10 most frustrating things about gaming online

You massive baby. You've thrown all of your toys out of your pram and started to cry because you're 2-0 down at half-time. Sometimes you don't even register a loss. You utter, utter bastard.

6) Incessant chat in a foreign language

We're ready to start the match. Huh - someone's talking in French. That's fine, it's a beautiful language and we're keen to try our parlez vousing. We wait, patiently. They're certain to finish what they're saying soon.

But they don't. And there's nobody on the other end of the conversation. And after a minute or two, we start to wonder. Are they reading the news? Are they delirious? Is this some kind of prophecy or warning that the end of the world will come if we don't finish this race in the order he's telling us? And of course you can't mute them immediately because, as we already know, you can't pause the game. Sacre bleu!


Above: If only the reality were this glamourous

7) Having to install updates to play


If you haven't downloaded the latest patch, you can't even get online. But even if you have got the latest free patch you can't play with people who have bought the latest DLC. And then if you do go ahead and buy the DLC on day one, your mates won't be able to join you. Hardly the 'anyone in the world'that was promised on the box.

Justin Towell

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.