of us, the most satisfying part of gaming is sitting down and becoming immersed in a virtual world as you play. While that may hold true for you, there are things you can do to level up your experience. Whether you’re a competitive gamer or just play for fun, making a few small changes here and there can go a long way toward improving your enjoyment.
For example, optimizing your setup will help ensure that every session goes smoothly, while having the right mindset and engaging with other players online can make your time a lot more fun. Reducing lag, improving comfort, setting goals, and playing with friends are all effective strategies that will help you get the most out of every gaming session; here we look at how.
Optimize Your Gaming Setup
If you take a look around the area where you do most of your gaming, there’s a good chance it’s not set up in the best way to get the most out of your sessions. If you mostly play on a PC, be sure to invest in an ergonomic chair with lumbar support and adjustable arm and headrests.
This type of chair will help you maintain good posture during those long sessions and minimize the probability you’ll experience aches and pains afterward. It’s also a good idea to place your monitor at eye level to reduce neck strain and keep your feet resting flat on the floor to help with circulation. Investing in a high-quality headset with spatial audio will allow you to hear just about everything that’s happening in the game you’re playing.
Whether it’s a multiplayer social deduction game like Among Us, or sitting down at a virtual tables playing a card or table game in an online casino, hearing everything around you will help you feel like you’re part of the experience. Let’s take an online casino game like roulette. While it may not seem like it, certain sounds will stand out as you play, such as the spinning of the wheel and the clinking of chips, all of which adds to the realism of the game.
Besides making sure you have the right equipment, you should take time to declutter your area. Simple organizational tools like cable organizers and proper lighting can help keep distractions to a minimum so you can focus on the game.
Improve Game Performance and Reduce Frustration
There are few things more frustrating for a gamer than having a session interrupted because of lag. Lag often happens at the most inopportune times. Maybe you’re about to land the final blow on a tough-to-beat boss or lining up the perfect headshot in a competitive shooter; then it happens — the game freezes, stutters, or disconnects at the worst possible moment.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to ensure you have a stable internet connection before you start playing. Using a wired connection instead of WiFi can often reduce latency, while adjusting router settings or upgrading your plan can also improve speed and stability.
While you’re at it, you should check your in-game settings to reduce the likelihood you’ll experience performance drops. For example, lowering unnecessary visual effects, slightly reducing the resolution, or turning on performance mode can often help. You should also be sure to keep your hardware and software updated to avoid technical issues.
Make Gaming More Social
There’s a reason multiplayer gaming is so popular— playing with others is often a lot more fun than playing on your own. If you find yourself getting into a rut in single-player games, try playing with friends or joining online communities to make your experience more fun. There are countless communities on Discord and Reddit where you can team up with others to play multiplayer games.
