Crux’s posts got me thinking about how I play this game and what keeps me coming back. This is not meant to be a satirical take on Crux’s guides, they are filled with useful awesome (not as awesome as the E1st though) information. I simply want to put my thoughts together as to what keeps me playing this game.

It’s a game:

I play this game because it’s a game I enjoy. With that being said, I play this game at TG because the rules here lead to a somewhat more enjoyable round of gaming, plus I’ve made some awesome friends and I get to talk to you all during the day on the forums when I’m supposed to be working. I differ from most of you because I can have fun on any server without “pub raiding” or ROFLCOPTERing. I am unique in that I can play an entire round and die 200 times, but it only takes one nice Pilum kill to make the round enjoyable for me.

That being said, it helps to remember that this is only a game, why did you buy this game? because you wanted to spend hours upon hours practicing and honing your skills to be a one man (squad) killing machine? Or did you think it would be a nice concept and environment to kill people in? If you bought it for the former, I’m sorry I can’t help you, but feel free to read on and criticize me and let me know where I’m wrong.

Play each game like it’s your first, yeah you’ve got all the cool unlocks, but remember the sheer joy from playing those first rounds and the first time you got rockets and figured out how to range them and what the defib paddles actually did, the fist time you held and harnessed the power of the almighty Ganz…..*drool*

Don’t spend the entire round staring at those numbers at the top of the screen. They distract you from the point of the game, which is killing other people, they dehumanize the fact that you are killing other living breathing people for the pure sake of fun. Revel in the fact that you have snuffed another virtual life and escape the meaningless humdrum life you lead every day. When you get killed, remember that you RESPAWN in 15 seconds!!!! You will live to kill again (and again and again and again). You being killed and not being revived is not the be all end all to life.

Find a role you’re good at and enjoy playing it:

If you hate playing assault/medic and keep finding yourself in squads that require everyone to be assault/medic, lead your own squad and let people run with their best kits (word of caution, ask someone to come assault/medic, you need one person to heal and revive!!!!). Damn is it scary, but you know what, people will enjoy the chance to play with a kit they like playing with and will generally die less because 1) they are better with another kit 2) they’re not stuck with a kit they don’t like and will have more fun.

Find fun in mundane actions:

Stuck defending a back flag because the “elite” squads are running around the map like chickens with their heads cut off capping forward flags? Find something fun to do. Personally I find it amusing to run full speed at someone and try to jump over their heads, of course you’re not going to make it, but crouching/proning when you’re at full jump height amuses me because I can imagine what it looks like to the other player.

Is your squad lead engrossed in the minimap and looking for enemies, go teabag him. Doesn’t matter if he’s standing up, you’ll definitely get a “What in the hell are you doing?” from them.

Test your parachute.

Test the orange barrels.


DON’T BE ANNOYING!!

This is TG, there is a time and place for everything. Dolphin diving at your squad lead in the middle of a firefight is NOT a good thing to do. Get immersed in your character and have fun, but don’t be a donkey. I’m not saying goof off the entire round and don’t listen to your squad lead or commander. I’m saying if you die and someone can’t get the revive, don’t go ballistic, remember that it’s just a game and try to have some fun so you can continue to play this game without making it feel like work.

This is a comprehensive guide to fun, however, it's not complete. I will add things if I think about them. Remember play to win, but don't lose sight of why we play games, to have fun!