Gaming on the go can be tricky; having the right gear, an internet connection, or just being able to hear your game can all be a struggle at times. However, it is 2021, and there are many tips and tricks you can use to game while on the road.
Playing new online games adds a new level of difficulty as you need a good internet connection just to enjoy them and play with friends. Here are some tips for gaming while on-the-go.
Gaming Travel Bag
The first thing you need is a gaming bag. These are designed to not only hold your PC or console setup but to protect them from bumps and drops too. Some have also been created with monitors and plug points built into them.
While a bag like this is not necessary for everyone, it does give you a mobile gaming station that you can pack and take anywhere.
Headphones
Depending on where you are, there is a good chance you won’t have the same sound system you have at home. This is where headphones become a necessity. Not only so you can hear your game, but also so others don’t have to listen to it.
If you are gaming somewhere loud like a train or plane, for instance, you are most definitely going to need headphones just to hear your game.
Don’t Use Mobile Data
While mobile data is very useful, using it to the game is a one-way ticket to having a massive telephone bill. Investing in a dongle and internet plan is a way to control how much data you use when you are playing.
Use a VPN
Using a VPN is a great way to protect yourself and your data when using a public internet network. Hackers often target these networks as they are usually always open and have very little protection.
Since so many people use these networks, they are incredibly soft targets for data thieves. A VPN adds a layer of security that everyone needs; they are also straightforward to install and use.
Cyber Security
Speaking of security, ensure your anti-virus is up-to-date. You will be using internet connections that aren’t your own, and while a VPN will help, you will want more security than that.
Run any updates you need before you leave, and ensure your subscription doesn’t run out while you are traveling.
Hard Drive and Memory Cards
Games are getting bigger and bigger every year. They take up far more space on our PCs, consoles, and handheld devices than they ever did before. Being equipped with a hard drive and extra memory cards is a must.
Consoles and a Nintendo Switch are prime examples of devices that need memory. Instead of lugging a ton of games around, you can add them to a hard drive or memory card and have easy access to them using a much smaller form factor.
Pack Light
One mistake that some gamers may make is to pack everything. This isn’t always necessary as you don’t need every accessory you own to play the games you want to play. Don’t pack your own monitor because you like it more if you know you will have a screen available.
Packing light also means you have less to remember, and you know what you have brought with you and what you need to pack up when you leave again.
Remote Play
Remote play is great for gamers, especially PlayStation users, for playing when you don’t have your console. Download the remote play app, connect your console, and you now have access to the games you have downloaded.
While you will need a controller, you can play all your games on your smartphone or tablet no matter where you are, as long as you have an internet connection.
Watch Your Battery
Watching your battery really only applies to laptops and handheld players. What is essential to know is that many external batteries are more than powerful enough to recharge a laptop once or twice, and a handheld device like a Switch multiple times.
Having a battery pack is a must if you are going to be on the road or traveling for an extended period with no access to a wall outlet.
Pack Power Adaptors
Finally, power adaptors. If you are traveling to a foreign country or just somewhere new, there is a chance that you may not have access to a power outlet type that you may need. Often, people have only had access to a two-prong outlet in a hotel room, for instance.
You can purchase universal adaptors online, meaning you can plug in and play no matter where you are, even if the wall outlet is something you have never seen before.