PixlBit

I don't think I could quit gaming OR blogging.  I do both as an addictive habit.  I enjoy them.  

Yea Snee I couldn't imagine you not blogging you were the first one to greet me on pixlbit and still good freinds today well I hope I am anyway I feel like I know you personally since we have been talking since 1up and you were just a blogger who moved up to a writer here actually I couldn't imagine pixlbit without you =-)

thanks, man!  Yeah, I've been blogging for about twelve years, I started on various sites before I found my home on 1up, and then here.  It's just something I really enjoy.  

The addictive habit is the part I'm afraid of. It's a cool habit, but looking at the time I've spent with all these games makes me wonder if should be doing something else more productive with it. I'm just pondering. 

well, all things in moderation.  I only game a couple hours a day, if that, so it's not like a troubling addiction, for me.  If I was spending five or six hours a day, every day, I dunno.  The thing is, we all have some sort of addictions, whether it's to reading, or TV, or games, or exercising... it's hard to judge what is a a good use of time as long as you are enjoying it.  I wish I was more productive, but I don't think my habits -- except for procrastinating -- really affect that.  

I thought about quitting years ago.  I had gotten bored with gaming at the time.  I look back now and think, "what in hell was wrong with me?" 

I'll probably feel the same. I was thinking of a very long break, like a hiatus more than just quitting all together.

I don't think this is the best time for gaming.  I mean, I only have a Wii U as my new console.  I've thought about quitting writing game reviews in the past, but that thought doesn't last very long because I remember how much I enjoy doing that and how hard I've worked to get to where I am today (which isn't much, but it's at least something).  If I quit that, it would be like I was quitting on life.

Well I can see how loving a hobby and being passionate about writing wouln't make sense for you to just stop. I don't think writers just stop writing for whatever reason. In your case you are analyzing and studying your hobby and being creative about it by writing. I would say this is a healthy and productive way to make use of a hobby. I just feel overwhelmed with game choices and it's so hard to sort that it can be a bit frustrating sometimes. Like, I'm really enjoying this right now but I feel like I'm always missing out on something new. Know what I mean? 

I've never actually quit gaming, but I have had long breaks and dry spells. I was an avid PC gamer in the 80s, but that ended when I moved out of my parents house because back in those days I couldn't afford a computer of my own. Then I played the heck out of my Genesis, until games were hard to find, and took a long break until we were gifted with a hand-me-down PS1 after Jason's little brother got a PS2 for Christmas when they first came out. I also take extended breaks from gaming just because other areas of my life get busy. I spend more time doing outdoorsey stuff and reading, but then I come back to gaming. 

Back in the day there were far less game options. Like, there was only Nintendo and Genesis, or PC, but PC was so freakin expensive, especially with video cards and upgrades. I'm talking about being overwhelmed with games nowadays, it was not like this back then. They are so cheap and they are everywhere. Hard to get away from it all. I just downloaded Mirrors Edge for PS3 and Need for Speed for VITA because EA is giving them out for free this weekend. Impulse! Impulse! 

Nope. In fact I've considered working less hours just enough to survive just so I could do my hobbies.

Salty grumpy cat! But could you quit if you tried?

Also nope. I genuinely love playing video games.

Actually I've never thought of quitting because I wanted to but because I had to. I went thru a really tough time back in 2012 and had to give up my gaming stuff. It was horriable, I hope to never have to do that again. I'm weird when I think about it, when everyone else feels like gaming isn't going no where and doesn't like many of the new releases I do. I always tend to like stuff people dont, I find something good about it.

But it looks like you experienced a nice break for a while. I'm talking about, I've never stopped. 

I think about it every day but then wind up getting into something. I do look at my backlog and think "there's not a snowball's chance in hell I will ever finish all these even if I live to be 100". I'm fascinated by gaming and the evolution since I started playing in the 80's.

It's disheartening though to realize that to many younger gamers gaming means running around burned out buildings playing tag with guns or stealing cars and committing crimes and murder. 

I think that is what makes me want to quit because if that is the future of gaming then count me out.

Then I realize that there are still so many games still being made that while overshadowed by the "me too" dreck are still made with love and care. That is why I stick around.

I wish I could "Retweet" this, because it couldn't be more spot on with how I feel.

And EA just gave out 3 free games for Playstation. Mirrors Edge on PS3 and Need for Speed for VITA, so I will be hooked for another month. Damn you new years resolutions. I will have to start my gameless year with Chinese New Year I guess, but then Bloodborne! Oh god! 

I agree I have about 50 rpgs and srpgs that have more hours then I have left to live lol!! But thats why I call myself a collector  thats my excuse to have them. 

And I agree Peter if the future is killing and Military training sims I dont want any part of it.

I feel like this too. New gen games arent as appealing as a good old indie game sometimes. Did you see that Hardline trailer. Good god is it tasteless. Nevermind the protests going on in America. I'll probably still play it though.

Well I didn't think you meant the 1996 game Hardline so I looked deeper and found Battlefield Hardline which I assume you are referring to.

Well after reading the word Battlefield I was tempted to stop right there but I watched the video and I'm sorry I can't unwatch it now.

Never!! Gaming is my portal to another world that I couldnt experience without gaming not to mention it keeps me out of trouble and has made me who I am so gaming to me is like a car I may not need it but will always have it. 

I'm probably be like you lee. I kind of regret giving up physical gaming and won't  build up a nice collection like yours. 

I skipped a console generation and rarely gamed as a college undergrad, but "rarely" doesn't mean never. 

I actually jumped into PS3 and 360 late in the game. I was playing PS2 games because they were so cheap and plentiful. Kind of like the way games are now. Cheap and plentiful. 

Never contemplated it myself. Besides I have practically zero willpower so I don't think I'd be able to stop if I tried.

This doesn't give me hope. 

The thought has crossed my mind a couple of times for a couple of reasons. One was that I was actually getting bored with games and the other was an issue of spending too much time on them. Moderation fixed both problems for me. But I don't think I could ever quit, so long as I can see and use my hands I will be playing video games.

I kind of feel like finishing a game is unrealistic nowadays. There are so many options out there and for some long games the ending is pretty much the same as the beginning so you can get a feel for what it is a few hours in and go play something else. Quitting is the new Winning. 

That's true, I have a hard time getting into long rpg these days and I used to live for games like that. But its also nice to find a game you can settle into for a while.

That's an interesting thought and i've been thinking what would be. As it is, i'm still fully into gaming and i'm not going to hold back. Who knows, maybe i'll be a game granpa like Mothman and Grey Haired.

I'll probably be an old gamer too. Nothing wrong with being old and gaming. I was more about taking a break from it all. Coming back fresh.

I've considered giving up gaming as well. I took a month long break and I feel like that invigorated me somewhat: http://plus10damage.com/blog/2014/7/4/my-break-from-gaming

 I feel it's something every one experiences at one time or another, and when you're constantly exposed to something, burnout is inevitable. Maybe try taking a small break rather than quitting all together. Or even better, do what I've started doing: limit the amount of time you play games each week. Cut back. It helps keep your passion alive whilst simultaneously making you more productive. A win/win imo.

 Whatever the case is, it would be sad to see you go. Even if you do end up going on haiatus, please do drop in from time to time.

I dont think I'd quit forever, but more or less take a long break. There are stil two new consoles that I don't own, plus the cost of purchasing new games and the time sync I feel like this hobby is just becomig too expensive and time consuming. I've already come around to doing what you mentioned. One game a week.  I think that's why I'm always interested in what you say because I usually follow through to the same conclusions. I've already begun limiting my game in-take and just completing games of a list which is working just fine. A lot of gaming websites are so obsessive with the newest latest thing that it becomes a bit like ad nauseum sometimes. I'll just try to keep my eyes and ears shut when it comes to new game announcments and slow my roll.  

Oh, and I read the article you linked to and I do remember you taking an absense a while ago. I don't think I have an addiction, but it would be nonsense to say that it isn't there, games are designed to keep you playing nonstop. I recall reading an article that mentioned psychologists being brought in to advice devs on how to mae Diablo 3 more addictie or something gross like that. Glad you didn't quit. I love console games too.  

Oh and I really like that Pumpkins track. Soft Rock? :) Billy may have toned it down slightly but it's nothing he wouldn't have done on this brilliant record:

The Pumpkins music was pretty mellow before Mellon Collie. It was very euphoric. You should try out Gish and Pisces Iscarot as well as Siamese Dream. There is also the newer stuff like Oceania which is more like contemporary soft rock and very good. I like all the Pumpkins music really. The albums are all very different. New album drops this week and I'm digging the singles so far. I will buy the physical disc just like old times. What the heck? Amirite!  I dig the new song too.

I have Siamese Dream on CD too and possibly others. Haven't looked for a while.

last break I had from gaming was in 2009...lasted about 9 months.  Wasn't unpleasant at all, but I was happy to get back into the groove when I did.

I think a nice break can be refreshing. Maybe more excited to jump back in and fall in love again. Maybe I'll fall back in love with games after new Bloodborne or Zelda. Final Fantasy might be good too? Oh, and new Batman.

I can understand where you're coming from. I'm still not thrilled with the offerings from Sony or Microsoft and I haven't bothered to get either console.  I have found that I have less time for gaming than In used to and I there were times over the past 2 years where I began to believe that I had to more or less quite gaming altogether.

I still feel that way sometimes when i think about everything I have on my plate in the real world.  However, most times, I reach the happy medium of just gaming when i can (mostly old games anyway) and not worring about play this game or that one, or whatever.  It helps me to enjoy it for the free hour I might have during a week without feeling like I need to game more.

Also, I clearly remeber "quitting" blogging twice when I was over at 1Up.  I even wrote a goodbye blog both times, LOL!  It did it because I honestly thought that I just didn't have the time and energy to blog anymore due to other important stuff in life.  The longest I went without blogging turned out to be about 2 months or so.  Then I would return because I just couldn't completely cut it out my life for good.

I realized that my problem was that I was getting burned out after weeks and months of steady blogging.  I used to post reviews every week-- sometimes twice a week!  And boy, were those the good 'ol days.  I loved every moment of it.  But after a while, I would feel overwhelmed by the want to to post more stuff, but the lack of creative energy to do it with.

I learned to be satisfied with blogging less, but still being as regular as possible. It helped to be more relaxed and enjoy blogging when I could, without the guilt of feeling like I should be doing something more important with my time.

Thanks for the long response. I'm glad I ain't the only one thats felt this way at some point. It's just been such a long hobby of mine that I feel like maybe I should venture out and try something new, or maybe do it far less. Games are just so accessible now that it's hard to resist sampling and getting into them. I definitely need to moderate my gaming in-take. Blogging is pretty fun. 

I think about it all the time too. Right now I'm trying to get in shape and lose weight. I feel like maybe that means ending my all-day gaming weekends. So far though, I've been getting my exercise in during the week. 

I also get overwelmed by how many games are out there and how they are getting cheaper and cheaper with these online sales. I've really stopped collecting and I've even stopped following new releases as closely as I used to. There's just too much and I hate getting something and then hardly playing it.

As for blogging. I'm getting more and more into it every day. I'm thinking of branching out onto another web site to write some more. I'd like to expand it into some career. I really need one of those, but I hate writing straight reviews. I have to figure all that out because sometimes I think I'm just spending too much time on passion projects and not enough on things that will get me somewhere in the world. 

I don't think gaming gets in the way of life things for me. I just game in moderation. When I played through MMOs this summer, I just limited to a few hours a week with each game, maybe 1 or 1.5 hours a day to do some quests and then log out. I still had a good experience, but I also just limited gaming to like 1-2 yours a day. I still read at night or watch a tv shows or movies instead of gaming and I also do fitness stuff as much as I can. I was just trying to avoid the avalanche of game sales and pressure to buy new consoles and games that is going to explode next year. WiiU is really good, XOne is cheap now and PS4 is also going strong with Plus and games, not to mention gog.com and steam sales etc. on and on. I just need to step away from the table and have more self control.  Blogging is fun. Why not keep doing it. It's a pretty creative outlet in my opinion.

I think I did quit gaming for a little bit. I didn't play a lot of games around the period between the Sega Genesis and the start of the Playstation which I think was around 2 years. I did play some games occasionally but I wasn't going after the latest and greatest. I brought my NES to college but I rarely played it. I got back into it because of the Playstation. 

Funny. I feel sort of the same way. I'm slogging through DA Inquisition and just feel like Why the hell am I doing this anymore. And then I read your blog while I'm standing in line at a pawn shop buying four games for $20 and realize that I'm too addicted to stop. lol