13 replies to this topic

[Nate-2004]

So I'm an avid video gamer and I tend to be attracted to the online multiplayer, competitive FPS games mostly. I've noticed that I generally suck at these games. I've been playing them since before the internet, when Doom II was played on a BBS dialup connection.  Granted, at that time E-sports was not even a concept anyone had thought of.

 

I played through Quake III Arena, Unreal Tournament, Counter Strike, Halo, Team Fortress II and Overwatch, now I'm playing Echo VR Combat which is a virtual reality based game with similar aspects of style to Overwatch and Halo, it's popular on the Oculus Rift.

 

Despite all this experience, despite hours of play time, despite all this, I remain at an abysmal skill level that makes me feel as if everyone has been genetically modified to be superior at these games somehow. The hand eye coordination that one would think I'd have developed through muscle memory and years of practice is at a level that makes me feel as if I'm competing against an all knowing artificial general intelligence that cannot be beaten, except that it's other people of all ages and I can hear them and talk to them.

 

The same thing has happened with the Piano, with Improv comedy, with any other endeavor I seek to become good at, I am just not good. 

 

The only thing I am good at is remembering vast amounts of technical information, about systems mainly, biology and computers. Even then I pale in comparison to other enthusiasts on this board who really know their shit. 

 

So am I stupid? What is wrong with me? Is there some way to fix this? 

 

Rhonda Patrick's website has a 23 and Me raw data analyzer that reports on any known issues with various SNPs, explaining with references and giving some advice on counters. One of my SNPs is associated with diminished motor learning: rs6265(A;G) - or decreased levels of BDNF.  I exercise and sauna like nobody else but it's not solved this problem.

 

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that is involved in both the growth of new neurons, proliferation (or expansion) of existing neurons, and in the maintenance of synapses. This genotype, rs6265(A;G), is associated with decreased activation of BDNF and has been shown to result in decreased short-term plasticity which is important for motor control, speech recognition and working memory and has a greater error in short-term motor learning.

 

Since this genotype is linked to lower BDNF levels and exercise is a well-known activator of BDNF, exercise may play a critical role in increasing BDNF levels in individuals with this genotype.

 

This genotype, however, may confer an advantage: it may be protective against depression and confer resistance to social defeat.

 

• Read more on SNPedia.
• Read more on the 23andMe blog ("SNPwatch: The Bad Driving Gene?").

 

This is the only clue I have though. I don't know what is wrong otherwise or how to work around it or fix it.

 

[prunk]

What's your rank in Overwatch?

Naturally stimulants can make a major difference, if you're looking for a quick fix. Vyvanse and especially snus improve my game a lot. But that's pretty obvious and you're probably very aware of this. Methylphenidate on the other hand usually does the opposite: makes me a bit slow.

Edited by prunk, 24 November 2018 - 12:12 AM.

[Nate-2004]

Yeah stims do very little, modafinil at best improves my game a little. My rank is usually hovering between 1000 and 1400 SR. I never make it out of bronze though I did once long ago. Just wondering if I'm inherently limited, that maybe despite my interest in gaming my body just won't get any better at the game or anything else for that matter. Or maybe I'm just split between too many interests. I'd have to focus on just one thing and drop everything else. Dropping social hobbies to play video games seems really lame in that case.

Edited by Nate-2004, 24 November 2018 - 05:33 AM.

[prunk]

Ranking up from bronze is often very difficult, unless you're a gm or at least a master. OW likes status quo, it brings them more money, because you get frustrated and then you buy a new account to get a fresh chance. So I'm not sure at all the problem is where you think it is, especially when we're talking about OW. And the same logic often applies to other FPS-games as well.

I'm a Soldier76 main (over 350 hours) and in top 10% of all soldier-players, and still, despite I can challenge almost any soldier-player (except Dafran and Kabaji, even though my weapon acc is pretty much the same as they have) I can't get even to god damn platinum!

[experimenting]

How old are you? This makes a HUGE difference.

Pro gamers peak at around 16. 25 is washed up. 30 is the senior tour.

Also, you might not be training well. I became one of the best halo players in the US when I was a kid, along with a friend. We trained. We didn't just go online and play matches. You have to work on specific skills, specific sequences.

Note that this is why European soccer teams are better than American ones. They don't play games in practice. Endless drills and situational plays.

[Forever21]

So do you use Discord?

[Nate-2004]

I'm 44 years old, I don't see why people would peak at a certain age with gaming or improving skills at certain games, but if so, we gotta fix that shit. I can understand athletes peaking due to aging but why video games? Especially for someone like me who's been playing video games since pong.

[Mind]

I'm 44 years old, I don't see why people would peak at a certain age with gaming or improving skills at certain games, but if so, we gotta fix that shit. I can understand athletes peaking due to aging but why video games? Especially for someone like me who's been playing video games since pong.

 

This is pretty well-known and for a long time - players peak when their reaction time peaks - for men probably 16 to 20 years old. Older players end up gravitating toward strategy games and those that require cooperative behavior to win. It's aging. It sucks. The only way to get back to peak reaction time is rejuvenation therapies.

 

It is the same thing with myself and basketball. I think I should be able to play like I was in my 20s, then reality strikes when I am on the court. The young players make all the plays I used to make. My lower quality play is mainly due to slower reaction time as I age.

[BrankLucas]

This is not scientific at all, but maybe try microdosing psychedelics. I am not physically inclined or coordinated at all. As a kid I tried swim lessons, and after completing all the lessons I still didn't learn shit. As an adult in the military, I had my friends take me to the pool to learn to swim for swim qualification, and spending all that time there didn't do shit for me. I showed up to the pool one day after having vaped some 2C-B, and literally as soon as I got into the deep within 30 seconds I gained the ability to tread water and keep myself afloat, just like some people are "taught" to swim by being thrown into the water. And then it stayed with me afterwards and I passed my qualification. And before the whining starts, psychedelics are not a toy, they are dangerous if you're not careful, be an adult and do your own research, etc etc. I'm not interested in doing them now but if I had to learn a new physical task I would try that again.

Edited by BrankLucas, 03 December 2018 - 09:36 PM.

[experimenting]

I'm 44 years old, I don't see why people would peak at a certain age with gaming or improving skills at certain games, but if so, we gotta fix that shit. I can understand athletes peaking due to aging but why video games? Especially for someone like me who's been playing video games since pong.

Depends on how committed you are but if you really want to improve you probably need to practice differently. I'm not familiar with the games you listed but in halo or cod for example I used to set up practice games just with friends and train specific plays, like a basketball team or something. Sounds horribly nerdy and it is but when you are 11, halo is life haha.

[airplanepeanuts]

Reaction time is getting worse with age, but I think this can be counteracted with training to a degree and for quite some time. Basketball is not a good  example for the importance of reaction time- it's such a physical sport, aging clearly disadvantages in that department. In table tennis, a sport that clearly rewards excellent reaction time, some players can compete on very high level until around 50.

 

 

[Nate-2004]

This is not scientific at all, but maybe try microdosing psychedelics. I am not physically inclined or coordinated at all. As a kid I tried swim lessons, and after completing all the lessons I still didn't learn shit. As an adult in the military, I had my friends take me to the pool to learn to swim for swim qualification, and spending all that time there didn't do shit for me. I showed up to the pool one day after having vaped some 2C-B, and literally as soon as I got into the deep within 30 seconds I gained the ability to tread water and keep myself afloat, just like some people are "taught" to swim by being thrown into the water. And then it stayed with me afterwards and I passed my qualification. And before the whining starts, psychedelics are not a toy, they are dangerous if you're not careful, be an adult and do your own research, etc etc. I'm not interested in doing them now but if I had to learn a new physical task I would try that again.

 

I don't know what 2C-B is but I'm interested now.

 

I've been taking more galantamine lately, especially since I learned that I have a gene polymorphism associated with acetylcholine deficiency. I'm hoping this helps and to some degree it might have. I need to do some real tests though.

[experimenting]

Speaking of skills- anyone know how I could learn to start a business? Has anyone here done so-specifically, on the side with a normal job going on at the same time? I want to experiment with a few things but I can't afford to quit.

[gamesguru]

Reaction times stay below 200ms until about age 60-65, at which point, yes you lose your edge.  If represent the healthiest 3% of people you can probably stave it off another 10 years or so.

 

Don't make lofty goals out of your weak points.  Figure these out early.  Mathematical-lingual talent has little to do with chess playing ability, but most would assume it does.  Analytical doesn't equal visual.

 

Pro gaming depends on different things.  With shooter games, reaction time matters more.  But in strategy and role playing, fluid intelligence is probably a bigger factor.  Either way OpenAI will kick your sweet butt, and you need to question your life's direction.

 

As for starting a business, gifts aren't as important, but they definitely help.  So does having a good idea and a rich daddy.  Soft skills.. communication, responsiveness.. networking and being a bit manipulative, doing it slyly with a wide grin.  Cutting through bullshit with grace and soaking up everything around you.  You have to read constantly to stay abreast of economic trends.  Spend your money wisely.  Be innovative and prepared to fail, and do whatever it takes to stay ahead of the curve.