Losing interest in playing games but not gaming...?

Post by **Fine** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:58 pm

I think many of us experience this as we get older. Leigh Alexander actually had a wonderful post in her column, The Aberrant Gamer, about this exact problem. I find myself agreeing with many of her points, so I'm going to direct you there.

Post by **Cerulean** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 2:02 pm

Yeah its once you hit a certain age for sure. Now that I have a kid on the way. everything has changed priority wise. Tho I do play my wii for brawl, I dont really touch anything else. which is why its being sold.

Post by **jrod1986** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:19 pm

Wow guys--thanks for all the responses. You all really hit the nail on the head and described to a T what's been goin on with my gaming habits. The article in particular was pretty eye-opening. I don't know if this is a symptom of my current gaming state, but the games I *have* actually finished lately have been slow-paced and story driven (Hotel Dusk, Ace Attorney series.)

I pretty much played those games until I got stuck in the story. I'd then take a few weeks off give or take and then get back into games and usually finish each within a month or so. Like I said, the rest of my gaming is split into short bursts usually playing sports or shmups or something of the like.

Post by **Gamerforlife** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:22 pm

As others have said, life starts to get in the way of gaming as you get older. And sometimes, you just find yourself drawn to other hobbies.

Here's the cool thing though. You find yourself playing more and more games that can be enjoyed in spurts. The bonus being that many of these types actually do a whole lot more for your mind than longer, drawn out games. I been playing shmups or shmup inspired games(like The Red Star) on and off again over the past couple months. I'm not even remotely close to being a pro, but I do find that I have better reflexes now. Plus, my concentration seems to have improved. Games like these sort of teach you how to stay calm under pressure too.

I start to think of these types of games as mental exercise now, which justifies me making time for them when I can.

Post by **D.D.D.** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 12:39 am

I hate this getting old shite... All the stuff I used to like and do get second priority to responsibilities or just being to tired to concentrate on gaming after a long day at work.

Post by **Daniel Primed** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:45 am

I actually have a lot of ideas about this topic and am in the process of writing an article about it on my blog.

Obviously time is of the essence and as we take on more responsibilities we have less time for games. I feel this way sometimes as well. The problem is time though. Judging from what has been posted here as well as my own experiences; we all don't have the time to play as much as we had when we were kids.

Most people think that because they are playing less games:

-games aren't as interesting
-they are losing interest

The real answer is, you just haven't had the time to play games. It doesn't mean that you are losing interest, you are just too busy. If you have important stuff that needs to be done, put your gaming life on hold and do the important stuff. There will always be plenty of great games waiting for when you return.

Post by **peace4myheart** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:59 am

Daniel Primed wrote: -games aren't as interesting
-they are losing interest

It's not that games aren't as interesting. It is just that they aren't interesting "enough" to catch or hold my attention.

It's not that I am losing interest in gaming. It's just that I am losing interest in "playing" them.

Post by **raztat** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 12:25 pm

Cerulean wrote:Yeah its once you hit a certain age for sure. Now that I have a kid on the way. everything has changed priority wise. Tho I do play my wii for brawl, I dont really touch anything else. which is why its being sold.

I have a kid on the way to, thats why im going back to retro, its cheaper then all the newer stuff and their are many games that I havent played.

Post by **marurun** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:19 pm

Here here! I'll drink to that!

Post by **SpaceBooger** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:05 am

raztat wrote:
Cerulean wrote:Yeah its once you hit a certain age for sure. Now that I have a kid on the way. everything has changed priority wise. Tho I do play my wii for brawl, I dont really touch anything else. which is why its being sold.
I have a kid on the way to, thats why im going back to retro, its cheaper then all the newer stuff and their are many games that I havent played.

I also have a child due in August... I play retro because I need quick fixes and new games rarely can be picked up and played for 10 minutes or less.