Why Do We Quit Video Games and How Can You Keep Playing?
Introduction
How many times have you been in this situation? You start a new game, play it for a while, and later have it fall off the radar. It’s a common problem that I, like many others, face over and over again. The real question is what we do to fix the problem. Here’s how we’ll fix it. We’ll tackle why we quit playing games, how to get back on track, and deciding if a game’s worth continuing. And to understand how to keep playing? We have to first answer a crucial question.
Why Do We Quit?
CREDIT: Vadim Bogulov
To fix a problem, we must identify the root cause of the issue that plagues us. So, let’s ask ourselves. Why do we quit? There are tons of reasons that people can give when asked this question. We’ll go over a few below:
When a Game Isn’t Fun
Sometimes, a game just isn’t fun. Now, why is this? It could be a lot of things, ranging from gameplay issues to a nonsensical story to even something as simple as the game not clicking. All of these are acceptable to dropping a game. Hogwarts Legacy is this game for me. I started it, but over time, playing it felt more like a chore than a fun experience. So, I dropped it.
Difficulty
This topic kind of plays into the first point. Difficulty is a tightrope that has to be walked with any game. Make it too easy, and people become bored and disinterested. Too difficult, and the next thing your neighbor sees is a PS5 flying out your window and smashing on the ground with a loud crash. Difficulty can play into why a game isn’t fun and can lead to people dropping a game en masse.
So Much Game and So Little Time
There are only so many hours in a day, and life, work, family, or other hobbies often take priority. When gaming starts to feel like a drag, it’s easy to let it slip away. And, this is something I can personally relate to. Not too long ago, I decided to make a change. I wanted to start hitting the gym to get those massive gains and improve my overall health. And with this new life change, combined with work, I found myself with less and less time to get engrossed in a game. So, over time, I found myself gradually moving away until I had almost stopped completely.
So, we’ve addressed some reasons why a game may drop off our radar. And now that we know why we quit, it’s time to look at getting back into the game.
Strategies to Get Back on Track
So, what does that look like? How do we bring ourselves back to those games we put down long, long ago? Well, let’s go over a few ways to get ourselves back on track:
Rekindling Fun
If a game’s not fun anymore, don’t write it off just yet. Sometimes, a break can reignite the spark. Take some time off, maybe a few weeks, then give it another go. And who knows? The game may finally click with you. Take the example earlier about Hogwarts Legacy. It is true that the first time around, I wasn’t having much fun playing it. So, I went to play something else. Few months later, I spotted it hiding in the recesses of my Steam library. So, I figured. What the hell! I’ll give it another try. And you know what? It was fun! Everything this time just felt different. And before long, I found myself watching as the end credits scrolled by. So, who knows? Maybe that time apart was just what I needed for everything to finally click into place.
Overcoming Difficulty
Just like a lack of fun, difficulty can also be tackled with a fresh approach. It might be strange but thinking about it reminds me of when I tried putting in my contact lenses for the first time. It sucked and after trying for a few minutes I ended up getting frustrated and storming off. But, after quick breather, I decided to attempt it again. And I got it! Same concept applies here. If a boss or level is driving you up a wall, step away for a bit. The angrier you get, the worse you’ll play, so a breather can work wonders.
CREDIT: Bandai Namco
But sometimes, you will need to practice or git gud. Take my experience fighting Margit in Elden Ring for the first time. I’ll preface this by saying I’m not an avid Souls game enjoyer. This was my first time playing one of these, and it was brutal. Here, I died more times than I care to admit and was getting frustrated. Frustration made me sloppy, so I took a break and grinded runes to level up, throwing in a few more attempts along the way. Once I was ready, I decided to square up with him again. And to my surprise, I won! I was so happy! If practice isn’t enough, there are plenty of guides and resources online that can help turn that rage-quit moment into a victory.
Making Time
Finding time to game is tough, but it’s all about smart time management. Let’s revisit the example from earlier. I hit the gym most weekdays, getting home around 8PM, which leaves very little time for gaming before I have to go to bed. On the days I don’t hit the gym, I collaborate on streams with my friend, check out thefreelancer0 on Twitch, which can consume quite a bit of time on the remaining days. Now, these are just my examples but this can apply to spending time with family, relationships, and new hobbies as well.
This is where effective time management comes in. Set aside time in your schedule dedicated to gaming. This could be thirty minutes to an hour or more—however much you can fit in. I set 8:30–9:30PM for games like Resident Evil 4, gunning down a few ganados before hitting the sack. The best part about this is that you can configure this time as you see fit. Adjust it to fit your priorities. More time on weekends? Give yourself an extra hour or two to kick back and play on. You have the power here.
Playing in short stints could also be effective. This is made particularly easy with handheld devices like the Nintendo Switch and Valve’s Steam Deck. If you’re in college, you could take a load off and play some Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in between classes or maybe during your break at work. It’s all about fitting in gaming where you can and integrating it better into your life.
But What If a Game Isn’t Worth Continuing?
Now comes the big question: What if all this isn’t enough? Then, maybe it’s time to let go. A game is supposed to be a fun, engaging experience at the end of the day. If it isn’t or if you find it getting in the way of what you want to do in life, it may be a sign that quitting is the right move. Move onto greener pastures. Grand Theft Auto 4 is a game I’ve tried multiple times to play to completion but each time falling short for one reason or another. The key thing to remember is this: Don’t force yourself to play as it will only drive you further away. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is to walk away.
Conclusion
Now, this is by no means a comprehensive list. There are tons more reasons why we quit but I wanted to just talk about a few that I’ve personally encountered and maybe you have too. From quitting because a game stops being fun, gets too tough, or life’s priorities take over, there are plenty of excuses to stop. But with the right strategies, you can make it work. From taking needed breaks to rekindle that spark to utilizing effective time management to fit gaming into your schedule, always remember that the goal is to have fun. So, now I turn the mic over to you. What reasons have you had to quit games? What have you done to encourage yourself to get back on that horse and keep pushing to end? Leave your comments below or on my socials!
