Depends on the game. Some people snap into a game really quickly in a dozen or so especially if they play similar games, others can play for hundreds or a thousand hours+ still being quite terrible at the game.

Some people even play better with speakers or headsets, others sometimes just need motivation like hunting a rival down.

I'd say it depends on a number of factors, such as what type of game it is, past experience, and how much practice one puts in. FPS, latency, hardware, and peripherals can play a part, too. Also, some people are naturally gifted, while others have to put in more time to see results.

Originally posted by doomguy:

how long does it take most people to get good at online gaming

Some people never do.

You can't put a time on that. It's not like saying "I've hit the 60 hour mark, so now I'm good."

You need to learn the intracacies of each game, and practice a lot. Natural ability also comes into play. Some people are quick learners and can master a game within dozens of hours. Others may take hundreds or thousands. And some, like I said, simply never become good.

Originally posted by doomguy:

I just bought Mecha break but just like with any other online game I don't do well, the only time I ever won in online games was in fortnite and once in halo back in high school.

It can take years, depends on the game and how quickly you can pick things up.

If the game has a spectate mode, learn by watching other players. Learn the maps, find a weapon or weapon combination you're comfortable with, practice using them a lot.

Use a headset, you can pick up sounds from a specific direction quite quickly.

If you lose a game or are dying a lot, look at why you lost/died, look at your play style and what kind of player you are, rusher, flanker, etc.

Once you find out what kind of play style you use, you will have a much more enjoyable game because you'll feel confident in your own play.

Play on low ping servers if possible.

We all have bad games so don't beat yourself up about it, take a break and then come back refreshed.

In Final Fantasy FFXIV, you had healers in *top level content*, pressing their basic heal button and doing nothing else. Tanks that never used mitigation but would swear that they would.

There really is no magical point where people get good.

it very depends on your ability to learn the said game and develop the needed skill set to play that game.
There is no universal amount of time for this cause it depends on yourself

Amaterasu mentioned her example with FFXIV which I can relate. as I met people who play the said MMO for over 10 years so above 10000 hours yet still use cure1 even in the latest main story content as some people are just aren't willing to learn

I also know a friend of mine who is playing League since 2010 yet he never made it past Silver cause despite watching "professional content" he cannot reproduce that knowledge and apply it to his own games.

Most people never gitgud...

Originally posted by doomguy:

I just bought Mecha break but just like with any other online game I don't do well, the only time I ever won in online games was in fortnite and once in halo back in high school.

It deopends on the matchmaking. The problem with Online games is that unless you're in the first batch of players there's gonna be a skill gap and the later you come inb the harder it is to find players of your own skill level to grow against. Which is why many online games see a gradual drop in new players over time. Unless they have a well done matchmaking system.