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6 Ways to Re-New your Love for Gaming

 Gaming has been a source of joy and escape for millions of people for decades. However, sometimes it's easy to lose the spark and feel burnt out. The landscape for gaming has not been kind to us players for a minute, and it’s starting to show. In this blog, we'll explore six ways to renew your love for gaming and improve your mental health. From revisiting your backlog to exploring new genres, limiting social media, ignoring reviews, keeping an open mind, and lowering your expectations, we'll provide tips and tricks to reignite your passion for gaming. So, let's get started!



Revisiting Your Backlog

Are you tired of scrolling through a seemingly endless list of games on your backlog, feeling overwhelmed and unsure about where to start? It's time to revisit that list and prioritize it by embracing the art of letting go. We all already have and own tons of great games, why not get our moneys worth by revisiting them. This is also another way to remind the industry heads that we can vote with out money. If the task seems too overwhelming start by saying goodbye to at least 25% of your backlog, allowing yourself to shorten the list and make it more manageable. This can be a difficult task as we often attach sentimental value to our purchases, but sacrifices must be made to truly start enjoying your games without the stress and pressure of a never-ending list. Prioritizing your list allows you to fully immerse yourself in a game, giving it the attention it deserves and improving your overall gaming experience.



Exploring New Genres

Exploring New Genres We all have our favorite genres, but branching out can be invigorating. With the thousands of games available, you’re bound to find something that speaks to you. Sometimes it’s a simple matter of looking at the same style of game from a different perspective. Other times, exploring the unknown can seem daunting. It’s all about taking that first step. For the brave, indie games offer unique gameplay experiences ripe for discovery. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try playing a game in a foreign language. It can be a real challenge, but it’s also an excellent way to break away from your comfort zone and possibly pick up some new language skills along the way. We also have tons of games that touch multiple genres. Sakuna of Rice and Ruin is an example of platforming and a farm sim. Graveyard Keeper is a funny take on pixel farm sims. Step outside of your genre comfort zone. 





Limiting Social Media

Limiting Social Media: Let's be honest, social media can be a total buzzkill. Sometimes I know half the plot before I start a game. The spoilers, endless theories, commentary, boobie streamers, and all the pre launch jazz can be nauseating. Scrolling through your feed can also suck up all your time and leave you feeling more drained than entertained. Plus, the toxicity on these platforms can be overwhelming. So, take a break from your phone and shut down those apps. Enable blocks of keywords for games you want to play. Trust me, you'll feel a lot better for it. Eliminate distractions and focus on what's right in front of you – your games and your experience. It's time to give them some of your undivided attention.



Ignoring Reviews

Form Your Own Opinion And Stop Comparing Games. In a world with too many opinions and too little time, it’s easy to fall prey to the game review epidemic. While it’s nice to have someone give us their two cents on a game’s quality, basing our opinion on a stranger’s might prevent us from enjoying the experience for what it is. Besides by now we all know most reviewers are in the pocket of some developer, or studio. Instead of going in with expectations, try going in blind. You might surprise yourself and find a hidden gem you’d never have known about otherwise. And hey, even if you didn’t enjoy it, at least you gave it an honest shot.




Keeping an Open Mind

Keeping an Open Mind: Embrace Different Styles Don’t Judge a Game by Its Cover It’s easy to get trapped in our own minds and play only games that fit our preferred genres or visual styles. However, gaming should be a time to explore something new and exciting. Break out of the norm and give a game that you wouldn’t normally pick up a chance. Play lots of Action tittles? Why not an RPG? You might be pleasantly surprised by the experience it brings. Don’t let a game’s cover, art style, or even FONT influence whether or not you give it a shot. It’s important to remember that gameplay is what matters the most, not the graphics or marketing tactics. So, take a deep breath, let go of your prejudices, and jump into a new adventure.




Lowering Your Expectations

Stop expecting every game to be perfect. Embrace the fact that gaming is meant for entertainment and enjoyment, not for perfectionism. Besides we all have to be realist and acknowledge that we are in a video game industry downfall. Let’s not mention Cyberpunk 2077. Even then don’t judge a game by its shortcomings or compare it with others in your collection. Instead, let each game surprise you with its unique story and gameplay. When I revisited Cyberpunk as a “Stand Alone Story RPG” I enjoyed it much further than as a comparison to GTA5. Remember, the ultimate goal is to have fun and be entertained. So, lower your expectations, enjoy the ride, and don’t take everything too seriously.


Conclusion

Conclusion: Remember, gaming should be fun and a form of relaxation. Revisiting your backlog, exploring new genres, limiting social media, ignoring reviews, keeping an open mind, and lowering your expectations are all effective strategies to renew your love for gaming and improve your mental health. Don't be too hard on yourself, enjoy the games at your own pace. Embrace the imperfection and laugh at the glitches. Just like life, gaming is a journey full of surprises and amazing experiences. Keep on gaming!



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