Why is it so demanding to be a high-ranked League of Legends player and simultaneously manage adult responsibilities? It appears to revolve around the sheer time and commitment that high-ranked LoL demands, often at the expense of personal life. So, to fully understand the dynamics, let's delve deeper into this subject.
Grinding through the Ranks
Earning high ELO isn't a cakewalk. It's not something typical gamers can stumble upon casually. The process involves logging in countless playing hours while focusing intently on self-improvement and competition - tasks that could certainly seem daunting to anyone juggling a full-time job or parenting responsibilities.
Many high ELO players disclose how much time they invest in League of Legends. Accounts of players investing up to ten hours a day in the game are common. It's a massive amount of time, which may be deemed infeasible for individuals with significant work and family commitments. Worse, if such individuals attempt to force it, they'd mostly end up overworked and stressed-out.
The situation is further complicated because high-level play typically requires consistency and regular practice, which daily ten-hour schedules allow. Inconsistent playing hours, characteristic of those juggling multiple responsibilities, may impede proficiency.
Mental and Emotional Demand
The strain isn't strictly limited to time constraints, though. High ELO matches often take a significant emotional toll on the player. It's because they typically demand maximum concentration, accurate decision-making, and optimal team coordination - none of which come easy.
Frequent play at this level leads to higher adrenal response, which could result in exhaustion and stress-related conditions. Juggling adult lifestyle responsibilities and a professional gaming career simultaneously could easily push an individual into the throes of burnout.
In severe instances, players may experience anhedonia - a state where they lose interest in activities they once used to enjoy because LoL has seeped into practically every aspect of their life. Such is the mental affliction accompanying high-level play.
High ELO gaming can also strain their personal relationships as players often find themselves forced to choose between gaming and their loved ones. This discordance often leads to disputes - a repercussion that can be avoided by carefully balancing game time with social commitment.
Work-Life-Gaming Balance
The key to handling the aforementioned problems lies in work-life-gaming balance. Sure, it's not easy, but it's achieved by many. It involves diligent time-management and prioritizing tasks based on merit and urgency.
Many successful LoL players balance gaming with personal life by restricting gaming time to specific hours and dedicating an extensive period for other commitments such as work, family, and hobbies. Prioritizing tasks allows one to make informed decisions about allotting time for gaming or other activities.
Switching off from gaming to accomplish other tasks can create a healthy balance. It's essential for high ELO players to have periods throughout the day when they are not immersed in gaming. This intermittent disconnection helps promote mental health.
The process also involves setting clear boundaries between gaming and family. High ELO players often designate a special space for gaming that's distinct from their living space, minimizing family disruptions.
The Way Forward
The reality of high-ranked LoL gaming and managing adult responsibilities is a major challenge but entirely possible. The key lies in optimizing gaming sessions and adjacent responsibilities with a structured action plan.
By understanding one's own limitations and capabilities, high ELO players can adjust their gaming schedules appropriately. This may involve allocating a specific number of hours to gaming and strictly adhering to it, thereby promoting better time management and preventing burnout.
While high ELO play has intensive demands, successfully managing it with parallel duties is rewarding. It offers players the opportunity to improve their strategic skills and decision-making ability, which can be useful both in the gaming realm and real-world scenarios.
In the end, it's all about maintaining a healthy balance between passion for gaming and crucial life responsibilities. Sure, high ELO games can be incredibly demanding, but the benefits ultimately outweigh the potential strain for those who manage to find the right balance.