Putting Away Video Games

I enjoyed playing games, especially simulation games. However, I haven't played them in a while, since they don't feel very exciting anymore. When it comes to puzzles, I usually don't feel motivated to keep going. I like puzzles for about an hour, like the Ynth puzzle video game—it was fun. I'm not someone who must do everything in a game, often called a "completionist." I just enjoy the initial experience of learning how to play. Once I figure out the mechanics, I get bored quickly.

That said, I can get very frustrated with some games. If a puzzle or game gets too hard, I can simply walk away. For example, with The Sims 4, I agree with many others who say it's kind of no longer fun—it's like it's just hanging on. I had played it a lot, learned how to use the interface and mechanics, but eventually it just became frustrating. Maybe I’ll talk more about what I didn’t like later. After spending a lot of money on expansion packs and gaming hardware, I felt really let down.

Because of that, I stopped playing video games for a while. Puzzles don’t cost a lot, unlike The Sims 4, which felt like a money drain. For example, I enjoyed Ynth, which I could play through the Google Play Pass. I also really enjoyed Tamagotchi Adventure Kingdom on the Apple TV—it was a fun, comforting experience. Since I sometimes feel anxious, I avoid online multiplayer games that can be overwhelming. But puzzles are something I can own and keep. Think of a jigsaw puzzle—I don’t want to do it now, but it’s something that takes up space and can be calming or meditative, although I don’t really care to do it.

Instead of puzzles, I prefer crochet projects. That’s what eventually made me stop playing video games. Now, I spend most of my free time working on crochet instead of gaming, which is a better fit for me.