Used to spend most of my days playing live service games that required a huge amount of time, or big AAA titles that are critically acclaimed. For example, Fallout 4/76, Battlefield 2042, rainbow six, World of Warcraft, RuneScape, Skyrim, Destiny 2, OverWatch… Basically any really big game that you would find on the top 20 of steam or by player count, I would spend a huge amount of time playing that. But I got pretty bored of all these really big games having overplayed them so much, and now I have no idea what to play anymore…

So I’ll spend a few hours playing something, and then jump to another game and then another game and none of them give me any Joy. For example, playing 3 hours of 7 Days to Die, 10 hours of No Man’s Sky, 5 hours of stardew Valley, play fortnite with a friend for 2 hours, login to World of Warcraft and get bored Within a day or two. Tried going back to Battlefield 2042 because it saw a small uptick of players…

Honestly have no idea what to play anymore. So I just bounce around trying to look for something that’ll bring me some joy and don’t get much luck

  • Christov@lemmy.world
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    2 hours ago

    Along with the suggestions here can also recommend a short hike. There’s also a bunch of short, fulfilling games on itch.io and the developers see more of your cash vs steam, worth considering if you’re so inclined.

    I also go through phases like this, particularly in the winter. You could be suffering from depression or if this is a more recent thing as the days get shorter maybe its SAD. Get some sunshine and a SAD lamp and see if that helps. If not, worth talking to a professional like others have suggested. Godspeed fellow gamer!

  • Encrypt-Keeper@lemmy.world
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    5 hours ago

    If we’re being real, there’s a chance you’re just depressed. It’s also worth noting that you don’t actually have to play video games. Sometimes I just find myself without anything good to play. It’s ok to do something else for fun for awhile.

  • SaharaMaleikuhm
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    5 hours ago

    I enjoy playing older games I missed out on years ago. Recently I finally played Silent Hill 3 and 4 for instance. Now I plan on doing Resi 1-3 and games like it. Other than that my guilty pleasure is League of Legends. I have accepted that I will play it until they shut it down.

  • Linktank@lemmy.today
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    6 hours ago

    This happens to me when I don’t have somebody to share my progress in a game with. It’s definitely some sort of failure to achieve dopamine or something.

    Having a second person to talk to about the game and your progression may help you to overcome this hurdle.

    Alternatively, try some indie stuff? AAA+ games are made by soulless companies who don’t actually care about your joy. Have you ever played Stardew Valley? Made by ONE dude with love. Give that a shot.

    • BluesF@lemmy.world
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      5 hours ago

      That seems like it’s only a good thing! Have fun, save cash, I’m jealous haha!

      • BigBananaDealer@lemm.ee
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        4 hours ago

        it would be if i didnt have 3 other games i wanted to play as well 😂 already bought downloaded and collecting dust as i replay the same game over again

  • anakin78z@lemmy.world
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    11 hours ago

    This actually sounds like depression. Being unable to find joy, and then unsuccessfully searching for it in places where you used to find it. I would consider talking to a professional if you can.

    Or try Dragon Age Veilguard.

    • Jrockwar@feddit.uk
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      2 hours ago

      Not disagreeing with you necessarily, but ADHD also fits the bill. I’m very much a happy person at the moment, I wouldn’t change anything in my life, yet I subscribe to what OP says. Games are too long, too boring to grab my attention long enough.

      I managed recently to complete GTA V because I found the story hilarious, and I only managed that by skipping all side missions. That’s the only long / AAA game I’ve managed to finish in recent years.

      What helps me is understanding that if I get 5h of enjoyment out of a game rather than getting to the intended 50h playtime, that’s also valid. 5h of fun also counts as fun and this is a game, not work, so there’s no pressure to finish it.

    • dubyakay@lemmy.ca
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      7 hours ago

      If we are going down this path, I’d actually recommend touching grass first (proverbially), before a sinking time and money into a professional. It’s an easy, non-committal step, that may do wonders.

    • datavoid@lemmy.ml
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      5 hours ago

      Do you not realize you’re doing the same content over and over and over again?

        • DuckWrangler9000@lemmy.worldOP
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          6 minutes ago

          You’d think the game is fun but people on wow are so miserable. They’re always upset, DOTA2 energy tbh kicking each other from groups and harassing each other, hating on their own game

  • B0NK3RS@lemmy.world
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    12 hours ago

    There is always a need for those 3, 5 or 10 hour games. Something short and sweet instead of the mindless grind of a live service game. I recommend looking in your backlog for something different every now and then.

  • CobblerScholar@lemmy.world
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    15 hours ago

    Sounds like you need a break from video games tbh. If you like the role-playing accepts you might try Dnd or another TTRPG.

    • Scratch@sh.itjust.works
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      13 hours ago

      This happened to me. I tried to force the issue but it never felt the same.

      Try some computer-related past-times. Blender is a great option if you want to learn how to work with 3d models. But it’s much more than that, you can use other people’s models and make digital dioramas or animations.

      An alternate route leads you into 3d printing or industrial design. Blender is great for organic shapes, but something like OnShape is better for accurate part sizes.

      You could pick up some programming, learnpython.org could be a starting point, if you have zero experience.

      You could try digital art. There’s a world of knowledge out there for you.

      Or, go do something unrelated to computers!

      These things ebb and flow. Don’t force it.

  • Console_Modder@sh.itjust.works
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    14 hours ago

    Looks like all the games you’ve listed are games where you can spend hours just to grind to the next level, or are filled with mundane fetch quests to keep you busy. If you don’t want to take a break like someone else suggested, you could try to play a single player game with a definite ending. Even if it’s a short game that is only a couple of hours long, you might just need something that has a final cutscene/boss fight and then the credits roll.

    Not really sure what games might interest you, but look into Turnip Boy Commits Tax Fraud for a short, 4-6 hour long fun adventure. Or TUNIC if you want something similar to a Dark Souls esque experience, without getting all sweaty and try-hard

    • BombOmOm@lemmy.world
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      14 hours ago

      Agreed, seems OP is getting tired of the live service grind. Subnautica (start with the first) and Hollow Knight are both excellent single player games to try out.

  • AlphaOmega@lemmy.world
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    11 hours ago

    I’ve been doing this for decades. I just get bored easily. But every now and then I find a game that works for me and I spend 1000s of hours playing it. At this point I probably have a 1000+ games and 70% of them I played 2 to 4 hours…

  • sith@lemmy.zip
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    14 hours ago

    Maybe try something different? A strategy game perhaps?

    Or you might actually need a dopamine detox in combination with practicing a more rewarding and sustainable hobby. Read a book or start a project if some sort.

    It could also be that you’re experiencing a depression.

  • teft@lemmy.world
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    12 hours ago

    Play Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s enormous. It’s difficult and the turn based combat is something you’ll have to get used to but it’s incredibly fun and deep.

    I’ve put 1300 hours into the game because if you get bored you can just start a different character and try the story from their perspective. There are dozens of ways to complete every encounter.