I can't play anything anymore.

[userzero1]

I have so many games to play through but I can never play them anymore. I get too distracted by my phone or just watch a movie/TV show instead as it's lower effort.

I keep buying them though by telling myself I will finish them someday but I never even play for more than 10 min. I have started 50 games in the last year but finished 0.

I took a hiatus from gaming for three months, but I still can't game at all, maybe it is time to stop forever.

Does anyone else have this problem and can I fix it?

 

[yankii]

Ez just buy more Nintendo games.

 

[Scarlet]

For me it's just been a case of having a lot on more than getting distracted. Good games still come along that completely engross me from time to time. I marathoned The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily the week it came out and got all achievements (~20 hour process), and since Nightreign launched I've managed to get around 140 hours of playtime.

As I am now fighting with other commitments, a game I can pick up for an hour or so at a time like Nightreign has won out, with larger titles typically being where my time off work goes. If you still want to play games but don't have large swaths of time or lack the focus to stick with a huge RPG, maybe give those smaller experiences a shot? Something like a roguelike where you can pick it up for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour at a time. There's no reason you need to play games now the same way you did years ago. Go at your own pace, feel out what you enjoy, and stick with it.

 

[userzero1]

Ez just buy more Nintendo games.

I have Nintendo games but I can't enjoy those either.

For me it's just been a case of having a lot on more than getting distracted. Good games still come along that completely engross me from time to time. I marathoned The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily the week it came out and got all achievements (~20 hour process), and since Nightreign launched I've managed to get around 140 hours of playtime.

As I am now fighting with other commitments, a game I can pick up for an hour or so at a time like Nightreign has won out, with larger titles typically being where my time off work goes. If you still want to play games but don't have large swaths of time or lack the focus to stick with a huge RPG, maybe give those smaller experiences a shot? Something like a roguelike where you can pick it up for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour at a time. There's no reason you need to play games now the same way you did years ago. Go at your own pace, feel out what you enjoy, and stick with it.

I am not a fan of rougelike games and time is not really an issue as I have 3-4 hours each day to myself. I also don't find pick up and play games to be very enjoyable.

 

[Taleweaver]

For me, it's the wrong question being asked. Not 'did i finish it?' but 'did i have fun?'.
I recently commented Ive got perhaps 3'000-4'000 games in my library (itch.io alone had 1000+ in one bundle). I won't live long enough to finish them all, but i still game. Most i don't finish, but i don't Chase that. After all, some developers just add difficulty for no reason other than to create a challenge. But for a gamer, the challenge is in the learning what the game has to offer.

Granted: 10 minutes is way too short. For me, that's a sign that that game isn't for you right now. That's okay.
Perhaps none are. Changes in your personal life influence what games you will like or have time for. It doesn't mean you're no longer a gamer. At most, you're bored of a type of game. Broaden your horizon. You might find something you'll like you weren't expecting.

 

[Ligeia]

Maybe gaming just isn't for you anymore these days, but it might come back in a while. Or not. I have had several "non-gaming" phases in my life, usually a few years long each.

As long as you enjoy what you're doing I think it's all fine.

 

[Luciano_]

I’ve gone through gaming patterns where I game like crazy and then I can go weeks and weeks just not being interested at all.

I think people need to put their phones out of sight. It’s too normal in today’s world to have your phone nearby and have the urge to look at it. I grew up in a time before cell phones so I guess it’s easier for me to not have my phone within inches of me all the time but for others it might not be.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

I have so many games to play through but I can never play them anymore. I get too distracted by my phone or just watch a movie/TV show instead as it's lower effort.

I keep buying them though by telling myself I will finish them someday but I never even play for more than 10 min. I have started 50 games in the last year but finished 0.

I took a hiatus from gaming for three months, but I still can't game at all, maybe it is time to stop forever.

Does anyone else have this problem and can I fix it?

Maybe give it more than 10 minutes. I usually commit to at least an hour of a new game. If I'm still interested after that then I might come back to it (or maybe not)

 

[Robert Newbie]

Hahaha, this sounds like me. I do have some advice.

Here's what you do:
First, get to a point where you're not obsessing over playing your backlog, wishlist, etc. It's ok to branch out and read a book, watch a movie, etc. That variety is healthy.

Second, play what you really want. If you just want to load up Mega Man 2 for the millionth time, go ahead and do that. If you make the hobby a job, you'll never appreciate it.

 

[M7L7NK7]

Nowdays I'll play something for 5 minutes then just turn it off

 

[Lostbhoy]

Hahaha, this sounds like me. I do have some advice.

Here's what you do:
First, get to a point where you're not obsessing over playing your backlog, wishlist, etc. It's ok to branch out and read a book, watch a movie, etc. That variety is healthy.

Second, play what you really want. If you just want to load up Mega Man 2 for the millionth time, go ahead and do that. If you make the hobby a job, you'll never appreciate it.

Basically this.

Don't stress about not playing them, theres loads of things we don't do everyday and don't have to.

I'll bet there's a book forum somewhere with a post saying the exact same about not reading books anymore... Probably playing games

 

[userzero1]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try not to get too stressed about this stuff and have fun doing what interests me at the time .

 

[wamble]

Does anyone else have this problem and can I fix it?

Go with your interests...let them take you where you need & want to be.

I've gone years...yes, years!...not playing a single game. The ones I miss I always go back to in good time, like an old friend. My gaming patterns could be described as very sporadic at the best of times. LOL.

 

[Djakku]

I also had this "issue" a while back. Took a bit of soul searching and accepting the fact that I love gaming, but often don't really finish games. I can plays 300 hours of some games like stardew valley, no man sky, or persona5, then when I reach near the end, I just lose interest. but it's ok, as long as I had fun.
I found myself enjoying setting up the perfect console and homebrew app more than actually playing a game on them.

 

[Dark_Ansem]

Get a steam deck / rog ally and if you have long commutes play then

 

[Djakku]

That's either a bit dated or completely overpriced imo.
NGL, I feel the switch 2 might be my last gaming console. Not too keen on an all digital world where ownership is blurred hence why I recently bought retro consoles from ebay. and with a hacked switch, I find it to be the perfect balance between "modern" games and decent emulation.

If / when the swtich 2 get hacked, I will be looking forward for ps2, gamecube, dreamcast emulation.

 

[Dark_Ansem]

That's either a bit dated or completely overpriced imo.

Make a different recommendation then.

 

[Djakku]

I did dude, old consoles

 

[hippy dave]

Shit posting

 

[The Catboy]

I've found playing games with my wife or while my wife watches to be enjoyable. Games are always more fun when you have someone there to experience them with you. I think the thing that's hurting gaming the most has been the death of true social gaming and the rise of online gaming. Playing against someone online just isn't the same as having them there with you.