How to try hard?

[Kyper]

Honestly, the more you think about the game as a competition, the better you should be able to focus.

I think this plays a big part on my scores. Although they're relatively crap, I feel like my scores on XBLA/360 released shmups received a big boost due to an immediate access to a leaderboard. Just taking a few seconds to see how my current score stacks up against everyone else has an instant effect on me.

[jpj]

during one of my surfing sessions on the information super-highway, i found a blog site of a top japanese player. and what was really encouraging was in the Introduction section, he said (in not so many words):

have you started playing a game, and after a few credits you can reach stage 3 or 4 on 1 credit, only to see the Arcadia record which dwarfs your score, and you feel despair and give up? that is the single biggest, most common-place mistake. anybody can be a good player as long as they have the following:

time - try to play everyday, at least 1 hour a day

patience - try not to get frustrated when you play

information - magazines, dvds, the internet, etc

environment - a place where you can play comfortably and relaxed

***************

i found it quite endearing

[TLB]

Yeah, I'm finally sitting at my computer and looking at this thread, and now I really don't feel like drafting an ST. Oh, well, maybe tomorrow :)

[Diabollokus]

Watch footage of Pro's and if possible with commentary so that their actions/tactics/strategys are explained.

Attempt to emulate said footage

Epic fail for me, I'll smash 2 guys only for 1 to suddenly appear at point blank range..... frustrating.