Most Shooter Games No Longer Require a Skill That 1990s and 2000s Gamers Mastered

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I remember when shooters were really taking off, there was one thing that truly set the good players apart. It wasn’t about fancy movement or complicated tech – it was all about pure skill. Being able to react quickly, aim precisely, and get into a good rhythm with a specific movement technique was how you won. Back in the late 90s and early 2000s, at those old LAN parties, everyone was trying to learn and perfect it, and if you could, you were instantly considered a top player. It’s crazy to me now, because that skill has kind of faded away in today’s shooters, replaced by all sorts of new techniques and strategies.

Strafing – moving side to side while staying on target – was a crucial skill in early competitive shooters. While it sounds basic, becoming truly skilled at strafing often meant the difference between victory and defeat, particularly in one-on-one matches. It became a hallmark of games like Halo, Quake, Unreal Tournament, and Counter-Strike. However, as shooting games have developed, strafing has become less important, with players now relying more on jumps, slides, and other complex movement techniques.

The Legacy of Strafing

If you played old-school shooter games on CRT TVs, you likely remember how important strafing was. It wasn’t just about aiming; it was about predicting your opponent’s movement. Quickly tapping left and right (using A & D keys or the D-pad) was key to survival, helping you stay on target while dodging.

In early first-person shooters like Halo, skillful players used a technique called ‘strafing’ – moving side to side – to win battles. Players would circle each other, aiming as they moved, trying to get a winning headshot. Unreal Tournament added more complex moves like rocket jumps and dodges, but the core idea of circling and aiming remained. Counter-Strike perfected this technique, demanding players time their shots perfectly by briefly stopping their movement while firing.

Strafing wasn’t something you could learn from a lesson; it required practice and dedication. Whether you honed your skills with friends, against computer-controlled opponents, or simply in an empty game space, mastering this technique took time and perseverance. I personally spent countless hours practicing as a child, but never quite became proficient. However, over time, the way shooter games were designed began to shift. Developers prioritized making games easier to pick up, faster-paced, and more visually impressive. This led to changes in movement and, consequently, how players approached the game.

Why Modern Shooters Have Moved On

Shooter games have changed a lot. Players move much more quickly and acrobatically now, using slides, quick jumps, and even seemingly impossible stunts. These kinds of moves weren’t possible in older games. While simple side-to-side movement (strafing) still exists, it’s less effective because there are so many more dynamic options available to players.

Modern shooting games generally don’t prioritize the quick side-to-side movement, or ‘strafing,’ that was common in older titles. They emphasize fast movement and complex systems that control how characters move, even in games like Battlefield 6 and Halo Infinite. Instead of directly facing opponents and reacting to their movements, these games encourage players to break line of sight, quickly close the distance, or take advantage of small openings in animations.

Modern shooters are moving away from quick, evasive movements called ‘strafing’. Strafing originated when players used mice and keyboards, allowing for precise dodging. Though it stuck around with controllers, it’s become less useful as games have become more advanced. Today’s games favor smoother controls that are easier to pick up, but sometimes these systems can be exploited, allowing skilled players to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

What We’ve Gained and What We’ve Lost in Shooters

While it’s tempting to look back fondly on older shooters, gaming has improved a lot. Today’s games are more polished, easier to pick up, and feel much more like watching a movie. The way characters move is incredibly inventive, letting players explore levels in ways that wouldn’t have been possible years ago. These changes have also brought a lot more people into gaming, both as casual players and in competitive esports.

Advancements often come with downsides. The older style of gunfights, which demanded careful aiming and movement, isn’t as common now. While the new movement options are more visually impressive, they don’t feel quite as satisfying or skillful. The challenge feels different too – previously, success depended on both your own skill and understanding your opponent, but now speed seems to be the deciding factor.

For players who fondly remember LAN parties, strafing evokes a sense of nostalgia for a simpler era in gaming. While modern shooters have moved on, this classic technique deserves recognition. Though remakes of older games like the potentially upcoming Halo: Combat Evolved might stir memories, a full return of strafing is unlikely. Today’s games demand different skills, meaning even players who were once experts at strafing have had to adapt and learn new techniques to stay competitive.

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2025-10-26 20:11