I really hate how I’m afraid to talk to people on the mic when I am gaming social anxiety just takes away all the fun out of your life in many ways I can’t even enjoy having fun without feeling anxious and this just makes me feel worse
First person shooters etc and I can but what’s the point if I’m just gonna be anxious every time and worrying what people would think of what I say it depends on what the other person is talking about but most of the time yea I just can’t bring myself to talk I filter what I say a lot
i pure know how you feel it’s really shit and feel like nobody knows me cos always gotta filter what i say just try pick one person to truly be urself whoever that may be and things will get better others might be anxious too not just u just remember they aren’t really there it’s online
I understand this all too well. I questioned how good I am, expected to get abused and sometimes do.
I play PS4 and tend to avoid online play. They are some really good communities out there though. US kids are worst!
I can relate to this too.
In my experience, online gaming is competitive. The need for good conversation or getting to know new people isn't a priority to a lot of gamers.
Even with those who claim to want new gaming friends but don't make the effort once you're on their friend list. You're only important until they need someone to be in their squad or crew. They might talk but I always feel like I'm putting in more of an effort on the social side. For them, communication is purely a set of instructions on what to do and what not to do. It's not worth sacrificing your time for the sake of playing with anyone if they treat others like an option.
I genuinely like to talk and have a laugh. I've given plenty of livestreamers in the past a good time but once that stream goes offline then I'm not worth knowing outside of it. The last seven or eight hours of playing in their stream meant nothing.
Also... Some people don't like to laugh unless it's at the expense of others. They hide behind the anonymity of the tv screen. I've dealt with a lot of jealous, insecure people on the mic. I'm not trying to compete with others if we're on the same team. But... Someone always has something to nit pick about my in game character or choices in order to feel better. I don't care but it's amazing how common that attitude is.
There's a consensus that everyone knows how toxic the gaming community is but don't do anything positive to fix it. They treat gaming like a job. Or an excuse to vent their real life frustrations onto a stranger. They enforce the toxicity by playing in close nit groups. If you don't fit in then you're easy pickings for abuse. It's easier when they don't know your name.
Which is sad because gaming should be fun. I don't understand why people want to make the experience more stressful or difficult. There are good gamers out there though but it's mostly the minority who ruin it for everyone.
I like first person shooters. I know what you mean about feeling anxious because it affected my game sessions with others and worrying about what to say. There's pressure to play just as good as others on your team. I was so focused on playing well that I barely spoke in match and people picked up on that. I play better now because I remember to have fun. It's just a game. Conversation won't come easy if you're not having genuine fun. Otherwise it's just unwanted pressure and that's not what gaming is about.
