At what point do we lose interest in gaming?

[The Real Gamer]

Long time no see guys...

I'll get straight to the point. I've been a huge gaming junkie since I was young, but as of late (this past summer) I've been so busy doing internships as well as making my transition from high school to college that I haven't had time to fit gaming into my schedule at all. I didn't log a single hour into Xbox Live for the majority of my summer; while I simultaneously avoided Smashboards up until this point.

Now that I'm settled into college this brief 2 month gaming hiatus has caused me to lose my longtime passion for it. As opposed to being able to play for hours and hours on end, I can now only hold my interest for 1-2 hour increments. Instead of checking Smashboards every day (religiously), I now only stop by every couple of days. I used to get extremely hyped up about new games coming out, but now I only get fairly excited for certain releases. You get the point.

Despite all of this I still play occasionally, and I know we all grow out of certain childhood habits at some point or another; it's just that I'm currently having a hard time accepting the realization that one of the biggest aspects of my life isn't so big anymore... Its left me with somewhat of an empty feeling.

But I know all of of us here have gone through/will eventually go through what I'm currently experiencing, so that brings up the following questions: At what point in your life did you slowly begin to lose interest in gaming? Or if you haven't yet, at what point do you see yourself losing interest?

 

[theeboredone]

Ha, I was actually checking your profile a few days ago to see where you had been! Nice to see you back. Bball thread is always active.

Anyways, I see what you mean. I know during my younger days, I would play hours on hours. I actually didn't mind JRPGs which required me to grind for endless hours, or practicing Tekken to get the exact frames down for each combo or situation.

I think growing up, and simply being busy with your life will make you lose interest in your passion. I don't consider gaming like a drug, where you go through withdrawal symptoms and what not, but more like a an addicting hobby. Once you're forced to step away from the hobby, you realize what you were doing wasn't exactly...time efficient I suppose and that the other things you've experienced seem to hold a bigger purpose in your life? That's how I felt anyways.

Anyways, I'm in the same boat as you. Probably log 1-2 hours anytime I play, and I don't even play everyday. I don't have my wide range of appeal to games as I've become very selective. So far this year, I've only bought Demon's Souls, and the next game I plan to buy is Dark Souls. Uncharted 3 and Arkham City are on my "To Rent" list along with Skyward Sword. I just don't see the need to invest as much time and money as I used to in games. They are great to have fun and pass the time, but that's it.

 

[OmegaXXII]

Hey there, nice to see you again.

I do understand where you are coming from, I myself was a HUGE gamer when I was in my early teens, I would play a bunch of different video games for hours on end, and everytime I got a new game I would actually open it up and play it that same day, I was really obsessed with it that I almost never got out besides school.

But after recently getting out of High School and landing a part time job, I slowly began to decrease my game activity, it went from hours on end to 2-3 hour increments, that was a huge decrease in the amount I spent playing.

Nowadays since I have bigger goals in life like working a full time job, family and not to mention alot of errands it just changed me completly as a person, thus it has reduced my gaming activity by a large degree, nowadays I don't buy every single game I ever want since I don't have enough interest or money for that matter, it's kinda sad really since I usually spend playing an hour every 2-3 days, I don't play as much as I used to because again Life interferes.

Funny thing is, I still have a bunch of games that I bought but are still brand new in my closet because I simply can't find the time like I used to, I try to adjust, but my mind is not oriented in solely playing video games as much as it once was, overall I do find some time whenever any friends want to play, but I try.

 

[GunmasterLombardi]

Never...

Ever...

 

[PsychoIncarnate]

My life is working all day and coming home. That's it. Nothing else for the last year or so.

Play Minecraft on my days off. My schedule NEVER matches any of my friends since my work only gives me days off during quiet periods.

 

[The Real Gamer]

Never...

Ever...

Yup this was definitely me a year ago haha.

 

[smash brawl player 99021]

Last summer I had always level grinded in MW2, regardless if I was playing with friends. Now, I only play if my Team SWF'ers are online. So I feel the same way, Mr. TRG.

 

[Spelt]

I have never really been that big of a gamer, honestly.

Most games bore me really quickly, and most of the time the only games i end up completing are pokemon games.

The most recent game I completed was Bayonetta, which was more than a year ago.

I'm a terrible gamer.

 

[solitonmedic]

I only play games with achievements, trophies in them. I know, I'm a PS3/360 fanboy... but I'm more a bit a Nintendo type one.

Mostly, when I do get bored of a game, I check if I have any missing Trophies/Achievements left to be unlocked... if everything is unlocked, I try erasing my saved data and start fresh. If that's not enough, I'll try the hardest diffculity on it! :D

Sometimes, I wish Nintendo done the same. :/

 

[UberMario]

I think that we lose interest in gaming when we realize that virtually every company is usually copying another's ideas in some way, shape or form. As a kid, every game seems like a brand new experience, but as you cross more titles off of your "Must play" list, you come up with progressively more and more imitative plots and game mechanics. Eventually, it all feels repetitive and the joy of the experience becomes hampered by a "been there, done that" sentiment, in which case, you lose interest in gaming.

 

[PsychoIncarnate]

"you can never go broke underestimating the intelligence of the american public"

The old motto the game designers go by today

 

[John2k4]

Most games I'll try to beat once through, then I leave them for the next thing.... if they've got achievements or something, I'll attempt to get what I can, but then will move on shortly after.

Even Pokemon games... Usually once I've beaten them, I will do a few of the post-game things, then stick the game back in its case, and back into the closet.

 

[F8AL]

The amount of time spent playing video games for me has been on the steady decline as I've grown older. It's not that I'm tired/losing interest in gaming, it's because school and other stuff has taken priority over them. I used to game for hours on end as a kid but now I really only play for a few hours a day and a few days a week.

I don't think I'll ever stop gaming, it's a great time waster and a (mostly) stress reliever.

 

[finalark]

The amount of time spent playing video games for me has been on the steady decline as I've grown older. It's not that I'm tired/losing interest in gaming, it's because school and other stuff has taken priority over them. I used to game for hours on end as a kid but now I really only play for a few hours a day and a few days a week.

I don't think I'll ever stop gaming, it's a great time waster and a (mostly) stress reliever.

I was about to say this, but F8AL got in before me.

I've being playing games my entire life but as the years go on I've been playing them less and less. I don't even play JRPGs anymore because I lack the time for them. I doubt I'll ever fully stop playing video games, I'll just play them less.

 

[Lythium]

Like F8AL said, priorities take over once you get older. And there's a lot more things in life that are more important than gaming.

That being said, even if I don't always have time for gaming, I'll always enjoy it.

 

[OmegaXXII]

The amount of time spent playing video games for me has been on the steady decline as I've grown older. It's not that I'm tired/losing interest in gaming, it's because school and other stuff has taken priority over them. I used to game for hours on end as a kid but now I really only play for a few hours a day and a few days a week.

I don't think I'll ever stop gaming, it's a great time waster and a (mostly) stress reliever.

Nicely put.

Yeah, seems that I'll never completly lose interest in video games at all, I'll most likely just have the decreased activity like I mentioned, sad but true.

 

[The Real Gamer]

Strange I guess I'm one of the few that's just flat out losing interest.

Like someone else said earlier video games lose their "magic" and originality as we grow older since we've been there and done that so many times. I'm guessing that's one of the main reasons I can't play games for long periods of time anymore.

 

[theeboredone]

Well, I will always enjoying gaming as well, but there has gotten to a point where I've gone from any game that gets a good or great review, and me saying "OMG! I WANT" to I hand pick what I get and choose. And I honestly don't regret not playing those other games either =/.

 

[OmegaXXII]

I'm guessing because of the priorities of life that one does, I believe that is why there is a decreased activity in gaming, of course not everybody but most people who have jobs/college etc.. will most likely prioritize that before gaming therefore reducing activity and somewhat interest.

 

[Luigitoilet]

I like old games mostly. That's what I usually choose to play in my spare time. I think gaming in general has been going down the toilet for many years now and I'm not really arsed to play too many new games.

Nowadays I usually like to be doing something productive when I'm alone like writing or making music or filming stuff. I start hating myself if I play a videogame for more than like 2 hours.

 

[Elyssa Xey Hexen]

I've found my interests have changed rather than being lost. At first, I simply enjoyed games because it was really like an interactive storybook. I have always loved anything that had a storyline to it like movies or books (if it was the right kind ;P).

However, since I have gotten older it has been a sort of double blow to my interest in what I grew up with. For one, as many people have mentioned, there simply isn't enough time to dedicate to playing these games and becoming engrossed in them. Anytime I read a book, movie or game, I wouldn't do much else until it was complete. Always finishing games in a matter of 2-3 days even if I played around 40-50 hours to complete it. The other part was becoming extremely used to the same storyline. If you immerse yourself in enough plot lines, you start to see obvious patterns and can usually foretell what is about to happen. That made me lose the engrossing effect I might get out of games since they didn't make me think nearly as much as I did once before. (Or I find something so ridiculous I don't take it very seriously).

However, I started changing my interests and exploring things I hadn't played before light fighters and fps. To skip to the point, I started enjoying challenges in games such as competition among other people or working to make an accomplishment like finishing all green star challenges on super mario galaxy 2.

The biggest reason I don't play video games very much anymore is because I spend so much of my time trying to get better at melee/brawl (maybe 64 one day) instead of other things. I suppose we never really get tired of gaming because we play games in one shape or another everyday with people such as board games, card games, verbal trickery, etc. If you are losing interest in video gaming, I think the best answer is it is because your taste in game play has changed.

 

[The Real Gamer]

If you are losing interest in video gaming, I think the best answer is it is because your taste in game play has changed.

I doubt it whether it's OoT on the 3DS, Gears 2 on Xbox Live, or Chrono Trigger, I just can't stay engrossed in games for long periods of time like I used to.

I wouldn't say it's a change in game play taste but more of a change in interests. Like I said in the OP instead of spending my weekends gaming I now prefer to be out with friends instead.

I guess it's just a part of growing up. Gaming has to take a backseat to higher priorities in life at some point or another, especially if we're focused on having successful careers and/or families.

 

[PsychoIncarnate]

What about at the point life sort of just coasts by, monotonously?

Middle age when all your friends have moved around the country, working on their careers and family and prefer staying home and sleeping in during their days off...

 

[Atlus8]

Pretty much the same thing as everyone! I used to play heavily when I was in high school and played many games! Then once I picked up Melee competitively, I didn't go back to the way I used to be! I play other fighting games, but hardly play to the extent as I did with Melee when I got really into it! Not sure what stopped the drive, but I just went to a decline and never really bounced back! This was pretty much happening before I started working full time, so idk! However, I still stay up to date on news for what is going on with games!

 

[Ryu Shimazu]

Yea full time job, gf, life, etc does mean you play less. I used to beat like 5 games a month in high school. I still do like 2 or so, but yeah. Everyone complains FFXIV is made for casuals, but it makes me happy because I don't have the time I had on XI.

 

[PsychoIncarnate]

I prefer old school JRPG's on handhelds. Bring it with me, level every once in a while when I have nothing to do.

 

[Gatlin]

Honestly, I never really see myself completely losing interest in gaming. My interest has definitely died down at my current age as compared to when I was say... 15 or so. When I was 15, I definitely was like "OOoo I want this game coming out SO bad I gotta have it" and I would end up beating it in a day or so. Or I would play it nonstop until it got boring, which trust me, took a while. Even while my gaming interest isn't what it used to be, it is still there, and I feel it will always sort of be there subconsciously. I do get excited for certain games, such as what you said, seeing as those certain games always bring out the nostalgia which makes me excited. I definitely don't play as many games, or play for as long as I used to anymore, but I can still consider myself a gamer seeing as my passion for gaming is still pretty high, and it's not really something I'm wanting to let go just because I'm an "adult" now. I can even get my dad to play some games with me from time to time, old ones such as Super Mario 3 on the NES; and he's in his 50's now.

 

[SupaSairentoZ7℠]

The amount of time spent playing video games for me has been on the steady decline as I've grown older. It's not that I'm tired/losing interest in gaming, it's because school and other stuff has taken priority over them. I used to game for hours on end as a kid but now I really only play for a few hours a day and a few days a week.

I don't think I'll ever stop gaming, it's a great time waster and a (mostly) stress reliever.

This exactly. Also I dunno why but I feel more addicted to the older games. (Games I grew up as a child. Like from the NES/SNES/etc) while I get bored of the newer games from the newer consoles...

 

[Host Change]

I've had a few pretty significant burnouts, as well as getting older and having more things I have to do. I've had times when I thought I would end up quitting alltogether, but I always came back to what I loved to do. Aside from getting older and time decreasing with things such as school and work to think about, the only thing that really caused me to feel this way was the games I was playing. I picked up competitive play for a couple games and it got so exciting to me playing with pros on Halo and Brawl tournaments... (just like my old Bomberman craze)

Still though, I always find the way to make time to play because that's what I love to do.

I do realize that there will come a day when I have almost no time to play once I'm finished with college and have a real job, but I don't think I'll ever completely quit playing because it's healthy for a person to have something they love to do. For me that's video games.

Strange I guess I'm one of the few that's just flat out losing interest.

Like someone else said earlier video games lose their "magic" and originality as we grow older since we've been there and done that so many times. I'm guessing that's one of the main reasons I can't play games for long periods of time anymore.

I had the same problem at a time when my interest was declining. When you play too many of the same types of games they do lose their "magic". That is why I'm always open to trying new things. I probably have as strong (if not stronger) an interest as I did as a little kid because I found things that are new and exciting. I had a FPS craze (which isn't over I should note) that really changed the way I do things. Being good at a FPS is a lot different than pretty much anything else. (First time playing customs with a pro on Halo will blow your mind!) Also, I've discovered the world of sports games (well more gotten into it as I've played them for a long time) and it's something fun and new. A lot of my recent gaming hours have gone into NBA 2k11. I really enjoy the My Player mode. In the My Player mode you create a player and try to get him drafted in the NBA and the end goal of course is to become a superstar. It's fun playing all the drills, scrimmage games, etc.

Competitive Brawl has also been a top interest of mine recently. Excluding Bomberman, I play very little of the games I would have about 5 years ago. I still have a passion for the classics and I'll replay a lot of SNES/NES/GameBoy, etc. every once and a while, but finding fresh games has really changed my life as a gamer.

 

[Ryu Shimazu]

Yeah my interests changed quite a bit too now that I think about it. When I had no life, I loved games like Star Ocean. Now that I do, I hate them because they take forever to finish. FF13 was the perfect jrpg length imo.

 

[The Real Gamer]

Yeah my interests changed quite a bit too now that I think about it. When I had no life, I loved games like Star Ocean. Now that I do, I hate them because they take forever to finish. FF13 was the perfect jrpg length imo.

When I had no life I played Runescape to death.

99 Magic and Ranged yeahh boiii

 

[EPsilon933]

Friends + video games = fun

When there aren't any friends, everything feels so empty

I only play Smash because it has a real outcome: People/friends can watch you win and the prestige among peers is real

 

[Pikaville]

Probably never.

My interest in games is pretty much the same.

It's just games are getting crappier and I don't want to play crappy games.

Which just happens to be a lot of games these days.

 

[PsychoIncarnate]

If I had a girl into gaming, it would probably never end

I bet with children, your gaming interest could reignite, bonding through a common interest.

Unless they like COD or something, than smack them upside the head

 

[OmegaXXII]

If I had a girl into gaming, it would probably never end

I bet with children, your gaming interest could reignite, bonding through a common interest.

Unless they like COD or something, than smack them upside the head

Ha! Wouldn't that be nice, but yeah, if only I could convince my girl, hmm...then I'd probably never lose interest at all.

 

[Ryu Shimazu]

See that's why I don't think I'll ever quit. My gf begged me to get FFXIV. She plays Harvest Moon, Sly Cooper, Zelda(some), Final Fantasy, etc.

I love it<3

 

[Host Change]

Friends + video games = fun

When there aren't any friends, everything feels so empty

I only play Smash because it has a real outcome: People/friends can watch you win and the prestige among peers is real

I can agree with that completely. I used to be a huge single player gamer, but after experiencing Xbox Live, it just feels weird not having people to compete with or at least talk to in an Xbl party...

And that's of course a main reason why I love Smash too ^_^ When somebody actually lands a Falcon Punch or Jigglypuff's rest, the whole room goes crazy...

 

[ryuu seika]

IMO gaming losing interest in me is the bigger problem here.

If I had a girl into gaming, it would probably never end
I bet with children, your gaming interest could reignite, bonding through a common interest.
Unless they like COD or something, than smack them upside the head

I agree with all of that 100%.

 

[Spire]

I slowed down as a gamer between high school and college as well. On my third year now and I've never been happier as a gamer. Whereas in the past I'd game till my face was beat red and my temperature a degree or two higher, I now play much more casually, even with RPGs. It's good to moderate/stabilize your time spent gaming. But hear me out, there's nothing like finding the right time away from friends, work, and everything to put a good day into Mass Effect.

 

[ZIO]

I think I've simply burned myself out on what it is I did enjoy.

I still get those periods when I do enjoy a game enough to go hours (Such as when I played FF8 again two years ago, or when I play EmDubs2 with my friends). But I doubt I'll even do it constantly. I usually can only tolerate an hour or two a day before losing interest.

:I