Ka-pow! A gamer has just been shot in the back of the head by the guy who is winning, even though the gamer swears that nothing could have happened. In his mind, the player who shot him MUST have cheated somehow. There can't be any other possible reason for losing. Anger sets in, and the player starts shouting expletives toward the other people in the game.
In our minds, we occasionally see our very best job as always being sufficient to win. Unlike physical sports, video games do not create a strain on our bodies that tells us when something isn't right or that we aren't capable of beating our opponent. The only indicator online games give us of our abilities are frustrating imaginary deaths and meaningless scores. Everything seems very pointless and upsetting when we fail at something so intangible.
This frustration, combined with the anonymity of the internet, creates an almost constant negative tension among online gamers. Even the slightest comment can spark a furious storm of angry complaints and insults from other players. For this reason, it is important to be careful of what you say or type when you play a game. Here are 5 helpful tips to ensure that you have the best social experience possible when playing an online action game:
1. Type clearly, and in full sentences
If you are playing a game with no voice chat, and are instead required to type in order to chat, be certain that everyone reading can understand you. Because we cannot truly express attitudes and body language in a brief sentence over the internet, the things we say are often misunderstood. No one expects you to write, rewrite, and revise your messages like you would an essay, but taking a moment to make your point clear will decrease the odds of offending someone.
2. If you are insulted, do not respond in kind
It doesn't make very much sense to tell someone that their haircut is bad just because they expressed their distaste for your career choice. Neither does it make sense to respond to someone insulting you about a game with a negative comment about their attitude, beliefs, or skills. When we have an anonymous identity, our juvenile instincts are more likely to kick in. However, Pretending to be a middle-school student in a cuss-off isn't going to solve any of your problems or make you feel any better. On the contrary, if you are insulted in an online game, simply ignore the offending player. You will feel better about it later.
3. Avoid Political and Religious Debate
The middle of a competition, whether it is in a game or in real life, is rarely a good place to discuss controversial topics. The moment the issue of abortion or an election comes up, online gamers feel the immediate urge to debate the arguments of others. Unfortunately, these "debates" often turn into immature arguments, as one person insults the next over and over. If you don't think the subject can be fully and politely discussed during the course of a 10 minute game, it's probably not worth bringing up at all.
4. Avoid spamming
Repeated, low content messaging is known as "spamming". If you need to ask a question about the game, ask the question only once and wait for a response. The same concept applies to games with voice-chat. Shouting something over and over to be heard is rude and unnecessary. Patience is a key virtue in all aspects of life, including online games. If you do not receive an answer to a question, simply wait a few minutes and ask again.
5. Treat each person with the same respect that you would in-person
While other players seem very distant and unreal online, they are very much there and very much people, just like you might meet every day at your job. Get into the habit of treating everyone online with the same respect you would give to a new acquaintance in real life. If you do this, you will avoid arguments and even make new friends.