Used to spend most of my days playing live service games that required a huge amount of time, or big AAA titles that are critically acclaimed. For example, Fallout 4/76, Battlefield 2042, rainbow six, World of Warcraft, RuneScape, Skyrim, Destiny 2, OverWatch… Basically any really big game that you would find on the top 20 of steam or by player count, I would spend a huge amount of time playing that. But I got pretty bored of all these really big games having overplayed them so much, and now I have no idea what to play anymore…
So I’ll spend a few hours playing something, and then jump to another game and then another game and none of them give me any Joy. For example, playing 3 hours of 7 Days to Die, 10 hours of No Man’s Sky, 5 hours of stardew Valley, play fortnite with a friend for 2 hours, login to World of Warcraft and get bored Within a day or two. Tried going back to Battlefield 2042 because it saw a small uptick of players…
Honestly have no idea what to play anymore. So I just bounce around trying to look for something that’ll bring me some joy and don’t get much luck
You’re getting bored from playing the same thing constantly and need to try new genres. Spend some time away from live service / AAA and the fun should return
Helldivers 2.
Its always fun. It’s always big boom. It’s always democracy.
This actually sounds like depression. Being unable to find joy, and then unsuccessfully searching for it in places where you used to find it. I would consider talking to a professional if you can.
Or try Dragon Age Veilguard.
If we are going down this path, I’d actually recommend touching grass first (proverbially), before a sinking time and money into a professional. It’s an easy, non-committal step, that may do wonders.
Not disagreeing with you necessarily, but ADHD also fits the bill. I’m very much a happy person at the moment, I wouldn’t change anything in my life, yet I subscribe to what OP says. Games are too long, too boring to grab my attention long enough.
I managed recently to complete GTA V because I found the story hilarious, and I only managed that by skipping all side missions. That’s the only long / AAA game I’ve managed to finish in recent years.
What helps me is understanding that if I get 5h of enjoyment out of a game rather than getting to the intended 50h playtime, that’s also valid. 5h of fun also counts as fun and this is a game, not work, so there’s no pressure to finish it.
I’ve been doing this for decades. I just get bored easily. But every now and then I find a game that works for me and I spend 1000s of hours playing it. At this point I probably have a 1000+ games and 70% of them I played 2 to 4 hours…
I like sandbox games where you can jump in any time and build further. If you are looking for a time sink like game, I’d recommend, Subnautica, Satisfactory, Factorio. I’d also recommend shorter games where you can just finish it in an evening without big commitment. Or rougelike, rougelite games where you can just finish a run, like Slay the spire, monster train, DCSS.
Lastly you don’t have to play most popular games, it is OK to play old games or lesser known ones. I play time to time HoMM3, might and magic series etc.
I’ve been doing that here lately, just bouncing from game to game to game. Despite having hundreds of games in my Steam library, just feeling burnt out I think. Trying to move back to my unloved boardgames more to switch it up some. Sometimes you don’t need to force it, take a break and find something else to do for awhile until the interest comes back.
This was me, too. Over the past few years, I noticed I was having less and less fun with games, and was getting bored with them more quickly, even good ones that are right up my alley. I ended up starting a new hobby (gunpla) and couldn’t be happier. I still game some, but only a small fraction of what I used to.
I never heard of this. I play wow.
Do you not realize you’re doing the same content over and over and over again?
Figure it’s the same as people who buy CoD and then buy the next one. Or Madden 2022 enjoyers buying Madden 2023.
Isn’t FIFA one of highest yearly selling games?
that content being fun? where’s the issue in that?
You’d think the game is fun but people on wow are so miserable. They’re always upset, DOTA2 energy tbh kicking each other from groups and harassing each other, hating on their own game
This was me. I eventually bounced around games and tried Satisfactory, a game type I never thought I’d like. Now it’s my new meth and daddy needs his fix.
If you want a Battlefield game that actually revolves around teamwork and communication, I suggest Squad.
The team largely started off modifying BF2 into Project Reality… eventually became their own studio and made their realism / teamwork version of BF2 in UE.
Its not as milsim as the Arma series, but its not as casual as Battlefield.
If we’re being real, there’s a chance you’re just depressed. It’s also worth noting that you don’t actually have to play video games. Sometimes I just find myself without anything good to play. It’s ok to do something else for fun for awhile.
Along with the suggestions here can also recommend a short hike. There’s also a bunch of short, fulfilling games on itch.io and the developers see more of your cash vs steam, worth considering if you’re so inclined.
I also go through phases like this, particularly in the winter. You could be suffering from depression or if this is a more recent thing as the days get shorter maybe its SAD. Get some sunshine and a SAD lamp and see if that helps. If not, worth talking to a professional like others have suggested. Godspeed fellow gamer!
When I struggle to find a new game to play, I just go through my backlog. The difficult part is to get started, get used to the controls, get settled in the story. Once you’re in, it’s not too hard to pick it up when you have some spare time.
I don’t know if they are your vibes but might be something a bit different for you to try.
Cataclysm DDA
Space station 13
This happens to me when I don’t have somebody to share my progress in a game with. It’s definitely some sort of failure to achieve dopamine or something.
Having a second person to talk to about the game and your progression may help you to overcome this hurdle.
Alternatively, try some indie stuff? AAA+ games are made by soulless companies who don’t actually care about your joy. Have you ever played Stardew Valley? Made by ONE dude with love. Give that a shot.
I go through phases like this, and its best to try other hobbies for awhile. When you feel that drive to play again, you will know.
