So Many Games. So Little Time.

This is a guest post by Contributor Chris Nunes

Where Games and Life Meet

My gaming habits have changed. I didn’t mean for them to, or even notice  that they did the until beginning of this year. With two children under the age of 11, a wife, full time job, and parent required socializing – I suppose they’ve had to change. This doesn’t mean I like it and I wish this wasn’t the case, but here we are.

Games like Anthem, The Division 2, and Apex Legends have all been released or will be in the next month. My excitement level is high – along with my anxiety. I realize this shouldn’t be the case. My friends simply say, “What’s the big deal?” and, “Play what you enjoy.” My problem lies in the online communities that I enjoy so much and watching those friends playing what is new and fresh and not having the time to do so myself. I still find myself asking, “how do they have the time?” and, “how can someone finish a fifty-hour game in three days?”

All this adds to my anxiety of wanting to be a part of the conversation and to have the fun that they are having.

It has only been in the last few months that I have taken the time to step back and ask myself… why? Why is it that I feel this way? What is the need and how can I change? While I don’t know if I can fix the anxiety (it’s something I will always deal with), what I can do is change and adapt the ways in which I choose the games I play and what I am looking to get out of them when I do get the opportunity to do so.

I have three categories to which I find myself gravitating…

• RPGs
• Games as Service
• Single Player games.
• Some of these work for me, some of them don’t, and some I wish still did.

RPGs 

Long gone are the days where RPGs (outside of exceptions like Kingdom Hearts 3) are something into which I can dig. As much as I love the mechanics and the in-depth stories, I just don’t have the 80-100 hours to give to the likes of The Witcher 3 any longer.

Part of me is angry about this. The part that is selfish about his time and wants to just chew through every ounce those stories have to offer. The start and stop of those games are just not kind to long gaps away. Starting a game and then having the hours required to get through a few quests (that feel like I am accomplishing something) can sometimes be days or weeks. Trying to remember the skill trees, action buttons, and crafting requirements become daunting tasks. I end up spending as much time trying to remember how to play as I do playing the game.

Games As A Service

Games as a service are a bit easier for me to handle at this point. Games like Destiny and The Division allow me the opportunity to schedule raids, play short burst team-based events, and enjoy the online company of others. Most of these games are like a popcorn flicks. I don’t have to do a lot of thinking and can relax in conversation about my day, current events, etc.

The one downside to these games, however, is their daily requirement to be a part of their communities. The constant leveling up, daily events, weekly events, and overall grind can become a bit much for handling more than one of them at a time. I find myself having to make choices. One choice that is coming up quickly is whether to invest in Anthem or The Division 2. Betas are a big help, but I find that I am asking if others enjoy a game as I don’t want to make a purchase only to find that others aren’t playing. These games’ main appeal for me is the online camaraderie.

However, if I purchase something and sink time into to find out people have either chosen the other (or worse – left the game all together) my anxiety again begins to kicks in. What I find myself doing is diving into more than one community, talking with lots of people and finding one that best fits for me. While there are no guarantees, I know how limited my time is and how much enjoyment these games give me, so decisions will have to be made.

Single Player

Single player action games are one of my favorite ways to play currently and where most of my time is spent. Most recently games like God of War, Spider-man, and Red Dead Redemption 2 are games that I can play and feel like I’m getting something out of the experience. While each of these games require 30-60 hours of game time, they provide me with both action and story. Playing after everyone goes to bed allows me (in the hour or two I get) to complete story lines, side missions, and requires a lot less mechanic memorization. The ability to hit save or quick save points are also a big plus.

Games in this genre give me a destination for completion that feels within reach. I know how that sounds and it goes against the vibe of just experiencing a game, but the feeling of completing something (even as small as a side mission) can go a long way.

Choose What Fits

I have been extremely lucky to have had the freedom and ability to play whatever I wanted. I have garnered a new respect for choice, time, the art and effort that goes into the games made, and what it is that I am looking to get out of each game. I realize these problems are small in the scheme of much bigger things. I also realize I’m extremely lucky to still have these choices and the ability to play them. Fighting the anxiety to always be involved is something that I don’t think will ever go away. Knowing that I can still have options to be a small part of that conversation is comforting. I will always want the latest and greatest but am becoming more comfortable with the most compatible with my life.