Anyone else have no interest in video games anymore?
Discussion
I grew up with the Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Sega Master system, Super Nintendo, PC, Play Station, Game Cube, Game Boy, Wii etc.
From the ages of around ten to early 20s I was obsessed with video games, I would spend virtually every waking minute either playing them, reading about them or thinking about them.
Then in my early 30s I just stopped playing them, the last game I purchased was Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.
About three years ago I decided to get back into it, purchased a gaming laptop and a Logitech steering wheel and pedals. I put hundreds of hours into F1, Assetto Corsa, All the Battlefield Games and all the new Call of Duty Games. I loved them so much that I would just play Battlefield 3 and 4 campaigns over and over again. I could not believe how amazing the games were to play, especially compared to the sort of things I played as a child on my Commodore 64.
Then about a year ago I noticed I wasn't playing them much, and when I forced myself to play them I would get frustrated after 15 minutes and turn it off. I tried to buy some new games to see if that was the issue, but again I got frustrated and just stopped playing.
I have just realised it is over three months since I played anything. Teenage me would have been blown away with how great these games are, now I can't be bothered to even play them.
Anyone else feel like this?
From the ages of around ten to early 20s I was obsessed with video games, I would spend virtually every waking minute either playing them, reading about them or thinking about them.
Then in my early 30s I just stopped playing them, the last game I purchased was Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.
About three years ago I decided to get back into it, purchased a gaming laptop and a Logitech steering wheel and pedals. I put hundreds of hours into F1, Assetto Corsa, All the Battlefield Games and all the new Call of Duty Games. I loved them so much that I would just play Battlefield 3 and 4 campaigns over and over again. I could not believe how amazing the games were to play, especially compared to the sort of things I played as a child on my Commodore 64.
Then about a year ago I noticed I wasn't playing them much, and when I forced myself to play them I would get frustrated after 15 minutes and turn it off. I tried to buy some new games to see if that was the issue, but again I got frustrated and just stopped playing.
I have just realised it is over three months since I played anything. Teenage me would have been blown away with how great these games are, now I can't be bothered to even play them.
Anyone else feel like this?
A little bit, yeah; it takes quite a bit to catch my attention, so I will run with it for a while. I'd stuck 1000s of hours in to FPS, driving games of 30 years.
Many FPS seem too complicated, with the constant unlocking and modification of extras.
I now use an Xbox game pass at £10 a month. I downloaded a game and tried it out; if I didn't like it, I deleted it and tried something else. Better than committing £50+ on something I might not like
Many FPS seem too complicated, with the constant unlocking and modification of extras.
I now use an Xbox game pass at £10 a month. I downloaded a game and tried it out; if I didn't like it, I deleted it and tried something else. Better than committing £50+ on something I might not like
Lot of it is age and time. I'm 36, used to be on consoles every day, went through the trophy hunting phase but now unless it's a title I really want or I'll wait for it to be free on Plus I hardly bother. I still dabble on GT7 and did buy the VR which is enjoyable but I find it hard to go back to as I have too many other hobbies. Playing God of War Ragnarok currently and while I'm enjoying most of it, sometimes it feels deliberately slow and clunky at times. I'm about 60hrs into that so far. I've already said that when PS6 comes I'm not getting it. I've had every PS console since the first one, including the PSP and the Vita which I bought for one game, then never used again. Next PC I build will be for media editing instead of solely for games.
Type R Tom said:
Many FPS seem too complicated, with the constant unlocking and modification of extras.
This is what I think when I tried playing Rainbow Six Seige after not playing for years, no idea whats going on given all the updates/ new maps etc. A lot of games do this to keep interest but become so far removed from what the initial game was all about. Still one of my all time favourites though. On the very rare occasion I start up my old xbox the only thing I play is Forza Motorsport 5
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
Anyone else feel like this?
Similarly, I've come from an Acorn Electron and always had some kind of console or PC to play games on, putting in about 1-3 hours a night (and sometimes even longer eg with Eve Online, logging in as soon as I got home from work then playing until 2am!). I haven't played anything for about a year and prior to that I was sticking to just playing older games (Diablo 2 and Battlefield 3) - I think it's for two reasons, really:
1) I just want to play a game for 30 minutes and not learn new rules.
2) I can't be bothered to learn to strategies and little tricks to get the best of the game. I just want to play a game for 30 minutes.
When I visit friends and they present a new bored game (mispelt on purpose!) I have a certain look on my face, not because I am not that bothered but I cba to learn a new set of random rules with no point than to just put in barriers within which we'll compete... and that I'll only use once. Seems a lot of effort for the reward. But also the likes of Chess, Monopoly, Jenga, Snap or whatever. I just am uninspired by them.
We got one of those cooperative games a few months ago. I actually found it more interesting to just sit back, take instructions from the most bossy in the group and observe the interactions.
I started playing games in the mid-80s and went through various computers and consoles from an Acorn Electron to the Xbox One. I find I've lost a lot of my interest in games now though. I find most modern games are just too complicated and require more investment of time than I can give them so I really struggle to get into them.
I do still enjoy playing and play things like Mario Kart and Luigi's Mansion with my kids on their Switch, but he only single player games I've really enjoyed in the last five years have been small, indie games that I can get through in under 10 hours. Stuff like Inside, Gris and Thank Goodness You're Here.
I do still enjoy playing and play things like Mario Kart and Luigi's Mansion with my kids on their Switch, but he only single player games I've really enjoyed in the last five years have been small, indie games that I can get through in under 10 hours. Stuff like Inside, Gris and Thank Goodness You're Here.
i occasionally play shooters but I tend to go for open world story based ones like sniper elite or far cry
but there are so many other types of very high quality games about we are spoilt for choice
I currently play
Path of Exile I & II
Diablo 4
Breathage 2
Satisfactory
PalWorld
Enshrouded
Planet Crafter (one of my all time top 10)
No Mans Sky (Brilliant)
Astroneer
but there are so many other types of very high quality games about we are spoilt for choice
I currently play
Path of Exile I & II
Diablo 4
Breathage 2
Satisfactory
PalWorld
Enshrouded
Planet Crafter (one of my all time top 10)
No Mans Sky (Brilliant)
Astroneer
Yep, same really, part of getting older I guess and different things vying for your valuable down time.
I'd rather gym and spend time with my daughter now, and she has no interest in video games at the moment. I might well be tempted with a PS5 if GTA6 ever gets released, that's about the only thing that will get me playing again. I was a PS fanboy for a good few years and have owned them all apart from a 5. Not switched my PS4 on for probably 12 months or more, it just sits under the TV gathering dust.
Edit: Actually I just remembered, I actually gave my PS4 to my nephews last year, so at least it's still getting (ab)used.
I'd rather gym and spend time with my daughter now, and she has no interest in video games at the moment. I might well be tempted with a PS5 if GTA6 ever gets released, that's about the only thing that will get me playing again. I was a PS fanboy for a good few years and have owned them all apart from a 5. Not switched my PS4 on for probably 12 months or more, it just sits under the TV gathering dust.
Edit: Actually I just remembered, I actually gave my PS4 to my nephews last year, so at least it's still getting (ab)used.
It's interesting that you say teenage you would be blown away because imo there are so many games these days that look fantastic but have zero substance and the design of the game is based around FOMO and player retention techniques rather than fun.
It is a constant barrage of dopamine hits from loot boxes, battle passes and rewards that you have a limited time to obtain and if you don't they are gone forever plus everybody's favorite topic micro transactions.
We used to play games simply for the enjoyment and the reward was the fun of the game.
It is a constant barrage of dopamine hits from loot boxes, battle passes and rewards that you have a limited time to obtain and if you don't they are gone forever plus everybody's favorite topic micro transactions.
We used to play games simply for the enjoyment and the reward was the fun of the game.
Leon R said:
It's interesting that you say teenage you would be blown away because imo there are so many games these days that look fantastic but have zero substance and the design of the game is based around FOMO and player retention techniques rather than fun.
It is a constant barrage of dopamine hits from loot boxes, battle passes and rewards that you have a limited time to obtain and if you don't they are gone forever plus everybody's favorite topic micro transactions.
We used to play games simply for the enjoyment and the reward was the fun of the game.
That isn't the case with the games I have been playing. I LOVED the campaigns of Battlefield, as I said I used to just play them time and time again I enjoyed them so much. Also F1 2019 blew me away when I first played that with a steering wheel, I have put hundreds of hours into that.It is a constant barrage of dopamine hits from loot boxes, battle passes and rewards that you have a limited time to obtain and if you don't they are gone forever plus everybody's favorite topic micro transactions.
We used to play games simply for the enjoyment and the reward was the fun of the game.
Imagine going back to 1984 and showing 11 year old me Battlefield 4 and F1 2019 with a wheel and pedals and then forcing me to go back to Pole Position and Commando on my Commodore 64.
I have tried playing lots of retro games, even buying one of the handhelds with thousands of Roms and I lose interest after 10 minutes. Back in the late 80s when I used to read Mean Machines at school I used to imagine how utterly incredible systems like the Neo Geo and PC Engine must be as owning one was beyond my wildest dreams. This handheld had them both and every game ever released and I just thought "Muh!"
I agree about the investment of time though. Reading about the new Grand Theft Auto game it all looks very impressive but I just keep thinking I cannot be bothered to invest the hours needed to play it.
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
I grew up with the Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Sega Master system, Super Nintendo, PC, Play Station, Game Cube, Game Boy, Wii etc.
From the ages of around ten to early 20s I was obsessed with video games, I would spend virtually every waking minute either playing them, reading about them or thinking about them.
Then in my early 30s I just stopped playing them, the last game I purchased was Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.
About three years ago I decided to get back into it, purchased a gaming laptop and a Logitech steering wheel and pedals. I put hundreds of hours into F1, Assetto Corsa, All the Battlefield Games and all the new Call of Duty Games. I loved them so much that I would just play Battlefield 3 and 4 campaigns over and over again. I could not believe how amazing the games were to play, especially compared to the sort of things I played as a child on my Commodore 64.
Then about a year ago I noticed I wasn't playing them much, and when I forced myself to play them I would get frustrated after 15 minutes and turn it off. I tried to buy some new games to see if that was the issue, but again I got frustrated and just stopped playing.
I have just realised it is over three months since I played anything. Teenage me would have been blown away with how great these games are, now I can't be bothered to even play them.
Anyone else feel like this?
I find it's hard to motivate myself to try playing something as the complexity is pretty high - but once I get into it, I really get engrossed. But then inevitably, I stop playing for a bit for whatever reason and then can't really get enthused enough to pick the game up again.From the ages of around ten to early 20s I was obsessed with video games, I would spend virtually every waking minute either playing them, reading about them or thinking about them.
Then in my early 30s I just stopped playing them, the last game I purchased was Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.
About three years ago I decided to get back into it, purchased a gaming laptop and a Logitech steering wheel and pedals. I put hundreds of hours into F1, Assetto Corsa, All the Battlefield Games and all the new Call of Duty Games. I loved them so much that I would just play Battlefield 3 and 4 campaigns over and over again. I could not believe how amazing the games were to play, especially compared to the sort of things I played as a child on my Commodore 64.
Then about a year ago I noticed I wasn't playing them much, and when I forced myself to play them I would get frustrated after 15 minutes and turn it off. I tried to buy some new games to see if that was the issue, but again I got frustrated and just stopped playing.
I have just realised it is over three months since I played anything. Teenage me would have been blown away with how great these games are, now I can't be bothered to even play them.
Anyone else feel like this?
I think the problem is that the complexity of most games has really increased to the point where you need to put a lot of effort in to really enjoy the game. Even just learning the control scheme and plethora of game mechanics can be a task - or having to pick all that stuff up again when you return to a game after a while away. It's not like older generations of videogames which were very much pick up and play with not much learning required.
Also, with most current games you kind of have to devote all your attention to a single game at a time as they are so complex and you aren't going to be 'channel hopping' through them.
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
Anyone else feel like this?
I go through periods where I don't really get the time to game and then when I go back to the game I can't remember what the hell I was doing on the mission etc.... But currently I am playing F1...... Waiting for the real F1 to start....This topic seems to come up fairly regularly, usually brings a few different answers but for me I think a big part is mainly down to being older and having other commitments. Even when I do have a few spare hours, I either can't be arsed, or am thinking there's something else I could be doing instead.
I'm not a fan of the complexity of some games, if I play a FPS I don't want to constantly have to micromanage all my gear because I'm needing to swap my level 23 shotgun for a level 24 shotgun. Likewise with crafting, didn't bother with potions in Witcher 3, got bored with crafting in RDR2, it put me off Fallout 4. GTA5 took me over 5 years to complete the story and I hardly touched the side quests.
BUT... the irony is 25 years ago I'd have loved this stuff. I 100% completed things like GTA3 and Vice City. Crafting wasn't really a thing back then, but I remember cocking around with inventory management and I think it was the original Deus Ex where you could pick up and carry some objects, so I'd spend hours just moving stuff around for the sake of it (trying to stuff as many items as possible in the toilets, etc
)
I remember playing early Champ Manager games, racking up dozens of seasons with a club, poring over player stats, formations, etc. Looking at the latest Football Manager games, my teenage self would have loved all the new features, but the last time I tried one it just overwhelmed me, felt like it took all afternoon to get through the pre-season, in the end I automated as much as possible, crossed my fingers and just spammed "continue" for much of it, but gave up about 10 matches in.
I'll keep dipping my toe into gaming, not prepared to give up, but just prepared to acknowledge my Steam library will have a lot more unfinished titles than finished. But it's also why I've set myself a limit on how much I'll pay for a game. I'm happy to wait for a year or 2 for the price to come down on a title, and then pick it up in a sale, ideally under £10 but definitely £20 is my maximum these days.
I'm not a fan of the complexity of some games, if I play a FPS I don't want to constantly have to micromanage all my gear because I'm needing to swap my level 23 shotgun for a level 24 shotgun. Likewise with crafting, didn't bother with potions in Witcher 3, got bored with crafting in RDR2, it put me off Fallout 4. GTA5 took me over 5 years to complete the story and I hardly touched the side quests.
BUT... the irony is 25 years ago I'd have loved this stuff. I 100% completed things like GTA3 and Vice City. Crafting wasn't really a thing back then, but I remember cocking around with inventory management and I think it was the original Deus Ex where you could pick up and carry some objects, so I'd spend hours just moving stuff around for the sake of it (trying to stuff as many items as possible in the toilets, etc
)I remember playing early Champ Manager games, racking up dozens of seasons with a club, poring over player stats, formations, etc. Looking at the latest Football Manager games, my teenage self would have loved all the new features, but the last time I tried one it just overwhelmed me, felt like it took all afternoon to get through the pre-season, in the end I automated as much as possible, crossed my fingers and just spammed "continue" for much of it, but gave up about 10 matches in.
I'll keep dipping my toe into gaming, not prepared to give up, but just prepared to acknowledge my Steam library will have a lot more unfinished titles than finished. But it's also why I've set myself a limit on how much I'll pay for a game. I'm happy to wait for a year or 2 for the price to come down on a title, and then pick it up in a sale, ideally under £10 but definitely £20 is my maximum these days.
BobToc said:
It’s mostly a time thing for me. Unhealthy amounts of guilt about not spending enough time with the kids and keeping on top of work.
This for me. I'm not a parent but with a house and 4 cars, the job list is never empty!A bit like TV and films, it's actually a 'waste' of time but instead of 2 hours for a film or 10 for a series, it's 100+ in a game.
Plus once your 40s loom and life contemplation sets in, I think people appreciate time relaxing or spending with others.
Gassing Station | Video Games | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff