In this past year I've viewed a ton of YouTube videos on various games. I found that most assume you have a certain skill level of good, to expert. I didn't find many, if any, that focus on folks like me -- older, who are just jumping into the world of gaming. For me - a lot of my PS4 time is spent learning the system - the controllers, and the movements:
- Aiming
- Running
- Running and Aiming
- Jumping
- Wall-Running
- Sliding
- Sliding and Shooting
- Repelling
Most of these require a great deal of expertise - which comes from practicing. If you can't aim quickly, for example, you'll die repeatedly (as I have). To that end, aiming is assisted by knowing your weapon - and implementing key weapons load-outs/configurations/modifications. In some cases, it's simply using the right weapon for the right situation. My good friend, and frequent PS4 team mate - Johnny Blaze, went through a faze in Rainbow Six Siege, where he always wanted to use "Glaz" because of his super-scope sniper rifle.
Well - when it's just Blaze and I in a 2 v 22 match, Glaz doesn't help our team. He uses a single shot weapon that's better from far away -- while most of the match is conducted in close quarters. He can't take a hit (damages easily when fired upon), and he doesn't have a gadget (besides the scope). So while it's an awesome weapon it's not the right weapon for the type of Terrorist Hunt games Blaze and I play. He's recently switched to "Sledge" and our winning percentage grew, almost immediately.
So what I hope to do with my channel is slow things down; walk through some game play scenarios; show what's worked for me (and what hasn't); and talk about applied thinking during game play. My channel isn't for ranked players. It's for beginners. It's for folks who are new to the PS4 world. You won't find super-studs flying around maps single-shooting enemies. You will find me working my way through various games - while becoming more and more familiar with the PS4 controller.
I've played a few games, since I opened the blog in Feb 2016:
- Call of Duty, Black Ops 3
- Rainbow Six Siege
- NBA 2K16
- MLB The Show 2015 & 2016
- Call of Duty Infinite Warfare
- Battlefield 1
- Titanfall 2
- Rory Mckilroy PGA Tour Golf
- The Division
I seem to be more comfortable with shooters, although I did very well with "MLB The Show".
One of the things I've learned is that to get better -- or dare I say, master a game - you've got to spend time in that game. Lots of time! For me that means focusing on one game most of the time. When I try to play 2-3 different games per week, I don't do well in any of them. Games are so intricate today. There are levels within levels; many of which you'll never find if you don't spend time in the game.
Over the next few weeks, I'll get into detail on the games I've been playing -- the successes and struggles. For now, I just wanted to circle back to let you guys know I've fired up the blog again, and it'll be much more active now. I'm hoping to get to know you and how your new gaming experiences are going.
I'll be doing a blog on "Games You Like to Play". I'm baffled by some of the things my friends (who've been playing PS4 for years) say, when it comes to new games. As an example, one of my good friends Poo-Poo'd COD-IW, solely on information "he heard". More specifically, he told me that because he heard it wasn't true to it's original - he wouldn't be buying it, or playing it.
How pompous is that? I mean, without even trying the game he's trashing it. I've got a real problem with that. My recommendation is the same one I use for movies. Trust your gut. Watch whatever movie you want - no matter the reviews. How sad it would be if you missed out on a really entertaining 2 hour movie just because someone in your circle (or a professional reviewer) slammed the movie. Well - same thing goes for gaming. Play what YOU like, not what someone who's been at PS for a couple decades tells you.
I'm sure when my friend was at the 1 year point in his gaming life, he'd play everything he could get his hands on. That's where you and I should be. Eager. Curious. Open. Of course that means we'll have games we don't like. Games that are duds -- so what! I've had so much fun with COD-IW, that I can't begin to tell you how much I've learned and gotten better. Perhaps I don't have the COD historical perspective of some, and I really don't care. My first COD was Black Ops 3. It was a teaching game for me -- and it was a lot of fun (I still try to get back to it - even today). So IW is only my second in the COD series. It's got amazing graphics, a kick-ass story line, and loads of missions. I'm not about to trash it - without every firing it up in my PS.
Sure - games can be expensive. To that end - rent it if you want to test it out, but at least give it a go if you think you may be remotely interested in it. Don't let the seasoned gamer influence your decision to get (or not get) a particular game. Do your homework. Test it out. And - if you like it, get it.
Anyway - stay tuned for that blog, as I'll be keenly interested in how you choose your games (whether on your own - or on the recommendation of the gamer's you trust), as well as the many other future blogs I've got teed up coming your way.
That's it for now folks. Please stay tuned! I'm excited to be writing again. Lets have some gaming fun! Put your PS4 handle in the comments so we can link up and play online.
-Coach B.
