Having proper etiquette is an essential part of living in society. There are all sorts of traditional etiquette, such as using the right fork to eat dessert or the proper use of a napkin. With the creation of the online gaming world, a whole new set of unwritten etiquette was created to interact appropriately with other players. Just because you’re behind a screen, doesn’t mean that there aren’t rules to follow to show respect to your fellow players. Here are some of the unwritten rules of online gaming etiquette.
Don’t Slow Down the Game
One of the most critical codes of conduct to follow is to avoid slowing down a game. Doing so annoys the other players and may even lead them to gang up to get you out of the game. Luckily, it’s easy enough to avoid, as you simply must ensure that you know all the rules of playing. Also, if there’s a chance you may need to use the restroom or get a snack, then it’s recommended that you sit the game out instead of holding your opponents up. Of course, if you do need time to think about your next move this is acceptable, just don’t keep people waiting too long.
Play Fair
Losing a game is better than cheating or using exploits. The whole point of playing against people in online games is to try to beat them using your gaming skills and knowledge alone. If you win through fair and square game play you’ll feel much more fulfilled with the understanding that you won the game on your merits alone. If you don’t feel good enough to win at a particular game, don’t resort to cheating, keep practicing and you will undoubtedly improve. If you find the competition in a given game too challenging then it’s better to switch games than to cheat.
Be Humble
Don’t brag about your achievements or make fun of the opponents you defeat. All this will do is cause resentment towards you and make you seem childish. This etiquette rule doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate a win; just don’t rub it in your opponents’ faces, especially when there is money involved. Also, avoid being a sore loser as this is just as bad. Keep in mind that when chatting with other players an appropriate amount of emotes is fine, but don’t overdo it, since this will come off as spam.
Remember That You Were New Once
It can be easy to get angry with the guy who doesn’t know how to play, but just remember that you were new to playing once too. This rule is particularly important to keep in mind for those intricate online games that take a lot of practice to get used to, as it’s impossible to know the game play right away. Instead of getting mad or making fun of someone for being new, help them out and explain what they need to know so they can avoid hindering the game.
Don’t Just Quit
You may be tempted to unplug your game once you start losing. However, this is appalling sportsmanship. There are a lot of players out there who will stop playing without a word and disconnect from the game the second that they are losing, but don’t be one of them. If you think it’s a losing game then surrender, and don’t just leave without a word. You’d want to be given the same respect as well when you’re on the other side.
Teamwork Goes a Long Way
If you’re playing as a team, then it’s crucial that you play nice with your teammates. Going off on your own not only won’t be appreciated in a team-oriented game play, but it also will likely lead to the loss of the game. Remember that winning the game is more important than being the top player on a scoreboard.