Over the course of the past decade or so, the video game industry's focus has shifted online. Games used to be as simple as turning on your console, putting in a disc or a cartridge, and playing that game from beginning to end. There was a multiplayer option on most titles, but that second player had to be sitting right beside you in order to play. That caveat is no longer needed. Your friend could be sitting on the other side of the world; as long as they have the game and a good internet connection, you can play together as if they were in the room with you.

Playing online has come a long way. Some games require you to play online, and rather than having any sort of story to follow, your entire focus is on completing challenges and ranking up. It may sound as if we are slamming this way of gaming, but instead, it's quite the contrary. We don't want to sound like old people yelling at clouds, longing for simpler times and two-dimensional side scrollers. We buy Fortnite's battle pass every season and thoroughly enjoy trying to complete the game's weekly challenges.

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via GamesHedge

How Important Is Ranking

Therein lies the problem that we have with a gamer's online rank. As we complete challenges in FortniteApex LegendsSmash Ultimate, or Crash Team Racing, our rank increases. That's kind of the point, right? Well, yes, but does it make us feel as if we are better at those games than we actually are? Some of Fortnite's challenges require nothing more than to land at a certain location. If you are set upon and eliminated by your rivals as soon as your feet hit the floor, it doesn't matter. You completed the challenge and you will get the XP and progress with your Battle Pass for doing so.

Not only are we driven by the incentive to rise up through the ranks, but in games that include battle and season passes, we are driven to do so by rewards, such as new characters, skins, and other aesthetic items that tell other players we are good at the game. However, are we really that talented? A high level or online rank really doesn't mean you are good at the game. You might have just put in more hours than someone else and, trust us when we tell you that more time playing a game doesn't mean you are better at it. We know from experience.

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There's a number of reasons why a player's online level or rank might not be a true representation of how good or bad they are at a game. As we said above, some of the challenges they completed to attain that rank might not have been all that, well, challenging. Some might be incredibly easy to complete, while others might merely require you to put in the time rather than actually needing any skill. Many games allow you to team up with friends too, which means you can team up with a genuinely talented buddy and piggyback off of their success.

via Comic Book

Ranking Isn't Always Accurate

Trust us when we tell you that having a higher rank isn't necessarily a good thing. You might be able to flaunt your lofty number and the swag that comes with it, but in some games, you'll be placed against other players who have a similar rank to your own - players who are actually good at the game and have earned that rank. Take FIFA, for example. The soccer game's Division Rivals mode requires you to work your way through divisions, from 10 all the way up to 1. Have a friend play on your behalf and then take over once you're in Division 1 then you will be in for a very rude awakening courtesy of the world's very best players.

If you don't want to take our word for it, then listen to the advice of those who play games for a living. Some pros recommend forgoing ranked modes altogether and instead, competing in local tournaments to get better at games. That way, you alone are responsible for how good or bad you are, and you will compete against others who will actually challenge you at the game at what will soon become your level.

Once you've become one of the best in your region, you can progress further and who knows? Maybe next year, you'll qualify for the Fortnite World Cup. Considering the success of this year's tournament in New York City, we're assuming there will be a second. Just don't spend the qualifiers camped out on the edge of the storm in a structure. If you do that and manage to qualify for the finals, you will be well and truly embarrassed on a global stage.

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