Some people still think that gaming is nothing more than a pastime. According to these guys, it is just a hobby and doesn’t do much for the brain at all, but this theory actually tends to be disproved by studies into the benefits of playing games, which can improve everything from memory to motor skills. So, COD players may be able to use the excuse that they’re working on their skill set next time they settle in for a gaming session. 

The World of COD: Explained

Call of Duty has been played worldwide for over 20 years now. It’s not so much a game as a cultural phenomenon that has led to the game having a number of sequels and huge launch campaigns. 

Many of the newer versions of COD have become esports mainstays, too, and these games have become something that counts as a spectator sport; esports fanatics can bet on Call of Duty games and the outcomes of tournaments. 

There is a whole Call of Duty League, which organizes tournaments throughout the year for elite esports teams to get involved in. and in recent years, the number of players has surpassed 250 million. 

Call of Duty has even been used as a recruitment tool for the actual army, which shows the power the game has over its fans and the fact that the span of this game goes far beyond the screens on which it is played.

So, which are the skills we’re referring to? What do players need to get good at if they are going to be good at Call of Duty?

Reaction Times

Call of Duty is one of those games where things can happen very quickly, and players need to be ready to react to other players’ moves, or simply to choose the best time to strike. Missing the moment can cost a player dearly. Professional esports players usually boast very good reaction times, and COD is no exception.

The same thing is seen in esports that have a sports theme, with games like FIFA also requiring fast reactions to make moves quicker than opponents and win the game. 

Strategy and Prediction

Can you get inside the head of your opponent and see what they’re likely to do next? This outweighs other skills, as you may be the fastest shooter in the West, but if you don’t have any way of predicting what they’re going to do, then you still might not come out on top.

Strategy comes with experience, but plenty of people have this experience after investing hundreds of hours into COD gameplay. It is important to understand things like the layout of the Call of Duty maps as well as controls and the way that players tend to move. You may also be able to garner info about whether a player has an aggressive style or whether they’re more of a conservative player.

Arguably, the foresight and prediction aspect of the game is the most important, and without it, you are always going to be playing catchup.

Communication

Playing multiplayer games and team games often calls for a high level of communication skills. Call of Duty can be played as a team, though there are individual modes too. The multiplayer games can teach you skills regarding communication and listening, it is crucial to be clear with your team and explain the next moves together. 

When we see some of the biggest esports tournaments in the world, we see the players hooked up with headsets or even communicating directly; this is a key skill for any game where you need to work together. The skill isn’t just vital during the game, either, as you need to communicate as a team beforehand and have a debrief after. 

A Cool Head

“Rage Quit” may be a very modern term, but it is relevant in pretty much all esports and online gaming. Most of us know someone who gets pretty hacked off at losing and has the tendency to disappear and not return to the game. 

It is good to be invested, but what you also need is a very cool and collected manner, so that when something goes wrong you don’t make rash decisions, or ensure that you are able to see out a game from a winning position. Most of the top esports players and Call of Duty players are good at seeing things rationally and not overreacting to any aspect of the game. Instead, they can take a breath and see the game for what it is. 

This is a skill that serves people well in so many aspects of life, not just gaming. 

Conclusion

This isn’t a fantasy, and chilling out playing games isn’t going to give you all the skills you need in life, so it can only ever be one part of the equation. It may be reassuring for you to know that when we’re playing games like COD and other shooters, we aren’t totally wasting our time. As well as having fun, it is possible to boost certain skills while playing Call of Duty.