Gaming, like so many other pastimes, has evolved over the years. In the past, old school games dominated the landscape along with basic TVs and 2D graphics. Nowadays, that is no longer the scene when you or I sit down to play. The gaming scene has changed so much, in fact, that it is hard for some us to keep up with the trends. So, this begs the question: what does it take to step into the twenty-first century? The answer is a lot, but these are the main components for all you wannabe contemporary gaming geeks.

File via flickr

Modern Console

It is no longer acceptable to have a regular game console in 2017. Indeed, even the manufacturers at the forefront of the industry are struggling to keep up with current advancements. The reason is VR or virtual reality. Companies like Sony and Microsoft may have the best consoles now, yet that is bound to change in the future. At the minute, Oculus is the king of VR, but Tesla and other rival firms are challenging their superiority. If you don’t want to be behind the times, it’s probably best to get on the bandwagon sooner rather than later.

Awareness

However, owning the latest tech isn’t the be all and end all if you have zero knowledge of how the console works. Quite simply, your skills will atrophy to the level of a beginner, and that isn’t a sign of a modern gamer. To avoid embarrassment, you must have a certain degree of awareness of how the modern games work. Yes, practice is also a factor, but there are only so many hours in a day. To take gaming to the next level, it’s vital that you understand the dynamics. Otherwise, you will be a sitting duck.

File via pixabay

Mod Cons

Having a Xbox One or PC isn’t enough. To be a contemporary player in the game, you need the extras, too. To start with, a high-resolution television doesn’t go amiss, and that isn’t to show off your wealth. New games focus on graphics much more than in the past, so a TV adds to the user experience. Speakers are the same as the sound effects are as much a part of modern gaming as the visuals. Also, an internet connection is vital because most games are based online. Plus, a headset is necessary to converse. After all, gaming isn’t a solitary hobby anymore – it’s social.

Time & Patience

Finally, time and patience are requirements if you don’t want to fall at the first hurdle. Adapting to new games is never easy, especially if you’re a retro type of person. However, you have to try if you want to transform into a quintessential modern gamer. To do that, you require the time to practice and the patience to keep your cool when it goes wrong. And, it will go wrong at some point in time.

These aren’t the only factors, but they are four of the most important. If you can implement these into your gaming experience, you should evolve with the times.