My Gaming Sense is Tingling: How Game Sense Elevates Your Play in Strategic Video Games
Mechanical skills win you a fight, game sense wins you the game
So I started playing Fortnite a few weeks ago. As a gamer who has played multiple shooting games before, I have pretty good aim for a newbie. However, almost every time I won a fight I got third partied by other players and lost the game. After thinking thoroughly and discussing with my party members, what I lacked was game sense. I do not have the game sense for battle royale such as Fortnite, especially because it is my first battle royale game. I tend to take a fight that I can win, but I can’t escape.
Game sense… When we are talking about pro players most of us talk about how crazy their aim, movement, and skills combo are. People mostly talk about mechanical skills since it is more visible than game sense. We can see when players do a crazy 360 with no scope, but we cannot hear their in-game communication or their inner thoughts that make them decide to do such an amazing move.
What is game sense?
Game sense refers to a player’s intuitive understanding and awareness of the game’s current state. This includes the ability to anticipate future scenarios, make strategic decisions, and effectively communicate and coordinate with team members. It’s about being mentally in tune with the game’s dynamics, understanding the implications of each action, and adapting to evolving situations. Fanfarelli (2018) conducted a thematic analysis that categorized skills such as survival, adaptation, communication, and thoughtfulness as parts of game sense.
What is Mechanical skill?
On the other hand, mechanical skill is the physical aspect, involving precision, control, and execution of game-specific actions. It includes accurate aiming, efficient use of abilities, adept movement, and positioning. These skills are essential for performing the game’s technical aspects effectively and are often the foundation of a player’s in-game performance.
So Which one is more important?
Based on those definitions, both skills are equally important, and if you want to be a great player you need to hone both skills equally. A player with good mechanical skills can absolutely win a fight, but can they win the game? Maybe not if they do not notice other enemies behind them and do not quickly reposition themselves. However, if they notice the enemies and instantly search for a better position, they have a higher chance of winning the game.
In a game like Fortnite, where variables are abundant and scenarios constantly evolve, game sense becomes indispensable. While mechanical skills shine in 1v1 confrontations, it’s the strategic acumen of game sense that wins the game, especially if in the late game, there are more than 3 teams left. It feels great if you can force the other team to fight first then you come and take their victory royale.
Game sense in other games
While we’ve focused on Fortnite, game sense is crucial across various genres. In MOBAs like DOTA 2, a player with a sharp game sense might anticipate enemy ganks, enhancing their team’s chance of winning. Similarly, in a single-player experience like Assassin’s Creed, game sense aids in choosing when to engage in combat or when to remain stealthy. However, not all games hinge on game sense. In genres like puzzle games, success leans more heavily on mechanical skills and individual problem-solving abilities.
In conclusion, mastering game sense is as vital as honing mechanical skills in the gaming universe. It’s this deeper understanding and intuition that often tips the scales in games like Fortnite or DOTA 2. While perfect aim and quick reflexes might get you far, it’s the strategic insight of game sense that clinches victories. In essence, whether it’s a battle royale or a strategic MOBA, game sense combines with mechanical prowess to create a winning formula. It’s the difference between just playing the game and truly mastering it.
Do you have a memorable moment where your game sense really paid off? Maybe a time when a quick decision or a strategic move led you to victory? We’d love to hear about it! Share your stories in the comments below and let’s celebrate how game sense makes us all better players. Join the discussion and let’s learn from each other’s experiences!
Reference
Fanfarelli, J. R. (2018). Expertise in professional overwatch play. International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations (IJGCMS), 10(1), 1–22.
