Common Sense PR

Everything I Know about Business I Learned Fragging N00bs

by Eric Eggertson on April 11th, 2008

There are some rules of engagement in online games. Learn them and you can play Call of Duty 4 and World of Warcraft without becoming a pariah.

Apply them to business, and you will have some back-up when the going gets rough. (Business implications in parentheses.)

1)  Learn the game offline before joining group play. That way, your dumb mistakes won’t sabotage an ally’s their epic battle to retake their headquarters. It’s okay to learn the finer points while you play online, but learn the basics first.  (practice your skills)

2)  Keep your head down when you’re a newbie.  Look and listen when you’re learning how team tactics work, what weapons to use in which situation, and where to go in the game to get loot, or whatever the game is about.  (active listening, keen observation)

3)  Be of service to those around you.  Cover someone’s back if they’re doing something that’s good for the whole group. Let them know you appreciate the effort. Throw yourself on the odd grenade, if it’s the right thing to do.  (teamwork)

4)  Align yourself with smart, skilled, open-minded players.  It’s a game.  I don’t want some drill sergeant yelling at me, just to earn the Orb of Orgoth.  I want to spend time with players who have a sense of humor, even when they’re deadly serious about winning.  (find a mentor, or two)

5)  Don’t lose track of your best buddies.  Switching to a new favorite game can mean you lose touch with some players you’ve come to trust. Make a point of checking in on the old gang from time to time, and find out if they’re on other games using different user names.  (work your network, even if you change jobs)

6)  Help the N00bs get some skillz.  Yes, everyone pwns the new guys, and has a good laugh at their most glaring mistakes.  But when you get a chance, give some of the new players some help with strategy and survival tactics.  It’s a fast way to raise the level of play, and you may need their help some day.  (treat entry level people with respect)

7)  Be open. Provide regular feedback.  Admit mistakes.  Let people know what your goals are.  People can’t help you if they don’t know what you want.  (share your ambitions with others)

8)  Become a better player, not just a more frequent winner.  Knotching up hundreds of victories over beginners won’t help you develop your skills they way taking on opponents who are as good or better than you.  (earn the respect of others)

9)  Pick a name that isn’t lame.  (your pesonal brand is important)

9)  Have fun.  (self-explanatory, don’t you think?)

10)  Be ready to put down the game when family and friends need you. (don’t let your job take over your life)

Did I miss anything?  Add your suggestions in the comments.

—

(I’m not a big online gamer — or even a very good gamer, for that matter. After playing Halo online as Newbie Doo, I’ve recently switched to Call of Duty 4 on Xbox Live.  You can find me with the gamer tag Vogon Bard.

Photo via iStockphoto.com by Arfo.

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