Video games are no longer just for kids. The average age of gamers is 34 years old, and the number of people playing video games worldwide has increased by 8% in 2017 alone. Games like “Fortnite” have taken over popular culture with 1 billion players worldwide, and it’s only a matter of time before eSports becomes an Olympic event.
But what does this mean for you? Should you rush to buy the newest game console so you or your children can stay connected with their friends? Or should you be worried about how much time they spend online gaming instead of doing homework or chores? What does all this mean for your company if employees are constantly checking social media or YouTube during work hours? Why do some people become so addicted they actually harm themselves just to play the game?
As video games have evolved into a key part of our culture and society, determining whether or not it’s worth your time is tricky.
Here are 5 pieces of equipment you should invest in to upgrade your gaming experience:
1) Headphones
Good headphones are an integral aspect of modern gaming. When you think of popular gamers who stream their gameplay, a lot of them are best known for headphones, especially when they match with other pieces of their setup. With surround sound audio, you’ll feel like the sound effects and music come from all around you rather than just coming out of your speakers. This creates a more immersive experience for the player. They also give players an advantage because they can hear footsteps or the rustling of bushes in first-person shooter games (games where you play from the perspective of one character) better than anyone else in the room!
2) A Good Gaming Computer
A new computer is one of the best investments you can make nowadays. Not only will it allow you to game at higher settings (which makes the game look better), but also allows you to run multiple programs simultaneously without lagging, which means more productivity for work-related tasks as well. Laptops are useful if you’d like to play games on the go (e.g., waiting for the bus, taking the train to work), but they’re not as powerful as desktops, and you most likely won’t be able to upgrade their internals.
3) A High Refresh Rate Monitor
A high refresh rate monitor is similar to a gaming monitor in that it has smooth motion. This means less screen tearing (when your video card sends data faster than the monitor can display it, which causes wavy lines or multiple images).
High Refresh Rate monitors are also great because they reduce/eliminate input lag (a delay between when you do something and when it appears on-screen), which makes them ideal for fast-paced games where reaction time matters.
4) A Gaming Chair
Yet another great piece of equipment for your home office/gaming area is a gaming chair. Gaming chairs are specifically designed so that players can sit in them for hours on end without getting uncomfortable or experiencing pain. Most have extremely adjustable armrests, lumbar support, and headrests, which help users find their optimal comfort position. Some even have built-in speakers to further immerse you in the game with surround sound audio! Plus, they look cool! Bonus points if your gaming chair matches your gaming setup :)
5) A Quality Mouse and Mousepad
Choosing a good mouse and mousepad is vital to improving your gameplay. Having a good sensor (this determines how accurately the cursor moves on-screen) is key, as well as ergonomics (how comfortable it feels in your hand).
A quality mouse won’t just help with accuracy, but will also reduce wrist strain and cramping over time. It’s important to note that you should always aim for wired mouses because wireless ones interfere with the frame rate, so it translates into input lag – which means you won’t be able to shoot or move as fast as you could if you were using a wired one.
For your mousepad, it’s best to invest in a hard surface one. A soft mousepad will destroy your mouse feet – this means the mouse will move slower on-screen because it’s dragging through the fabric rather than gliding effortlessly on metal or plastic.
It can be tricky to determine whether or not it’s worth your time playing video games. However, with the right equipment and mindset, you can make gaming a worthwhile hobby for yourself and others that is fun and relaxing rather than stressful. The 5 pieces of equipment we mentioned should help give you an edge in-game as well as at work by increasing productivity and making the most out of your downtime!
