Feeling disconnected from video games and struggling to rekindle your interest
Feeling disconnected from video games and struggling to rekindle your interest
Consider a pause? If you're into games, you've spent most of your life (like me for about two decades) and now you're losing interest—take a break. I've had two breaks where I didn't play anything for a few months. Right now I'm only playing Overwatch and Gems of War (match-3 style). This is mainly because other activities have pulled my focus, but also because the games I used to enjoy don't spark much excitement anymore. I don't do anything just to keep the fire going; if I feel it's time, I'll dive in. Until then, I might switch to watching streams or trying something new. You're welcome to return later or pick up where you left off.
Have you ever thought about how things changed for you? Of course, you can attempt to spark interest again, but isn’t it wiser to move forward instead? Perhaps just take a break to explore what else you could be doing while you wait. Truthfully, consider this: you’re engaging in an activity meant to make you happy, yet it ends up making you feel uninspired. So here you are, feeling disconnected and unsure of the next step, while other exciting opportunities exist right now. Something that offers satisfaction simply because it makes sense, shows results, helps you grow, or improves yourself. Acknowledge how much you’re missing out by staying stuck in something you no longer enjoy.
Many games aren't great. The habit even ten years ago was to launch a full game. I believe the PS4 brought back some of the titles we were excited about. Over the past seven years, PC has seen mostly short or mediocre indie releases. We also had ports such as Dark Souls (which might have been too tough), Halo, and Call of Duty. Overall, nothing particularly impressive. I don’t really anticipate enjoying any new games.
I'm 35, and change is fine. I initially planned to study computer science and security/tech but ended up choosing mathematics. I really don’t regret that decision. Sometimes real-life challenges come up too, and that’s okay. Have fun exploring what’s available!
It's been a while! I haven't played games for a couple of years, but I'm not feeling down. My job is what I enjoy—CNC programmer at a high-end furniture factory, currently handling four machines... it's something I really like. I have a lot of free time, usually working around eight hours a day with occasional longer shifts. Overall, life seems okay. I don't think I'm depressed; I just don't see myself playing games for a while. I enjoy a variety of titles—my favorites include Cyberpunk 2077, which is my dream game. I play many genres: Graveyard Keeper, Mars Horizon, KSP, X4 Foundation, Death Stranding, Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order, Stellaris, Anno 1800, Squad, Heroes 3, and more. These are all the games I currently have installed.
Recently, I've played less than before, partly because of the pandemic limiting my outside activities. I mostly stay home watching movies lately, but I'm running low on options. Honestly, 2020 was tough for me; it feels like a disaster this year. I agree you should explore other interests. I know what I want—gaming is my passion. I've tried it before and loved it, so I'd trade gaming for that. Airsoft is another hobby I'm considering. It's expensive, but 2020 made it hard to participate due to lockdowns. Even if I could, I live in an area where the sport is declining. I used to play in local clubs, but they all shut down. I don't like traditional sports like soccer, and I haven't enjoyed them much.
Game quality seems to have dropped recently. Most games now feel generic and unoriginal, with little innovation. The PS4 has released some great titles, but PC players can't access them. I don't play consoles anymore—I've never liked them. Unless ports become available, I might never be able to enjoy those games.
I understand a bit about psychology, though I'm not a professional. From what I know, many people feel uneasy about change, and that's completely normal. You don't have to push yourself into something you're not comfortable with. Whether your interest in gaming fades or stays the same depends on how long it lasts—sometimes it returns after a few months, sometimes it doesn’t, and other times it never comes back. Try to accept what you feel, be kind to yourself, and remember that change can be manageable. Focus on activities you genuinely enjoy now, rather than clinging to past habits.
I believe it's completely normal to lose interest in games, there are likely other activities that bring more enjoyment, and it's okay to feel disconnected from certain hobbies. It's true that many games seem to decline over time, which doesn't help anyone. I still think my guess about playing the "wrong" titles might have been right, I wouldn't want to play those kinds of games, especially console ones like "Uncharted"—they feel repetitive and lack creativity. The animations are poor, and the gameplay is frustrating. Still, people have different preferences, so it makes sense that you might not share my tastes.
But just in case, here are some of my top favorite games I've played—random picks since there are so many—and I couldn't really rank them.
City Shrouded in Shadows
Resident Evil HD Remaster
Resident Evil 5: Dinosaurs
Teckken 3
Teckken 6
Dark Resurrection: Dead or Alive
Extreme 2: Dead or Alive
4 Tomb Raider (2012)
Fatal Frame
Kagura vs. Devil's Third Parasite
EVE: Hatsune Miku Project Diva
Dreamy Theater 2
Hatsune Miku Project Diva
F Hatsune Miku Project Diva – Second Run
Death by Degrees
Tomb Raider Monster Hunter World
Those are some good games, but had slipped my mind. Ignoring Tekken, Arkham, and Jurrassic Park, those are all really good games.