One of the reasons why gaming is so popular lies in its ability to provide escapism. Players can take time out from the stresses and strains of the real world and fully immerse themselves into exciting, action packed gameplay. Whether getting to grips with a traditional title, an arcade classic or an online casino Canada, gamers want to have fun, and it’s the same all over the world. Escapism can also mean adopting a new persona, and that involves choosing the right username to suit your style of play.
What’s in a Name?
For many serious gamers, great care goes into choosing the right username. It’s important to find an option that you’re comfortable with, but when you enter into a multiplayer scenario, you also want to send a message to your opponents.
You may also get just one chance to create that impression, and if your name cannot be edited, there is no room for errors. Follow these tips, and you can land a great username that fits you as a gamer.
Don’t Imitate
There are a number of ‘don’ts’ that should be cleared up first, and the most important of these relates to imitation. In the gaming world, there are some serious players who are defined by their usernames. Their handles become so notorious that they often replace their original identity.
New players may see them as sources of inspiration, but if your gameplay isn’t up to scratch, you may feel foolish as you embark on a winless run. In this case, imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery.
It’s also recommended that, as a new player, you shouldn’t be too aggressive, and it’s not a good idea to base your name around expletives. It can be beneficial to make friendly contacts in the gaming world, and neither option will attract others to you.
Do You Have a Head Start?
Maybe you already have a nickname in the real world: Maybe there is a tag that has followed you since childhood, and you’re happy to carry it around. Typical tags based on surnames might include ‘Spud’ or ‘Smudger.’ Each is perfectly harmless, and many of us carry them into adulthood.
If you’re stuck for ideas, this can be a good place to start. If your friends already know you by a nickname, it will already be part of your physical identity that can be carried into the gaming world. Be aware that these usernames may be among the most common, so you’ll need to make them more original with additional combinations of numbers, letters, and special symbols.
Adopt and Adapt
Many gamers simply harness their first name and surname if they are stuck for ideas. It’s a rather unimaginative option in isolation, but there are ways in which it could be adapted.
Incorporating another word could make the name more original. You could place a cartoon character, or a movie star in between the two. Alternatively, a city, a planet or even a galaxy could attract some interest from other players.
Honouring a Mentor
While imitating a respected, professional gamer isn’t a great idea, you could look towards other heroes for some inspiration. As a gaming enthusiast, chances are you grew up admiring particular sports stars, and you could potentially incorporate their names into your online persona.
If you don’t have a sporting hero, one suggestion would be to look at the athletes with the most followers on social media. Many of the names on the list are top soccer stars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while others who rank highly are LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes and cricketer Virat Kohli.
A username that, for example, carried the name Ronaldo or Mahomes, along with a series of letters, numbers and symbols, could be an option. It would honour a top athlete without suggesting you were in competition with a pro gamer.
Making it Random
If you’re stuck for ideas, it’s possible to outsource your choice of a username. There are a number of random name generators, and some have been adapted to provide options for gamers. The software works in the same way to that of a random number generator, except that a series of names have been pre-programmed into the database.
Simply hit the button, and the software will produce an instant username. If it sounds good, you can adopt it straight away, but if you’re not happy, simply start again.
Choosing a gaming username may seem like a simple task, but as we’ve seen from this review, it can be a tricky process. Take time to get the right handle, and above all, don’t be tempted to stick with a default suggestion from your gaming platform.
A username is an extension of your persona, while you can look to combine elements of your playing style. Follow these tips, make the right choice, and you can earn respect among your friends and opponents.