How to Be Calm while Playing Online Video Games

Last Updated: July 2, 2020

Sure, everyone always says that it's just a game and that you're supposed to have fun. But sometimes, if your teammates are doing an exceptionally bad job, it can be really hard to keep your cool, especially if their ineptitude is costing you the match! Ugh! Whether or not it's because you're waking up the neighbors with shouting sessions during late-night gaming or because you've been banned from your favorite server because you were shouting over the microphone, here are some tips that will hopefully help you keep a lid on that gaming rage.

Steps

1
Turn your microphone off. Most gaming servers have rules against shouting or cursing over voice communication channels. If you're having issues maintaining your composure, it's best to mute your microphone so that you may shout and tell everyone how bad of a job they're doing without actually letting them hear it!
2
Don't take other players seriously. Occasionally, in some games, you may find yourself playing against (or with) someone who is getting on your nerves. Whether it's because they are gloating after a win against you or because they are simply trying to annoy everyone (trolling), don't take what they say seriously. Some people are more competitive than others, others have thicker skins and are not particularly sensitive to name-calling. Relax, take a deep breath, and let what they say roll off of your back. Remember that most people would act in an entirely different way if you had encountered them face-to-face rather than on the Internet.
- If you find yourself tempted to take what other players are saying seriously, mute them. Sometimes, the best way to walk away from an unproductive conversation is to simply ignore the other person. If you find yourself frequently letting others' words bring out the worst in you, perhaps you should consider disabling voice chat altogether.
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3
Switch servers. If you find yourself losing a lot on one server, it may be best to try your luck on another server and play there. You could also try switching to the winning team, although most servers have rules against this (called "team stacking") and may switch you back to the losing team.
4
Play with a friend. Sometimes, losing isn't so bad if you have someone to lose with! Talking about your loss might help to calm you down.
5
Rage quit. There's absolutely nothing wrong with leaving a game simply because you are too frustrated to play. Take a break and do something else until you feel like you are composed enough to play again.
6
Remember that it's just a game. Yeah, everyone says this, but it's absolutely vital to remember that playing a video game is for fun and entertainment. The number of kills you have, the number of wins you have, and your kill-death ratio will not contribute to anything else in your life except for bragging rights.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I stop swearing when I game?

Community Answer

Try reminding yourself that cursing isn't going to help you play better. If you find yourself getting angry and upset when you play, maybe you should take a break from gaming for awhile.
Question

How can I block the microphone?

FaMeD

Community Answer

If you're using Playstation 3, hold the PS button located under the left analog stick and wait for a menu to come up. Tap the "Disable Microphone" button.
Question

How can I stay calm while playing Rainbow Six Siege or Call of Duty Black Ops 3: Zombies?

Community Answer

First, you need to practice because if you practice, you will start to get better, therefore causing less rage. You also must get used to losing. Try thinking about bigger problems when you lose, so you'll calm down about the game. And also, don't play when you're having intense emotions. Simply take a break, sleep it off, and try again the next day.