Family weekend, and I received the visit of my 11 year old nephew. So we connect the computers and play Heroes of the Storm we dedicate ourselves.

During our journey, I was discovering a series of aspects that as a veteran player I had forgotten or simply did not enjoy anymore. In a moment I felt ashamed of my way of seeing the game, and then I was relieved to process the meaning of all this: Have fun.



So we started playing in group versus AI adept. My nephew in Raynor, learning to move safely, attacking the target, group experience and always be willing to fight for the objectives. I loved his first sentence: "This game is much more fun when we play together." Basically it was:"I love that we work together and at the same time we can have fun". The whole damn sense of the game, explained by an 11-year-old boy: Teamwork and fun.



The next step was playing versus Veteran AI. My nephew more attentive and empowered with Raynor's abilities. It was time to teach him macrogame; and therefore it occurred to me; the most fun you can show a child: A trap. We had a great time planning ambushes. Coordinating our attacks and It also helped me explain the mechanics of visibility in the game. A long time ago I did not enjoy such a play, lost in hero league, always seeing a negative side of gameplay in general, losing the essence of enjoying the result of something that however small it has an impact on the game.

The lesson became more intense, explaining the selection of actions, the priority that should have. The most fun was to teach him to channel the altars or to take the bombs. In addition to answering the typical question: Do we already play this map?

The games passed and passed and I felt my partner more confident in his new role. By mistake I selected quick match and I was able to see and understand what a new young player feels when facing any new form of play. At some point in the game, my nephew got confused, did not know what decisions to make, and lost all notion of tactics. Normal for an 11-year-old boy, but he was Raynor, and for the others, surely a Noob. A noob that obstructed the path to victory for a handful of Masters trapped in bronze bodies.

The defeat saddened us and surely that I pointed his mistakes did not help much, but I understood that a positive reinforcement is better. "You did the early game well, we took advantage thanks to you at that moment" "we should have done this, but do not worry it was my mistake" things like that helped maintain morale.

It was not an entirely happy experience, but a very enriching one. "You're not ready to play against humans yet," I said. But let's do something, let's play against the veteran AI and play until you get MVP. So I took my monk and accompany him on his journey to obtain the great honor of the MVP. I had a lot of fun healing him, shotcalling and laughing at his reactions during the team fights. During the night I saw a great new player grow and the shouts of MVP MVP MVP at 3 in the morning were the best thing that a game in my life has given me. Time of photos and upload them to instagram, had to share the joy of such feat. (heavelyhots if you want to see all the photos, https://www.instagram.com/heavenlyhots/ )



At the end of the night, I could think of some things that I want to share:

The purpose of the game is to have fun, win and lose are possibilities, but living bitter and frustrated in an online game is an option.

Be coherent and respectful to everyone. You do not know the people behind the monitor or their circumstances.

Quick match is an instance to improve and learn the mechanics of the game, but it is not the first instance. It is better to practice with the heroes, to know the maps and the macrogame in general playing versus the AI. Before making the jump to quick match. Like everything in life you have to follow an order of progress and know how to recognize when you are ready.

Heroes of the storm is a friendly game, but only in initial levels. It has a large number of maps with different objectives, different heroes according to the map. What makes it normal for a player to get confused and make bad decisions, but the context is important. If you're playing AI or QM, you do not have to be a fucking bastard insulting everyone.

Teamwork is everything



As a final reflection: Play with friends, with family or with strangers, but do not forget to enjoy each day.



Thanks for your time.

