Let’s agree on that; you were all nubcakes in the games at some point in your life. However, have you all experienced the same things? “
Most of you must relate as amateurs. Once, you were all at the lowest ranks and still learning the ropes. Yet, some fellow players were still doing way better than you.
You were like, Ain’t we all playing at the same level? How are they beating me? Are they riding on someone’s coattails?
Well, they were smurfing in gaming. “Wait, I’ve heard this term before.” We know you did, mate!
Smurfing is truly infuriating and gets on your nerves. Now that you’ll understand what smurfing is in gaming, you can see what has been happening all around.
It’s your call to decide whether it’s justified or not. Enough of the story; let’s jump into the topic!
What is Smurfing?
When a highly ranked player makes a new gaming account and plays against the newbies of the game, they’re smurfing in gaming.
The players are already top-notch and highly rated in the game. Making these Smurf accounts and beating the poor freshies is like you’ve returned to high school life. Back then, those big bullies attacked and tortured the easier prey.
Why Do Players Smurf?
Now, many reasons can be predicted. In multiplayer games, the high-level players aren’t enough. It takes them time to match opponents with the same ranking and capabilities.
So the “outstanding players,” instead of searching for same-level gamers, prefer doing smurfing in gaming. They(smurfs) show themselves as beginners at the start of the game.
After that, showing off their “out-of-the-league skills,” they easily defeated the freshly baked opponents. Hey… isn’t it a wrong use of power?” Yes, it is!
One other possible judgment is that exceptional players might want to play with their friends who are still new to the game. “Can’t they do this without smurfing in gaming?”
Well, they can’t! In most multiplayer games, such as Overwatch and Counter-Strike, fair and square matchmaking occurs, and people of the same rank are paired.
Where Did the Concept Originate From?
Do you remember the game Warcraft II? The game was truly a claim to fame and a big hit of the time.
The term was born in 1996 when two well-known game players unknowingly started smurfing in gaming.
They pretended to play badly and later won the battle against novice players. Regardless, it was child play for them. The names of their Smurf accounts were PapaSmurf and Smurfette.
Can You Be Banned From Smurfing?
If you’re playing moderately and not instigating other beginners with your top-grade playing style. You surely won’t be kicked out of the game.
However, if there are constant bullying reports against you by other new-level users, you could be banned temporarily or indefinitely, depending on the graveness of the situation.
Also, if a Smurf is caught red-handed trading and selling an account, he can be banned from playing the game forever.
However, gaming developers have taken some intense steps to forbid smurfing in gaming.
A multiplayer game like Valorant and a single-player game like Pokemon might require you to attain a certain level of rank or power. After that, you get to play the original mode of the game.
