Best Tools And Accessories For Competitive Gamers
It’s not enough in 2022 to play games. Some more tools and accessories can enhance the playing experience and bring gaming into the future. To make sure you have all of your bases covered –– particularly if you’re a competitive gamer –– we’ll be looking here at some of the physical must-haves for 2022 (from laptops to headphones), along with some digital perks that can keep you close to the beating heart of the industry.
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BEST TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES FOR COMPETITIVE GAMERS
1
BEST GAMING LAPTOPS
There are all sorts of things you’ll want to bear in mind when choosing a new laptop for gaming these days. Things like keyboard mapping and the ability to swap between Windows and iOS are key components that many consumers may not have thought about. You also need to check that you can use Bootcamp or Parallels.
As for specific picks, the Asus ROG Zephyrus 15 is super powerful and able to cope with the stress of most games. It is known across the computer world for its long battery life, even for gaming. For something a little different, though, you might also try the Gigabyte Aorus 17G, which has an impactful keyboard as well as a powerful gaming performance. It’s a bulkier option, but an excellent one.
2
BEST GAMING HEADSETS
Gaming headphones have become absolute musts –– particularly in competitive circles where built-in mics tend to come in handy. Here though, as with laptops, you have a lot of choices to sift through.
The Razer Blackshark V2 is all the rage and with good reason. Among its highlights are its audio response, aesthetic design, and software. It’s a comfortable set as well. However, if you want to go wireless, you might opt for the HyperX Cloud II Wireless. It’s a little more expensive, but you get what you’re paying for.
3
BEST GAMING KEYBOARDS
As you’re likely aware, gaming keyboards are largely matters of personal preference. So as long as a keyboard is responsive, it mostly comes down to the kind of backlighting you want and the feel you prefer (lots of gamers opt for more tactile, mechanical response).
That said, the Corsair K95 RGT Platinum is one of the best in the business, while the Logitech G915 wireless mechanical gaming keyboard is one for the bigger spenders. Each of these keyboards comes with several macro keys on the side that can be assigned to all sorts of things in the gaming world –– a nice perk given that lots of serious gamers also like to customize their setups.
4
STREAMING ACCOUNTS
If you’re a competitive gamer heading into 2022 without a few streaming services at your disposal, it’s time to get on board. Getting set up with Twitch is usually step one, as it has become the dominant force in video game streaming. It comes with Amazon Prime, but it can be downloaded for free, and there are separate subscription tiers as well.
That said, YouTube Gaming, Caffeine, and even Facebook Gaming are strong alternatives. Whatever your preference, having an account where you can view major gamers’ streams and br<oadcast your activity is crucial in serious gaming as we move into 2022.
5
ESPORTS TEAM MEMBERSHIPS
Tuning into Esports events is an excellent way to burrow deeper into the gaming world. You’ll learn some tricks, have some fun, and maybe even figure out if (and how) you want to get into a more organized competition. And while there are a lot of ways to watch Esports these days, you now have the additional option of enjoying exclusive content through various forms of membership.
In some cases, these options come directly from teams. For instance, the popular Team Liquid has built its own “Liquid+” program that enables fans to follow more closely, complete quests and earn various perks and rewards through engagement. On a universal level, though, we’ve also seen the rise of a platform called Socios in recent years that offers some similar perks through cryptocurrency-like tokens. Fans can buy tokens supporting major Esports teams like Team Vitality, OG, Team Heretics, and more –– and through those tokens enjoy special access to a range of perks.
6
ESPORTS PODCASTS
While no tools or accessories to own, it’s also a good idea for avid gamers to subscribe to a few favorite Esports podcasts moving forward. They’re easy and enjoyable ways to stay updated on everything that’s going on in the world of competitive gaming, and the vast majority of them are completely free.
There are a lot of podcasts to choose from, and it’s best to try a few out and see which ones line up best with your interest and gaming style. That said, the Esportz Network Podcast is a favorite among many and covers a broad swath of news and insight into the gaming world. Project Esports is another with similar coverage as well as frequent gamer interviews. And of course, you can also find pods specific to the games you engage with most.
CONCLUSION
So there you have it! These are our picks for the tools and accessories competitive gamers need in 2022, from physical necessities to digital perks. If you found this useful, please don’t hesitate to check out the rest of our tech and gaming gadgets here at Yournabe.
