Picking Your Brain
September 12, 2008 68 Comments
*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?
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. >_<
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?)
Hm… could be that there are some questions that subtract from scores or are in a +1 left, -1 right (or vice versa) format?
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!
=)
Looks like I am pretty even!
Left: 9
Right: 9
Interesting…
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?
Left: 8
Right: 8
… Does this mean I’m retarded? lol
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.
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
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. :(
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……..
Left Brain Dominance: 6
Right Brain Dominance: 5
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.
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
Left Brain Dominance: 6
Right Brain Dominance: 7
Left Brain Dominance: 6
Right Brain Dominance: 6
So how is 6 and 6 different from 9 and 9?
“So how is 6 and 6 different from 9 and 9?”
Hmm… good question.
It’s less?
=)
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.
left: 3
right: 13
O.O
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…
right 12
left 5
yep – sounds right to me….
Don’t worry Gunslingers. Maybe no one will notice if we don’t point it out…
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.
Left 5
Right 10
How have I made it this far with my irrational thought process?
2/12
Hurray!
Left: 6
Right: 13
Left: 7
Right: 7
Am I magical or something??
I’m pretty even.
Left – 8
Right – 9
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…
Left: 6
Right: 10
I guess that makes sense…idk…lol
Left : 6
Right : 6
So whats up with all of us getting it equal?
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.
Oh gawd, I just got an email from Tort! *claps hand over mouth and turns red*
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
Left: 9
Right: 5
Weird test. I don’t like questions that force a yes or no when the answer can be “sometimes”.
Oh hay. Looky what I got:
Left Brain Dominance: (6)
Right Brain Dominance: (9)
Wow. Is that bad?
R.S.V.P.
11 right
6 left
Woot!
left: 10
right: 14
weird i am pretty even, maybe that’s why i’m so good : P
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
Left: 8
Right: 7
I was worried that I was so close to equal until I read all the other comments.
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.
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!
Apparently I’m just about in the middle.
Right-6
Left-7
I’m exactly 8 to 8. Wow.
10 Left
13 Right
Why does mine add up to 23? OH MY GOD 23!!
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!
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…? :?
Left Brain = 10
Right Brain = 11
The unpredictable!
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.
Left 10
Right 7
8-8. That’s annoying. I always fail at halo when i play online. maybe that’s why.
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
Right: 13
Left: 7
Left Brain Dominance:8
Right Brain Dominance:7
I always thought I was a fairly level minded person
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…:)
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…
Left Brain Dominance: 7
Right Brain Dominance: 7
I got brainwashed by Bungie (x_x)
Left Brain Dominance: 9
Right Brain Dominance: 11
This test had to many questions.
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.
Left Brain Dominance: 8
Right Brain Dominance: 9
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
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.
left:12
Right:8
I like to improvise if things get hairy! But normally i strategise using the environment against the opponent.
left 11
right 10..
……seems to be balanced……is that good????
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
10 left 11 right
12 left
9 right
Kinda balanced; some of the answers I was about half and half.
10 right 6 left
left:10
Right:10
Hmmm … seems very balanced, whatever that means for my Halo skill, I go read your summary now.