*We interrupt your regularly scheduled Friday Antics to bring you a fun activity that just may help you become a more balanced Halo player. Pull up a chair, grab your virtual pencil, and get ready to take a short quiz. It will be funner than getting sniped in the face, I promise.
Are you someone that when playing One Bomb on High Ground, you immediately pick up the bomb, get the Mongoose to speed you through bunker (after stopping to pick up the bubble shield of course), reach the enemy base while they are still shopping for weapons and get a quick, easy arm? If you do that every single time that gametype comes up, chances are you are left brained. Perhaps you prefer to not have a set game plan and instead improvise your strategies based on reacting to the other team’s maneuvers. If you are someone that your regular teammates are never quite sure where you are going to be and what you are going to do, you just may be right brained.
About a month ago I saw a fascinating read over at the MLG forums about the basic characteristics of left hemispheric people vs. right hemispheric people and how that can impact team chemistry. For those gamers playing at a professional level, it is an insightful look into basic improvements a team can make in order to perform at the highest level possible. For the more casual players however, like myself, it can still be an interesting observation into some of the reasons why you play the way you do. It also may give you a good place to start if you are looking to improve your game.
To find out if you are left brained or right brained, simply complete this short questionnaire. It won’t take long as it only took me a mere two minutes to complete. Got your results? I was not surprised in the least bit by mine. My left brain dominance was 15 while my right brain dominance was a paltry four. Here are some basic right brain and left brain characteristics to help you interpret your score:
Left Hemisphere Style (Rational)
* Responds to verbal instructions
* Problem solves by logically and sequentially looking at the parts of things
* Looks at differences
* Is planned and structured
* Prefers established, certain information
* Prefers talking and writing
* Prefers multiple choice tests
* Controls feelings
* Prefers ranked authority structures
Right Hemisphere Style (Intuitive)
* Responds to demonstrated instructions
* Problem solves with hunches, looking for patterns and configurations
* Looks at similarities
* Is fluid and spontaneous
* Prefers elusive, uncertain information
* Prefers drawing and manipulating objects
* Prefers open ended questions
* Free with feelings
* Prefers collegial authority structures
As a left hemispheric person, I am a ridiculously predictable player. My regular teammates know my playing style better than the back of their own hands. Simply changing things up would help improve my game although being the creature of habit that I am, I don’t know if I am capable of that. So what was your score? Does it fit the type of player that you are? What changes can you make to become a more balanced player?
Posted by Ragingterror on September 12, 2008 at 2:25 am
13 Left
6 Right
I think my musical talents had a little something to do with that… otherwise the scores would probably be more skewed toward the left-brain.
What changes can you make to become a more balanced player?
Honestly? Practice, practice, practice. Too bad I don’t have much time to do that anymore due to my coursework. >_<
Posted by Louis Wu on September 12, 2008 at 2:49 am
Huh… weird.
Left: 8
Right: 7
I’m wishy-washy. :)
(And how come there are 32 questions, but your scores add up to 19 each, and mine to 15?)
Posted by Ragingterror on September 12, 2008 at 3:13 am
Hm… could be that there are some questions that subtract from scores or are in a +1 left, -1 right (or vice versa) format?
Posted by mendicantbias00 on September 12, 2008 at 4:43 am
Left Brain Dominance: 4
Right Brain Dominance: 11
Yeah…pretty much.
I have no “style” of play. I can go from scoring 21 kills in a game of Rockets, and then drop to a depressing 3 kills in the very next Team Slayer match.
Keep em guessing!
=)
Posted by Skibur on September 12, 2008 at 4:45 am
Looks like I am pretty even!
Left: 9
Right: 9
Interesting…
Posted by AusQB on September 12, 2008 at 5:02 am
Left Brain Dominance: 7
Right Brain Dominance: 10
I’ve never known to turn my head when asked a question.
Is it possible that people with left-hemisphere dominant minds get less accurate scores?
Posted by ThePinkDrummer on September 12, 2008 at 5:13 am
Left: 8
Right: 8
… Does this mean I’m retarded? lol
Posted by A Ghostly NINJA on September 12, 2008 at 5:18 am
I scored
Left: 9
Right: 7
Somewhat balanced, which sounds about right. I feel I’m fairly well-rounded (in life), plus on that questionaire there were some questions that I could have answered either way, so I think there’s plenty of room for error in it.
When I play Halo, I like to do some things strategy-like (“Ok, let’s grab the power weapons before they do…,” “COMMUNICATE, PEOPLE!”), but I try to adapt to the situation as it unfolds. It’s saved my life a time or two, and I don’t just mean in video games.
Posted by Sarge Tomzilla on September 12, 2008 at 5:23 am
8 Left
6 Right
Means I’m probably well balanced, I’m good as long as I have a team that communicates and actually has a main plan. And that plan on maps with tanks is to hand them to me :D
Posted by Jim 028 on September 12, 2008 at 5:37 am
Left Brain Dominance: (12)
Right Brain Dominance: (9)
I’m pretty predictable these days with my playing ( I runin I get killed) I don’t play regularly enough (read nightly) so I can’t get into the frame of mind where I learn from my mistakes. :(
Posted by Crunchbitenuva on September 12, 2008 at 5:38 am
Left Brain Dominance:6
Right Brain Dominance:9
I took a similar questionaire for World history, and i had 0’s in 3 intelligences.
Blarg……..
Posted by madBOX20 on September 12, 2008 at 6:26 am
Left Brain Dominance: 6
Right Brain Dominance: 5
Posted by Deadguy on September 12, 2008 at 6:27 am
11 Left
9 Right
So Jim’s just got more left brain than me. Doesn’t that hurt your neck? :)
I go for the initial rush to unbalance the opponent, but if I can’t get a gunner for the warthog, the tactics change to half-measures that aren’t always real effective.
I’m not playing often either.. :( too many kids hoggin the tv.
I’ve got PTSD so If I take the test tomorrow it’ll probably reverse itself.
Posted by MasterCheifn on September 12, 2008 at 6:37 am
Left:6
Right:9
I usually try to stratagize with my team mates, but most of the time I use myself as a distraction, throwing myself against the enemy, especially on objective games. On slayer, I like to get in close. But I have to agree with mendicantbias00 , I have no real distinct style
Posted by YzzY on September 12, 2008 at 7:01 am
Left Brain Dominance: 6
Right Brain Dominance: 7
Posted by Sorel on September 12, 2008 at 7:09 am
Left Brain Dominance: 6
Right Brain Dominance: 6
So how is 6 and 6 different from 9 and 9?
Posted by mendicantbias00 on September 12, 2008 at 7:12 am
“So how is 6 and 6 different from 9 and 9?”
Hmm… good question.
It’s less?
=)
Posted by noobZ on September 12, 2008 at 7:21 am
Left Brain Dominance: (7) [se7en!!!!!]
Right Brain Dominance: (5)
I’m a very inconsistant player. I’ll do great a couple games in a row and then I’ll plummet to horribleville. I also got worse as the Halo’s progressed. I’m awesome at 1, decent at 2, and generally bad at 3 which I though was kind of funny.
Posted by davyboy94 on September 12, 2008 at 7:29 am
left: 3
right: 13
O.O
Posted by TheChrisD on September 12, 2008 at 7:32 am
Left Brain Dominance: 9
Right Brain Dominance: 8
Hmmm, I always thought I had more of a rational side to me, but I guess I am a bit intuitive too…
Posted by setters on September 12, 2008 at 7:46 am
right 12
left 5
yep – sounds right to me….
Posted by El Burritoh on September 12, 2008 at 7:51 am
Don’t worry Gunslingers. Maybe no one will notice if we don’t point it out…
Posted by Morpheus on September 12, 2008 at 7:58 am
What the hell?!
I’m dead equal…..
8 and 8…
I’ve never had that happen to me before. Then again, I’ve never taken a test like this, but MAN….that’s messed up.
Posted by mvuakali on September 12, 2008 at 7:59 am
Left 5
Right 10
How have I made it this far with my irrational thought process?
Posted by soulofaqua on September 12, 2008 at 8:25 am
2/12
Hurray!
Posted by Warp on September 12, 2008 at 8:52 am
Left: 6
Right: 13
Posted by grantix on September 12, 2008 at 9:02 am
Left: 7
Right: 7
Am I magical or something??
Posted by vash on September 12, 2008 at 9:32 am
I’m pretty even.
Left – 8
Right – 9
Posted by The 14th Wonder on September 12, 2008 at 9:39 am
Left: 6
Right: 9
I think I’m a bit more right than that but it’s just one test.
I’m not all that organized now that I think about it. Usually though I go for the nearest power weapon I’m comfortable with in Slayer, and in Objective I’m almost always mucho aggressive. Aggression manifests itself in quite a lot of ways though…
Posted by Socket29 on September 12, 2008 at 9:55 am
Left: 6
Right: 10
I guess that makes sense…idk…lol
Posted by DeepCee on September 12, 2008 at 9:55 am
Left : 6
Right : 6
So whats up with all of us getting it equal?
Posted by AT-AT on September 12, 2008 at 10:40 am
Left-9
Right-7
Looks like I’m half and half. In Halo, I’ve the “kill stuff” support player. Usually not because I want to, but because I never get the chance to do cool stuff (everybody else always takes the vehicles, and If I get one, nobody’s willing to co-operate with or support me). And in one flag, I’ll push to the flag, killing people, but the people riding in my wake usually zip up and snatch the flag.
I do bomb differently though. A straight, up the middle arm never seems to work, so I like taking the bomb and sneaking up the sides.
Posted by bs angel on September 12, 2008 at 10:51 am
Oh gawd, I just got an email from Tort! *claps hand over mouth and turns red*
Posted by SonofMacPhisto on September 12, 2008 at 11:08 am
Left: 6
Right: 11
Hey MB – we’re almost the same. Mwaa ha ha!
This isn’t any surprise for me. I usually have a very improvisational style with anything I do. Video games especially, I think it’s important to approach each situation differently, based on the factors in front of you.
While it’s good to have tried and true strategies, sometimes you have to get creative. Especially when there are a lot of Elites guarding the bomb… you know what I’m talking about. :-D
Posted by Fezzer on September 12, 2008 at 11:14 am
Left: 9
Right: 5
Weird test. I don’t like questions that force a yes or no when the answer can be “sometimes”.
Posted by Matoro3311 on September 12, 2008 at 11:54 am
Oh hay. Looky what I got:
Left Brain Dominance: (6)
Right Brain Dominance: (9)
Wow. Is that bad?
R.S.V.P.
Posted by Zep 077 on September 12, 2008 at 12:00 pm
11 right
6 left
Woot!
Posted by Erik on September 12, 2008 at 12:00 pm
left: 10
right: 14
weird i am pretty even, maybe that’s why i’m so good : P
Posted by Matt on September 12, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Left Brain 13
Right Brain 2
People always do say that I seem to know what they’re going to do before they do it themselves
Posted by Viktim on September 12, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Left: 8
Right: 7
I was worried that I was so close to equal until I read all the other comments.
Posted by Psycho78 on September 12, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Right: 10
Left: 5
I guess that makes sense. I’m always kind of a lone wolf, or just working with my best friend when we play online. I always just kinda run off and try and ambush the enemy, while they concentrate on the rest of my team. Gotten some great sneaky sniper kills that way haha. I also like sort of sticking to the shadows, or the outskirts of the map, watching through my sniper or BR scope for mistakes they make with tactics, or when they bunch together in a small space. I guess that bit goes with the whole “looking for patterns and configurations. I can also change my strategy accordingly with the situation.
THis is a pretty cool little test lol.
Posted by Chewbeccawacca on September 12, 2008 at 1:03 pm
6: Left
12: Right
Huh, usually I like to call out a strategy right from the get-go. But if nobody thinks it’s any good, I’ll stick around and pick up the weapons/v-hics/equipment that always get left behind. From there it’s adapt all the way!
Posted by CrazedOne1988 on September 12, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Apparently I’m just about in the middle.
Right-6
Left-7
Posted by WolfSarge on September 12, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I’m exactly 8 to 8. Wow.
Posted by Digipatd on September 12, 2008 at 2:31 pm
10 Left
13 Right
Why does mine add up to 23? OH MY GOD 23!!
Posted by WolfSarge on September 12, 2008 at 2:39 pm
If you saw that yours adds up to 23, it’s because you’re good at math and creative. Even though, you’re cursed, those are still good qualities!
Posted by Gatchaman on September 12, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Right = 9
Left = 9
Weirdly, I usually play Halo with no plan whatsoever, but try to adapt and make up tactics on the spot! (Very right-brained) But I am more balanced in real life, maybe it’s because I play Halo for fun?
although I doubt an internet quiz is the most accurate way to test your brain-ed-ness…? :?
Posted by Aidsterramma on September 12, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Left Brain = 10
Right Brain = 11
The unpredictable!
Posted by Queen 0f Blades on September 12, 2008 at 3:39 pm
5 Left
9 Right
I do what Gatchaman usually does. I just go with the flow of the game. I found that if I actually try and make a plan, I do worse. The only “plan” that I’m usually involved in is being used as bait.
Posted by maji6 on September 12, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Left 10
Right 7
Posted by Sean C84 on September 12, 2008 at 4:40 pm
8-8. That’s annoying. I always fail at halo when i play online. maybe that’s why.
Posted by PikminGod on September 12, 2008 at 5:42 pm
L9 R7
I have multiple plans that i try out all the time, but i switch up which plans i use depending on the game
Posted by Lovemuffin on September 12, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Right: 13
Left: 7
Posted by Jonathan Fisk on September 12, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Left Brain Dominance:8
Right Brain Dominance:7
I always thought I was a fairly level minded person
Posted by rhubarb on September 12, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Left 6
Right 7
I just need to play more. I bought my first Xbox last year and 360 in January. The only game console I had before those was a Telstar. If you know what that is, you are really old…:)
Posted by MasterYo1 on September 12, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Left: 6
Right: 6
Strange… I’ve always been a strategical leader; very cautious of specific detail.
Also, lots of shotguns. I can’t aim at all after range hits about 500 feet. So, that leaves strategy limited to quick actions with moderate to high risks at very close proximity to enemies. I could try to not suck with ranged weapons, but…
Posted by Mjonir on September 13, 2008 at 7:50 am
Left Brain Dominance: 7
Right Brain Dominance: 7
I got brainwashed by Bungie (x_x)
Posted by AdjustantReflex on September 13, 2008 at 9:12 am
Left Brain Dominance: 9
Right Brain Dominance: 11
This test had to many questions.
Posted by lostguru on September 13, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Left: 8
Right: 9
I’ve looked at the list, and to tell you truth, I think I’ve got traits that are on both lists.
Posted by ShadowRaven on September 13, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Left Brain Dominance: 8
Right Brain Dominance: 9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGBlKkR3NUc&feature=related
One of the most unique machinimas I’ve ever seen, it takes a look at seperate hemispheres in conflict with each other. Brillant story and editing.
From:
ShadowRaven
Posted by the Light Show on September 14, 2008 at 12:45 am
left 7
right 8
i kinda figured id be even. i have some plays that are good in certain situations according to what the other team is doing, but i’m usually going for br then sniper and working from there. i don’t typically play with ppl who make regularly scheduled, concrete plans so i improvise alot.
Posted by Chanchu Mohan on September 14, 2008 at 3:48 am
left:12
Right:8
I like to improvise if things get hairy! But normally i strategise using the environment against the opponent.
Posted by ALIENCROW on September 15, 2008 at 10:41 am
left 11
right 10..
……seems to be balanced……is that good????
Posted by VapidFrobie on September 15, 2008 at 6:04 pm
It asks if people think you’re psychic, which reminded me of a game I played in the Rainbow Six Vegas demo in which I accurately predicted which player would be dying next.
Just freaked those poor little kids out.
“Oh God, why me?” *BAM*
On a slightly related note, I’ve got a flash game that tests your reflex time.
http://www.fingertime.com/bullettime.php
Posted by Naepa34 on September 19, 2008 at 7:45 am
10 left 11 right
Posted by Sebasman2 on September 19, 2008 at 4:26 pm
12 left
9 right
Kinda balanced; some of the answers I was about half and half.
Posted by Blenniipus on September 19, 2008 at 5:53 pm
10 right 6 left
Posted by desmo7es on September 20, 2008 at 3:23 am
left:10
Right:10
Hmmm … seems very balanced, whatever that means for my Halo skill, I go read your summary now.