There’s something so rewarding about improving at a game—whether it’s finally nailing that perfect shot, mastering that tricky combo, or outmaneuvering that opponent who once seemed unbeatable. But reaching that level? That’s where the magic is. It’s not always about playing more; it’s about playing smarter.
Over the years, I have experimented with various strategies myself as well as those of students with much-improved gameplay. The following are battle-hardened gameplay tips which have been proven to be effective.
Do You Get Paid For Playing Video Games?
Let’s start with something that is in the minds of many players: Can playing actually be worth it?
The straightforward answer is yes. Professional gaming, streaming, and content creation have turned the hobby into a full-time income for others. Some compete exclusively in gameplay, while others cultivate followers at websites such as YouTube. Have you ever wondered how YouTube compensates content creators? Does YouTube pay content creators to improve?
The best part? The higher your skill, the more your content does. Skill is important—both for competitive gaming and for creating gameplay people will actually watch.
Stop Struggling With The Controls, Make Them Do Your Bidding
What I tell all the players I coach: your performance should be in line with your settings, and not the other way round.
- Tune your sensitivity: Too much, your crosshair will be everywhere. Too little, quick response times will be your problem.
- Keybind remapping: Ever accidentally missed a skill by having it mapped to a default button position? Remap it.
- Optimize the FPS: By reducing the input lag while keeping the frame rate maximum, the response time improves noticeably, particularly for competitive gamers.
There was one student who was a competitive FPS player, but when in-game, they felt slow in fights. It turned out their sensitivity was too low for flicking between shots, while their keybinds were contorting their fingers into unnatural positions. A few changes later, and their win rate was up.
The right options provide you with control, not only of your character, but of your in-game progress.
Mastering Game Mechanics
Every game has its own. The skill which separates the excellent players from the good players. In order to be truly good, make it your priority to learn it.
- Fighting video games? Frame data and hit confirms.
- Movement control and crosshair positioning in shooters?
- Strategy video games? Efficient resource management and APM (actions per minute).
I used to perform poorly at battle royales because I focused too much on gunplay and not at all on positioning. The moment I started using cover properly and anticipating enemy movement, my survival rate improved exponentially.
If you’re uncertain about the things which make up or destroy skill in your game, watch how skillful players differ from you.
Adapt Or Die: There’s No In Between
If you always play the same, you are predictable—and predictable players don’t win.
The best approach to avoid turning into a one-trick pony? Go with the flow:
- Adjust your gameplay to suit the opposing team/composition.
- Experiment with new things, even if they make you uneasy at first.
- Play the game in real-time, instead of working with just one plan.
My top student was in a rut because she was playing hyper-aggressive no matter the circumstance. She knew the mechanics well enough, yet she was dying every time halfway into the game. The moment she started playing defensive when the time called for it, she lived twice as long, and the player became more unstable and threatening.
Use Game Analytics Like A Professional
Most players don’t watch themselves. I get it, it’s painful to watch blunders. But the best way to get better is by seeing your missteps.
- Watch game replays to diagnose bad habits and misplays.
- Track performance metrics (accuracy, response time, resource usage).
- Compare your performance with the best players in your sport or activity.
One of the biggest things I personally changed in my own gameplay was by reviewing my own blunders. I knew I was getting defeated by poor positioning, rather than poor aim. Breaking that habit was the difference between being in ranks forever and being able to actually get higher ranks.
Surround Yourself With More Talented Players
This is painful to the ego to the degree. You can only do so much by playing with people at your level. In order to really get good, you should be playing with people higher up than you.
- Participate in competitive groups and locate training partners.
- Observe the leading players playing the game and imitate their processes.
- Seek guidance—good players enjoy helping those with the desire to learn.
One of the biggest jumps I made was when I began practicing with players higher than me instead of playing with my ordinary friends. It was frustrating at the beginning—game after game, I was getting defeated—but I eventually caught up.
If you need to level up, place yourself in environments that challenge you to become better.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take To See Improvement?
It depends on how focused your practice is. Casual playing doesn’t always lead to improvement. Targeted practice (reviewing gameplay, training specific mechanics, and challenging yourself) can lead to noticeable results in weeks.
Is Watching Top Players Enough To Improve?
Watching is a great start, but you need to actively apply what you learn. Watching won’t magically make you better unless you practice those techniques yourself.
Are Expensive Gaming Setups Necessary?
No. A decent PC/console with stable FPS is helpful, but mechanical skill and strategy matter more. Plenty of top players started with basic setups.