Does being drunk affect your gaming performance?

[Specialist1924]

Taste: definately not 'particularly good'...quite the opposite in my opinion

Benefits: sort of an 'out of body' feel, not as particularly strong as some substances can create, but still an enjoyable experience in moderation. Think of a really strong sugar/caffeine buzz (definately different than those, but that's the closest I can think of for anyone who's never done it).

Next morning: always the 'I'm never going to do that again' speech for me...then a week or two later I don't remember the hangover, only the fun I had while drunk

 

[the monopoly guy]

it makes you an annoyance and an asswipe who is muted by everyone else that isn't drunk as well.

 

[strangemusic]

Oh, glorious alcohol! Like mixing with any other liquids, it seems to have varying effects on me when games come into the picture. The "Mario Party 4 Drinking Game" was one of the worst nights of my life, but I get incredibly good at SSBB ("Fear the wrath of MISTER SQUID AND WATCH!") after a beer or two. Wario Ware for the Wii: strangely enough, i have trouble with the "drink water" microgame while sober, but can pull it off while drunk! Guitar Hero is similarly variable... I get in a bizarre zone and rip through certain songs, even after a bit to drink, Cult of Personality, tough Expert tunes, you name it... but then somebody puts on "The Seeker" or "Barracuda" and I fall all over myself. Much to the amusement of friends and housemates.

Back when I used to play EVE, alcohol was the Alliance-wide social lubricant for very, very extended boring escorts or gate camps or being trapped in certain stations/systems, or even just going out to smash people's shiny ships. A bottle of something nice, and Teamspeak, and a crew of bored Goonfleet guys... aaahhhh the good times.

Also, don't ever try Audiosurf and alcohol together. It sounds like a MADD commercial, but it's true!

 

[J'aen]

I've never played really drunk, but I can't shoot for crap if I've ben drinking. I dodge a lot more, though, so that makes up for it.

 

[Vegeta187x]

I don't think I was sober for one minute of GTA4.

I didn't do half-bad at it, so I'm guessing drinking might heighten something. For the most part, it just makes you want to hit pause and go to bed.

 

[Kontar]

Have not read any of this thread, but based on the topic name the answer would be: Depends.


It really depends on how drunk you are, and what game you're playing (at least for me). If I have had a beer or two and am playing a FPS I get a tad better, but if I've had say 12 beers and playing a FPS I start to suck, a lot. Although at the same time, the game become 250% better once I've had about 12 beers.

In my experience most games that don't have much of a storyline to pay attention to, and are pretty much just skirmishes/random battle are almost always better with alcohol. Although if you need to pay attention to some sort of a storyline, I have found you lose some of it while drunk.

Final conclusion, alcohol makes 60% of recent games at least 150% better. =D

 

[michaev]

Ive found that games that require slightly more attention, such as Pro Evolution, Fifa etc are definatly affected by the intake of alcohol.

Other game such as 1st person shooters where you can burst in all guns blazing, are less so affected by drinking, sometimes improved because your nerves are setttled and its slightly easier to adjust your aim.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

But what benefits do alcohol give one? Does it make everything 'better' by numbing your senses to something? Does it taste particularly good?

- it makes repetition less monotonous
- makes you more chatty on the mic (a good thing in some cases)
- can change your approach to a game
- if you are genetical predisposed to alcoholism, it makes you hyper and alert like caffeine until you reach your blackout plateu
- it tastes awesome if you have good taste and know what you are looking for