Competitive multiplayer games are known for having players from all over the spectrum. Some jump into a match hoping to have a good time, and others are purely there to show off their skills, improve their rank, and prove that they are simply better at the game.
These games have a strange way of bringing out the competitive sides in players, both for good and for bad, and in a lot of cases, the way the game is designed and set up actually directly feeds into this sweatier attitude that causes so much anger and frustration for many players.
League Of Legends
Relying On Teammates From Start To Finish
Details:
- Extensive game knowledge needed
- Players tilt quickly despite winnable game states
League of Legends has garnered a reputation for being one of the most sweaty and toxic games out there. Part of why is because of how MOBAs function at a basic level, as players need to learn so many different mechanics that all tie into how the game plays out over the course of 30, 40, or even 50+ minutes.
There are also a lot of ideologies around what is and isn't correct in the game. Picking an off-meta champion or building a different item can be seen as throwing, an alternative playstyle often results in people griefing, and overall, any time someone on the team does something that another deems "incorrect", anger and abuse are almost guaranteed to follow.
Counter-Strike 2
The Premier Tactical Shooter
Details:
- Pure aim can decide games
- Performance is always visible on the scoreboard
CS2 is easily one of the most popular FPS games out there and certainly one of the most competitive. The game is all about aim, with a few bits of movement tech and utility knowledge thrown into the mix, and players will frequently grind out 100s of ranked games or aim training sessions just to get an edge over their opponents.
Teammates in matchmaking and even FACEIT assume a level of skill of their teammates, but in a lot of cases, expectations don't line up with reality. Also, ego is a big factor in what makes the game so sweaty, as players will blame misses on luck or lag, and will double down on their own abilities being higher than others, regardless of where they are on the scoreboard.
Street Fighter 6
Abuse From Thin Air
Details:
- Insane skill ceiling for every character
- 'Toxic' character picks and playstyles
Fighting games have always been at the pinnacle of player skill in the competitive world, and Street Fighter 6 is no different. Every button pressed has a level of importance, and players literally have to spend hours practicing tiny combos to target specific characters or edge out a lead over their competition.
This level of preparation only becomes more insane as players climb the ladders, as in the higher ranks, everyone knows what every character does, which means that small mistakes are exploited far more, and individual skill is expressed clearly. The difference between a good and great player is like a night and day difference, as even someone with a decent amount of experience will be no match for someone who sweats out matches every single opportunity they get.
Dota 2
Teamwork That Doesn't Always Exist
Details:
- Constant learning, no matter how many hours
- Mistakes compound into larger late-game ones
Dota 2 is infamous for its overwhelming complexity. Players must master hero mechanics, item builds, map control, vision, and team coordination simultaneously, and the learning curve ensures that even veteran players are constantly refining their skills.
The game’s match length intensifies the pressure, with games often lasting 40 minutes or more, and even single early-game decisions can compound over time into massive leads or deficits. At high MMR, the games can be incredibly draining, as the level of mechanical skill is so high and everyone is trying their absolute hardest to win, that the mental aspect is often the deciding factor between a win and a loss.
Apex Legends
Speed That Pushes People Over The Edge
Details:
- High-speed encounters in every game
- Loot locations that are often contested
Apex Legends pushes mechanical mastery to extreme levels, combining precision FPS shooting with insane movement options that allow players to express their skills in more ways than pure aim. The fights happen so fast, and players need to rely heavily on their ability to traverse the map quickly, but also be ready to fight at a moment's notice.
Adding in ranks only makes the experience even more sweaty, as now, with stakes added to each and every gunfight, players need to focus even harder on where they are looting and when to take on other players. The ceiling just keeps getting higher, and new strategies continue to be developed in order to gain any small advantage in what is otherwise a fairly even playing field at high ranks.
Read the full article on GameRant
This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
