11 Comments
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Maurice Klimek's avatar

Well, I'm a sucker for freebies. And I would like to play all these games, or at least try them. But I have so many - prioritization becomes a problem :D I do have a Notion template for it, and just try then and again to pick the next game :D

Rainbow Roxy's avatar

Hey, great read as always. You always manage to turn mundane lists into something so reflective and insightful. That 'time capsule' idea definitly clicked with me; my 'to-read' list for books or even new AI papers feels exactly like that. It's a journey, not a task. So well put!

Pause Menu's avatar

Thanks I appreciate that. Definitely agree it’s a journey, and as part of that, we have lots of games that we pick up to play or to just have for another day down the road.

I’m glad the article resonated with you 🙂

Michael Writes's avatar

I've said this before and I'll say it again. It's not a backlog, it's just a bunch of games that aren't as good as the ones your playing right now.

Pause Menu's avatar

Great way of viewing it. I agree, sometimes you’re playing a game and that becomes the hot play for awhile. The other games will still be there once that cools.

kamikaze worm's avatar

This post is like a calming cup of chamomile tea for my backlog anxiety 🥰 I need to reframe my thoughts in this more positive fashion

Pause Menu's avatar

Thanks, it’s amazing how much calmer something becomes when we reframe it. Glad you enjoyed the article 🙂.

Peter Monks's avatar

I really wish I had this mentality, it would be so much better for me. I like to complete things until the end, I like the finality if it and being able to draw a clear line meaning it's time to move onto the next game. Having too many games to play on the go in an incomplete state feels disorganised to me.

When I do have time to start a new game, I face decision paralysis since the backlog grows, like you said. I've got Horizon Zero Dawn I bought in 2018 still untouched, because it's another open world game when I already have Tears of the Kingdom and The Witcher 3 still going - the scope of it just looks too great.

When I do make a choice and start I'm happy. I just need to decide, stick with it and everything I worry about disappears.

Pause Menu's avatar

I totally get it. I definitely hear you about wanting to complete games to the end. The last couple years o have really tried to develop the mentality that it’s okay if a game drags on and I don’t beat it for awhile or ever for that matter. Although, I do try to eventually beat all my games.

Hence, different games for different moods. You have lots of open world games to choose from, which is great! It’s also okay if you don’t want to play open world games for a bit and play something else.

Anders Lau's avatar

What a beautiful reframing of a typically 'shameful' aspect of gaming.

Pause Menu's avatar

Thanks. I got tired of feeling guilty whenever I looked at my backlog and this was basically the product of some mental work to view it positively. I’m glad you enjoyed it!