10 Common Mistakes Casual Gamers Make in Video Games

The gaming landscape is predominantly shaped by casual players, which is a sobering realization for many hardcore gamers, as they often find themselves outside the primary target demographic.

Today, video gaming is more accessible than ever, attracting a broad audience. However, the casual gaming mindset can sometimes backfire, leaving players vulnerable to companies eager to exploit their naivety.

This article explores common pitfalls that casual gamers encounter, both during gameplay and prior to even starting their consoles or PCs.

10 Skipping Tutorials

Master the Basics First

Whether casual or hardcore, players frequently skip tutorials and dialogue, but this habit disproportionately affects newcomers.

Games with complex systems often present lengthy tutorials, which can be tedious, leading players to rush through them. However, not absorbing this information can severely detract from your overall gaming experience.

For instance, in titles like Monster Hunter Wilds, players encounter a substantial amount of instructional content, and while veterans may rely on prior knowledge, casual gamers may lack this advantage.

To fully enjoy certain games, players must endure some instructional reading. There’s simply no escaping this requirement.

9 Reckless Spending of In-Game Resources

Running Out of Primogems, Again?

Many games present players with multiple currencies, with gacha games like Nikke: Goddess of Victory and Genshin Impact particularly notorious for this. New players often face immense pressure to spend freely and can quickly deplete their resources.

Especially in gacha games, players receive an abundance of currency at the outset, enticing them to ‘pull’ for new characters or units. Experienced players will typically exercise discretion and analyze tier lists before making these decisions, whereas casual players may lack such patience.

The trap of impulsive spending can lead to dire consequences, especially when a player’s favorite character appears in the shop.

To circumvent such pitfalls, foresight and diligent research are necessary—attributes that don’t always come naturally to new players.

8 Opting for ‘The Deluxe’ Edition

More Expensive Isn’t Necessarily Better

Gaming can carry a hefty price tag, a fact exacerbated by online platforms that push costly editions as if they represent genuine value. While seasoned players can easily discern value, casual gamers may find it confusing.

For instance, one could unwittingly invest hundreds in titles like Call of Duty, simply to enjoy a few matches of Black Ops 6 and then jump into the free Warzone mode.

Some premium versions tout mountains of in-game currencies, often rendered meaningless, potentially leading to odd leftover amounts after spending. It’s a situation best avoided.

In most cases, deluxe editions are only worth it if you’re genuinely committed to the title for the long haul—that raises the question, does that make you a casual player anymore?

7 Neglecting Game Updates

Your Favorites Won’t Always Reign Supreme

Have you noticed your favorite character or weapon suddenly feels underwhelming? This shift often originates from game updates and balance changes that can leave casual gamers struggling to keep up.

Even beloved live-service games will eventually fall out of favor. Developers strive to rejuvenate their titles by adjusting various attributes and altering the meta, which can frustrate casual players who might not follow patch notes closely.

While I appreciate the evolving nature of gaming—like in The First Descendant—a disconnect often exists, leaving casual players at a disadvantage.

6 Succumbing to Starter Packs

The Beginner’s Pitfall

New players are often enticed by ‘starter’ packs, yet it’s crucial to remember that if anyone is susceptible to this trap, it’s the inexperienced gamer.

Many established games offer these paid packages, which seem appealing at first glance. However, the reality is that most items found in these packs can be easily acquired for free within the game.

A prime example can be found in Destiny 2, where the starter pack was heavily criticized for being a complete rip-off, leading to a significant backlash and its eventual removal from the store.

While this issue stems from poor developer choices, it could easily be avoided if casual players prioritized some research—an uncommon trait among this demographic.

5 Insufficient Research

Avoid Being an Uninformed Buyer

Failing to research a title before purchase may seem innocuous but can lead to buyer’s regret and monetary loss.

Those truly invested in gaming appreciate the importance of conducting research prior to committing to any new release.

Some titles are fraught with performance issues or feature misleading marketing strategies designed to attract casual gamers without disclosing their true nature.

Take Sea of Thieves, for example. The marketing suggests a whimsical, laid-back world; however, it disguises an intense PvPvE environment that demands considerable skill.

By scanning reviews or engaging in community discussions, casual players can sidestep the disappointment that arises from unmet expectations.

4 Accusing Opponents for Losses

Is It You?

As a competitive gamer, it perplexes me when players attribute their failures in PvP environments, like Destiny 2 or Fall Guys, to opponents being overly skilled or too serious.

In reality, these opponents are often simply enjoying the game and have perhaps honed their skills over time.

Common excuses include statements like ‘I just want to unwind’ or personal responsibilities hindering performance. The best remedy? Learning to accept loss as part of the gaming experience.

3 Utilizing Progression Skips

In My Day, This Was Considered Cheating

This point primarily concerns live-service games. Skipping gameplay experiences feels counterintuitive, yet many players still do it.

Progression skips come in free variants, like Defender Gear in Monster Hunter Rise, or paid forms, such as Tales of Adventure in FFXIV. While they allow players to bypass portions of a game, these systems often emerge from overly lengthy grinds intended solely to sell the quick fix.

While paid skips are a questionable business practice, even the free ones rarely enhance the gaming experience for casual players, who may find themselves ill-prepared if they skip too much.

2 Hesitating to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

You Might Be Missing Game-Changing Experiences

Numerous games provide diverse play styles and opportunities to enhance the gameplay experience after mastering the basics. However, it’s all too easy to get comfortable and miss out on these enriching alternatives.

For example, I initially played racing games with automatic gears, resisting the recommendation to try manual shifting in titles like Tokyo Xtreme Racer. It took time to adjust, but now I cannot imagine reverting to automatic.

While seeking relaxation is natural, pushing beyond your established boundaries can lead to rewarding experiences.

1 Assuming Victory Is a Given

Embracing Defeat Is Crucial

Video game advertisements often portray the thrill of victory while conveniently omitting the reality of defeats that come with gaming, especially in genres like Battle Royale.

Whether inspired by professional streamers or seduced by promotional materials, these portrayals create unrealistic expectations of winning each match, which is rarely the case.

In titles like Warzone, players may need to play countless matches to finally score that coveted victory.

Winning is exhilarating, but deriving positivity and lessons from losses proves significantly more challenging.

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