How to Deal with Videogame Burnout 

It feels as my brain isn’t interested in playing but is interested watching gameplays or reviews. Sometimes there’s an overwhelming feeling with a new game or time stress for no reason that makes it hard to just relax and have fun, I have false negative feeling of wasting time? Unsure if it’s burnout or something else 😅. Your video raised questions that I need to solve 😂

What worked for me is I started playing a whole new genre that I hadnt experienced since the PS1 era. JRPG's

What helped me (aside from trying a genre i never had) was lowering difgiculty. In my teen years I was adamant about playing games in the hardest difficulty. When I entered my 30s I just wasnt having fun at all, realized that its oksy to play games on low difficultly and I havent looked back.

I've had it multiple times over the years, but I always come back to gaming. Sometimes you just need a break or to try something radically different.

Also I completely stopped going for achievement and collectibles in games and find them more enjoyable 😊

I think some other reasons for burn out are: 1. Many games are homogenised nowadays - if you look at PS1 or 2 era of gaming for instance, so many games appeared and played completely differently, nowadays they seemingly all use the same Unreal engine and button layouts and game play loops are too similar, just the skin is different. So, of course we’ll get burn out. Maybe just pick on game from each genre, e.g. RPG, and stick with that rather than playing loads of other variations on a theme. 2. Games are too long. It’s like AAA had to keep getting bigger to get better, and the surge in game length means little games at their core, are now spread too thinly over “longer campaigns”, which basically means: locate and clean out enemies, capture base, go to high point to reveal more map, rinse and repeat ad infinitum. I think this silly, lazy trend is the equivalent to just pumping more water, wheat or milk powder into our food to bulk it out, it adds little nutritional value and is just designed to make it appear better value for money. 3. Sometime it’s also worth asking yourself: “what’s the function of me playing games at the moment?” If it’s honestly to supplement your healthy, enjoyable life with a fun past time, then great. But if you’re losing your interest in, or feel your getting gamers burnout, it might be because you’re struggling with your mental health and are just using games like a drug, to stimulate your dopamine in a dwindling effort to balance your mood. In which case, maybe take a short break from gaming and find a way to identify and address unresolved issues in your life. 4. Balance. We’ve all heard that we can have too much of a good thing. So assess how many hours of your time you spend gaming, it might seem like there’s not enough time in the world to get through your backlog, but don’t let that stop you from doing other things. Actually taking time away from gaming can make your experience of it richer, a bit like if you only ate your favourite meal every day, you’d soon get sick of it, until you go and eat other things for a while before returning to it.

What helped me was finding a game where i can became good at. Like a fighter game or sim racing. Its fun seeing yourself getting better in games.

Got to the point where even stardew valley burnt me out. Didn't go back to the game till recently. I found out I was hyper-optimizing everything (using spreadsheets for maximum profit -- in a game!). Now I just take a chill approach and try other games in my backlog that I haven't played in a while (or at all)

I finally started a new game. Played Vanquish for the first time and it's such a amazing game even though it came out so long ago.

My first rule for burnout is never play the same genre or the next game in the series one after another. for example , if i just played BioShock i will not play BioShock 2 right after and i will also not play something like Far Cry because it's belong to the same genre. really helps me not to get burnt out from gaming , but even then i still get this burnout sometimes and i just take a break until i feel passionate enough to play video games again. great video by the way , keep up the good work👍

I've been playing all of my childhood games lately and having so much fun. It made gaming fun for me again.

I found I need to play games on the easiest difficulty setting as I do not have the time to hope the skills needed to overcome most new or old games. Really enjoyed the vid 😉👍

I sense a touch of OCD here too, I have it bad sometimes especially in certain genres of games. Much like you said in games like Alan Wake, wanting to explore every nook and cranny, the fear of missing some pointless item or collectible that probably has no significance in the grand scheme of things, the FOMO is real. I have scrapped and restarted many game saves due to this, it's quite draining! It's a work in progress, but the 1hr method is something I have tried more recently, as well as trying lots of smaller, indie games, rather than the massive epics. PS+ is great for this. I wish you luck, and all the best! *EDIT* Just to add, for anyone reading. There's also no shame in just putting the controller down, throw on a movie or TV show, let your brain rest. The games will still be there when you come back. The backlog will never be beaten, but at least it'll always be there when you're ready for it. Much love.

This is probably the best & most eye opening "Videogame Burnout" video I've ever seen. Cheers!

Needed to hear this ❤❤❤great vid

Wow thanx 4 this video. This realy helped me out!

Honesly, souls games were a breath of fresh air when I was burned out from the open-world chores. I wouldn't say it's a burnout from video games in general, but from the genres you usually play.

Great content here, wasn't expecting to find this tbh. Thank you for you analysis, I'm going through it at the moment so your video is really helpful ❤

I’ve been playing more single player games lately. I’ve always been a huge online gaming player but since Fortnite’s huge profits from season events, it has ruined the gaming experience for me. When I was big on forza horizon I was just playing to unlock cars and wasn’t actually playing for fun. I feel like modern games are always forcing you to play the game and I don’t want to feel pressured with ‘daily’ challenge unlocks, otherwise you miss out. I play when ‘I’ want to play, not when the gaming companies want me to. Feels like companies are feeding off of people’s addictions to keep them hooked into games nowadays.

Great vid! Liked and subscribed 😊

I wanted to choose the right time to play Outer Wilds. I chose a terrible time. I did not enjoy myself... but in the end, when the credits rolled... I slowly became more and more attached to what I experienced. I forgave myself for googling some of the answers to "puzzles" and what was left was just this warm feeling. This allowed me to introspect on what was wrong... what made me not like the game itself. This is huge for me, because usually I would just go "aahhh maybe the game just was not for me," but this didn't happen with Outer Wilds. I think it speeks volumes about the game... to like it even though I did not like playing it. Now I understand that I've turned impatient and anxious when playing games. I feel overwhelmed too. What you said in the video resonated with me deeply. So thanks to you and Outer Wilds, I can now try to learn patience again and maybe start enjoying games without the fear of commiting to something new.

Awesome video and great tips! Burnout is definitely real. I find myself with gaming burnout more so now that I am a RU-vidr. Since I am always recording gameplay videos, I end up burned out with playing games off camera. That's why I'm trying to make less Let's Plays video and focus more so on other types of gaming videos. Let's plays will always be at the forefront though because those types of videos built my channel, but I'm really wanting to expand my horizons so I can get back into playing more games off camera!

New to your channel with this vid and its awesome! You’ve got yourself a new lifetime sub👍

Great video. Subbed

When games feel like a chore… this has me reflecting on my time with baldurs gate 3. Lots of people say it’s amazing but I gotta say, I feel like I have to force myself to play it sometimes. Time for me to let it go as it’s just not for me. Gimmie vampire survivors any day. lol

Thank you for this :)

Really enjoyed this video. Got yourself a subscriber

Every Game is about fucking killing everything in sight

great video

Bro made a guide to be more addicted to video games

I have maybe 750 games spanning 30 years of consoles and pc. It's a struggle to find something I want to play. Lately what I've been doing is either picking a system or taking the whole list, and just having one picked from a wheel.

Great video!!

you have a voice for an education channel! Nice video

Great vid ,I'm now subscribed

I got a full time job while trying to keep up with relationships and paying my own bills while still finding time to play Videogames. You gotta just manage your time and you be alright 😎

Nice tips

I never actually platinum'd a game. Not even Elden Ring, which I have 800 hours in. I still only have about 70%. I just never enjoyed hunting for trophies. I guess that's why I only ever experienced a very mild form of burnout, never the full package. I seriously recommend just plaing a game however you feel, maybe never even look at the trophies at all.

I feel that a lot of us have put in a lot of time with video games throughout our life because we have used video games to help us pass time until our social lives get better; While my social life has gotten way better over the years, it still isn't exactly where I want it to be because a lot of people in today's society are too chaotic and indoctrinated And this is what keeps my interest in video games alive, because I'm constantly reminded that there are too many obstacles in the real world that keeps me from getting to the next level in my social life

Thank you for actually talking about this. I've been having "video game burnout" for a while. I think that you need to accept that you can't play all the video games out there and, honestly, I think accepting that has sort-of helped me. Also, don't try to play "multiple games;" just focus on one. Act like it's the only game you have and the only game in existence. That sort-of helped me, at least. I think FOMO is a huge problem with video game fandoms nowadays. Oh yeah, and don't play just to "keep up" with what your friends or acquaintances are playing just because they go through games fast. Don't play because you "have to."

I have honestly never felt gaming burnout for long periods of time. I have a huge backlog of games I know I’ll like and I just tackle them each one at a time. It’s so satisfying to finish one game and begin a new one

This happened to me last year. I’d be psyching myself up to play a game whilst at work during the day and by the time I got home, showered and ate dinner I just couldn’t bring myself to actually sit down and play! The game that got me out of the funk was final fantasy 16 and then resident evil 8! The story of ff16 and then the gameplay and challenge of RE8 done the trick! I even platinumed RE!

I had this burn out when i played the PS4 in 2015 for the first time. I stopped playing new generation games until i finaly bought the PS5 last year in November. Now i love gaming again.

I suffer the same. It's so odd that I tend to think on my "do nothing day off" every week, that I need to tell myself that I really should be playing a video game right now.

What works for me is deciding to stop playing immediately after an accomplishment not after I start feeling bored, tired, or frustrated. Also, I stop playing for the day only after dealing with my inventory management and gear while it's fresh in my mind what I need and don't need. That way, when think about starting to play again, I have fewer excused not to play.

I took a full year off from gaming once. I was just not feeling good I love games but I let my health go. So I decided to put down the controller and work on myself. It really helped me yes I missed out on a lot but now I have more to play.

I believe that consciousness is linked to language/communication in some way. Because when we stop just reacting, we take in that same information and process it/live differently. But why? Is it because we know that subconsciously/deep down that certain things/actions maybe be detrimental further along (and/or could we possibly manipulate/prepare events to play out for a reward in the future). These things are all connected to consciousness. When they all come together & play off of each other, they create consciousness. Being "aware", being able to speak & teach, to learn and apply said knowledge, having a sense of "purpose".

I wasn't playing much games in the last 5 years on my PC, because I've stopped enjoying them. I'm too much of a min-maxer or completionist and it felt like a job, checking walkthroughs, guides, tips, best builds, tweaking graphical settings. Recently I got Xbox 360 from my brother-in-law. Because console gaming is a lot more casual and also it's very convenient and streamlined, I started enjoying some games again. On console it's a lot easier to just play 1-2h in the evening if I feel like it. Or not play it. Turn it on fast, turn it off quick. Playing on a pad laying on bed is more relaxing than sitting at the PC. No graphical settings tweaking. No checking up guides. But I'm also picking games that have no RPG builds. Just games with nice world and some good story, like RDR1. Also one thing I realized is that "if a game is amazing, I will play it again anyway, maybe many years down the line, but I will probably play it again, so I don't need to max it out on a first playthrough". So I can chill and only focus on what's fun in the game (like main story). But I avoid RPG games with character builds.

I got a mental block when I want to complete games, too.

One way is that I dive into my other hobbies and usually helps me get back into gaming.

I got burnt out with AAA games. I found playing indie games or different style games helps. I got into rogue like when i used to dismiss them. I love games that are hard as nails. It really did it for me. I grew up on the NES that has a plethora of hard games. It is my all-time favorite console. When I find a modern game with difficulty and simple pick up and play, I'm interested.

I’m off today and that’s when I generally play more so than the days I’m working.. Hard to game when you’re tired at least for me.. But for whatever reason I can’t get motivated on this day.. Maybe because I finished FF 16 the other day I’m feeling burnt out.. I do have pretty much all I want in the library now tho.. Perhaps the one game I can possibly think of I’m interested in getting now is SFV.I.. Other than that I’m good to go.. I guess on the bright side is it’s better to be a gaming addict than many of the other types of addicts!?

This video hit home hard. Liked & Sub'd

currently struggling with burnout... its cause in unemployed and all i do is play video games (which gets super repetitive)

I recently experienced this trying to play Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth fresh off of having just played through Yakuza Like a Dragon. Now Persona 3 Reload is out and gaming is fun again. Because P3 Reload is different enough

Im feeling this.. So many games that i kinda want to but then also don't.. just so i can finish it.. what a idiotic way to think.. game should be fun, not a chore to finish lol.. After finishing Elden Ring every RPG is feeling so shallow.. But i had a blast playing Enshrouded last week. I think changing the genre is a gread idea, maybe this will help ;)

Yea star field I only played 35 min and could no continue 😩 I just wasn’t feeling it

i decided to stop hating and bought a few popular games (modern warfare, fifa, madden) and ive felt a lot better, playing a much more non commital game

I think having too many games aka being spoiled is the ultimate reason. I used to enjoy games because it felt special getting it on Christmas or saving up for it. now it's hundreds of games on gamepass, free games, and can pirate any game on pc.

I find if I stop playing games til I feel like playing them again (about 6 months), I will start longing to play them again. Like taking a prolonged tolerance break when I used to use cannabis after it was legalized.

How I avoid it is by not playing games too similar close together. For example right now I'm playing a WRPG on my PC, a Dungeon crawler on my 3DS, and turn based JRPGs on my Switch and Playstation but the two JRPGs have very different settings, stories, and combat systems plus I never play them both the same day. And after I finish those I'll probably play two very different tactics or strategy game on my PC and Switch and an Musou or Shooter on one of my Playstations

Yes me too. I dont understand how anybody can say the game is good

To many games on the go is definitely the cause for me . Just pick 2 or 3 at the most . Also working fulltime being a father i have limited time 1 or 2hours a day the most when my daughter goes to bed and by time she goes to bed im to tired sometimes. Because of this long games like baldurs gate 3 have been a nightmare to finish some nights il spend 1 hour in a long ass fight to relise im not going to win and get nowhere .

I work full time and train Muay Thai 3-4 hours a day I pretty much game exclusively on the weekends now

I take a break if it’s not fun or interesting at the moment.

Complete burnout for me then. I'm bored of playing the same games on my ps4. I would upgrade to the 5 but none of the game releases interest me. I fairly recently enjoyed playing through the main wolfenstein's. Tried playing farcry 5, but can't get into it. I'll have a fortnight break from gaming and see how I feel

I love this vid! I have found that my very busy very analytical brain can spend too much time dissecting games which sucks out the enjoyment. Also I can ruin games very easily by trying to play them a 'certain' way versus just following the dopamine hits and enjoying the f*ck out of it, which is how I used to roll. Like they're video games not real life is there ever really a 'right' way to play them 🤷

I have a habit of quitting games right when I know I am at the end..?

What worked for me is doing literally anything else, filling my time with more productive things helped a ton when it was time to game

The problem is most new games are to long and to bland what happened to just having a fun game to play

Will play tomb raider remaster tonight. That will reignite the gamer in me

I am an Warzone addict. I smashed my Chair to the wall and broke my keyboard to pieces, i crunched it so hard that my hands started to bleed. It drives me crazy, i was covered in sweat completely. I killed an streamer 3x but he killed me once and won the game and started talking shit in game chat and his twich chat, i was going to search for this Person but couldn't find any info where he lives. Idk what to do, yet i still jump on this game every night for 2-3 hours. I am actually good at it and have many wins, so i don't know why it drives me crazy. Idk what to do.

The moment I realize I can replay Arkham Knight over & over and play it whole day without burnout. This is no longer a problem.

Talking about backlog burnout to me is actually mental. Go outside, practise sports, go watch a sunset with literally anyone. Ytf would you force yourself to consume digital entertaninment like it was your job? If your hobby feels like a chore, it's not an hobby, you're just addicted to the low quality dopamine it has been providing you over the years of addiction Play less, stop giving chances to games you're not dying to play, never feel obligated to finish a game, never buy a game unless you're gonna play it right away.

When i usually feel burnout i go to my comfort games thats usually MMOS like FFXIV or warframe and i play those till i get burned out again and switch back to my backlog haha

I have put 5-10+ hours into so many games then get distracted by the new shiny thing. I’m lucky to earn enough where I can afford to buy games regularly and my issue isn’t the price at all but time. I bought Hogwarts legacy, Diablo 4, Deadspace Remake, Street Fighter 6 and….. Baldurs Gate 3 I haven’t finished any of them. I found I had hardly any time to commit to BG3 picked up something shorter at the time and just haven’t gone back. I think because I have so little time it’s easier to watch videos and get into a hype cycle than dedicate the 70+ hours. That being said I just picked up Persona 3: Reload (loved 5) and I’m dedicated to this one! No…… matter….. what…..

I'm very good at saying "I hate this, I'm quitting" but really bad at saying "I don't think this appeals to me, I shouldn't waste time trying it" So despite giving up on plenty of games after 10 hours or less (and to be clear, if it isn't good in the first 10 hours, its a bad game no matter how much it improves later), I still have lots of games in my library that I haven't started because they don't appeal to me and never did. At least I'll always have Dragon Quest

If my brain tries to convince me to quit trophy hunting every six months (unsuccessfully), does that mean that I should genuinely try to quit?

This is the 3rd video in a row I have watched about finishing your backlog or gaming burnout and every video used the topic as an opportunity to shit on Starfield. 😂

I play apex legend's for more than 2,000 hours . I was burned out . Took 2 years break from video games .now I'm back to playing other games

I genuinely wonder can literally anyone relate with this man. You say you play so many games that you have to take a break from playing. And then even having to force yourself to play. How do you find so many hours in the day man? I feel like 24hs is not enough for my basic existence lmao. I feel happy just having 2-3 hours a week mostly during the weekends to unwind with a game. Ps. Then you just mentioning devil may cry and that alone makes you my brother lol

I thought this video was about the videogame Burnout?

Videogame burnout is absolutely not a real problem

The simple way is play xenoblade 123

Is this a joke? Burnout? Ok, it's your opinion yes, but my opinion, if there's something that won't give me a burnout, it's totally videogames, finished 19 games till the year started and will be playing all the time, still no kids but have a girlfriend and I'm 36 and I'm happy for all the games and back log I have, I just want more and more to play because... I actually love videogames

I mean is it a problem? Video games are an entertainment when you have free, but you shouldn't spend all your free time on video games, read books, exercise maybe learn something new. I really don't see video game burnout as a problem that needs solving.

Starfield was awful to be fair

Get a job. Exercise. Get some sunlight. Burned out? Play less.

I think taking a week off from gaming helps.

If you're burned out from video games, you're either playing too many video games and need to get a life, or you're playing shit video games. I wasn't surprised when you first mentioned Starfield. BGS haven't innovated their game formula since 2011. Play something challenging like Bloodborne or Sekiro.

I personally think people take games too seriously. Like trophy hunters and achievement hunters

go outside

The solution to gaming burnout isn't gaming.

tell me you're console warring without telling me you're console warring. Dude I saw right thru your bulls**t....its pathetic

Fear of playing the game wrong - oh yeah. 😅 I love exploring off the regular path, but when I get locked out of something else I wanted to do, it feels stupid.🫣 More onto the topic: I like a variety of games. I mostly like to play an indie after a AAA, a short linear game after a large open world game and so on. I also like to keep games to just casually jump into (in my case Call of Duty) whenever I need to just unwind, even from another game. No goals, no story to follow, no thinking 🤭. What also helps: Pay for each single game. The more the better. Nobody wants to waste money. It helps me to keep my gaming load in check, I never had a pile of shame for example. Just one at a time, two max. - for example I like to get more serious on the PS5, but on the Switch, I could start Mario or Kirby, play one or two levels and then leave it for weeks. Subscriptions are quite deceptive as you no longer feel you monetary investment per title and at least for me, it reduces some sort of personal obligation to actually play something. You just have everything at your disposal and choosing alone could be stressful.