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We all know that practising a video game constantly will gain you a few skills to batter your mates with. But, as the case often is, what if you are competing on a mate's console that you have never/rarely played? Put simply, if you want to win without cheating in an obvious fashion, you must resort to mind-games.
Some psychological tricks are easier to pull off than others... so here are some easy ones to start practising with.
1) THE TEKKEN TAPPING TRAP TRICK
This only works properly with one-on-one beat 'em ups, especially the Tekken series. The idea is to look like you know what you're doing, when really you are just pressing every button in every conceivable combination. By making noises like 'Oh' and 'Ooph' when your character is punching the air in the wrong direction, your human opponent may think you were trying a legitimate, but complicated manouvre. Here comes the cunning part. The owner of the game will then feel obliged to attempt the most show-offy moves possible, to prove that his/her precious game does really require vast amounts of skill, and that they know more moves than you do. As they attempt to recollect what order that X, X, X, X, L, R, X, R, O, X, O move really went in, you move in for the kill with simple light punch/ light kick attacks. I learned that lesson the hard way, getting beats from my girlfriend the first time she had ever played a computer game. I felt totally and completely emasculated.
2) DECEITFUL DISTRACTIONS
This is a favorite of mine, and can be applied to most games and indeed, the game of life. It works especially well if you own a mobile phone. First, you discretely plant your phone by your side with the phone number of your host tapped in and ready to ring. When you get in a sticky situation in the game, simply call the other players phone and cash in on those few seconds before they realise.
There are plenty of variations on this trick, so feel free to experiment. From the classic 'Ooh look, there's a golden eagle over there' to the continous pressing of the pause button to interupt the other player's 'flow', this trick never fails to throw a little stress into the equation.
3) LAST RESORT
You know the feeling. The counters running down and you're clearly not gonna win your game. From your opponent's perspective, they think they're bound to win. So take advantage of that underdog moment. Start talking about an unrelated subject, what club you want to go to, or what game you want to play next. Just as the other player thinks you have conceded and starts to leaf through the TV guide or whatever, pick up your controller and win back those points. Pretend you never stopped concentrating on the game. Pretend you were always going to win. Deny all accusations of 'being unfair'. Then declare how good at that game you are, how you clearly won, and how much you think a rematch would be inappropriate.
There are also some bonafide Jedi style uber-psyche mind tricks that can be used to your advantage, depending on how strong 'the force' is within you.
4) PROJECTION
This trick lies in the motivation for your game-playing. Most gamers play games for fun, and so understandably treat games like they were only games. But, of course, you know better. Convince yourself that winning this game is a life-death situation. If you get beaten to the finish line, imagine your whole family will be licked on the face by Dale Winton. While your opponent is just messing about, you will be on a mission, you will give 110% and you will not let up. If that adrenalin alone does not help you win the game, then the fact that you mate thinks you're a completely dellusional headcase might.
5) DENIAL
This is based less on psychological subversion and more on bare-faced lies. The principle lies in undermining the other player's perception and understanding of what is going on. When they pull off an awesome move, look disappointed rather than impressed. When they win, look pleased. When they imply that they are better than you, laugh heartily. Then explain, with a totally straight face, that you clearly won the game. Insist on that fact until they agree... I mean, its obvious, whoever gets the bigger time in GT3 wins... I mean, that's obvious isn't it?
[In my experience this trick only works with youngsters... but there is nothing quite like ruining a 7 year old nephew's Christmas by announcing that Tony Hawks scores are only valid if they end in a 5 ]
6)IMAGING AND INFLUENCING
A favourite of mine from my earlier adolescent years, when some of my peers considered gaming to be for geeks (or 'goggies' as they were known at the time). It's a trick that will only work against particularly self-conscious individuals, but is possibly the most effective trick of all. Early on in your game, as it becomes clear that you are losing, start talking about how socially retarded game addicts are. Then start talking about how that game exemplifies a 'loser's pastime'. Suggest that displaying any competence at that game should be considered shameful and seriously uncool. Say that the only way anyone could get good at this game is by having no life. Then watch your victory unfurl as your opponent deliberately plays badly in the hope of saving face.
Some psychological tricks are easier to pull off than others... so here are some easy ones to start practising with.
1) THE TEKKEN TAPPING TRAP TRICK
This only works properly with one-on-one beat 'em ups, especially the Tekken series. The idea is to look like you know what you're doing, when really you are just pressing every button in every conceivable combination. By making noises like 'Oh' and 'Ooph' when your character is punching the air in the wrong direction, your human opponent may think you were trying a legitimate, but complicated manouvre. Here comes the cunning part. The owner of the game will then feel obliged to attempt the most show-offy moves possible, to prove that his/her precious game does really require vast amounts of skill, and that they know more moves than you do. As they attempt to recollect what order that X, X, X, X, L, R, X, R, O, X, O move really went in, you move in for the kill with simple light punch/ light kick attacks. I learned that lesson the hard way, getting beats from my girlfriend the first time she had ever played a computer game. I felt totally and completely emasculated.
2) DECEITFUL DISTRACTIONS
This is a favorite of mine, and can be applied to most games and indeed, the game of life. It works especially well if you own a mobile phone. First, you discretely plant your phone by your side with the phone number of your host tapped in and ready to ring. When you get in a sticky situation in the game, simply call the other players phone and cash in on those few seconds before they realise.
There are plenty of variations on this trick, so feel free to experiment. From the classic 'Ooh look, there's a golden eagle over there' to the continous pressing of the pause button to interupt the other player's 'flow', this trick never fails to throw a little stress into the equation.
3) LAST RESORT
You know the feeling. The counters running down and you're clearly not gonna win your game. From your opponent's perspective, they think they're bound to win. So take advantage of that underdog moment. Start talking about an unrelated subject, what club you want to go to, or what game you want to play next. Just as the other player thinks you have conceded and starts to leaf through the TV guide or whatever, pick up your controller and win back those points. Pretend you never stopped concentrating on the game. Pretend you were always going to win. Deny all accusations of 'being unfair'. Then declare how good at that game you are, how you clearly won, and how much you think a rematch would be inappropriate.
There are also some bonafide Jedi style uber-psyche mind tricks that can be used to your advantage, depending on how strong 'the force' is within you.
4) PROJECTION
This trick lies in the motivation for your game-playing. Most gamers play games for fun, and so understandably treat games like they were only games. But, of course, you know better. Convince yourself that winning this game is a life-death situation. If you get beaten to the finish line, imagine your whole family will be licked on the face by Dale Winton. While your opponent is just messing about, you will be on a mission, you will give 110% and you will not let up. If that adrenalin alone does not help you win the game, then the fact that you mate thinks you're a completely dellusional headcase might.
5) DENIAL
This is based less on psychological subversion and more on bare-faced lies. The principle lies in undermining the other player's perception and understanding of what is going on. When they pull off an awesome move, look disappointed rather than impressed. When they win, look pleased. When they imply that they are better than you, laugh heartily. Then explain, with a totally straight face, that you clearly won the game. Insist on that fact until they agree... I mean, its obvious, whoever gets the bigger time in GT3 wins... I mean, that's obvious isn't it?
[In my experience this trick only works with youngsters... but there is nothing quite like ruining a 7 year old nephew's Christmas by announcing that Tony Hawks scores are only valid if they end in a 5 ]
6)IMAGING AND INFLUENCING
A favourite of mine from my earlier adolescent years, when some of my peers considered gaming to be for geeks (or 'goggies' as they were known at the time). It's a trick that will only work against particularly self-conscious individuals, but is possibly the most effective trick of all. Early on in your game, as it becomes clear that you are losing, start talking about how socially retarded game addicts are. Then start talking about how that game exemplifies a 'loser's pastime'. Suggest that displaying any competence at that game should be considered shameful and seriously uncool. Say that the only way anyone could get good at this game is by having no life. Then watch your victory unfurl as your opponent deliberately plays badly in the hope of saving face.
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Penalty's are always a comical occurence when i play my housemate at FIFA 2002. Tactics to prevent spotting which way you're going to shoot/dive include huddling around the pad, holding the pad at an impossible angle and (my favourite) holding the pad up your jumper.
You're right about the 'straight down the middle' thing though. My housemate does that all the time!
You're right about the 'straight down the middle' thing though. My housemate does that all the time!
Another good one is the old penalty stare. If you keep looking at your opponents controller as he's about to tkae the kick, he gets really paranoid, and they always, always put it straight up the middle after that. Try it.
One of my particular favourites is if youre getting thrashed at FIFA to foul the goalkeeper as much as possible. Once you're down to about 6 players the ref stops the game. (FIFA rules) At this point you ignore the 6-0 scorline and declare a "void game" with no winner or loser.
It is good isn't it...I'm gonna look out for this dude in the future.
Congrats.
Congrats.
On second thoughts, maybe I should've put this in the cheat section. Oh well.
We all know that practising a video game constantly will gain you a few skills to batter your mates with. But, as the case often is, what if you are competing on a mate's console that you have never/rarely played? Put simply, if you want to win without cheating in an obvious fashion, you must resort to mind-games.
Some psychological tricks are easier to pull off than others... so here are some easy ones to start practising with.
1) THE TEKKEN TAPPING TRAP TRICK
This only works properly with one-on-one beat 'em ups, especially the Tekken series. The idea is to look like you know what you're doing, when really you are just pressing every button in every conceivable combination. By making noises like 'Oh' and 'Ooph' when your character is punching the air in the wrong direction, your human opponent may think you were trying a legitimate, but complicated manouvre. Here comes the cunning part. The owner of the game will then feel obliged to attempt the most show-offy moves possible, to prove that his/her precious game does really require vast amounts of skill, and that they know more moves than you do. As they attempt to recollect what order that X, X, X, X, L, R, X, R, O, X, O move really went in, you move in for the kill with simple light punch/ light kick attacks. I learned that lesson the hard way, getting beats from my girlfriend the first time she had ever played a computer game. I felt totally and completely emasculated.
2) DECEITFUL DISTRACTIONS
This is a favorite of mine, and can be applied to most games and indeed, the game of life. It works especially well if you own a mobile phone. First, you discretely plant your phone by your side with the phone number of your host tapped in and ready to ring. When you get in a sticky situation in the game, simply call the other players phone and cash in on those few seconds before they realise.
There are plenty of variations on this trick, so feel free to experiment. From the classic 'Ooh look, there's a golden eagle over there' to the continous pressing of the pause button to interupt the other player's 'flow', this trick never fails to throw a little stress into the equation.
3) LAST RESORT
You know the feeling. The counters running down and you're clearly not gonna win your game. From your opponent's perspective, they think they're bound to win. So take advantage of that underdog moment. Start talking about an unrelated subject, what club you want to go to, or what game you want to play next. Just as the other player thinks you have conceded and starts to leaf through the TV guide or whatever, pick up your controller and win back those points. Pretend you never stopped concentrating on the game. Pretend you were always going to win. Deny all accusations of 'being unfair'. Then declare how good at that game you are, how you clearly won, and how much you think a rematch would be inappropriate.
There are also some bonafide Jedi style uber-psyche mind tricks that can be used to your advantage, depending on how strong 'the force' is within you.
4) PROJECTION
This trick lies in the motivation for your game-playing. Most gamers play games for fun, and so understandably treat games like they were only games. But, of course, you know better. Convince yourself that winning this game is a life-death situation. If you get beaten to the finish line, imagine your whole family will be licked on the face by Dale Winton. While your opponent is just messing about, you will be on a mission, you will give 110% and you will not let up. If that adrenalin alone does not help you win the game, then the fact that you mate thinks you're a completely dellusional headcase might.
5) DENIAL
This is based less on psychological subversion and more on bare-faced lies. The principle lies in undermining the other player's perception and understanding of what is going on. When they pull off an awesome move, look disappointed rather than impressed. When they win, look pleased. When they imply that they are better than you, laugh heartily. Then explain, with a totally straight face, that you clearly won the game. Insist on that fact until they agree... I mean, its obvious, whoever gets the bigger time in GT3 wins... I mean, that's obvious isn't it?
[In my experience this trick only works with youngsters... but there is nothing quite like ruining a 7 year old nephew's Christmas by announcing that Tony Hawks scores are only valid if they end in a 5 ]
6)IMAGING AND INFLUENCING
A favourite of mine from my earlier adolescent years, when some of my peers considered gaming to be for geeks (or 'goggies' as they were known at the time). It's a trick that will only work against particularly self-conscious individuals, but is possibly the most effective trick of all. Early on in your game, as it becomes clear that you are losing, start talking about how socially retarded game addicts are. Then start talking about how that game exemplifies a 'loser's pastime'. Suggest that displaying any competence at that game should be considered shameful and seriously uncool. Say that the only way anyone could get good at this game is by having no life. Then watch your victory unfurl as your opponent deliberately plays badly in the hope of saving face.
Some psychological tricks are easier to pull off than others... so here are some easy ones to start practising with.
1) THE TEKKEN TAPPING TRAP TRICK
This only works properly with one-on-one beat 'em ups, especially the Tekken series. The idea is to look like you know what you're doing, when really you are just pressing every button in every conceivable combination. By making noises like 'Oh' and 'Ooph' when your character is punching the air in the wrong direction, your human opponent may think you were trying a legitimate, but complicated manouvre. Here comes the cunning part. The owner of the game will then feel obliged to attempt the most show-offy moves possible, to prove that his/her precious game does really require vast amounts of skill, and that they know more moves than you do. As they attempt to recollect what order that X, X, X, X, L, R, X, R, O, X, O move really went in, you move in for the kill with simple light punch/ light kick attacks. I learned that lesson the hard way, getting beats from my girlfriend the first time she had ever played a computer game. I felt totally and completely emasculated.
2) DECEITFUL DISTRACTIONS
This is a favorite of mine, and can be applied to most games and indeed, the game of life. It works especially well if you own a mobile phone. First, you discretely plant your phone by your side with the phone number of your host tapped in and ready to ring. When you get in a sticky situation in the game, simply call the other players phone and cash in on those few seconds before they realise.
There are plenty of variations on this trick, so feel free to experiment. From the classic 'Ooh look, there's a golden eagle over there' to the continous pressing of the pause button to interupt the other player's 'flow', this trick never fails to throw a little stress into the equation.
3) LAST RESORT
You know the feeling. The counters running down and you're clearly not gonna win your game. From your opponent's perspective, they think they're bound to win. So take advantage of that underdog moment. Start talking about an unrelated subject, what club you want to go to, or what game you want to play next. Just as the other player thinks you have conceded and starts to leaf through the TV guide or whatever, pick up your controller and win back those points. Pretend you never stopped concentrating on the game. Pretend you were always going to win. Deny all accusations of 'being unfair'. Then declare how good at that game you are, how you clearly won, and how much you think a rematch would be inappropriate.
There are also some bonafide Jedi style uber-psyche mind tricks that can be used to your advantage, depending on how strong 'the force' is within you.
4) PROJECTION
This trick lies in the motivation for your game-playing. Most gamers play games for fun, and so understandably treat games like they were only games. But, of course, you know better. Convince yourself that winning this game is a life-death situation. If you get beaten to the finish line, imagine your whole family will be licked on the face by Dale Winton. While your opponent is just messing about, you will be on a mission, you will give 110% and you will not let up. If that adrenalin alone does not help you win the game, then the fact that you mate thinks you're a completely dellusional headcase might.
5) DENIAL
This is based less on psychological subversion and more on bare-faced lies. The principle lies in undermining the other player's perception and understanding of what is going on. When they pull off an awesome move, look disappointed rather than impressed. When they win, look pleased. When they imply that they are better than you, laugh heartily. Then explain, with a totally straight face, that you clearly won the game. Insist on that fact until they agree... I mean, its obvious, whoever gets the bigger time in GT3 wins... I mean, that's obvious isn't it?
[In my experience this trick only works with youngsters... but there is nothing quite like ruining a 7 year old nephew's Christmas by announcing that Tony Hawks scores are only valid if they end in a 5 ]
6)IMAGING AND INFLUENCING
A favourite of mine from my earlier adolescent years, when some of my peers considered gaming to be for geeks (or 'goggies' as they were known at the time). It's a trick that will only work against particularly self-conscious individuals, but is possibly the most effective trick of all. Early on in your game, as it becomes clear that you are losing, start talking about how socially retarded game addicts are. Then start talking about how that game exemplifies a 'loser's pastime'. Suggest that displaying any competence at that game should be considered shameful and seriously uncool. Say that the only way anyone could get good at this game is by having no life. Then watch your victory unfurl as your opponent deliberately plays badly in the hope of saving face.
Page: