If you’ve played many games, you’re probably familiar with games that need you to press a specific combination of buttons to activate an ability or an ultimate assault.
Sometimes these combos can be hard to execute, or you are in a critical position and the time delay causes your character to die. So, macro in gaming come into existence.
What is Macro?
Macros are commands or command chains activated by pressing a combination of keys (e.g., Ctrl + Alt + Del, etc.) or using specialized Macro Keys found on gaming keyboards and mice.
What exactly are macro in Gaming?
A macro key was included on some early PC keyboards but has since been removed from most keyboards. It’s usually found on the keyboard’s lower rows, to the left of the Z key, or the right of the right Ctrl. While most keyboard layouts interpret it as a backslash, it has a different scan code; therefore, keyboard layouts or applications can handle it differently or utilize the scan code directly.
Macros are command chains that can be created using a combination of keys or macro keys found on special keyboards or gaming mouse.
To put it into perspective, supposing you need to jump and dodge in a game, you need to use CTRL + W; you can program the command into a key, which saves you the time of hitting double keys or even triple keys.
Gamers often use these keys as rapid-fire buttons to gain an advantage over their opponents.
Some programs, such as Microsoft Office, have great built-in macro support, allowing you to construct your shortcuts to execute complex pre-scripted tasks.
However, most of the apps you use, including games, have no or limited macro support built-in. That is when high-end peripherals with macros come into play.
What Are Macro In Gaming?
A macro is a pre-programmed instruction that simplifies data entry. The unique keys on the gaming mouse and gaming keyboard are referred to as macro keys by gamers.
Macro keys are a set of keystrokes that can be pressed repeatedly to perform the same operation. For example, you can program a precise sequence of keystrokes to assault a giant boss or hunt for items.
Applications of macro in Gaming?
Since we’ve all learned what macros are, how well do they apply in Gaming? Because macros simplify information input, gamers may press a button to do a wide range of actions. Gamers refer to these special keys as macro keys, which can find on gaming keyboards and mice.
Macro keys are different keystrokes that you can repeatedly press to repeat the action programmed in them. Macros are essentially an easier way of doing regular tasks without having to press the duplicate keys repeatedly; they are helpful in fighting games such as Shadow Fight, Reel Steel Series, TEKKEN 7, Street Fighter V, and others.
How Useful are Macro in Gaming?
The most crucial benefit of using the macro is that it eliminates the time spent pushing many buttons to do the same task that the macro button would accomplish in a single click.
You can assign a single button to a combination of distinct keystrokes. Macros are convenient in fighting and role-playing games. You’ll save a lot of time if you can use your ultimate attack with just one button or click.
So, if you can shorten incredibly long commands and execute them in a split second, you should be able to top your gaming leaderboards.
Well, not quite. There are occasions when using macro keys is OK, and there are instances when it is not. For example, if you use macro keys in online servers, you may be banned. Is using macro keys cheating?
You might be asking what the idea behind it is. If you program a sequence of movements into a single key, you’ll be able to execute them much faster and slay your opponent. That is referred to as automation, and it irritates a lot of people.
Downfall Of Using Macro Keys?
As explained previously, macro keys can be beneficial in various games, and in all honesty, once you understand how to use them for Gaming, you will have an advantage in every game you play. However, there are instances when utilizing macro keys is suitable and when it is not; in fact, several players have been banned from servers after attempting to use macro keys in online games.
Is Using Macro Keys Cheating?
You might wonder how. The solution is straightforward. If you can program a series of motions into a macro key, you’ll have an advantage in a PvP match by not having to hit numerous keys when you come into touch with another player. As a result, you’ll always be one step ahead of them. This is known as “automation,” It can result in a gaming server ban because it is considered cheating.
With that stated, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to benefit from macro keys in an offline setting, particularly in a game that has an exploitative flaw to assist you in gaining more materials to improve your offline characters. Even if you find yourself regularly fighting NPCs (Non-Playable Characters), you can create a macro to do the combat for you with the press of a single button.
How to use macro keys in online Games?
When it comes to online gaming, especially PvP games, it’s usually a good idea to avoid utilizing macro keys as much as possible because you never know what can be classified as an offense and cause you to be banned. If you wish to learn how to use macro keys for Gaming, there may be “loopholes” in the game’s terms of service that you can exploit.
The vast majority of online games allow users to assign a single action to a single macro key, similar to using standard keyboard keys. You could, for example, set your firing button to “G2” and your dodging button to “G3,” but you couldn’t select a dodge-shoot-dodge function to “G2” alone.
Micro vs. Macro Gameplay
Micro
The level of granular and detailed control a user has over game units is called micro (short for “micromanagement”). Consider the example of Warcraft 3. The user’s micro skill is defined by their ability to manipulate their hero and other game units finely.
Macro
Higher-level strategic game considerations are referred to as macro (or “macro-management”). As a result, macro skills don’t rely on granular twitch/reflex-based management of game aspects. Using the Warcraft 3 example above as an example, the good macro skill would entail the following:
- Resource Management
- Map Awareness
Conclusion
We conclude the above article by saying that macros are pre-recorded or chained commands and keys programmed into input devices. These command shortcuts allow you to work faster or react faster to particular scenarios that may arise in games where reaction time is essential.
Once you’ve configured the macro keys to your choice, you’ll be able to relax in your gaming chair and play away, performing trickier actions in less time because you’ll only have to hit one button rather than three or more.
