Mon 28 Aug 2006
1:39 am
Could you imagine a day where you were to wake up and not one to spend another second playing games? I often would hear people express how they’ve come to a realization that video games were no longer appealing to them. Such a thought used to be amusing to me. “Perish the thought…”, I used to say.
But now it doesn’t seem as amusing anymore. Several weeks ago when I expressed a lack of interest to write reviews and felt really guilty about it… as if I was giving up. And when I lost my job a few weeks ago, had all this “spare time”, most would drown their worries with digital entertainment.
But I couldn’t do that.
Sure I spent time playing Hyper Street Fighter (what a disappointment) and weeks before that, I immersed myself with Brain Age. I had even redeveloped an interest to play Call of Duty. But in the end, it was all short-lived. That’s when I was wondering if something was wrong with me… perhaps I was going through some sort of change… or maybe… just maybe it was a phase.
Suffice it to say, the feeling bugged the hell out of me. As of late, I’d spent LOTS of time on the PC, finding new ways to hack GotSpace with something meaningful and could offer a significant purpose. All the while, I’d remain focus on keeping the content end updated with new content. But was I gaming? Not really. When Dead Rising, one of the newest sensations to hit the 360 community was released, I wasn’t playing it (I was broke anyways, but that’s beside the point). Texas Hold ‘Em just came out, and much to my surprise… a LOT of people seemed to be digging the game. I wasn’t playing that either. And then there was my DS Lite which I picked up on launch day and as of late, it’s getting more love and attention from my fiance.
Clearly, SOMETHING must be wrong with me.
One member on GN said that perhaps I could just be looking to find more interesting things to do with my time. Hm, now there was a thought that hadn’t come across my mind. The thing is, I can’t imagine me just giving up on what I’ve started here…. to give up gaming altogether. But I figure that these recent waves of inactivity could all be a culmination from frustrations of things that I’d like to see developed with the site; the recent dismissal from my previous employer; and just finding other interests to keep me entertained. Oh… and it’s also summer — that’s especially depressing with the unfortunate drought of OMGtastic game releases.
I realize that your life can’t be exciting every waking moment of your life… but I’d hate to see my life dissolve with any purpose.
Anyways, sorry if this rant doesn’t make too much sense — usually I like things to be structured a bit better, but I just wanted to get it off my chest.


Leave a Reply

August 28th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
It’s called getting older. Do you notice other things in life not doing what they used to as well? I went through this phase and really, why push yourself. Branch out and do other things and do the gaming thing only when you are excited to.
It’s actually the greatest feeling in the world to know that you are free from something. I used to feel compelled to buy every game that I thought I should like. That meant tons of money on import Dreamcast games that I still maybe haven’t played once, etc. Every niche, weird, 2D “hardcore” game and then I realized, I don’t really even like half of the games I own anymore.
Then I said to myself, hey I only need to buy what I want. And it’s the greatest feeling in the world. Wait for those 2-3 games a year that really interest you and focus on enjoying every aspect of those games. Forget everything else. How many great movies do you see in a year? How many great books do you read? Etc…
Gaming should never be forced. Just because you’ve been a life long gamer doesn’t mean you always have to be that way.
You know I think sometimes about never playing another videogame and it isn’t really scary at all, as long as I am doing something else with my time that makes me happy and fills the void that gaming does right now.
-Andrew
August 29th, 2006 at 2:01 am
The crippling power of the summer slump cannot be understated.
I’m not saying you’ll turn into a game-eating, giggling school girl come fall, but it doesn’t hurt that A)there’s not much to get excited about at the moment and B) the future is looking more and more disgustingly overpriced.
August 29th, 2006 at 11:42 am
Hm. Both ssbomberman and Joseph have solid points. The summer doldrums can really depress a gamer (I have only bought one game that’s come out this summer, which was SFA Anthology way back in June), and you may not feel the same connection to gaming as you did when you were younger. Getting cut loose from a job is a great way to lose interest in a lot of things (good luck on getting a new one that’s better!) as well. It could be a combination of all of these things. ssbomberman put what I would say perfectly - don’t force yourself to do things you don’t want to do. Just try to relax, and when the feeling comes, roll with it. I hope everything evens out with you, my friend. ^^
August 29th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
Thanks guys, appreciate it. I’m trying to focus on remain optimistic!
Wildcat: I actually did get a new job, I start next week. It will great to focus on something else for a change.
August 30th, 2006 at 9:47 am
Good, I’m glad to hear that. ^^