I used to be a stat -Yoink!- in the past Halo games, in Halo 2 and 3 I strived to be a level 50, while only hitting around a level 39. In Reach I wanted to maintain my 1.85 K/D. In Halo 4, I strived to maintain my 1.85 K/D while keeping a 75% win percentage. Well, currently my K/D has dropped to slightly above 1.2 and my win percentage just hovers over 50% and you know what, I’m not angry or disappointed. Here’s 5 reasons why I stopped caring about stats…
1. I set a goal and reached it.
My goal in Halo 5 was to reach Onyx rank. I was sick of staying in diamond and champion was just unreasonable for the time investment I put into the game, so I set my goal and eventually achieved it. Since the ranking resets every month, I have no desire to reach Onyx every season, I put in the work and got it. I don’t need to prove myself every month, I’m happy to achieve it and now I want to help others get better. Set a goal for yourself, but make it reasonable. Remember, this is a video game. Unless you are sponsored to play, you should be setting realistic, real-life goals for yourself, not virtual goals that have no real-world impact on your life.
2. Stats are misleading
K/D, win %, and rank are the top 3 stat indicators for skill. Thing is, there are so many factors that may inflate stats. Some players boost others to increase other people’s rank. Some players make second accounts to play newer players to boost their k/d. Some players only play in a full squad increasing their chances to win. Also, just because someone has good stats doesn’t mean they are good in other things. Some players are only good in Slayer, but can’t capture a flag. Some people can get 25 kills a game, but are awful teammates that just have temper tantrums all the time.
3. Maintaining Stats takes effort.
Video games should be a way to relax after something like school or work. But trying to maintain your stats becomes more like working than relaxing. You can’t think about sitting back and let your stats possibly drop, so you have to always stay competitive. This puts unnecessary stress on you that you don’t need. Remind yourself this is a video game, with a strong emphasis on game. Treat it like so.
4. Stop Idealizing yourself.
Similar to stats being misleading, trying to be the best in everything is not realistic. There will always be someone better than you. That’s why I stopped stat flaming, why make fun of someone’s stats? There’s just going to be someone else who’ll make fun of you for having worse stats than them. Everyone playing is playing for the love of Halo. Personally, I look for the effort and attitude someone puts into Halo. I’d rather play with someone who tries to do well and keeps positive but struggles with keeping a positive k/d than some whiny, try hard who goes 20-5 consistently.
5. Stats at the end of the day, are meaningless.
When a game drops, you want to be the best and remain the best. But the thing is, once the next game drops, no one really cares how good you were in the past. You can be a level 50 in Halo 2, but play like -Yoink- in Halo 5. When Halo 6 drops, your stats don’t carry over. The only stats you should be caring about are the things in real life that matter, such as your health, finances, and relationships.