6 tips for adapting to any online multiplayer game.

I'm sure you guys are familiar with the online learning curve. This is when you buy a game either months or even a year at the most after the game releases and you find yourself getting hammered online. You know the maps, you know how to use each weapon, but you just can't seem to get the hang of what the hell is going on. Having played most FPS titles such as Killzone, Battlefield, Halo, Black ops, and Crysis, I understand this frustration so I am here to present some tips for when you enter any online community looking to dominate.

1) Avoid crowded areas: All too many times I come across a moment when there are at least 5 guys on each side of the team crowding in a hallway, doorways, or even in a open field. When in these types of situations, someone is bound to throw a grenade, shoot a rocket launcher, or ambush you with a vehicle. If you can't resist at least hang in the back and stop and pop guys so your team can move forward. Otherwise, go around and flank the opposing players.

Games you'll need this tip the most in --> Killzone 2, Killzone 3, Battlefield Bad Company 2

2) Get vertical: Alot of players like to start off really cautious to get used to the map, understand choke points, etc. Players like myself are generally patient. When I say get vertical I mean find a building or hillside or whatever and find your way to the top to oversee what is going on in the battlefield. By doing this you get a sense of player preferences, where the enemies are coming from, and it is much easier to get a kill when you are over top of them. In games like Battlefield Bad Company 2 you can simply spot enemies from above thus helping your teammates.

Games you'll need this tip the most in --> Battlefield Bad Company 2, Killzone 2, Killzone 3, Medal of Honor, MAG, Socom 4,

3) DON'T Camp: One of my biggest pet peeves are campers. Personally, I believe camping requires no skill and is just a scrub tactic. When coming into a game for the first time it is very tempting to camp. However, as games improve, measures are being taken to prevent campers from succeeding. Games like Crysis 2 has an energy meter and requires for you to pick up dog tags to get credit for the kill. So much for cloaking. Some games like Homefront, Call of Duty, and Crysis 2 have a killcam. Uncharted 2 has perks such as situal awareness to see through walls. Killzone 3 Tactnician has the spot and mark which enables him to mark any enemy on the map. Yes, this includes the ability to see you through walls and the floors. In any team based shooter you are only hurting your team during objectives. So don't even think about chilling in the back of your spawn point in hopes to rack up kills. This is no way to adapt. In a game like free for all in COD or Socom 4 suppression ( Classic Mode ) you may be able to get away with it.

Games you'll need this tip the most in --> Every online shooter

4) Use your common sense: Seriously, these days as some shooters get casualized more idiots seem to come along into the game. Generally, most games don't require that much skill to get used to. With that said, have some common sense. If you get sniped in any area don't run back to the same spot in hopes of finding the guy who sniped you. Definately don't take the exact same route to the spot where you got sniped. Better yet, if your friend gets sniped, lets say near a doorway, don't stand at the doorway in hopes of doing anything game changing. You will die too. If your friend gets sniped next to you..get the hell outta dodge. Don't reload too much especially if you have a gun that takes a while to reload. Always reload when spotting an enemy that hasn't seen you yet. That way you won't go empty when in a firefight. Also, have some awareness and pay attention to where mines and claymores are set. When in a firefight, if your opponent throws a grenade... then MOVE!! Also, don't stand around like a sitting duck in an open area. And please don't charge across an open area when vehicles and mounted guns are present

Games you'll need this tip the most in --> Any call of duty game, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Socom 4, Killzone 3

5)Party up with some veterans: When I bought Battlefield Bad Company 2 it was December 2010. This game came out March 2010. You can imagine how many level 30's I had cross my paths. Luckily I joined a clan with my closest PSN friends. It was 3 of them. They had the game since released and showed me the ropes along the way. When you have really good players by your side communicating with you, they take alot of pressure off of you when coming into contact with the enemy especially during objectives. They can keep the opposing team busy while you comfortably find your way around and sneak in a couple kills.

Games you'll need this tip the most in --> Socom 4, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Uncharted 2, Crysis 2

6) Don't hesitate to use vehicles: For some strange reason, some people don't like using vehicles that much. Some people just want to grab their assault rifles and spread out in the field. I don't understand why people take vehicles for granted. They are there to change the flow of the battle. Vehicles give you advantages over anyone not using them. Whether it maybe using jeeps them to flank enemies or get from point A to point B much faster, using a jetpack to ambush enemies from above, or leading an assualt of a base in a tank. In some games you even get points for just being in the vehicle. Also, if your teammates are inside of a vehicle, then hop on in along with them. I don't see why you shouldn't

Games you'll need this tip the most in --> Battlefield Bad Company 2, Killzone 3, Homefront, Halo Reach

[-Alpha]

Good tips, disagree with the most controversial #3.

I will blog back because my comment ended up being insanely long

[SageHonor]

Thanks, I will read your blog :)

[dinkeldinkse]

But I don't believe any of the games you mention have a learning curve(except if you start playing online right away and don't know the games' controls). Anyway, you gave good tips for people that want to adapt easier to an online multiplayer game.

[SageHonor]

I understand, but it is really hard for some people to adapt to online shooters. Sometimes people will go into a different game looking to play like the game that just played. For example, If you are good in COD, you cannot hop into Battlefield Bad company 2 acting like a one man army. It does not work that way.

[andron]

Some good tips there. I'm no master mp''er so I have nothing to add.

Except maybe on nr 6. If you see the driver of the vehicles doesn't seem to know what he's doing and can't find his way around, get out before somebody blow you all up...

[whatis]

I think a good tip is also to watch videos of professionals playing the game.

For highly competitive games such as Quake Live or Starcraft 2 for example, this is definitely a must.

A video like this one: tinyurl.com/35qczsz

is a perfect example of what I am talking about.

Also point number 3 makes you sound like a bit of a fascist. Really, what does it matter how somebody chooses to play a game?

If you ask me, seeing and experiencing different gameplay styles are what multiplayer games are all about.

[SageHonor]

Hmm, it matters when you want to adapt.You gotta get your butt out there and really try at first. Not hang back and camp.

[thatboytim]

Some interesting points - each game has its own tactics and you can't play a COD game like you are supposed to play BattleField BC 2. I say supposed because so many players still don't play this game properly more than a year in! SPOT please will you! Its easy points and really helps your team mates!

KillZone 3 has a great class system that almost forces you to play differently; by giving you very specific skills/perks and it therefore dictates the way must play.

On the subject of CAMPING I am torn - surely the idea is to stay alive and not get killed. If hiding in a corner waiting for the other guy to run past is camping - then that's fair! And as you have said the killcam will force you move on anyway.

Now camping and not contributing - just getting half a dozen kills and no deaths to preserve your precious KD - that I am not a fan of.

[whatis]

Agreed. I know that after I've gotten four or five kills in a row I always make it a point to die right away for fear of being labelled a camper.

There is definitely nothing worse than those selfish players who get lots of kills without dying and thusly contribute nothing to the team.

[thatboytim]

A hint of sarcasm there - I can't quite tell ;)

I meant not contributing to the team objectives in games other than Team Death Match. This is where kills don't necessarily win the game.

[whatis]

Heh, just having some fun mate :P

[Mondayding]

I think there really are only two ways people play these games - you're either out to rack up the most kills or you're out to die as few times as possible.

Me, I like to die as few times as possible - sometimes that means camping, sometimes it doesn't. And I really don't have anything against camping. The only time I could complain about it is if it's being done in a cynical way, whatever that is, and you're never gonna know, are you? If that's how you play a game, that's how you play, far be it for me or anyone else to tell you how to enjoy yourself.

[BlackKnight]

I would only argue that "camping" is an issue when there is an objective to the game mode besides deathmatch modes. If you need to move a flag or destroy a site (and you are the offensive team, not defensive) and half your team is sitting back in corners when we have no base or flag to defend, that is camping and just makes you lose.

Camping is not camping if you are hiding near a bomb site or base or flag and are defending it while the other half of your team is on offense trying to get to the enemies flag/base/etc. That is plain defense/guard.

When it is strictly deathmatch, "camping" is fine. I think it is the stealth/ambusg approach. Can be cheap feeling at times and if EVERYONE is doing it, the game basically comes to a stand still which can be annoying. But many games have "perks" or gameplay mechanics (killcams) to help with "campers".

[DelbertGrady]

Up the sensitivity of the controls. Might be hard to aim at first but once you get used you have a major advantage over gamers who play with default controls.