Managing Your Video Game Backlog
Introduction
Whether it's at work or home, facing a laundry list of tasks can be daunting, leaving you to wonder how you'll ever get everything done. That thought applies to gaming as well. Many, or rather all of us, are guilty of picking up titles only to toss them onto the ever-growing tower we call the gaming backlog. But what do you do when that tower finally comes crashing down, and you find yourself wondering how you'll ever dig yourself out of this mess? That's what I'm here to talk about today. Managing the backlog is a multi-part process, a series of steps that we can use to crawl out of this hole of our own making gradually. But where do I start? You find yourself wondering. The first step is to work on setting goals.
Setting Goals
Setting goals is the first and most important part of the process. This step is where we set a clear objective for ourselves to work towards. What is our purpose? Where do I want to be in one year? Or five? These are the questions we need to be asking ourselves. The crucial point is to make it something to strive for while keeping it achievable. For example, if you look at the home page of this site under Expedition Report, you'll see I have a goal of playing thirty-five games this year. That is the annual goal I have set for myself. Will I reach it? The point is that it is something to strive for. It is the light at the end of the tunnel. It can be revised if need be, but you should always try to achieve the goal(s) you set out for yourself. Once we have our goals laid out, we can get to work on prioritizing the games we want to play.
Organize and Prioritize
Once we have our goal established, the next step is to organize and prioritize the games in our backlog that we want to beat first. Some may already have a couple in mind. It may be a game from your childhood that you want to take another crack at. Or what about a cool game that you got on a Steam sale that you only now remember has been clogging up your library? Let's start by compiling all the games you want to play. There are a ton of ways to do this, from a physical list to utilizing tools available online. One tool that's done wonders for helping me get organized is the website Backloggd. It has a lot of cool features that can help you track the games you currently have on your backlog across console generations and platforms. Below, you can see an example of some of the games that I currently have sitting in my backlog.
Now that we have everything together, it's time to prioritize. Which games do you consider must-plays or games that you feel highly motivated to knock off your to-do list? Which could you afford to put off a little longer? It's all about focusing on the games you know you'll finish versus those you might want to play but could still live without. Once you have an idea of where you want to start, it's time to pick up a controller (or keyboard) and get to playing!
Tracking Progress
The importance of tracking progress is two-fold. Beyond keeping track of what games you've done so far, it provides perspective. It's you, looking back and appreciating just how far you've come. It can also work as a motivator, encouraging and pushing you to reach the goal you've set for yourself.
Furthermore, quantifying your progress serves as a sort of "measuring stick," showing how many games you've completed, how many hours you've invested, and even insights into your habits and preferences. It encourages reflection, celebrates achievements, and provides clarity on what lies ahead, reinforcing the idea that every gamer, whether old or young, veteran or noob, has a unique path to follow.
Now, there are many ways to track your progress. Keeping a physical list or a journal would be the most straightforward path to take, marking down each title that you knock off the list and jotting down your thoughts and impressions as you play through. Alternatively, you could create a detailed spreadsheet or use an online tool to help you monitor your progress. The point is that you keep moving forward and have fun!
Staying Motivated
Over time, it's easy to let that initial motivation slip away. Seeing your backlog grow faster than you can complete it. That's why it's crucial to keep your spirits up and stay motivated to achieve your goal. That's why we're gonna look at some common reasons that could force you to call your adventure off before reaching the end.
Burn Out/Loss of Interest
Burnout is the most common reason for and is caused by many reasons, including those listed below. And it's understandable. I remember playing through the entire Danganronpa series in one long marathon (I watched Danganronpa 3 also), and it about wore me out. You do the same thing long enough, and it wears on you. It makes you want to do something different.
And that is precisely what you should do. Do something else. Take a break, play a different game, read a book, or do something different. Then, when you're ready, dive back in and get back to work, achieving your goal. It's essential to take time for yourself and do what you need to do to succeed.
Another thing to remember is to pace yourself. You don't have to get through the entire thing in one sitting. It's not a race. Time management is key here. You could set aside two hours, for example. This time would be exclusively for your game. This is something I wish I had done in my aforementioned Danganronpa playthrough. Planning out and breaking down your gaming sessions into small, manageable chunks can reduce burnout and push you toward reaching your goal.
Unrealistic Expectations
One issue I have faced is that of unrealistic expectations. Right now, I have an annual goal of finishing 35 games for the year. This goal seemed fine at first, but as time passed, I realized it was getting further away. I wasn't making the necessary progress to meet that objective. And it made me feel bad, like I had failed.
But the truth is that this is okay. You won't get it right the first time. It's easy to overestimate your abilities initially, and only when you get further along do you realize that you're not going to make it. There are always factors you don't take into account, things like life events. I recommend making what you have your guideline or baseline. You know what you're able to accomplish, along with what went wrong and what went right, and you can use this information to refine your goal based on past experience.
Distractions
Distractions are everywhere. You can decide to take a short break and watch a video on YouTube, and before you know it, you're trapped in the algorithm with no chance of escape.The best thing to say to this is to identify what could distract you from your goal and take proactive steps to reduce it. Try to avoid scrolling through your phone or watching videos in the background, as these can draw your attention away from the task at hand. In addition to physical and digital distractions, consider emotional or mental blocks that may impede your goal. Take breaks now and then. Stand up and stretch before sitting down and getting back into the action.
By consciously removing these distractions, you create a more straightforward path toward your goals, allowing you to channel your energy and concentration into what truly matters. Ultimately, this approach, and what we discussed before, will enhance your productivity and increase the likelihood of achieving your objective.
There's much more I could say about staying motivated, but I think it's time we wrap things up.
Conclusion
Managing your gaming backlog is a multi-part process that begins with setting achievable goals to give you a clear objective. Once your goals are defined, organizing and prioritizing the games you want to tackle helps in making progress more manageable. Tracking your progress and achievements provides perspective and motivation, allowing you to appreciate how far you've come while also identifying your gaming habits and preferences. Staying motivated is essential to prevent burnout, ensuring that the journey remains enjoyable. By following this guide, you can effectively navigate your backlog and enhance your gaming experience.
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