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[supernova8]

Funny thing I just noticed that I come to this damn forum (it's a good forum) every single day (religiously open up GAF while I'm in bed when I wake up) to see discussions, updates for stuff, new announcements and leaks etc but I haven't really played a game properly (ie been invested in it properly) for ages. We're talking possibly a year or two.

It might be because I live with my girlfriend and the time after we finish work seems to be "us time", but even when she's not here I don't actually feel that much of an urge to play video games.

Am I "growing out of" video games? Is that even a thing? Literally a couple of years ago I was the type to do all-nighters playing stuff like FIFA and Battlefield 4. Last thing I did was do a full playthrough of Half Life 2 over the space of about 2 weeks.

I don't even know what this post is... I'm starting to feel a bit confused. I don't even know why I come here if I don't play games anymore.

Help? Please?

 

[bender]

Quit your job, dump your girlfriend and buy a Vita. Vita means life.

 

[Haggard]

Am I "growing out of" video games? Is that even a thing? Literally a couple of years ago I was the type to do all-nighters playing stuff like FIFA and Battlefield 4. Last thing I did was do a full playthrough of Half Life 2 over the space of about 2 weeks.

That´s called growing up and shifting priorities. Happens to all people with a normal social life.

 

[Marcus Aurelius]

Quit your job, dump your girlfriend and buy a Vita. Vita means life.

 

[supernova8]

Quit your job, dump your girlfriend and buy a Vita. Vita means life.

Fucking Vita. I remember buying one all those years ago and booting up Uncharted. How the hell did they get such a beautiful game to run. Makes me think how underpowered the Switch is (considering the relative release dates).

 

[bender]

Fucking Vita. I remember buying one all those years ago and booting up Uncharted. How the hell did they get such a beautiful game to run. Makes me think how underpowered the Switch is (considering the relative release dates).

I never tried that Uncharted. Hot Shots Golf was so good. The last great entry in the series (PSP titles still own the crown). I like the Switch because it focuses all of Nintendo's output (besides shitty mobile games) onto one device but the Vita destroys it in terms of build quality of the inputs.

 

[supernova8]

That´s called growing up and shifting priorities. Happens to all people with a normal social life.

Yeah that actually could be part of what's worrying me. I turned 30 last year and it's dawning on me that I'm not a "young guy" anymore.

 

[cireza]

Next time rather than coming on neogaf, boot a console and play a game.

 

[JimmyRustler]

Was the same 2-3 years ago. Was regularly browing GAF and other forums more than actually playing games.

It's just a force of habit. Solved it by puting away my iPad while I game and activly resisting the urge to check news and shit.

It's slow process you do not really notice. One day you'll just realize like me that you can't be bothered reading news and discussing games but actually want to play them.

These days I only browse forums and read news when I'm at work.

 

[Gatox]

Have a child, get them into gaming, this leads to you having a second childhood and loving games again. Well at least thats what happened to me.

 

[Fashionably Late]

That´s called growing up and shifting priorities. Happens to all people with a normal social life.

This. During my 20s when I was starting my current job and going out all the time with friends on the weekend I hardly thought about games. Now that I’m a bit older (slightly older than the OP), more established/settled at work and home, and with everything locked down here due to Covid in the Netherlands, I‘m back to gaming on a regular basis. I would never “force” myself or feel obligated to keep playing something; I just view gaming like any other hobby I have where my interest can go up or down depending on my life’s circumstances.

 

[mansoor1980]

become a game developer

 

[ripeavocado]

Funny thing I just noticed that I come to this damn forum (it's a good forum) every single day (religiously open up GAF while I'm in bed when I wake up) to see discussions, updates for stuff, new announcements and leaks etc but I haven't really played a game properly (ie been invested in it properly) for ages. We're talking possibly a year or two.

It might be because I live with my girlfriend and the time after we finish work seems to be "us time", but even when she's not here I don't actually feel that much of an urge to play video games.

Am I "growing out of" video games? Is that even a thing? Literally a couple of years ago I was the type to do all-nighters playing stuff like FIFA and Battlefield 4. Last thing I did was do a full playthrough of Half Life 2 over the space of about 2 weeks.

I don't even know what this post is... I'm starting to feel a bit confused. I don't even know why I come here if I don't play games anymore.

Help? Please?

Just... don't.

 

[ChoosableOne]

Funny thing I just noticed that I come to this damn forum (it's a good forum) every single day (religiously open up GAF while I'm in bed when I wake up) to see discussions, updates for stuff, new announcements and leaks etc but I haven't really played a game properly (ie been invested in it properly) for ages. We're talking possibly a year or two.

It might be because I live with my girlfriend and the time after we finish work seems to be "us time", but even when she's not here I don't actually feel that much of an urge to play video games.

Am I "growing out of" video games? Is that even a thing? Literally a couple of years ago I was the type to do all-nighters playing stuff like FIFA and Battlefield 4. Last thing I did was do a full playthrough of Half Life 2 over the space of about 2 weeks.

I don't even know what this post is... I'm starting to feel a bit confused. I don't even know why I come here if I don't play games anymore.

Help? Please?

It seems you're just a casual gamer who plays only fifa and cod/bf. It makes sense if that's the case. Age, job, kids shouldn't impact gaming, besides time limitation.

 

[Shmunter]

I suggest trying Death Stranding if able....

Things were feeling quite monotonous for me there for awhile till I broke out of my comfort zone and experienced something different.

 

[Shut0wen]

It depends on what your wanting to play, from the games you mentioned there pretty competitive, which isnt a problem as long as your someone who doesnt get to frustrated while playing online games but I went through a phase of this which lasted 2 years, i would check for game news everyday while never playing any of the games which i think looked good, at this time i was pretty social, was always out with friends, worked and had a girlfriend. Then i got a switch for xmas and played mario obysessey, finished it in 3-4 days and would start to play games from time to time for about 6 months after completing mario then it got to a point where id game for about 3 hours a day and now i game for about 4 hours to 5 hours somedays while giving up afew days to spend time with my girlfriend, honestly i think its all about playing a game you think you'd enjoy that relights that spark for gaming, for me it was mario obysessey and even breath of the wild as well even though before hand i liked playing competitive games such as halo, gears 5 and even battlefield 4 (2bd fav bf since bad company 2) but now i dont even play that many multiplayer games like i used to, last one i played was gears 5 afew months ago but since the last game you played was half life 2 id recommend going for a single player game and sricking with them type of games for awhile, i hope you find your spark again OP

 

[KungFucius]

I suggest trying Death Stranding if able....

Things were feeling quite monotonous for me there for awhile till I broke out of my comfort zone and experienced something different.

That game made me drop gaming for months and I gave it a good 8 hours or so. I wouldn't risk playing something so many people hated.

If you don't have the urge to play, don't. Then when you start to think maybe, pick up some new Hardware and jump in again.

 

[Shmunter]

That game made me drop gaming for months and I gave it a good 8 hours or so. I wouldn't risk playing something so many people hated.

If you don't have the urge to play, don't. Then when you start to think maybe, pick up some new Hardware and jump in again.

It’s a testament to the potency of the title in how strong the reactions can be, and how polarising the opinions are. If it clicks, it’s a gamer life changer. If it doesn’t, you can attest to it.

 

[Whoateallthepies]

Buy Gamepass and have access to a huge library of games to mess around with. Plus it is considered the best deal in gaming, so you won't be out a lot when you decide to quite gaming yet again.

Plus it pisses the Ponies off, so there is that.

 

[Shmunter]

Buy Gamepass and have access to a huge library of games to mess around with. Plus it is considered the best deal in gaming, so you won't be out a lot when you decide to quite gaming yet again.

Plus it pisses the Ponies off, so there is that.

Haven’t you heard? PSNOW offers the best value in gaming now, there’s even a thread about it. Gamepass is so yesterday, likely to get cancelled.

 

[Mattyp]

Life priorities is all it comes down to, megadrive - 360 I gamed non stop, hours upon hours bought hundreds of games for each system. Then I had to get a job, then I started a business, then I had to deal with clients, then I had the misses, then we had to build the dream house. Only now probably 5 years later with my own games room and the (third forever house) am I finally setting time aside for it again.

People saying age, job, kids etc shouldn't impact gaming don't work 16 hour days. It has nothing to do with my age, (I'm only 30) and recently had our first kid and game now more then ever. Each and everyone of us has different life circumstances in their life that impact us differently. If you truely love gaming, when the time is right again you will flow back into it like your 12 years old all over again. Just hang tight for now.

(first non troll post in awhile please forgive me Kojima)

 

[Spaceman292]

Funny thing I just noticed that I come to this damn forum (it's a good forum) every single day (religiously open up GAF while I'm in bed when I wake up) to see discussions, updates for stuff, new announcements and leaks etc but I haven't really played a game properly (ie been invested in it properly) for ages. We're talking possibly a year or two.

It might be because I live with my girlfriend and the time after we finish work seems to be "us time", but even when she's not here I don't actually feel that much of an urge to play video games.

Am I "growing out of" video games? Is that even a thing? Literally a couple of years ago I was the type to do all-nighters playing stuff like FIFA and Battlefield 4. Last thing I did was do a full playthrough of Half Life 2 over the space of about 2 weeks.

I don't even know what this post is... I'm starting to feel a bit confused. I don't even know why I come here if I don't play games anymore.

Help? Please?

Try playing a video game instead of reading a load of cynical idiots complaining about them.

 

[niveaformen]

Funny thing I just noticed that I come to this damn forum (it's a good forum) every single day (religiously open up GAF while I'm in bed when I wake up) to see discussions, updates for stuff, new announcements and leaks etc but I haven't really played a game properly (ie been invested in it properly) for ages. We're talking possibly a year or two.

It might be because I live with my girlfriend and the time after we finish work seems to be "us time", but even when she's not here I don't actually feel that much of an urge to play video games.

Am I "growing out of" video games? Is that even a thing? Literally a couple of years ago I was the type to do all-nighters playing stuff like FIFA and Battlefield 4. Last thing I did was do a full playthrough of Half Life 2 over the space of about 2 weeks.

I don't even know what this post is... I'm starting to feel a bit confused. I don't even know why I come here if I don't play games anymore.

Help? Please?

Don't force yourself to if you're not feeling it. And if you're getting enjoyment out of this forum without actually gaming, no problemo, as you know gaming isn't the only thing discussed on here.

 

[Ellery]

I think there are a lot of factors at play here. It is normal depending on the job, relationship and girlfriend. It naturally comes with getting older and moving to the part of life where you feel like all you do is organizing one thing or the other or being in routines half the day. The other part is substitutes like smartphones and video streaming services that keep us mindlessly entertained with even fewer actions required and goes better hand in hand with being lazy which comes easier after a day of work. And it also doesn't trigger FOMO, because when people watch Netflix what they actually do is checking their phone the entire movie to make sure they are not missing out. When you are gaming you get put in a dilemma between using the controller which requires your attention and your phone requiring your attention and people don't want to miss the newest post on social media or friends' chatgroups.

All that leads to not giving games a fair shot and the best way would be to make some "you time" where you don't let any outside factors disturb you while gaming and leaving the comfort zone to play new games that feel fresh would probably greatly increase the enjoyment as well.

When I am in these situations I find the easiest way for me is to just put in a game I might be interested in and play for a while until I either decide the game isn't for me or I find myself loving the game and looking forward to playing it again.

 

[Fugitive Sex]

What are your other interests?

 

[German Hops]

Currently my love for PC gaming is starting to dwindle. My first addiction started with Runescape back when I was 15 and it expanded ever since. I used PC mainly for MMOs like WoW, Rift and everything after that. Soon though MMOs began to lose their flavor with me, it became all the same thing. Action combat helped remedy it only temporarily.

I soon got into steam. With a vast library of games I wondered why I even want Ps4? Only thing I needed was a Wii U to play my favorite Nintendo games and I was set? But I soon discovered the vast library of steam didn't interest me. I could play Diablo 3 on PC but I miss the days of sitting on my couch playing my Ps2 with Digimon adventure (lol) and now I just started doing that with my Wii U playing games that I haven't touched in awhile like MK8 and having a blast. I haven't touched my PC for gaming in awhile after the awful port of FF13-2 and just not being interested in GW2 anymore.

I'm currently debating if I should blow 1200 on a good gaming PC or just pick a Ps5. There are games on the Ps4 I want like the Tales series, Final fantasy and Diablo - all of which can be played on PC (but crappy ports except diablo) but it's significantly cheaper and less investment for the same experience. I'm not entirely sure how or why PC gaming stuck with me in the first place.

 

[cormack12]

It's easier and less effort to open GAF then fire up the consoles, pick a game and then start concentrating. You need to ifnd a 'pick up and play' type of game that's 'comfy' - no thinking but has a nice grind loop. And make use of suspend/resume or quick resume where you can so you're right back in the action. Ultimately though, we all feel like this at some point. If nothing is biting just give it a month off.

 

[Soodanim]

Currently my love for PC gaming is starting to dwindle. My first addiction started with Runescape back when I was 15 and it expanded ever since. I used PC mainly for MMOs like WoW, Rift and everything after that. Soon though MMOs began to lose their flavor with me, it became all the same thing. Action combat helped remedy it only temporarily.

I soon got into steam. With a vast library of games I wondered why I even want Ps4? Only thing I needed was a Wii U to play my favorite Nintendo games and I was set? But I soon discovered the vast library of steam didn't interest me. I could play Diablo 3 on PC but I miss the days of sitting on my couch playing my Ps2 with Digimon adventure (lol) and now I just started doing that with my Wii U playing games that I haven't touched in awhile like MK8 and having a blast. I haven't touched my PC for gaming in awhile after the awful port of FF13-2 and just not being interested in GW2 anymore.

I'm currently debating if I should blow 1200 on a good gaming PC or just pick a Ps5. There are games on the Ps4 I want like the Tales series, Final fantasy and Diablo - all of which can be played on PC (but crappy ports except diablo) but it's significantly cheaper and less investment for the same experience. I'm not entirely sure how or why PC gaming stuck with me in the first place.

Right now I feel a similar way.

I got into PC for the 60fps life etc, but over the years the advantages have started to drop somewhat with launchers everywhere, and at the same time consoles have jumped forward with super fast loading, support for things like HDR and 120hz as well as 60fps modes becoming far more common. These advances in the console space are a bigger leap than previous generations, and the convenience is at an all time high.

Then you throw in other things like how backwards compatibility is improving older games, and that’s half the PC advantages right there. PC will always be the best of the best, but it’s not so much a gap between the platform types as a weirdly shaped overlap, where PC isn’t even winning at everything. I’m still waiting on Tony Hawk to come to Steam because I’m not installing Epic’s shit launcher, and it might never come. That’s something I don’t have to worry about with a console, and it goes for Origin, Ubisoft, Rockstar, and whoever else that thought it would be a great idea for their company to have a launcher.

I am confident that I could pick up an Xbox Series X or PS5 today and be content, given the sheer amount of BC stuff they’ve been doing.

 

[ZywyPL]

Don't force it if you don't feel it. I do think it all has a lot to do with aging, where A) a lot of daily duties are present, meaning less time for pleasure, and B) you start appreciating many more different things than video games within that lesser free time, leaving even less for gaming. There's nothing wrong with being in touch with the latest news on a daily basis and only playing occasionally whenever there's a game that really, REALLY interests you.

 

[nerdface]

For me there was a time when videogames were an immersive experience. Much like reading a book, I was on an adventure! Open world games, story, petting dogs!

These days it’s all about gameplay. I prefer to just skip past all the bullshit, and get to the meal. I like rogue-likes, and other arcade like games with a fast start, and I don’t mind a game over.

There was a time in the middle of those last two paragraphs where I wasn’t that good or interested in gameplay yet, but had lost interest in the magic.

Maybe you’re just between paragraphs?

 

[nerdface]

Oh, and I’m probably gonna get laughed at, but as far as the gf thing?

I sit on the couch next to mine while she watches the trashiest reality tv on the planet. I’m running rifts or another hades run, while she’s watching 90 day fiancé with no complaining from me.

Switch is pretty convenient with suspend/resume too. I can pop in for a quick 20-30 min, set it down and make dinner or whatever. It’s a good platform to integrate gaming into life.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Games today are unbelievable.

 

[Kliptik81]

I understand this feeling all too well. I played a tons of games in my teens, 20s and into my 30s.
Now, I am married, have two kids and just don't have the time (or shall I say, make the time) for gaming. Life, responsibilities ect all play into this. As strange as it may sound, my gaming area is not comfortable, its is my living room with kids toys all over the plays, and sometimes I find it hard to feel immersed with the game. Making the "time for us" with the wife plays into it as well. Even when I have free time, I find it hard to get sucked into a game now (last one was Final Fantasy VII Remake)

Someone mentioned how Game Pass can help, while true, I also find it hurts my drive to play. There are so many games at my fingertips that I struggle to decide what to play. I spend more time browsing the menu then playing (Similar to Netflix) When I was younger, I would have 1 or 2 systems and maybe 15 games total, so while my choices were limited, I become more invested in those games.

My advice, like others have said...
- Don't force it.
- Find a game you have fond memories of, play that.
- Try playing shorter games (easier to finish and feel that satisfaction of completion)
- Have fun with it.

 

[Kliptik81]

It's easier and less effort to open GAF then fire up the consoles, pick a game and then start concentrating. You need to ifnd a 'pick up and play' type of game that's 'comfy' - no thinking but has a nice grind loop. And make use of suspend/resume or quick resume where you can so you're right back in the action. Ultimately though, we all feel like this at some point. If nothing is biting just give it a month off.

OMG, Quick resume is the greatest feature of this new console gen. I'm playing Tales of Vesperia and to just go to the menu > suspend the game, then be able to pick right up where I left off a day or two later is amazing. No waiting for save points, no Home menu, loading screens etc. I love this feature.

 

[Daymos]

I picked 1 genre and started a mission to try and master it.

My wife plays video games too though so 'us' time is usually playing video games or watching media that relates to video games.

 

[hemo memo]

Well, this gen is fantastic for people like me with limited time and I have pretty much only turn off my PS5 twice an one was because the wife turned off the plug by mistake. rest mode all the way and with how fast it is and how fast loading in games it is indeed the best feature of this gen. Believe me it sounds ridiculous but it adds up big time. I mean I saved so much time on fast travel with Valhalla that I could probably finish an indie game with that time.

Personally, I lose interest fast regarding gaming so the key to shift between games especially with how long games these days. But again, last gen my big fight with gaming was actually waiting for things to load and how long it takes to get to the game you want to play. Microsoft and Sony really delivered this gen regarding this.

 

[Nehezir]

how old are you?

 

[Bernkastel]

Think about it and find out a way

 

[sublimit]

So you're interested in gaming news but you don't care about playing the actual games? Welcome to gaming journalism!

 

[Kokoloko85]

Happens to me all the time. I go through stages of not playing and then playing. Id still come on neogaf though and wanna know what the latest gaming news is lol.

Whether you play or not, don’t let it make you think you don’t or cant enjoy games at the right time. And doesnt mean you have to always be playing games, or even months at a time. Ive gone a year without playing.

Its hard when you have a partner too.

Sometimes I just wanna watch movies or a tv series, or just youtube. Heck sometimes I just watch a walking video on youtube while I write, read or unwind

I took a few weeks off and now Im playing Panzer Dragoon Saga and Yakuza Zero. When I just want a quick game Ill play either Stardew Valley, Life is strange 2 or COD.
Make a list of games you wanna play, quick games and long games and when you feel like playing play them.

Enjoy and take a break whenever. I barely played anything end of the PS2 generation. Start of PS3 and 360 generation. And Took 6 months off before PS5

 

[Ten_Fold]

For me I thought I was out of gaming due to social life, but I think I was trying to force myself to play certain games on the PS4 an I just didn’t like any of them besides bloodborne, I enjoy the switch, BOTW, Mario Odyssey, 3D world, BD2, xenoblade. Keep me busy. I’m just waiting on my series X to enjoy some gamepass.

 

[_Ex_]

As you get older, and take on more adult responsibilities (like a live-in girlfriend), gaming becomes a luxury rather than a standby. You'll have to make sacrifices, like get less sleep, to keep gaming. Or don't fuck off on the internet as much, which is my problem these days.

 

[PlayStaytion]

Quit youtube and other multi purpose platforms like Facebook etc... , focus on your hobby and its dedicated social media platform cause otherwise you'll waste a lot of time and it's never been satisfying upto this date , time is valuable even if you don't acknowledge it and always want to kill it , I did it myself and it felt like I was reborn again.

 

[LordBlodgett]

I'm 40 and have kids, so obviously gaming is a luxury for me. I don't get a ton of time to do it. I just replace time that I would be watching TV (usually after the kids go to bed) with time gaming. One important change for me has been to realize that I have limited time so don't waste it on games that I'm not having fun with. With Gamepass I try a game, and if it's boring I try something different, until something clicks

 

[nightmare-slain]

take a break. go read a book. binge some tv shows. watch movies. go out long walks. exercise. work extra hours. learn a new skill. find a new hobby. do anything but play games.

eventually you’ll come back to the games or realise it’s just not for you anymore.

 

[Moonjt9]

Play Dark Souls. No I’m not joking.

 

[MiguelItUp]

There is SO much at your finger tips these days, especially solid free titles. I think the most important thing is trying to figure out IF you're in the mood to play something, figure out what it may be. I say that meaning genre-wise. I've had moments where I just don't touch anything, but then I go all in.

It's been off and on for me the past few years. Unfortunately a lot of the "big" games just don't interest me, but every once in awhile a game is announced or released that I'm super into and I put a ton of time into. Even if it's just a couple of hours a day.

I've been living with my GF for the last 3ish years, and while there are almost always things to do around the house and other responsibilities. If you REALLY want to play video games or do anything else at all, you'll make time for them. I'd just recommend focusing more on scheduling if anything, as lame as it sounds. It's helped me with keeping a workout schedule, video game time, streaming, and chores.

 

[namekuseijin]

looks like you need VR

 

[Faithless83]

Funny thing I just noticed that I come to this damn forum (it's a good forum) every single day (religiously open up GAF while I'm in bed when I wake up) to see discussions, updates for stuff, new announcements and leaks etc but I haven't really played a game properly (ie been invested in it properly) for ages. We're talking possibly a year or two.

It might be because I live with my girlfriend and the time after we finish work seems to be "us time", but even when she's not here I don't actually feel that much of an urge to play video games.

Am I "growing out of" video games? Is that even a thing? Literally a couple of years ago I was the type to do all-nighters playing stuff like FIFA and Battlefield 4. Last thing I did was do a full playthrough of Half Life 2 over the space of about 2 weeks.

I don't even know what this post is... I'm starting to feel a bit confused. I don't even know why I come here if I don't play games anymore.

Help? Please?

You sound like you lack motivation to do something for yourself.
Gaming, funny as it may sound, requires at least a bit of dedication.

Coming here is easy, no commitment required at all. Gaming, once you break it into parts, it's like another job with it's own chores and rewards.

I do gravitate to some arcade games lately, even though I know my single player backlog is huge, I just don't have the energy required lately.

I need to get back to Demon's Souls but I found myself playing Rocket League with my friends last night (and I'm not that into RL, I just wanted to laugh a bit).

You described 2 multiplayer games, which were easy to drop in and out. Maybe it's not gaming, it's you.

 

[Josemayuste]

Funny thing I just noticed that I come to this damn forum (it's a good forum) every single day (religiously open up GAF while I'm in bed when I wake up) to see discussions, updates for stuff, new announcements and leaks etc but I haven't really played a game properly (ie been invested in it properly) for ages. We're talking possibly a year or two.

It might be because I live with my girlfriend and the time after we finish work seems to be "us time", but even when she's not here I don't actually feel that much of an urge to play video games.

Am I "growing out of" video games? Is that even a thing? Literally a couple of years ago I was the type to do all-nighters playing stuff like FIFA and Battlefield 4. Last thing I did was do a full playthrough of Half Life 2 over the space of about 2 weeks.

I don't even know what this post is... I'm starting to feel a bit confused. I don't even know why I come here if I don't play games anymore.

Help? Please?

Stop reading gaming forums, stop buying games by following gaming trends, try to search for any game/genres that you are not used to, find one that you really like or gets your attention.

I did it 2010, that game was called: Demon's Souls

I dit it in 2002 too, with Morrowind.

Neither of them were trends among friends or stuff, they laughed at me for playing those 'clunky and ugly games', now the whole gaming world is laughing at them.

Good luck OP.