Sudden Apathy in Video Games: A Frustrating and Underestimated Phenomenon - editorial
Sudden Apathy in Video Games
Sometimes we are firmly convinced that the passion for video games is so consolidated that it cannot fade for any reason in the world. We spend hours and hours in front of a screen, looking for thrills, adrenaline-fueled missions or, simply, that simple and pure opportunity to take refuge from the outside world. During the pandemic, the gaming world literally saved the lives of some people, sometimes distracting them even a little from terrible depressions ready to grab their hearts.This is an indissoluble truth which, on the contrary, has brought new players closer by making them discover new and interesting facets. New genres have been experimented with, intriguing and at the same time intricate stories, simple and genuine games and missions faced in the company of new friends. Many small elements that make you feel different emotions: joy, relaxation, lightheartedness, or even the anger of not being able to kill a boss. However, unfortunately, a band of avid gamers suddenly finds themselves in a sort of dark tunnel, without being able to give themselves an explanation.
Some people, for no apparent reason, can no longer feel thrills with video games, regardless of genre or type of gameplay. "I can't enjoy video games anymore, what's happening to me? What's wrong with me?" we would ask. Worse still, is it our fault or the gaming industry and its new strategies? Are the games of years ago now a distant memory impossible to replicate? Well, honestly, a game should not be replicated, nor is it necessary to blame. There are a thousand dynamics that can temporarily lead us to a similar crossroads, and this is not necessarily that serious. Sometimes we may just need a little break, without forcing ourselves to feel emotions: this could in fact prove even more deleterious. We did some research, and the statements of some players (made public on Reddit) made us think a lot.
Following the opinions of others, in some cases, is not always the best choice. You may need to experiment with new, even unknown titles. "The biggest thing that confused me was the release of The Witcher 3. Everyone praises it, but I can't appreciate it because it's boring, and the combat is repetitive and poorly implemented. I tried installing some old games afterwards. having listened to their nostalgic soundtracks, but after the installation I could barely keep the interest for 15 minutes. Why did the games I liked lose their "magic"? I also tried playing Diablo 3, which for some reason really got me hooked (running home after work to play), but after getting into top gear it became depressing and repetitive. "
This talk is exactly related to the pseudo need to replicate some games. The magic of a well-defined moment can be molded on particular contexts, moments, sensations, memories. These are difficult situations to relive identically, since emotions are like water flowing in a stream. Everything flows, everything is renewed. We can remember some games with pleasant melancholy, but this does not mean that they can make us feel the same and identical sensations of the past. We should definitely keep experimenting, trying new titles, sometimes digging among hidden and almost unknown pearls.
Opting for a game "praised by all" is not always a good idea: emotions are subjective and they don't necessarily work with us. It is also true, however, that some factors further negatively impacted the gaming experience. Just think of the release of titles with an impressive presence of bugs, or gacha systems that force you to carry out microtransactions to continue with the story or to be stronger. The gaming industry is certainly different from many years ago, with its pros and cons. Nostalgics, therefore, could have a completely different vision, and they could be very linked to that melancholy spark of many years ago, where everything was different.
Some are fortunate enough to relive their passion for video games. This time with the most important people. "I don't like to play anymore. Since I have two children and a full-time job my" play time "is limited. When I sit down to play I feel nothing. If I am well I feel empty, if I play badly I feel alone annoyed. I like all genres, especially RPGs, but even thinking about playing Pillars of Eternity II makes me want to throw up. Playing Warhammer II tires me in 15 minutes and playing Mario on my Switch bores me to death. Part of me thinks I should stop playing for a while, the other part is afraid of never playing again, because I care about my PC and love my Nintendo Switch collection. I just want that spark magic again. I keep buying games in the hope that some of them will reignite the fire, so to speak, but to no avail. What's wrong with me? ".
Taking a break, in this case, it can be therapeutic. Forcing yourself to try something, and even worse, doing it by spending money on money, can be downright deleterious. This problem also depends on new life needs; Fortunately, for example, there are many new parents who are still passionate about video games and who manage to reconcile every commitment. The same goes for anyone who has particular setbacks or activities that take up most of the time.
In short, finding even just ten minutes to play can be easily feasible. The problem is that, at some point, some people are too tired to even just stare at a screen, or prefer to prioritize other things to do. Those who loved video games, and now feel they want to do without them, can simply indulge their needs with the knowledge that they have nothing wrong with them. A bit like when we attended basketball or dance classes as a child, only to realize we wanted to learn to play the electric guitar. Life is a constant cycle of new emotions, a continuous renewal of needs, curiosity, pleasures and disinterest.
Some signs can be traced back to problems that require specific attention. Remember that talking to a professional is never wrong. Despite this, although there are countless reasons, sometimes completely understandable and normal, you should also take into account some alarm bells. Suddenly stopping wanting to gamble could be a sign of depression. In fact, one of the most important aspects concerns the lack of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that acts through the bloodstream and the nerve pathways. Better known as the "happiness hormone", it is an essential element that shapes itself on the system of gratification, reward and motivation.
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A deficit of this substance can have a great impact on daily life, and could be one of the reasons why some players become almost totally apathetic. Dopamine goes hand in hand with serotonin and acts on a psycho-physical level. This is an essential aspect with regard to video games: the combination of the two substances pushes you to enjoy an action and, therefore, to want to repeat it. Symptoms include apathy, low concentration and lack of motivation. In some cases, video games could help you find new stimuli, while in others it could just be a useless effort.
As you have seen, there are several reasons why we could stop being interested in the videogame world. What we once loved may now almost leave us indifferent or nauseated. Well, this article is not meant to be a psychological analysis, much less an account seen in the third person. Each of us experiences different emotions, sometimes impossible to explain, and the frustration of those who are no longer able to enjoy video games can be very impactful. One of the few things that make us happy now leaves us indifferent: what's wrong?
Our answer is simple and sincere: there is nothing wrong. If you feel like you want to get away for a while, do it. If you want to spend hundreds of dollars looking for the perfect game, too. There is no common solution, much less a well-defined cause. Remember, however, to always accommodate your needs and let time make you understand your needs. Video games are wonderfully valuable - they can entertain, distract, amuse, excite or simply relax. They will be there waiting for you without pressure and maybe, sooner or later, you will have the desire and strength to return to that magical refuge again.
