Although console gaming is quite popular worldwide, PC gamers make up a big part of the overall gaming community as well. In fact, a recent report shows us that out of the world’s 3.1 billion gamers, 48% of them are playing behind a PC, making over 1,500,000,000 users.
With millions of people gaming online, and more joining the ranks each and every day, being aware of some essential factors especially applicable for PC gamers is a must. Below we’ll take a look at six useful tips that are sure to improve your overall experience.
Clean your computer regularly
Even if you don’t spend hours upon end gaming on your PC, you’ll definitely want to make sure that its exterior, and more importantly, the interior is squeaky clean.
Using compressed air cans to clean out dust and dirt from the keyboard is a great way to keep your accessories shiny and good-looking. Spraying the screen with a special computer cleaner fluid and wiping away will help to keep your screen free of fingerprints and other spots. This is best done with a microfiber towel. Dust build-up can put your PC at risk, so this is good not only for the aesthetics of your PC but also for its lifespan.
Even more essential, is that PC gamers clean the interior workings of the computer regularly. If your device has ever felt too hot to the touch or has made similar sounds to an airplane taking off, then you can be pretty sure that your machine needs a good cleaning inside. This can also be done with compressed air by unplugging the computer and removing dust from the power supply.
It may also be useful to invest in an antivirus package. This is sure to keep your PC clean in the software sense, detecting and preventing potential viruses that may be causes of infection due to consistent use.
Practice your gameplay with free opportunities
The best way to become a master of anything is to practice and, when it comes to PC gaming, the concept is no different. The transition from console to mouse and keyboard can be a major adjustment for many. However, after some time spent getting used to the differences, it soon becomes second nature. One way to increase your familiarity with PC gaming is to take advantage of the many free games across the web.
For example, the best secure online casino platforms offer users the chance to practice their strategy with a range of free poker competitions in both ‘play’ and real money variants. Gamers can get used to the way poker is played in the digital realm, testing out the software and getting a feel for the game on a PC.
In a similar way, interactive city-builders like the popular Forge of Empires and Elvenar are available to play for free with just a click of your mouse. For gamers who are looking for a different genre altogether, a wide variety of first-person shooter titles can also be found online to practice the transition from console to PC.
Each of these options will help people to become more familiar with PC gaming, giving them more confidence to move to a more intensive version of the same games. This can be especially handy if you’re just beginning your PC gaming journey.
Connect with fellow online gamers
Another way to maximize your PC gameplay experience is by actively connecting with other online gamers in the digital sphere. By speaking to people who do what you do, you may find yourself learning about discounts and deals, game variety, or a handful of other information just by word of mouth.
One great platform for gamers especially is Reddit as many users visit the site to either comment on or share promotions with other gaming enthusiasts. If you’re just simply in the mood to chat with other people about specific games or to get advice on strategies, Reddit is a great outlet as there are conversation forums for nearly every gaming genre or topic. A quick google search undoubtedly separates you from a world of knowledge straight from people who love the gaming life in the same way as you!
Make your space comfortable with the best accessories
A big part of any gamer’s online experience is directly related to how comfortable they are while engaged. In fact, a heightened sense of comfort can even give way to heightened performance. Who wants to sit in a stiff chair for hours on end while trying to keep your strategy up in an online casino or defeat enemies in a first-person shooter game?
Accessories like the perfect chair, headphones, keyboard, and even a mouse can make or break exceptional gameplay. If you have a lover of PC gaming in your life, the holiday season would be the ideal time to surprise him or her with a useful gaming gift. After all, gaming is a culture that comes with its own set of toys and gadgets.
Take regular breaks
Last but not least, one of the most obvious tips is also one of the most useful. For gamers, it is essential to incorporate frequent moments of rest in order to break up intensive gameplay. Because playing online requires intense concentration, logic, and reasoning, brainpower can start to wear thin after several hours in front of the screen.
In the same way that comfortable seating can improve performance, breaks that revitalize users can also boost how well they play online. There are many benefits to this practice, but the greatest include increased productivity, performance, and even creativity. You may be surprised how much you can gain from a quick fifteen-minute rest from your bright PC lights.