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Don't get me wrong, when i like a game i LOVE playing it. However, i find myself taking longer and longer breaks between games. After i finish a "big" game i procrastinate about starting the next for up to a week, thinking about all the "work" involved. Then once i force myself to start it.. i love it (If it's good) lol.

eg.. I recently got the platinum trophy for Fallout 4 and it took me almost a week to start Rise of the Tomb Raider. And i'm now loving all the "work" i was procrastinating about, lol

SuperDerpBro wrote:I recently got the platinum trophy

See, that's the part that sounds like "work."

I dont always do that.. I just really wanted too for that game.

I only have 4 plats.

Edit: Most of Fallout's trophies come naturally if you play the crap out of it like i did. Only one or two required work.. one took me almost all of a day! lol.

Still doubt i'll ever see all it has to offer. ;(

Yes and no. I mean, generally, as we grow up and brain chemistry changes, we tend to get enjoyment out of less immediate things, right? We develop the patience to stick with things that might be less fun in the short term, in order for a big dopamine payoff in the long run. Plenty of adult hobbies can involve a fair bit of legitimate work, versus the immediate lights and sounds designed to attract children.

I see more involved gaming as much the same. Grinding or whatnot may not be actively fun, and maybe almost like work, but it's kinda like sitting there sanding stuff for a woodworking project. All part of a process that'll be satisfying when it's done. Plus, strategizing that can be seen as part of the larger game too (is for MMOs at least).

I mean, if it's stuff I just plain don't want to do... I won't. Gaming isn't mandatory. I mean more in the context of a "project" you want the results of, even if the middle part may be a chore.

isiolia wrote:Yes and no. I mean, generally, as we grow up and brain chemistry changes, we tend to get enjoyment out of less immediate things, right? We develop the patience to stick with things that might be less fun in the short term, in order for a big dopamine payoff in the long run. Plenty of adult hobbies can involve a fair bit of legitimate work, versus the immediate lights and sounds designed to attract children.

I see more involved gaming as much the same. Grinding or whatnot may not be actively fun, and maybe almost like work, but it's kinda like sitting there sanding stuff for a woodworking project. All part of a process that'll be satisfying when it's done. Plus, strategizing that can be seen as part of the larger game too (is for MMOs at least).

I mean, if it's stuff I just plain don't want to do... I won't. Gaming isn't mandatory. I mean more in the context of a "project" you want the results of, even if the middle part may be a chore.

Great reply. I agree

If I'm not having fun, I stop playing the game. The key is not feeling like you have an obligation to 100% or even finish every game you start. If a game starts to feel like work then it's probably time to move on.

That said, isiolia's point is also true. Sometimes hobbies sort of are work, and the goal is the payoff you get from completing that work. Many different types of games reward you based on what you're willing to put into them and how much that's worth is going to be up to the player.

I'm nit as old as most here, but I'd say to sit down and consider one of two things- how you look at the games you are playing, and what you are playing.

How you look at it matters. You mentioned trophies, and that's been a big stumbling block for me. Completion in general is something I have to kind of force myself to ignore for enjoyment. I got the Platinums for Catherine, Vanquish, and Surgeon Simulator, none of which were easy... or fun. I'm on a break for MGSV due to me having to get off wanting to do every side objective and all that. I'm playing more retro games has helped me get out of the funk, along with changing what I played.

I've made a move away from huge, 100 hour days plus games (MGSV being the current exception) towards shorter games. Arcadier games. Games that hit the lizard part of my brain and make me so focused on the fun I don't notice all the little crap that leads to trophies and the like. Stuff like Doom, Godhand, Yakuza if I focus on the main story, etc.

Just consider what you really like about games and whether what you are playing matches that.

Trophies/Achievements saved gaming for me... In the 90s i rented games and rarely finished them. PS1/PS2/DC/Xbox i was a pirate and had so many games that i only finished the REALLY good ones. Too easy to pop in another game when you have .. ALL of them. 360/PS3 onward i started buying games and i've beaten about %90 of the games on my shelf.

I love games when im actually playing them but starting a new one is hard for me for some reason, and takes days/weeks. heh.

Just beat Rise of the Tomb Raider (97%) on the PS4 and installing Stick of Truth (360) on my Xbone. Probably gonna be at least 2/3 days before i start it :/

I don't view games as work but I definitely have gotten a bit more discriminating as I get older. I may tire of long games quicker and get more impatient with long drawn out cut scenes, I'm also less likely to put up with stuff like stiff controls, or tedious game design.

As others have said, if a game starts to feel like work then I stop, but old retro stuff never seems to feel like work. Its amazing how many mega man games I could play back to back and never get bored vs the longevity of some newer games

Couldn't help myself and went back to 'work' on Tomb Raider.. %100 now. Still not going to go for a platinum... far too many things i do not want to do.

Edit: I love that retro games have achievements now!