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[Duplolas]

Queue Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

I am making this post as somewhat of a cry for help.

I don't want to give you all the long sob story about how video games were an escape growing up as a kid and all that bull shit. We all have heard it before or have experienced it ourselves.

Video games are part of all of our lives and have shaped who we have become today. However, now that I am older, video games feel different to me.

It isn't that I have lost the sense of wonder that I get from playing a great game. I still get hyped over new releases. I still can talk about the games I like with the intensity that I had as a kid. I still can binge-play games for hours and hours. But at the end of the day, I just feel kinda... empty?

It's not like playing Halo 3 every day as a kid left me with immense gratification or anything, but I didn't feel what I feel now. If anything, the best word to describe how I felt at the end of a gaming session as a kid is "neutral." Neutral however is a lot different than empty.

So the question is, why has this feeling changed? Is it just because I have gotten older and more bitter or is it because the quality of the typical games I keep in my daily rotation has gotten worse?

I am just curious to hear some thoughts from some fellow gamers about how video games impact them now that they have grown up. I don't actually expect to be able to answer my question. I know it is a large combination of many variables, but maybe hearing from you guys might at least cheer me up a little.

 

[LegendofLex]

What games were your favorites when you were a kid?

What games do you play now?

When was the last time you played a game that felt like something you played when you were a kid?

 

[McDougles]

 

[Peltz]

Sounds like you need to look for genuine fulfillment in your life. Videogames aren't it.

 

[Fou-Lu]

First question I am going to ask: do you mostly play games in the same genre/style?

Second question: is it just games or are you feeling empty in life in general?

 

[Combichristoffersen]

Games haven't gotten worse, but changing interests are part of growing up. I rarely play any games at all anymore, as my tastes have narrowed as I got older, and there's just less games that interest me. Find some other hobby that gives you that spark of excitement and joy?

 

[III-V]

My personal experience is that I go through phases over the years, sometimes I don't give a crap for a year or more, and then all of a sudden, I am back in like crazy. Don't force it OP, just take it easy and when something sparks your interest, jump back in for a bit of fun.

 

[CountAntonius]

Sounds like you need to look for genuine fulfillment in your life. Videogames aren't it.

Agreed. You just want more out of life now and games won't satisfy that need.

 

[Grimsen]

I mean, games haven't changed much at all since Halo 3.

Sorry man, I think you've changed. It's not necessarily a bad thing, though.

 

[Already Torn]

Have you played Bloodborne?

 

[IISANDERII]

Queue Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

I am making this post as somewhat of a cry for help.

I don't want to give you all the long sob story about how video games were an escape growing up as a kid and all that bull shit. We all have heard it before or have experienced it ourselves.

Video games are part of all of our lives and have shaped who we have become today. However, now that I am older, video games feel different to me.

It isn't that I have lost the sense of wonder that I get from playing a great game. I still get hyped over new releases. I still can talk about the games I like with the intensity that I had as a kid. I still can binge-play games for hours and hours. But at the end of the day, I just feel kinda... empty?

It's not like playing Halo 3 every day as a kid left me with immense gratification or anything, but I didn't feel what I feel now. If anything, the best word to describe how I felt at the end of a gaming session as a kid is "neutral." Neutral however is a lot different than empty.

So the question is, why has this feeling changed? Is it just because I have gotten older and more bitter or is it because the quality of the typical games I keep in my daily rotation has gotten worse?

I am just curious to hear some thoughts from some fellow gamers about how video games impact them now that they have grown up. I don't actually expect to be able to answer my question. I know it is a large combination of many variables, but maybe hearing from you guys might at least cheer me up a little.

You've experienced more in life and now recognize that there are other things which are far more enjoyable, fulfilling, pleasurable and entertaining.

 

[James Scott]

2016 has been a rather slow year for games, I think.
Try new genres or don't buy games as often.
Burn out happens every once in awhile

 

[Duplolas]

What games were your favorites when you were a kid?

What games do you play now?

When was the last time you played a game that felt like something you played when you were a kid?

I played shooters as a kid like Halo, Call of Duty, and Battlefield mixed with story driven games like Oblivion, and then a majority of the primary Nintendo games. That was on a day to day basis.

Currently I play Battlefield 1, Overwatch, Rocket League and Hearthstone on a day to day basis. I do mix in story driven games when they come around, but nothing has been on my radar since Fallout 4 and Dark Souls 3.

And I don't know... At some point things just... changed.

 

[Bahorel]

Sounds like you're not feeling any emotions from the games you play, and finding games that seem to elicit emotional responses from the majority of players could help test if games can make you feel something again. Have you tried Inside yet? Also Stanley Parable and Beginners Guide definitely left a mental impact on me as well.

 

[GamerJM]

The answer is probably both. Gaming as a medium changes on a year-to-year basis and there really are some games that are just so unique that nothing else has captured what made it great since. However, you also change as a person and as a result your taste in games or enjoyment of them has probably changed to some degree.

 

[Manmademan]

Sounds like you need to look for genuine fulfillment in your life. Videogames aren't it.

going to third this one.

 

[LegendofLex]

I played shooters as a kid like Halo, Call of Duty, and Battlefield mixed with story driven games like Oblivion, and then a majority of the primary Nintendo games. That was on a day to day basis.

Currently I play Battlefield 1, Overwatch, Rocket League and Hearthstone on a day to day basis. I do mix in story driven games when they come around, but nothing has been on my radar since Fallout 4 and Dark Souls 3.

And I don't know... At some point things just... changed.

I'm assuming the sense of wonder and amazement didn't come from the shooters.

If that's the case, I think a big part of your lack of wonderment is that most primary Nintendo games (i.e. not produced by subsidiaries) haven't made any significant efforts in the wonderment department since 2007. I can count the ones that are really imaginative on one hand.

But, really, try doing something else with your time. You might be surprised at where your longing will take you once you get bored of childhood hobbies.

 

[Dylan]

Everything sucks more when you grow up.

Games.
TV.
Movies.
Music.

Enjoy the sex while that lasts too.


That's just life. Try to do things that make you proud of having gotten out of bed in the morning. Use entertainment to fill the gaps around those other things.

 

[Duplolas]

My personal experience is that I go through phases over the years, sometimes I don't give a crap for a year or more, and then all of a sudden, I am back in like crazy. Don't force it OP, just take it easy and when something sparks your interest, jump back in for a bit of fun.

Thanks for your input man. That makes me feel a bit better.

First question I am going to ask: do you mostly play games in the same genre/style?

Second question: is it just games or are you feeling empty in life in general?

I am feeling a bit more empty in life in general... I guess maybe it isn't that video games aren't making me feel empty, they just aren't giving me the fulfillment I used to have.

Sounds like you're not feeling any emotions from the games you play, and finding games that seem to elicit emotional responses from the majority of players could help test if games can make you feel something again. Have you tried Inside yet? Also Stanley Parable and Beginners Guide definitely left a mental impact on me as well.

I have played Stanley Parable and it was an amazing experience for me. It really made an impact on me too. But what I am really more talking about is the daily cycle games.

However, I haven't played Beginners Guide and will look that up right now.

I'm assuming the sense of wonder and amazement didn't come from the shooters.

If that's the case, I think a big part of your lack of wonderment is that most primary Nintendo games (i.e. not produced by subsidiaries) haven't made any significant efforts in the wonderment department since 2007. I can count the ones that are really imaginative on one hand.

But, really, try doing something else with your time. You might be surprised at where your longing will take you once you get bored of childhood hobbies.

Well, it isn't that games as a kid ever really gave me a sense of wonder an awe. I mean, sure they did, but what I am more so talking about is how shooters and the other games gave me a sense of fulfillment I guess. Something that made the day to day grind less annoying. Now they just pass the time and don't make me feel any less shitty.

 

[mjc]

Just stick with whatever you like doing. Its fine if you fall out of games.

 

[PAULINK]

play overwatch and then you will experience true addiction

 

[Movalpolos]

Nothing ever changes, we live in a static world.

 

[Quonny]

It's mostly you.

Best thing I did was take a break. I just stopped playing games for six months when I moved a couple years back. Played the occasional League of Legends game with a friend, but that was it.

After that six months I was back to loving games again.

 

[Fou-Lu]

I have actually found myself enjoying games more and more as I get older oddly enough. I keep expecting myself to get bored or lose interest but I think it's going to be a life long passion for me.

Judging by your posts I would try to play some different games, maybe some more single player focused games. See how it works out. I personally can't do the daily cycle thing anymore either. It's just not for me. Otherwise it sounds like you might just need some change in your life in general, maybe even talk to a councillor?

 

[DrFunk]

War has changed too

 

[GamerJM]

But, really, try doing something else with your time. You might be surprised at where your longing will take you once you get bored of childhood hobbies.

I wish there was something in life I enjoyed anywhere near as much as video games. I've tried reading, writing, hiking, programming, movies, music, sports, lots of other things, none of them compare at all to games to me, which really sucks when there's a lull in game releases I care about or during times when I haven't really been feeling games in general.

 

[More_Badass]

Maybe you just need to try out different genres and games?

 

[x3sphere]

nah, I've been playing games since I was 4 years old, 28 now and the magic is still there for me.

Some franchises have had their ups and downs but every year there's always several games that really impress me.

 

[Warablo]

Sounds like depression to me.

Sounds like you need to look for genuine fulfillment in your life. Videogames aren't it.

 

[Duplolas]

I wish there was something in life I enjoyed anywhere near as much as video games. I've tried reading, writing, hiking, programming, movies, music, sports, lots of other things, none of them compare at all to games to me, which really sucks when there's a lull in game releases I care about or during times when I haven't really been feeling games in general.

I feel you.

Sounds like depression to me.

I definitely am depressed.

 

[Joyful]

games are better than ever

 

[Toad.T]

Have you had any pre-exsisting behavioral conditions? Like some days you'll feel up, and other days down? I've been going through very similar feelings as you lately, but realized that my conditions are probably playing a big part as to how I felt about things. Maybe it's the same for you?

EDIT: Guess you answered that as I was typing, NVM.

 

[Duplolas]

Sounds like you need to look for genuine fulfillment in your life. Videogames aren't it.

You're completely right. I do need some sort of genuine fulfillment, but video games used to be a way to compensate for the lack there of.

Now they don't at all

 

[MoonFrog]

Last generation going into this generation made me a very bitter gamer. PS3 wasn't PS2: MGS, Final Fantasy, Japan Studio, Sony platformers, etc. all didn't deliver or died. BioWare lost its OG Xbox magic. Metroid died. Fire Emblem sold its soul. Wii U flopped. I felt increasingly pushed into Nintendo and Nintendo fell on harder times.

Meanwhile, Civ V couldn't replace Civ IV, RTS dried up, PC oriented games became consolified in depressing ways, etc.

I was becoming very bitter about my hobby and it all came to a head with that Federation Force trailer. That pushed me online. Then the internet's general lack of rational discourse led me to GAF. Here, I found new games to try, mostly old classics but also new releases, and that has reinvigorated my hobby. Being open to trying new things that don't fit the mold of the gaming you dislike, but which, nevertheless, you'd overlooked--that is the change in me that made me positive towards my hobby again.

I'd suggest you open your gaming heart and mind a little, go back some generations or so as need be and try new games.

 

[KevMan1815]

playing Halo 3 every day as a kid

Yeesh. That makes me feel old!

 

[PSqueak]

Well, it's a bit of both, perhaps you're not playing the right games.

Are you too into the AAA scene? Maybe you need some lesser tier games or just something completely different in tone.

Last week i sank like 5 hours into Saints Rows 4 and had a blast just fucking around in town doing little side objectives and generally laughing my ass off. I don't think i even advanced the story missions, the city was my toy box.

 

[Bahorel]

I wish there was something in life I enjoyed anywhere near as much as video games. I've tried reading, writing, hiking, programming, movies, music, sports, lots of other things, none of them compare at all to games to me, which really sucks when there's a lull in game releases I care about or during times when I haven't really been feeling games in general.

There are few things that seem to engage and challenge you as much as games. They grab you mentally, visually, aurally, tangibly, they give you places to explore that can only exist fictitiously. To people who don't understand video games I try to describe it in this way, to explain why we as gamers want to spend so much time with them. It makes sense. I don't really think it's a mark of ineptitude that it feels better than the real world at times. Escapism at its finest.

I too understand the fatigue that op is feeling though, but I chalk it up more to my depression than the games I play. For me I suppose it helps recently that I have hardly any time to play, it feels like a treat when I can finally sit down with one.

 

[The Beard]

Wow, so you went from the Everest'esque heights of feeling neutral after a gaming sesh, to feeling empty now?

What a drastic shift.

 

[Duplolas]

Last generation going into this generation made me a very bitter gamer. PS3 wasn't PS2: MGS, Final Fantasy, Japan Studio, Sony platformers, etc. all didn't deliver or died. BioWare lost its OG Xbox magic. Metroid died. Fire Emblem sold its soul. Wii U flopped. I felt increasingly pushed into Nintendo and Nintendo fell on harder times.

Meanwhile, Civ V couldn't replace Civ IV, RTS dried up, PC oriented games became consolified in depressing ways, etc.

I was becoming very bitter about my hobby and it all came to a head with that Federation Force trailer. That pushed me online. Then the internet's general lack of rational discourse led me to GAF. Here, I found new games to try, mostly old classics but also new releases, and that has reinvigorated my hobby. Being open to trying new things that don't fit the mold of the gaming you dislike, but which, nevertheless, you'd overlooked--that is the change in me that made me positive towards my hobby again.

I'd suggest you open your gaming heart and mind a little, go back some generations or so as need be and try new games.

Thanks for posting.

I definitely can relate to everything you have said, just with a difference of one generation of consoles. I always am open to try new games, but as time has gone on I have felt almost pushed into playing a daily routine.

I didn't always have a daily routine of video games. I did as a kid and then right around senior year of high school (4 years ago) I started switching things up and tried a whole bunch of games every week. Now I am back to a routine. I don't know what has caused it, but the more I think about it, the more I think that might be a cause of my "emptiness" (not including the general depression I already have).

I think I just need to push myself to try new games, whether they be old or new, and just get rid of my current routine.

 

[Bahorel]

I feel you.



I definitely am depressed.

As someone who is currently trying to go through depression sans medication, it really does help to go outside and leave the screen behind for a bit. And I don't mean go stand outside your apartment but take yourself somewhere where you can have a nice view. In November I felt so low I was a danger to myself but I went down to the coast and hiked and watched the sunset and then went to a nice place to eat and it helped. Giving yourself little experiences to outside of your daily routine can help you feel something.

 

[kamineko]

Landslide was a nice touch, TC.

There's definitely been a tidal effect for me over the years. In some phases of my life I have more intensity about gaming than others.

I think it's only natural.

I also think depression takes the pleasure out of everything. I think in my worst times, gaming has been a welcome distraction rather than a genuinely "fun" thing.

If you think you might be clinically depressed, I encourage you to look into treating your condition. That can be a frustration in and of itself, but it's productive action.

 

[Duplolas]

As someone who is currently trying to go through depression sans medication, it really does help to go outside and leave the screen behind for a bit. And I don't mean go stand outside your apartment but take yourself somewhere where you can have a nice view. In November I felt so low I was a danger to myself but I went down to the coast and hiked and watched the sunset and then went to a nice place to eat and it helped. Giving yourself little experiences to outside of your daily routine can help you feel something.

Thanks for the advice and for opening up. It really does make me feel better knowing there are other people out their struggling with this kinda stupid situation.

I think in my worst times, gaming has been a welcome distraction rather than a genuinely "fun" thing.

That is a really good way of putting it. Also, thank you for the encouragement. I am already medicated, but even then, shit still just sucks sometimes. Ya know?

 

[Iva Demilcol]

whynotboth.jpg

even pixel art today is different of what it used to be during the NES and SNES eras (during my childhood)

 

[The Albatross]

"It's not like playing Halo 3 as a kid..."

Just wait, friend.

Truth is, both have changed, in some ways for the better, in some ways for the worse.

 

[Freshmaker]

I've found that over time, I don't have the time or the interest for playing a ton of games. This year has been an anomaly for me personally in this regard. I've been playing a lot of games for whatever reason.

For years before that I was content playing a handful of games and largely ignoring the industry and the games it was was cranking out.I still don't care about the AAA stuff at all.

And op, you're not wrong. Games are an inherently empty experience. You accomplish nothing tangible there is little to no external reward for winning a random game much less a single player one. Any gratification you get from such an experience can only come from you.

So just from my experience, I'd suggest just focusing on the games you truly enjoy and leave the others on the shelf unless you're completely sure you're going to find the experience worthwhile.

 

[Yasumi]

When you were a kid, games were a big thing, something you only got every so often, as an occasional gift from your parents. They were an event, and you were going to wring as much enjoyment from it as you could.

You're probably earning more money than you did back then, you can buy pretty much anything you want to play, whenever you want. You're spoilt for choice, you have a backlog, and you've got much more context for what a good game is.

I'd recommend just focusing on a single game at a time, take down that backlog piece-by-piece. Set aside some time during the day and make it an event for yourself again.

 

[Peltz]

You're completely right. I do need some sort of genuine fulfillment, but video games used to be a way to compensate for the lack there of.

Now they don't at all

Hey man, we've all been there. And playing video games are good at giving us a false sense of accomplishment. I have personally felt that way many times in my life.

Don't be hard on yourself about it. Take a break, go outside and just start by talking to real people. Friends, loved ones, strangers, etc. That is always the best way to get outside your own head.

And just know, you're really not alone. As crazy a place as this is, GAF has your back.

 

[Mephala]

It is you. You need a break. Consider gaming as a hobby and consider your other hobbies and the ratio of time spent on each over a short recent period. You need some balance so you don't burn yourself out on one thing you enjoy.

Take some time out, clear your head and expectations. Get your mind focused on other things for a bit. Come back fresh. Maybe grab some Nintendo games for a change of pace too.

 

[SolVanderlyn]

It's both.

Your circumstances change, your brain chemistry changes (in the situation you're describing), you as a person grow and come to have a different perspective on life and look for different things to fulfill you. Games are also constantly changing. There are certain constants, but the landscape is as different as you are.

My advice is to take a break and come back later, but don't expect to relive your past experiences. Approach the hobby with an open mind, or you'll always be chasing the dragon (I know that's usually used for like, drug addiction, but you get the idea)

 

[karnage10]

I might be projecting my job but id ask how is your sleep and your sexual appetite. If you feel those changed alongside your "passion" for gaming id suspect a depression and recomend you see a better prepared physician.