The practice of ‘camping’ is a constant in any multiplayer shooter game, and many players see it as something never to be encouraged. However, top streamer and former pro player Michael ‘shroud’ Grzesiek has explained how there’s always a counter.
Camping is nothing new of course, but the popularity of battle royale games has brought it to the fore. Games like PUBG and Fortnite have taken the mantle from Call of Duty and carried on the tradition of campers everywhere.
Escape from Tarkov, shroud’s newest favorite game, is a multiplayer survival game, not unlike some of these battle royales. Whenever survival is involved, camping will follow.
But, when discussing the supposed ‘issue’ of too many campers, shroud explained to his viewers that’s there is always a counter.
When asked how, shroud explained, “there’s always a way to counter a camper, unless they’re really in a ‘god spot.’ But, in theory, there’s no true ‘god spot’, right? Because let’s say [they’re] camped up in a room, just throw a grenade in the room.”
He clarifies that the important part is being properly prepared, and having “the right utility to handle every single situation.”
Players too worried about “balance”
Continuing, shroud reiterates that there is an over-reliance on ‘balance’. Players will call for nerfs to certain items helpful for camping, but the Mixer star says this isn’t the solution.
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“You’re thinking, ‘how do we beat a camper?’ Well, just bring more stuff to beat a camper. And then if you’re somebody who likes to camp, then make sure you bring the right tools to successfully camp. Or else, you’re going to be at a disadvantage, and that’s just how it works.
“Just like some games, you’re going up against the most geared person on the server, and then other games you’re going up against someone who doesn’t have gear,” he explained. “It’s the same kind of concept, the whole thing is supposed to be random, it’s not supposed to be like ‘balanced’.”
Shroud was talking specifically about Escape from Tarkov here, but the same can apply to a variety of games.
There will always be those who want to camp, and those who play more aggressively. The sentiment seems to be shifting from camping being a less valid playstyle, accepted as just another way to play.
Especially in games where it’s all about staying alive – who can blame these less aggressive players? The onus on those trying to take them out, to work out how.