The New Player Experience in Any Competitive Game

Summary

The video script discusses the steep learning curve and initial frustration experienced by new players in competitive games like Hunt Showdown and Apex Legends. Despite the difficulty, these games maintain popularity due to the rewarding sense of mastery and the thrill of executing advanced techniques. The speaker emphasizes that the journey to becoming proficient is a significant draw, with players often sticking with a game to achieve personal milestones and enjoy the unique aspects it offers.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The script discusses the steep learning curve associated with competitive video games like Hunt Showdown and how it's common for players to struggle initially.
• 🤔 It highlights that many players quit games early due to frustration from being outplayed, especially in PvP games, reflecting a common sentiment in gaming forums.
• 📈 Despite the difficult start, the script points out that games like Hunt Showdown and others mentioned have gained and maintained popularity, indicating that players find value beyond the initial challenges.
• 🌟 The appeal of mastering a game and performing 'cool' moves or strategies that initially attracted a player is a significant motivator for sticking with a game through its learning phase.
• 🔁 The script suggests that the journey to mastery and the satisfaction derived from improving at a game is a core reason players continue to engage with competitive titles.
• 🎯 It emphasizes that even in the face of losses, understanding that long-term growth and the ability to execute advanced techniques make the struggle worthwhile.
• 🚀 The excitement of watching top players perform incredible feats in games and aspiring to reach that level captivates players and fuels their interest in mastering games.
• 🤝 The script mentions that the community's shared experiences, such as learning from others and celebrating achievements, can enhance the gaming experience.
• 🔄 It acknowledges that not all players are interested in the 'road to mastery' and that personal preference plays a significant role in which games individuals choose to invest time in.
• 🛑 The frustration of being killed easily can lead to players quitting games, but for those who find the game appealing, they are willing to endure the learning process for the eventual rewards.
• 🎼 The script draws a parallel between learning games and learning other skills, like music, where the initial challenge can be daunting, but the mastery can be deeply satisfying.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?

The main topic discussed is the learning curve and player experience in competitive video games, specifically focusing on the initial challenges and the eventual mastery that players can achieve.

What is the game 'Hunt Showdown' and why is it significant in the script?

'Hunt Showdown' is a PvP (Player versus Player) video game that the script mentions as an example of a game with a steep learning curve, where many players have never killed another player due to its difficulty.

Why do some players quit playing competitive games early on?

Some players quit because they find the initial experience frustrating, often due to being outplayed or killed easily by more experienced players, leading to a lack of immediate enjoyment.

What does the script suggest about the appeal of competitive games despite their difficulty?

The script suggests that the appeal lies in the eventual mastery and the ability to perform 'cool' or impressive actions within the game, which can outweigh the initial frustration and learning period.

How does the script describe the feeling of achieving mastery in a game?

The script describes the feeling of achieving mastery as being on 'solid ground,' where the player feels a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from performing well and executing advanced techniques.

What is the 'road to Mastery' mentioned in the script?

The 'road to Mastery' refers to the journey a player takes from being new to a game and struggling to becoming proficient and capable of performing advanced moves and strategies.

Why do some players continue to play competitive games despite initial losses and frustration?

Players continue to play because they are interested in the game, they see the potential for personal improvement, and they are motivated by the desire to achieve mastery and perform impressive in-game actions.

What does the script say about the importance of the initial player experience in competitive games?

The script indicates that while the initial experience can be off-putting, it is the potential for growth and mastery that keeps players engaged, suggesting that the initial experience is not the sole determinant of a game's popularity.

How does the script relate the experience of learning a new game to other skills or hobbies?

The script draws a parallel between learning a new game and learning other skills or hobbies, such as music, where the initial learning curve can be steep but the journey towards mastery is rewarding.

What is the significance of the 'cool things' mentioned in the script in relation to player motivation?

The 'cool things' refer to the advanced or impressive actions that players can perform in a game, which serve as motivators to continue playing and improving, despite the challenges faced in the learning process.

How does the script address the misconception that shooting games are more intuitive than other genres?

The script argues that all games, including shooting games, have their own complexities and learning curves, and that intuition comes from familiarity rather than inherent ease of the game mechanics.

Outlines

00:00

🎮 The Struggle and Satisfaction of Mastering PVP Games

The script discusses the initial challenges and eventual satisfaction that comes with mastering Player versus Player (PVP) games. It highlights the steep learning curve of games like Hunt Showdown and the frustration of new players who quit after early failures. The speaker emphasizes that persistence pays off, as the 'giant staircase' of learning eventually leads to a point where players feel solid and capable. Despite the initial difficulty, the script notes that games with high skill ceilings, such as fighting games and competitive shooters, maintain popularity due to the allure of mastering complex mechanics and performing impressive feats in-game.

05:02

🛠️ The Road to Mastery and the Player's Journey

This paragraph delves into the concept of mastery in competitive gaming and the reluctance of experienced players to start anew in different genres. It suggests that the appeal of these games lies in the depth of skill one can develop over time, rather than simply becoming the best. The speaker reflects on personal experiences and the joy of achieving in-game feats that initially seemed out of reach, illustrating how these moments can be more rewarding than winning. The paragraph also touches on the idea that players are often willing to endure losses and setbacks in pursuit of these satisfying accomplishments.

10:03

🔍 The Intuitive Misconception of Game Genres

The script challenges the notion that shooting games are inherently more intuitive than other genres like fighting games. It provides examples of experienced players struggling with new genres and emphasizes that all games, regardless of type, have unique mechanics and terminology that can be unintuitive to newcomers. The speaker argues that the perceived difficulty of fighting games is often due to a lack of interest or exposure to other gaming genres, rather than an inherent complexity. The paragraph also discusses the importance of finding enjoyment in the learning process and the personal satisfaction derived from mastering game-specific skills.

15:05

🎯 The Personal Experience of Learning and Enjoying Games

In this paragraph, the speaker shares personal anecdotes about learning to play fighting games, including the fun and satisfaction derived from developing simple strategies and outmaneuvering more experienced players. It discusses the joy of discovery and improvement in gaming, as well as the community's shared language and terminology that can be confusing to outsiders. The speaker concludes by suggesting that the enjoyment of games is deeply personal and that the journey of learning and mastering a game is what keeps players engaged, regardless of the genre.

Keywords

💡Hunt Showdown

Hunt Showdown is a PvP (Player versus Player) video game that the speaker has a deep interest in. It is mentioned as having a steep learning curve, which is a common theme in the video's discussion about the challenges new players face in various competitive games. The script talks about the game's difficulty and the satisfaction derived from mastering its mechanics.

💡Learning Curve

The learning curve refers to the progression of a player's skill level in a game. In the context of the video, it is described as a 'giant staircase,' indicating that it can be difficult to advance but once a player does, they are on solid ground. The script uses this term to discuss the initial challenges and eventual mastery players experience in competitive games.

💡Mastery

Mastery in the video is the level of skill and understanding a player achieves in a game. It is associated with the long-term commitment and effort required to become proficient. The script suggests that the pursuit of mastery, even if not to become the best, is a significant appeal for players, as it allows them to express their skills and enjoy the game's mechanics.

💡PVP (Player versus Player)

PVP is a game mode where players compete against each other, as opposed to playing against the game's AI. The script mentions that Hunt Showdown is a PVP game and discusses the inherent challenges and rewards of competing with real players, such as the stress and satisfaction of winning or improving one's skills.

💡Competitive Video Games

Competitive video games are those where players engage in matches or contests with the goal of winning. The script discusses the common theme of a difficult initial experience in such games, followed by a rewarding journey of skill development and mastery, which is a key factor in their popularity.

💡New Player Experience

The new player experience refers to the initial impressions and challenges faced by players when they first start playing a game. The script highlights the poor new player experience as a barrier to entry for some games, with players quitting due to frustration from early losses and the steep learning curve.

💡Game Mechanics

Game mechanics are the rules and systems that govern how a game is played. The script mentions the complexity of game mechanics in games like Hunt Showdown, which can be overwhelming for new players but also provide depth and opportunities for skill expression and mastery.

💡Achievement

In gaming, achievements are rewards that players can earn for accomplishing specific tasks or goals. The script notes that many people have bought and installed Hunt Showdown but haven't earned the achievement for killing another player, indicating that they haven't delved deeply into the game.

💡Road to Mastery

The road to mastery is the journey a player takes to become highly skilled at a game. The script uses this term to describe the long and challenging process of learning and improving in competitive games, which can be both a deterrent and a motivator for players.

💡Fighting Games

Fighting games are a genre of video games where players control characters that engage in close combat. The script contrasts the perceived difficulty of fighting games with other genres, discussing the reluctance of players to start learning a new genre due to the time investment required for mastery.

💡Intuitive

Intuitive refers to something that is easily understood or learned without explicit instruction. The script challenges the notion that shooting games are intuitive, providing examples of players struggling with basic mechanics in different game genres, and arguing that all games have elements that are not immediately intuitive to newcomers.

Highlights

The importance of Hunt Showdown's player retention, especially for new players who have never killed another player.

The comparison of the learning curve in Hunt Showdown to a giant staircase, emphasizing the initial difficulty and eventual mastery.

The commonality of a challenging start in competitive video games and how players' persistence can lead to enjoyment.

The paradox of high player bases in popular games despite a tough new player experience.

The appeal of the long road to mastery and the joy of learning and improving in a game.

The impact of witnessing high-level gameplay on maintaining player interest and motivation.

The memorable moment of achieving a cool in-game feat and its influence on long-term player engagement.

The notion that most players are willing to accept losing as long as they can perform cool in-game actions they enjoy.

The idea that the end goal of mastery is not necessarily being the best, but enjoying the journey and the game's depth.

The reluctance of expert players in one game genre to start mastering another due to the time investment required.

The importance of player interest in the end goal of a game for them to undertake the journey of mastery.

The analogy of learning to play music and the overwhelming feeling of onboarding to a new skill or game.

The misconception that shooting games are more intuitive than other genres, debunked with examples of new player struggles.

The argument that all games, not just fighting games, have a learning curve and require time to master.

The personal experience of the speaker as a new fighting game player and the fun in discovering simple yet effective strategies.

The discussion on the unique language and terminology of each game genre and how it can be a barrier for new players.

The final thoughts on why people play games and the realization that the feeling of improvement and enjoyment is more important than winning.

Transcripts

the next thing I wanted to talk about

today 40 of hunt Showdown and you guys

know I played some hunt showdowns so

it's very important to me players have

never killed another player if you guys

don't know this is a PVP game this is

partially because lots of people have

bought the game installed and never

played they just don't have the

achievement for it but if you read this

thread it is full of people who are like

yeah I downloaded the game and I tried

to play I got shot by someone and I was

like this stinks and I quit even look at

the first the top comment right the

learning curve and Hunt is more like a

giant staircase does this sound familiar

hard to get to the next level but once

you're there you're on Solid Ground how

many game could you copy this

description and people would be like

yeah this this applies to that game like

you know in the beginning it sucks but

boy once you get in there and you start

moving and grooving that shit's awesome

I can't think of very many competitive

video games that are not like this

actually it's basically all of them I'm

playing the game and like I just get

killed far away and I quit like I don't

want to spend 50 or 100 or 200 hours in

a game to learn to shoot and down one

person and how many people have you

heard say this about fighting games I'm

not interested I don't want to play

fighting games for hundreds of hours to

get good or get a kill even when you

scroll down look at the other top

comments right it's super stressful I

don't want to play it you need someone

to help you otherwise you can't get into

it this one says I played Apex Legends

with some friends after a dozen or so

matches we got slaughtered in one-sided

blowouts every time weren't having any

fun so we moved on and played other

games you know you just get shot by

someone it sucks I hate it here this

feels real bad every single game even

that one is like I wish I had other

modes that were better for new players

this threat is just full of people who

are just like yeah you know I tried

playing tarkov and it sucked because of

this you know I try to get into League

of Legends and DOTA and Apex and I don't

want to play you know 100 hours of

League to learn what all the Champions

do and understand everything I don't

want to play 500 hours of hunt Showdown

so I can get good enough to hear someone

through the wall and shoot them under

the ground and do all this kind of stuff

right based on threads like this and the

general consensus about how bad the new

player experience is for game you would

think that this style of game is not

popular but hunt Showdown has only

gained popularity since it's come out

and not only that but every other game

I've listed is amongst the most popular

video games that people play all of them

have huge player bases and they're

extremely popular titles even though

everybody agrees that when you first

start playing you just get destroyed the

key here is I think this sentence right

here once you're there you're on Solid

Ground even if you're getting beat up

and losing in the beginning if you think

the game is really cool you will stick

it out and play it and the idea of one

day being good enough to do all the cool

things that you want to do not be the

best in the world not have the greatest

aim of all time but like if you can do a

cool thing you saw that got you

interested in the game in the first

place then you're like hell yeah and for

some people the idea that the climb to

get good the road to Mastery is so long

and there's so much cool stuff you can

learn and get better at over time is a

really big appeal you open a thread

where someone in Apex you watch an ASU

clip where he's moving the level of

movement that he has is only accessible

to like point zero zero one percent of

players and everybody's like how does he

do it it's the sickest thing I've ever

seen in my life like oh my God or like

someone hit some absurd shot or flick or

thing in the game ungodly

decision-making reactions like ability

and you're just very impressed that kind

of stuff exists for every game and it's

what keeps people interested I think in

games like this and struggling and

having issues and like you know not

killing people for three or four games

and then finally getting a kill and

being like that was so sick like these

feelings are stronger I think than the

feelings from most people of just being

like game stink me die

stinky game I think everybody just wants

to do some cool stuff and at the end of

the day most people are okay with losing

if they understand that long term this

game allows them to do lots of cool

things that they like right even if it

means losing some time and the road to

that Mastery and understanding that and

getting there is fun you lose some games

and you feel bad and then you have that

really tight game and you're just like

oh my God I did everything right I

remember the first time I played Apex

and learned how to wall jump and I

remember sliding wall jumping the guy

missed his shot on me and I shotgunned

him off the wall and I was like this is

the greatest video game I've ever played

in my life I didn't win the game I don't

think I even got close to winning that

game the fact that I did that cool thing

made me play the game for like forever I

was like dude this game is tight and

that moment matters more to me than all

the like you know getting beat up losing

all these other games you drop somewhere

and you don't get a gun and the guy

shoots you and kills you and your

teammates just run around and you know

you're like this all that stuff sucks

but then you have these tight moments

and think most competitive games have

that long road to Mastery that a lot of

people are really interested in or they

can just set aside the fact that like

I've learned all this cool stuff and I

can do all these cool things now and

even if I don't win all the time I have

fun doing them and I enjoy the things

that this game lets me Express and do

and I think after you've learned any

competitive game you probably know this

feeling where when you get into a new

one somebody's like an expert at Apex

and they're like yeah I don't want to

learn a fighting game it's too hard what

they mean is not oh I couldn't learn a

fighting game what they mean is like I'm

already a master at a game that's like

competitive and difficult and requires a

lot of time and effort and if I wanted

to get good at something like a fighting

game I would have to redo all that and

they probably just don't have the

interest to get to where they would want

to be to do all the sick nasty stuff or

they don't think the sick nasty stuff in

that game looks more fun than what

they're already doing so they don't have

interest in going on that road if you

look at a fighting game and you're like

dude that looks cool and everything but

like man I don't know if it's for me

then like you're not gonna get on the

road and start losing and like get

better and improve and and strive

towards Mastery because like you don't

care where you end up like the end goal

is not a place you're interested in

you've probably already played Poe or

Apex Legends or CS or valoran or Dota or

League there are things that are

occupying the space in your brain to

like be on that road to Mastery right

like why pick another one if I pick this

one I have to start a new road to

Mastery and I don't want to make it

sound like all competitive games or all

games where you compete against other

people Mastery means you become the best

these games just offer you a lot of ways

to express your skill and improve over

time it doesn't necessarily mean you

have to be the best at them you can just

be like I landed the sitcombo or did

this sick thing or I did some movement

thing in Apex or whatever it is right

like you're like I'm the best that I've

ever been at this thing and it feels

great I can feel my Improvement and I'm

so much better than I was before that's

why people play these games and even a

game like hunt which is extremely

difficult to get into it has a really

hard learning curve what you see in the

future is what keeps you interested in

the game or not you just choose to deal

with the beginning of them so that you

can eventually get good and do those

cool things that you're hyped about

right and those moments feel great those

moments feel better than all the moments

losing and if they stop feeling that way

and that's kind of like when you maybe

are not as interested or invested in the

game anymore not even literally winning

but like the wins of like doing a sitcom

but doing a sick thing that you want to

do you know executing something that you

were struggling with before now you can

do all the time if those don't feel good

to you anymore then there's a problem

99.9 of us are not going to compete and

try to be the best ever we're playing

them because we like them and we think

they're fun and Mastery in this game to

our own level whatever Mastery we seek

is fun for us right we love we like it

it's enjoyable yeah this can totally

apply to anything I mean it doesn't have

to just be competitive games it can

apply to like let's say you want to

learn music or something you like sit

down and they're like okay these are all

the keys you need to learn okay and

let's start playing some of them and

I'll do this and let's move you know use

both of our hands and learn some chords

and do this and like let's talk about

some bass and you're like this is so

much do I really want to like learn this

vast onboarding experience so that I can

play some song I like it's like that for

that it's like that for complex single

player games or whatever skill you're

building it could be anything

particularly I think people really love

when the the level of Mastery is so deep

there's so many ways you can go and if

you take two people who are experts in a

field right even they have different

things that they're better at than the

other right they have different levels

of Mastery or things that they can or

can't do or better at and worse at even

if their stats are like 10 out of 10 or

9 out of 10 and everything they're

spread and and different than other

players or people they all have their

own skills and things that they think

matter or they like to do or they prefer

and that's why you know you see this

thread and everybody's like I got shot

in the bag and it sucked then I quit and

I'm like fair enough there was not

enough interest here for you or you

didn't care about the game enough to get

better at it or it just didn't strike

you the way you thought it was you

weren't interested you're just like hey

I'm not sure if it's for me but I'll

tell you what feels [ __ ] great for me

I'm just I'm feeling one fantastic and

that's the thing is like you know you

could be like well you got shot in the

back you deserve it because x y and z

are like you know what happens because

of this this and this but like if you're

truly this person they don't care

they're just like Oh shot in the back

this sucks and they're just out of there

right they're not on the road to master

it they're on their road to going back

to where they came from or playing

something new so Street Fighter six

right they've done so many things to

improve the new player experience even

with their best efforts if someone plays

the game does all the new player stuff

and then plays online and loses and is

like this stinks man punch me me no like

there's nothing you can do about it if

you craft an experiences that's as

awesome as you could be and you show

them look at all these cool combos you

can do look at all these cool things

people are doing look at all this cool

future stuff there's all these awesome

things to do you can learn this way you

can learn that way there's so many

things about this that are great please

stick around and enjoy it with us and

like engage with it and like trust me

it's worth it they will run into that

that moment or that person who beats

them up in a way that doesn't sit right

with them and that will be the moment

where they decide whether they're

interested on staying on this road or

they're like

I've had my iPhone I'm good if they're

not interested then there's nothing you

can do about it you gotta just be like

well we tried and that's fine the

difference between fighting games and

Shooters like Apex and Shooters there

aren't individual actions that can be

difficult to perform all right you've

lost your typing privileges in my chat

this is not true Apex in particular like

have you ever handed a controller to

your grandparents or uncles or someone

older than you or someone who's never

played a shooting game before even on

mouse and keyboard they can't move and

aim at the same time because their

brains doesn't feel right to do those

two things at once have you watched you

know play Valor I don't mean that to dig

you know I just mean Juna is new to the

game I think he's playing against

because he's interested in it but he's

also wants to see what it's like right

and you can ask him how bad the new

player experiences this is someone who

can do all the complex stuff of a

fighting game right you watch him and he

can't shoot someone who's not moving

there's a fighting game player this is

true a fighting game player who has made

top eight at major tournaments Ninth at

Evo like three times they were like hey

in a shooting game I didn't know that

when you hold down the click button the

gun goes up like they didn't understand

recoil as a concept there was a friend

he can remain nameless but he was in the

chat earlier who won an apex Legends

game by doing zero damage and dying

because we just killed everybody he

never played Apex again after that he

won and was like all right that sucked I

spent the entire game running behind

sagem and tan man fumbling with my

controls and never seeing an enemy and

then we won came up on the screen he did

great excellent work you know why you

say shooting games are intuitive it's

because you play them or you've been

around them shooting games have lots of

things that are not intuitive to People

Too who've never played shooting game in

the same way that fighting games are the

same way they have things that are

unintuitive to people who've never

played fighting game all genres are like

this if you play shooting games where

moving and shooting is good and then you

could play a game like valorent or CF

and you try to like do that you're like

whoa everybody's like yeah you can't do

that here this is not that kind of a

game even that is different and not

intuitive to people trust me I play Han

Showdown and I play with my friends who

are they played a lot of shooting games

and teaching them the mechanics of that

game they're like this [ __ ] is like

there's a lot going on there's a lot I

gotta remember this is hard like it's

not easy to do and they play other

shooting games right people don't learn

fighting games not because they're not

learnable it's because they just aren't

not interested it's the whole thing I've

been talking about today I think part of

why people say fighting games are so

hard that fighting game players don't

play anything else really especially a

lot of people who are like big into

fighting game and like vocal about them

a lot of them don't play any other games

and then they talk about fighting games

like yeah the new game experience of all

these other games is so much better than

uh you know learning fighting games I'm

like bro you don't even play anything

else how would you even know they don't

play league DOTA CS balance they've like

never tried to learn a game like that

and then once they do they're like oh

[ __ ] they talk about fighting games like

it's the hardest thing ever but at the

same time they're incredibly rewarding

and about as difficult to me anyway as

learning anything else like look I've

learned all kinds of games before in my

life and and it's you know it's pretty

similar in the beginning you get beat up

and it sucks but you just have to find

all the cool stuff you want to do and

then figure that out and then do that

and it's great from my own experience

being a new player I think mashing in a

fighting game is like really fun and and

a great time dude when I first learned

fighting games you know what my strategy

was and this this worked to get like 2

000 Player points in Street Fighter 4

which was decently High my strategy with

able was I would do roll and then I'd

command grab and then after I landed the

command grab I would just roll and do

crouching heavy punch and if they got

hit I would do the Falling Sky into the

same left right mix up and if they

didn't get hit I would cancel on a roll

and hope I didn't get punished that's

all I did and the reason I rolled in the

command grab was twofold one doing the

command grab input without a buffer

before it was hard so I rolled so that I

could do the command grab input during

the roll the second reason is because it

got me near them it was a fun time I

probably had more fun doing that than I

did when I had like 4 500 player

airborne's playing Elena sitting there

doing crouching Jabs no I probably had

more fun playing Elena that [ __ ] was

great you know how fun it was all of the

Viper players on the west like everybody

I played all the Viper players were like

free points and they just stopped

playing me I would join their Lobby and

they just kicked me that [ __ ] was tight

I had an excellent time and I'd do it

again the most intuitive part about

learning fighting games is the

specialist terminology have you ever

talked to your friends about a MOBA or

something you're like dude our ADC was

kiting but like he's actually just so

useless because he didn't even have blue

buff because he didn't steal it and I

try to leash it for him and he went for

it but he didn't take it over the wall

so then they smited it away instead of

killing it and they didn't have Mana so

they couldn't kite anymore and his orb

walking his dog [ __ ] and you're just

like what are these these none of these

words are in the dictionary it's just

the same thing D players yeah everything

has its own language music has its own

language other games have their own

language every hobby has their own

language it's all the same it's a jambly

feud I run that too just imagine I put

on like a an extra big fake mustache we

surveyed 100 fighting game players why

they lost that set and someone says a

completely normal response and I'm like

fall over

survey says I don't even play this game

Pop answer

it was my own fault and skill oh not on

the board