Everyone knows queue times aren’t the greatest, especially at less populated ranks not only for DPS. So here are some productive, some fun things to do during queue times, that might actually benefit you and your gameplay (or are just some ideas for fun).
Now, it is important to keep an eye on your Overwatch tab, because queue times are never entirely predictable, so I’ll give activities that make this very easy a focus.
Helpful and Productive Things
Taking care of your hands
In my opinion one of the best things to do and one of the most helpful ones if you care about playing a lot or competitively is taking care of your hands. You use them a lot for gaming, take the 3+ minutes you get from queue times to make sure they keep being healthy. Here’s a guide to how you can do that, it really is ideal for 5-10 mintue queue times. Hand + Wrist Exercises For Gamers - YouTube
Working out
Especially if you want to play as much Overwatch as possible, it’s important to have a good time management. But even if you don’t, if you normally don’t work out (like me), you could really use the health benefits from it. You’re not losing any playtime anyway, and it’s good to keep your mind fresh. You don’t need a gym for it either, just do some simple gymastics aiming at every muscle. Of course, learn how to do it first and don’t do it incorrectly. Again, this isn’t just beneficial for your whole life, but could even very much help with Overwatch.
Study
Now, I don’t mean full on study for a test or something, but if you’re learning a language, it’s important to never get rusty. Don’t actually learn new things, just revise things. Revise your vocabulary, read some things in the language you want to learn, look at the mistakes you made in your last work and correct them, read through the Maths’ rules again and make sure you understand and remember them. Stuff like that.
Actually Pick That Hobby You Neglate for Gaming Up Again
Did you use to draw, sing, write or read a lot more? Instead of wasting your time on useless discussions on the internet, maybe you could start doing that again while queueing.
Simply Take a Break
Especially if you play competitively and try to get a lot of hours in, just stand up, open the window and get away from the PC (but still keep an eye if you found a game). This is very important to avoid burnout, and also helps against tilt.
Feed Your Pets
Open the window, let some fresh air in, tidy your room, get yourself a nice drink, pet your pets, etc. etc.
Watch Educational Content For Overwatch
(and take notes)
Use The Restroom
You know these times when you are sure you don’t have to use the restroom after a match, but then you queue for 10 and the next game lasts 30? Yeah, maybe you will have to use the restroom 20 minutes in. Seriously, just go, do it.
Play Deathmatch
While the Deathmatch during queue is a lot less serious and thus helpful than the normal one, you can still get a something out of it. Do you plan on picking up a new hero? Start here. You want to get better aim? Go on, better than nothing. You want to warm-up but are short on time? Better than nothing.
Check If You Forgot To Do Something
Fun Things
Card Games Like Hearthstone or Magic: The Gathering
I have found that my queue times are just a bit too short for a full casual game of MTG, but maybe you GMs could do it.
Skyrim
Ah yes, a game you can pause. And who doesn’t love Skyrim?
Rayman
I don’t know, I’m honestly just listing casual games I like at this point.
Some more: Osu!, any Tomb Raider, XCOM 2, StarCraft 2 campaign, Destiny 2 campaign
Basically Any Single Player Game You Like
Read
I love reading, I only don’t really do it because I like getting really into it and not suddenly stopping because I found a game, and because I like reading in bed but I can’t look at my monitor to check for a game that well then. But, maybe these problems don’t apply to you.
Listen to Music
Actually listen to music without doing anything else. Just enjoy it.
Watch Streamers
Also, if you want to get better at a hero, watching a better player play them is useful time spent if you can’t play anyway.
Complain On The Forums About Queue Times
lol
Play A Nice Custom Game
Consider Switching to NA Servers Because You’re Playing At 3am And Even After 15 Minutes You’d Still Either Get A Diamond or GM In Your Game
Watch And Thus Support Great Content Creators You Love
Watch a Show, Anime or Movie
Make a Post Recommending Some Things to Do During Queue Times on The Forums