I feel like I'm... done with gaming?

[strumpusplunket]

Since I built my first gaming PC back in 2004, I've been pretty keen gamer. Also during my childhood and adolescence a fair bit earlier on the Spectrum and Amiga.

I always looked forward to my Xmas gaming binges, took time off around my birthday to do some gaming, and generally always had a game on the go even if I didn't manage to eke out much time to play.

Earlier this year, though, something odd happened. I was at the point just before the last boss of Dark Souls III when, all of a sudden... I just couldn't be bothered going any further.

I installed Life is Strange: Beyond the Storm, but only got 15 minutes in before I completely lost the desire to play (and I was a huge fan of the first one).

It was like a switch just flipped in my brain that totally removed my interest in games. I've looked through my game libraries and wishlists, but I feel... nothing. Not the slightest desire to play anything. Complete lack of interest for most of this year (I've played Fortnite with my kids, but that's more to share an activity with them than me really enjoying it).

I am really quite surprised by this, but not dismayed, I don't think. This isn't intended to be another help me get back into gaming thread. In fact I think I've probably used my time better since this happened. I'm basically curious if anyone else has experienced this. I'm 42, so maybe I'm just past gaming? I really didn't think this would happen - I'd envisioned myself playing Original Sin 20 or Far Cry 30 in my 70s!

 

[strumpusplunket]

Maybe try VR? I was feeling jaded by the relentless derivative sequels and so I got an Oculus Rift. I get a kick out of the experience each and every time.
Otherwise maybe try indie titles in different genres to your norm, something like Papers, Please.

I was looking into VR before this lull. I'm curious how well it would work for me. I'm stereoblind so no idea how I'd percieve it.

Check out my thread on single player games. Some amazing options. But yes, the last few years have been flooded with cash grabbing, loot box infested sequels. The market is now very much one of the largest entertainment branches and as a result. Companies play it safe and release games with little innovation for as much profit as possible.

Maybe it’s a seasonal thing?

I hardly game in summer at all, I’d rather be outside making the most of the light evenings.

Switch up what you are playing, there are more than enough genres of games to play something you probably havent played before...if not, just take a week or 2 off and see if you fancy playing anything then...i have times where i go off games, always seem to then end up going back to TF2 for some reason haha

It's because you're trying to force it. I'm old too and I go through the same thing. Sitting looking through your Steam library won't make something jump out at you and make you fall in love with gaming again. If you aren't enjoying it, take a break. I went off single player games completely, all I played was Overwatch, which I also tired of. I took a break and did normal stuff, now I'm enjoying Overwatch, and more recently, Fortnite. Last night I thought I'd give the RE7 DLC a try as it's been sitting in my list for ages, and I'm loving it.

It'll come back

Yeah, I've thought all of these thoughts. Thing is, it's not a couple of week lull - more like nearly five months. I've never had an issue gaming in summer. I have a summer birthday and always enjoyed taking a few days off to get into a game to celebrate. Also, I have a huge variety of games in my library and on my wishlist and I'm not motivated by any of them. And I went from Dark Souls III to Life is Strange: Before the Storm - can't get much more switched up than that!

I'm not really trying to force it, either. I'm more curious and surprised than feeling like I'd really like to get back into it. I used to remember fondly the fun times I'd had in games - Xmas playing Bioshock: Infinite or The Witcher 3, birthdays playing Tropico 5 or working through the Dark Souls games (up to the end of III anyway!) I looked back on feeling the fun I'd had. All of a sudden I recollect these times and think more, "what a waste of time". It's weird how suddenly this happened, though - it was like one minute I was really enjoying DSIII, planning character builds, etc., and the next I had no interest whatsoever. Really just like a switch flicking in my head.

It's weird because I'd been saving up for a new gaming PC. I got to £1200 and I'm still looking at the CPU forum threads, but I'm slowly starting to realise that that's not remotely important now since I have no plans at all to do anything more than browse the internet, use Word, Excel and SPSS and watch the odd video.

 

[strumpusplunket]

Nah i just sit at my computer doing sod all because i cant be bothered to open a game.

Yup, this! Well, actually, I have done a fair bit more watching of films, reading of books and trying out new recipes in the kitchen, all of which are good, but yeah, an awful lot of this

Pff I am 47... The OP is weak.

Man up and power through it (buy a comfy chair though)

I am weak. This is true. Not sure forcing myself to play games is going to help with that, though


Seen a few people mention the big M.L.C., and, well, I couldn't rule that out if I'm honest. I have been doing all the typical things like desponently evaluating my career trajectory, thinking about my likely time left on this Earth, wondering what the point of it all is, etc. I've barely picked up my guitar all year either, and that's something else I was really enjoying previously.

Also, a few comments on how derivative gaming can feel these days, and I've definitely felt that too. I've fought the same enemies using the same weapons/spells in the same environments so many times, not much feels fresh.

I appreciate the encouragement to try PUBG, but in general I really have never liked MP gaming. I got into CS for a bit, and W:ET back in the day, but those are the only MP games I've every enjoyed. What makes PUBG different to other MP games?

The one thing I miss, I think, is how an absorbing game could take me out of the world and my worries so effectively. I remember a time not long ago when I was plagued by a few issues in the real world that felt overwhemling, were affecting my sleep, making me constantly anxious, and so on, and playing Dying Light was pretty much the only thing that helped me put all that out of my mind.

It's perfectly possible this weird brain switch will suddenly and unpredictably flip back one day. This is my longest time without touching a game since I started playing though (well, not counting the time I went travelling) - about three months now witout even loading a game up.

 

[strumpusplunket]

So, I've looked at a good few of the suggested games (PUBG, PoE II), and it's just not grabbing me.

VR I like the idea of, but as I'm stereoblind I don't think it would work for me very well.

My wife is away tonight, and usually when she goes away for a night or two I'd plan a good few days ahead which games I would play in the evenings. This time, though, I looked again at my Steam, GoG and Origin account and the games suggested here and have no desire to play anything still. This is the first time my wife has had some nights away that I've not grabbed the opportunity for a gaming marathon.

Though, as some have said, doing other things isn't half bad. Instead of gaming I've binge-watched about half the first series of The Expanse, which has been really entertaining. I also did some work in the evening, which felt nicely productive.

 

[strumpusplunket]

Would a great and intriguing story/concept suck you in to a game perhaps? SOMA, Quantum Break and Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice are all quite unique and I felt that the actual playing of these games was secondary to progressing with the story and to find out more about what was going on. Might be worth a look..

I did think that. I downloaded Quantum Break a few months ago, but still I've just not been motivated to play it. Still just getting a feeling of complete indifference when looking at my games library/wishlist, even for games I know I was looking forward to last year.

Still, my wife is away at a conference for a week next month so we'll see - if that free time doesn't encourage me to try out a new game I can't think what will...

 

[strumpusplunket]

If you can even force yourself to play through the first hour of Quantum Break, it should be enough for the story to wet your appetite. The whole time travel / time loops and that whole concept blows my mind so if that's the sort of thing you can appreciate it then it's worth enduring the game just for the story, it's as good as any movie you could watch imo.

Yeah, that does sound like the sort of thing I'd go for. I'll see if I can get into it with a few beers when I have some time. Cheers.

As an adult, you want to play games that are intellectually stimulating. Portal was a breath of fresh air., for example. Great game.

Personally, i find myself playing more Strategy/Puzzle/Simulation games with the occasional title from another genre worth it's salt. Basically, i want to play smarter games. Too many titles these days are dumbed down to stupid levels.

Also, doing the following may help:

1) Stop playing games for a while. Don't force yourself to play. Take up another hobby. Try something new, then come back to it.

2) Limit yourself to one platform. I did this years ago, as a result i play more and find gaming more enjoyable as that platform (PC) gets all my attention. There are too many games out there now, I'm not going to play everything and neither are you. You'll be better off in your pocket too.

3) Be more strict when it comes to game purchases. If you have a huge backlog, don't buy new games until you've gotten through most of it. Be honest and ask yourself: Do i need this? Am i really going to play it? Is it just going to sit in my backlog? Also, narrow down the genres you'll play now, not what the teenage you would play. Your gaming tastes change as you get older. You need to identify what works now for you and what doesn't.

4) If you have a massive catalogue of games, discipline yourself to only play one or two at a time. Pick the one or two you really, really want to play, add them to your favourite list (or equivalent) and don't look back. Once these games have been complete (or close to it), repeat the cycle.

5) If you don't like the game, dump it instantly, no one should settle for mediocrity. Play something worth your time.

Yeah, I did love Portal as well. And I have only ever gamed on PC (well, since I sold my old Amiga!), and I'm definitely not purchasing new games.

I'm not really missing gaming I don't think, but I did think I'd use the time more productively. But whilst I have done a fair bit more reading and work in the evenings, mostly I've been binge watching TV series and films. Which is okay, I guess.

I'm not really sure I even want to get back into games, tbh. They ate up a lot of my time, especially over Christmas, and I did get a bit too addicted to some. Not sure really, it's just odd how remarkably suddenly I went off them. Maybe it's Dark Souls III's fault!

 

[strumpusplunket]

Also, I realised when I saw a random link to it that I am still looking forward to Tropico 6. I never particularly got into city builders/God games since the original Populous, but I really enjoyed the Tropico games (well, from 3 onwards anyway, when I first discovered them).

 

[strumpusplunket]

Yeah, I don't know what it is. Possibly getting older, possibly just feeling so much is derivative these days.

I've tried playing Quantum Break as it looks like the sort of game I'd like, but I've kind of had to force myself through the first couple of hours and it's making me wonder why I'm bothering.

I am still looking forward to Tropico 6, but nothing else that I can think of.

I now have a quiet PC (compared to my mega-fan gaming jet engine noise machine I used to have) that's also low-power at idle, and I might even just ditch my expensive and thirsty 980Ti for a passive card if I don't feel like playing any more games over the next six months or so...

 

[strumpusplunket]

Well, I had a pre-work blast on The Old Blood this moring, and then I remembered this thread.

So, I was about 11 months without playing anything other than the odd half-hearted effort to push through Quantum Break when I was bored, and I was not really seeing any desire to game again in the future.

Anyway, to cut to the chase, my advice to anyone who wants to re-invigorate their enjoyment of gaming: get an ultrawide monitor!

Just when I think I'm out, it pulls me back in...

 

[strumpusplunket]

After a week even the Ultrawide didn't pull me back.

Well, I suppose I am only on day three so it's possible I'm speaking too soon...

 

[strumpusplunket]

Yeah, I did a system rebuild back in June. I did enjoy doing it, but still didn't back into games at all.

BUT, now I have this X34P monitor, I find I can't wait to have the time to fire up a game. Finished one game in three days (The Old Blood, so not really a long one, but still), and keen to get into RoTR next!

Very nice early Christmas present to myself!

 

[strumpusplunket]

another 42 year old here... My gaming comes in waves and troughs.... in general i am on a bit of a trough at the moment.... when this happens i normally try to get something which offers something completely new.

Guess you missed my update buried a dozen posts or so up, but turns out what you say was dead right!

The 'something new' in this case being a new UW monitor!

Of course this means a new expensive graphics card upgrade is only around the corner. Which reminds me what an expensive hobby computers can be when you get back into them...

 

[strumpusplunket]

excellent. yeah sorry i must admit to not reading the whole 10 pages

glad you have your mojo back.

Also, I now have the dilemma of wanting to play some games again but realising how little free time I have to actually do it in...

 

[strumpusplunket]

I definitely have this feeling right now, which is a shame as I am about to have 3 weeks off work. Having just had a decent stint with Two Point Hospital and then AC Odyssey I am now at a loss.

Just Cause 4 - just too pricey for the time I will get out of it.
X4 - I want to love it, but it just seems like every other X game and I just can't be fussed starting all over again (where as both X3 games sucked me into, and I had fun with, the massive grind).
Fallout 76 - Why, just why.

I can't think of much beyond the next single player Fallout or Elder Scrolls that will suck me back into gaming.

Well, the positive thing about having an extended time off from gaming is that the titles that are more likely to grab my interest have been mounting up in the meantime. Having put decent time into games only for about six weeks or so of the past 18 months, I have pretty much missed both new Assassin's Creed titles, Kingdom Come, Wolfenstein II, the new Pillars of Eternity, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, TW Warhammer II, etc..

That little pile of games plus my new monitor is giving me some gaming time to look forward to over Christmas.

 

[strumpusplunket]

I've hit the wall again, ZERO drive to play games for the last 2 weeks. I want to, but just can't seem to want to actually play anything, Sekiro was awesome but stopped playing it and need to go back and pick it up. Other than that, I'm just craving a game like Skyrim, but not Skyrim. I need something relaxed, huge open world, skills, spells, weapons, armour, LOOOOOT. But nothing is tickling my fancy at all

Yeah, I'm starting to get this feeling again, too. I got in a lot of fun gaming between about November and earlier this month, but currently feeling a bit "meh" about Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Not that there's anything wrong with the game, the experience just isn't firing anything in me and it's feeling a bit hollow. It passes 30 minutes or so if I've really got nothing else to do, but nothing more. Barely 90 minutes played in the past week.

Maybe I'm gamed out after a fairly intense Xmas. I also wonder if I just find it hard to get into anything new after a Dark Souls stint. Last couple of times I had a lull was after finishing with a DS game - Dark Souls III DLC and NG+ this time. If Dark Souls IV were to be released tomorrow I'd sink a hundred hours or more into it and be completely absorbed, but I'm not getting the motivation for anything else.

Might have to give Sekiro a go, but I'm not convinced it'll grab me the same (plus it's still full price and I do have a very large backlog of games I currently don't want to play...)

 

[strumpusplunket]

I had a very same thing not so long ago, OP. I think you're just fed up with games. You need some rest. But after you get it, the desire will return. I had this once. I've deleted every single game on my PC and started to watch movies at evening. After 2 weeks I've downloaded Overwatch, because one of my friends recommended it to me. And I have played Overwatch since then almost every day.

As the OP, I have to say that for me things changed a bit over the past two years plus. My "no interest in games" funk lasted another six or seven months after my first post, meaning that for pretty much all of 2018 I barely played anything other than the odd hour here or there in an indie game as I tried to see if they would spark anything.

That Christmas, though, I got an UW monitor (about as much for work as for trying to rekindle gaming interest) and Wolfenstein, Tomb Raider and Shadow of War kicked off a renewed interest. I went back and finished DSIII and all the DLC (and NG+) the next year.

I am kind of feeling a lull again now, after going as far through Nioh's NG+ cycles as I could manage before it became a bit too grindy for my tastes. Been looking through my libraries and wishlists and finding no motivation right now.

Perhaps interesting that it was putting lots of hours into DSIII (and having been banging my head against what was at that time a brick wall in Sister Friede) that preceded my previous lull and now it's Nioh (and the slightly softer but still tangible wall of the endgame of Way of the Wise and the horribly buffed bosses that start cropping up). Perhaps a bit of burn-out from the relatively more demanding Souls-like games, who knows.

Quite happy to have a break for a while this time. I still need to watch series four of The Expanse for one thing...