Written by Rachel Reese

Gaming can be a great stress release or the perfect way to spend your free time. Whether you’re streaming online or just playing for fun, make sure you’re always getting the best gaming experience. A bad connection or a terrible PC can make or break your time gaming. Whether you play more general multiplayer games or MOBAs and MMORPGs, it’s important to set yourself up for success. From choosing the right computer to making sure you’re playing on the perfect server, take a look at how you can get the most out of your gaming experience.

1. Choose the Right Gaming Server

Whether you’re playing World of Warcraft or building your perfect world on a Minecraft server list, choosing the perfect server to play on can completely change the way you play. Each server offers different challenges, options, and play styles to match your unique tastes. If you’re looking for something simple, choose a server that is known for being an easier gameplay. If you like a challenge, there are a variety of servers that have harder quests, gaming styles, or players. To get the most out of your experience, make sure you’re choosing a server fits the experience you want. For some games, creating your own server can be the best option, or look at online server downloads to customize your experience.

2. Pick the Perfect Computer Processor

It may not seem important to put too much thought into your computer, but having the perfect PC for gaming is key to getting the best experience. Glitchy video cards or slow processors can make you lag while in the game, if you can even get the game to play. Not only does this make it incredibly hard to perform well in the game, but it can make you appear like a noob while playing on a team. Look for a computer with a top-of-the-line processor, has an up-to-dat graphics card, and enough RAM. Shop for a laptop or desktop specifically designed for gaming and keeping cool while in the midst of battle. If you can’t go all out, focus on just a decent processor and RAM and splurge for the expensive video card.

3. Select the Right Gaming Team

Most games today offer you the option to play on a team or to join groups to do role-playing games. These MOBAs are perfect for perfecting your battle skills while still playing casually. However, if you’re more intense with your gaming style, it can be rough getting stuck with a team who doesn’t know what they’re doing. For the more serious gamers or those who are streaming for an income, try teaming up with players that have the same play style and schedule as you do. Create battle arena teams to ensure you have a better win ratio and better communication while playing.

4. Set Up the Optimal Gaming Space

Sure, playing from your couch is okay when you’re just trying to win at solitaire, but when you’re really trying to make the most of your gaming experience, make sure you have the perfect playing space. From a custom desk to a personally built computer, choose a space that is conducive to your gaming needs. Opt for a comfortable chair, tech gadgets that can make gaming easier, and even décor that can help you feel more comfortable playing for long periods of time. If you’re streaming your game online, look for the right cameras and lighting to make your streams more professional.

5. Watch or Subscribe to Gaming Streams

Whether you’re playing Heroes of the Storm or Minecraft, there are hundreds of streams online to make the time when you’re not playing enjoyable. From YouTube to Twitch, there are people streaming all day long. If you’re serious about getting a good experience from your gaming, watching these streams can give you tips and tricks about what to do in certain situations or help you understand the ins and outs of different servers that you may have never encountered before.

Many popular streamers are professional players or ranked top in their game. This means you’ll get a first hand look at how these players win time and time again. If you’re new to playing a character, watching streams can help you learn more about the playing style before you jump into a match with other people.