It’s amazing to me how many gamers act completely obnoxious when playing. I do think a lot of it is just plain trolling, but sometimes, I think that some people are just oblivious to proper etiquette. While I don’t think that this article will change much in the matter of obnoxious gamers, maybe I can reach a couple of people. And maybe the rest of you will find some humor in this.
Here are some things to consider:
Console/Computer Etiquette
Do: Enjoy food and beverages while gaming. No one wants you to get dehydrated and pass out.
Do Not: Leave food debris all over the controller/keyboard for the next person. (I MAY have been guilty of this before, but I’m trying to get it together.) Also, do not drink too many adult beverages while gaming. It will not end well for you. *See below on leaving during online play.
Do: Find time to game. It’s an escape from the stresses of life and a great way to unwind after a long day.
Do Not: Ignore your children because you want to play a video game. I’m sorry, but I have heard way too many little children and babies crying in the background of online games, while the parent just yells at them to be quiet. Be an adult and take care of your kids. Also, be an adult and tell your children, “No.” Toddlers should NOT be playing Call of Duty.
Do: Find time to charge the controller/headset if multiple people use a console in your household (Playstation). Or, make sure there are plenty of AA batteries (Xbox).
Do Not: Drain all of the controller battery so that the next person can’t play. Or, if you don’t like that, get your own console, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Headset Etiquette
Do: Use your headset for talking ONLY.
Do Not: Use voice-changers, play music over your headset, have screaming children in the background or barking dogs. No one wants to listen to your music or your little brother or sister (or even your child) in the background.
Do: Speak coherently when you have a headset on.
Do Not: Use language that is either not understandable, uses too much slang, or too much cussing. It just gets you made fun of and eventually muted. Then you’ll just be talking to yourself, and that’s a bit creepy.
Do: Use the mute button occasionally.
Do Not: Take a telephone call while you are still gaming with the headset on or hold a conversation with someone in the room who is not playing. No one wants to hear your mom yelling at you to clean up your room. No one needs to hear you talk to your best friend on the phone.
Online Gameplay Etiquette
Don’t: Walk away from a game that is still going on. It’s annoying to your team, and it’ll make your score look bad. Wait for a good time, and if you HAVE to leave in the middle of a game and it’s co-op, tell your team. Well, unless it’s an emergency, like say your house is on fire. Then, please, get up and leave.
Do: Take your game seriously.