Gamed out...

[Aitruis]

I'm kind of in the opposite spot, right now I can't buy any new games or systems because I'm hunting for a job. WoW is really the only thing I play right now, because thankfully my parents are kosher with me sticking the 12 dollars a month into my fuel/car note budget. I'm 21, I live at home, and until I can find a job, I really can't go anywhere or do anything.

Even I get burnt out of WoW sometimes. But depending on the kind of person you are, I would recommend either a nice, relaxing old school RPG with a good, intelligent story, like Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, or Fallout(the old ones); an intelligent "thinky-bits" puzzle and exploration game like the Myst series; or something like L4D or TF2 if you want some mindless shooty action to pass time or blow off steam.

But yes, if you're burnt off MMO's, and the social interaction with a large quantity of idiots and trolls, by all means, go single player for a while.

 

[TPiddy]

I find that 'growing up', and getting busy with important things (You know, like schooling and work and such) that detract from game time, actually makes game time a lot more...special? I think that's the word I want to use. What I mean to say is that: Now that I'm done school, have a full-time career, am married, am active in my church, and am taking Krav Maga lessons regularly, I have way way less time to game.

Sounds like a bummer? Not really!

Because now any game I buy lasts way way longer than it normally would. Before any of this, I would go through games in a day or two. Now it takes at least two weeks. So I feel like I'm actually getting my money's worth, whereas before I would fly through and think 'oh...well that's over'. Besides that, you just come to see how gaming isn't overly important in life. Don't get me wrong, I love gaming! I have a lot of fun with games and look forward to quite a few this coming fall and winter. But you just come to realize that that are more important, or more productive, things to do.

This... exactly this!

I am 28 years old, been gaming since I was 10, but now I'm at a point where I'm going to be getting married, starting a family, buying a house, etc, etc. I'm also getting to the management level in my chosen career path (software design), so I just don't have as much time for games as I used, making the games I do play that much more special.

I am more selective now than before, and I typically play a lot of single player games, where I am in control of things like pausing, time spent playing, etc. This way I can enjoy games without them adversely affecting my life.

You don't have to be a 35 year old burger flipping gamer, you can be a 35 year old corporate executive gamer too. It's all about balance.

 

[Baby Tea]

I am more selective now than before, and I typically play a lot of single player games, where I am in control of things like pausing, time spent playing, etc. This way I can enjoy games without them adversely affecting my life.

Absolutely right on!
My Xbox Gold subscription ran out in August, and I got another 12 month card sitting at home...but I haven't used it yet! I just don't play online as much as I did! And then games I'm looking forward to the most are single player! Because, as you rightly said, I can pause and let it sit while I do the dishes, drive my wife to work, help clean up something, and then I can go right back to it without skipping a beat or dropping out of a match!

 

[Proteus214]

I used to get burnt out of games too. Then I discovered the wonders of being able to actually make my own games! Now I have a whole new outlet for my brain without having to worry about what to play next.

 

[Jinxzy]

I am in a gaming rut. I have been playing WoW for way too long and personally regret getting myself into it and others around me into it. So, I quit about 6 months ago, just payed for another month and am quitting again. I am hoping Aion is better but my question to the community is...

Have you ever been gamed out? I really never have but recently it's getting hard to enjoy games with more and more responsibilities I am acquiring as I am aging. I'm 22, going to college and am realizing that life is getting harder for me. I don't mean to QQ but growing up is kind of lame but at the same time I don't want to be the 35 year old McDonald's burger flipping raid leader living in his Mother's basement (no offense if I just described your life, I just don't want that for myself).

Should I break from games for a bit? I've gamed since I was 5 and am going to school for game/simulation programming. Maybe it's too much... Someone help me!

It's nothing to fear. It's just how life goes.... Sometimes when I get home I don't really want to play anything on my xbox. Then I just watch a movie and head to bed. Gaming is more of a hobby you can play as much or as less as you want it will always be there. Lucky for you if it is a passion for you, your job is going to have a lot of benefits in the future. I mean you get to be proud of something you made that other people with play. How cool is that.

 

[GonzoGamer]

I once read an article about how gaming gives people a false feeling of accomplishment. I can't speak for eveyone, but I do recognize it. When I have been playing for five hours and turn off the console/pc, I sometimes realize how I didn't end up with anything. Maybe that's what you're experiencing?

Kinda feel like that. I am starting to dislike the trophy system/achievements in the consoles. Furthers that false feeling of accomplishment. Spent 3 hours yesterday trying to get 100% on Batman...

EDIT: Spelling

What I don't like about the achievement/trophy system is that it's taken away the in game rewards we used to get for accomplishments like collecting al the hidden packages. You have to admit, that many of the "collectables" in batman are at least entertaining. I loved the interview tapes, they were hilarious.

On Topic:
I too veered away from gaming for a little while in college (around the ps1/n64 era; didn't have one of those) but that was because I was going out every night. Back then NYC had unique and interesting cafes and clubs and you didn't have to be a millionaire to enjoy them. Now that NYC has become like every mall in america and all the clubs are new expensive foo-foo clubs made for the college kids from out of state I'm glad I have gaming back in my life.
And no I'm not fat or living in my mom's basement. I'm married, have a great job, and lots of other activities I take part in.

So go ahead take a break, if you have something better to do. Otherwise, take in some smaller simpler single player games like Katamari.

 

[Joa_Belgium]

I am in a gaming rut. I have been playing WoW for way too long and personally regret getting myself into it and others around me into it. So, I quit about 6 months ago, just payed for another month and am quitting again. I am hoping Aion is better but my question to the community is...

Have you ever been gamed out? I really never have but recently it's getting hard to enjoy games with more and more responsibilities I am acquiring as I am aging. I'm 22, going to college and am realizing that life is getting harder for me. I don't mean to QQ but growing up is kind of lame but at the same time I don't want to be the 35 year old McDonald's burger flipping raid leader living in his Mother's basement (no offense if I just described your life, I just don't want that for myself).

Should I break from games for a bit? I've gamed since I was 5 and am going to school for game/simulation programming. Maybe it's too much... Someone help me!

It's a fact that because of the growing responsibilities that gaming won't be part of your everyday life, unless you're a lucky guy that has a job in that sector.

It's not because you've got a spare time job and that you're going to college that you have to give up on gaming. I did the same and it's going pretty well, I just don't have hours upon hours to play a game and I have to hold a lot of other things into account when I'm planning my days.

 

[TPiddy]

I am more selective now than before, and I typically play a lot of single player games, where I am in control of things like pausing, time spent playing, etc. This way I can enjoy games without them adversely affecting my life.

Absolutely right on!
My Xbox Gold subscription ran out in August, and I got another 12 month card sitting at home...but I haven't used it yet! I just don't play online as much as I did! And then games I'm looking forward to the most are single player! Because, as you rightly said, I can pause and let it sit while I do the dishes, drive my wife to work, help clean up something, and then I can go right back to it without skipping a beat or dropping out of a match!

Yep... it really helps... though some games are catching on to this trend, like Left 4 Dead, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, both have features where if you're busy for a moment you can set your guy to idle and the computer takes him over. This works even if you're fixing your character too. I love features like that and I hope more games implement them!

 

[Thaius]

I've gamed since I was 5 and am going to school for game/simulation programming.

This is the key. Many people think they can program games just because they enjoy them: but that's not enough. You have to figure out what video games mean to you, and play the ones that have value in that area.

For instance, I play games for a lot of reasons, but the one that easily outweighs the others is story. I'm in college as well, but I make time for my games and it all turns out okay, because I've found a reason to play games besides just "it's fun." I play with friends too: Gears of War online is the main way I connect with my cousin at home. But most of my gameplay is focused on playing and studying storytelling in games. This gives it all purpose: I am playing not just for fun, but to better my understanding of how interactivity affects the way a story is told. For me, video games have the same kind of value that film and literature do.

You have to find the thing that you care about in games. Whether it's level design, story, programming, or whatever, you have to figure out why you enjoy them. Once you figure that out, your playing will have a purpose: games won't just be a pastime, they'll be a purpose. This will not only help you get out of your gaming rut, but will give you purpose in the pursuit of your degree as well.

 

[LockHeart]

I know what you mean mate, I get this from time to time. Try something new or go back to old favourites. I'm waiting for my copy of Shadow of the Colossus to arrive in the post, hoping that'll shake me out of this current rut

 

[Proteus214]

I know what you mean mate, I get this from time to time. Try something new or go back to old favourites. I'm waiting for my copy of Shadow of the Colossus to arrive in the post, hoping that'll shake me out of this current rut

If Shadow of the Colossus doesn't work, I don't know what will.
Good luck to you.

 

[LockHeart]

I know what you mean mate, I get this from time to time. Try something new or go back to old favourites. I'm waiting for my copy of Shadow of the Colossus to arrive in the post, hoping that'll shake me out of this current rut

If Shadow of the Colossus doesn't work, I don't know what will.
Good luck to you.

Haha, many thanks! I'm itching to play it actually...

 

[bluepilot]

Nothing wrong with gaming, you just have to find a balance between your work, studies, social life and gaming habits.

You have already expressed your dissatisfaction with a menial job and not owning your own property, so hopefully this is motivation for you to do many great things with your life.

Stick with some old games, that way you already know the ending and can turn them off.

Good luck with growing up. The struggle for independance is not that hard. I graduated last year and I have been financially independant and living apart from my parents for over a year now. I still cannot afford my own gaming console (living on my nitendo ds) but not affording things is part of the fun of life. I go to a friend`s house to play wii.

 

[Nutcase]

Feeling meaningless after playing WoW and grinding achievements is a sign you are a healthy human being.

I suggest playing a hardcore skill-based game in whatever genre you like (or have always secretly wanted to try), and getting good at it. No grinding, no gotta catch'em all, no achievement hunts, no delivery quests, no hanging at some public server hours upon hours fragging noobs and leaving your brains at the door, no leveling, no XP. When you sit down to play, attack the game. And when you don't feel up to it, don't play, think of something else to do instead.

 

[megapenguinx]

Every so often I'll have a strong urge to get my daily filling of gaming crack. What I do is stave off the urge until a day when I have no class and play for 6 hours straight. I kid you not, I sit in one place and play until I get my gaming fix and then some. I effectively fight off my gaming addiction and can continue to function like a normal penguin

 

[ShankHA32]

I personally also think that not gaming is great, and taking a break did wonders for my life. I got involved in a ton of things for about two months, met lots of people, went different places, got a girlfriend, and after it all settled down gaming is a lot more enjoyable. You can laugh off hackers, think E-arguments are retarded, and overall just not only be more relaxed, but in general play better.

 

[L3m0n_L1m3]

It's okay to game, just don't let it control your life.

OR if you do, at least join major league gaming. That way you get paid for it!

 

[Katana314]

I think you've learned something I've always known, but been afraid to publically say for a long time.

WoW isn't really a game.

 

[Satin6T]

I've never finished KOTOR

Leave now. But before you do, finish that beautiful woman of a game.

Dude, play an instrument. Seriously, fuck gaming for a while. Time spent on it gains nothing.

wow people are more pissed about the ocarina of time thing
but yeah I got to the point on KOTOR where you go off on your own before the starforge and I discovered I didn't care

 

[auronvi]

I am playing Lunar 2 on my PSP (haxxorz ftw). So maybe I will stay in the single player realm for a bit. Thanks for the suggestion! Anyone else ever get in a rut like this? What did you do?

No never

PS: Dissadora Final Fantasy Demo is probably better

Been there, beat that. lol.

I've gamed since I was 5 and am going to school for game/simulation programming.

This is the key. Many people think they can program games just because they enjoy them: but that's not enough. You have to figure out what video games mean to you, and play the ones that have value in that area.

For instance, I play games for a lot of reasons, but the one that easily outweighs the others is story. I'm in college as well, but I make time for my games and it all turns out okay, because I've found a reason to play games besides just "it's fun." I play with friends too: Gears of War online is the main way I connect with my cousin at home. But most of my gameplay is focused on playing and studying storytelling in games. This gives it all purpose: I am playing not just for fun, but to better my understanding of how interactivity affects the way a story is told. For me, video games have the same kind of value that film and literature do.

You have to find the thing that you care about in games. Whether it's level design, story, programming, or whatever, you have to figure out why you enjoy them. Once you figure that out, your playing will have a purpose: games won't just be a pastime, they'll be a purpose. This will not only help you get out of your gaming rut, but will give you purpose in the pursuit of your degree as well.

I've been casually making games since the 7th grade and I love programming the gameplay. Deciding the controls, how the characters move and such so I have my niche and my biggest turn offs are games that half-ass the controls. My biggest gripe with Fallout 3 was the way the game played.

And thanks for everyone else who posted. Loved the advice and overall support of you guys! Taking a indefinite break from WoW trade chat. And you are right, WoW isn't a game, it's a part time job you pay to do. Looking forward to AION though (I must be a glutton for punishment).