Losing in online games is a universal experience. Whether you’re getting obliterated in a 1v1 duel or watching your team throw a ranked match harder than a toddler tossing spaghetti, we’ve all been there. And let’s be honest: losing isn’t just a single moment. It’s a journey.
Here’s a look at the Five Stages of Losing in Online Games—and how to navigate them without uninstalling your favorite game (again).
Stage 1: Denial
“Lag. It was definitely lag.”
The first stage hits the moment you realize you’ve lost. Or rather, you don’t realize it, because you’re too busy blaming everything except your own performance. The lag, the matchmaking, the cheater in the lobby—there’s always an excuse.
Pro Tip: No matter how bad it looks, insist to your teammates that it’s not over yet. “We can still win this!” you’ll shout, despite the fact that your Nexus is literally on fire.
How to Cope:
Shouting “It’s fine!” at your monitor won’t make it fine, but it will buy you time to mentally prepare for the inevitable.
Stage 2: Anger
“WHO EVEN PLAYS THIS GAME LIKE THAT?”
Denial doesn’t last forever, and soon you’ll find yourself lashing out. At the game. At your teammates. At the random player emoting on your corpse. Your gaming setup will suddenly feel like a war zone, with your keyboard and controller caught in the crossfire.
Pro Tip: This is the perfect time to type something in chat that you’ll immediately regret. For example: “EZ” after losing because you mistyped “GG.”
How to Cope:
Mute everyone. No, seriously—everyone. Including yourself. Your future self will thank you.
Stage 3: Bargaining
“Just one more game. I can fix this.”
Ah, bargaining: the stage where hope clings to life. You’re determined to redeem yourself, even if it means playing “just one more” match until 4 a.m. You might even switch characters or roles, convinced that your problem is a lack of versatility and not the fact that your sleep-deprived reflexes are slower than dial-up internet.
Pro Tip: If you hear yourself say, “This is the game I win,” you are deep in the bargaining spiral.
How to Cope:
Set a timer. Or better yet, hand your controller to a friend so they can forcibly stop you from spiraling into 10 more matches of mediocrity.
Stage 4: Depression
“I am the problem.”
Once the adrenaline wears off, reality sets in: it wasn’t lag. It wasn’t your teammates. It was you. Suddenly, every decision you’ve ever made in-game (and in life) feels wrong. You’re one missed headshot away from throwing your PC into a nearby lake.
Pro Tip: This is the perfect time to scroll Reddit and realize that everyone else is also losing, except they’re funnier about it. Misery loves memes.
How to Cope:
Take a break. Stand up. Hydrate. Remember that gaming isn’t your entire personality. (Unless it is, in which case… maybe pick up knitting?)
Stage 5: Acceptance
“It’s just a game.”
The final stage. You’ve made peace with your failure, uninstalled the game (again), and convinced yourself that your time is better spent doing literally anything else. Until, of course, you hear the siren song of matchmaking pulling you back in.
Pro Tip: At this stage, you’ll convince yourself that you’re playing “for fun.” Spoiler alert: you’re not.
How to Cope:
Embrace the chaos. Losing is just part of the experience. Plus, it builds character—or at least that’s what you’ll tell yourself when you’re back at Stage 1 tomorrow.
Losing may be inevitable, but it doesn’t have to break you. Unless it’s a ranked match—then feel free to rage-quit and uninstall. After all, self-care comes in many form