Video games represent an increasingly expensive hobby, but players can significantly cut costs by engaging with their existing libraries. This approach, centered around managing the common 'gaming backlog,' offers a way to enjoy more games without continuous new purchases.
It is important to approach a backlog not as a mandatory checklist, but as a curated library. Players should feel empowered to leave games unfinished if they are not providing enjoyment, as forcing oneself through a title can diminish the hobby's appeal. The goal is to discover and finish games that are genuinely interesting, thereby saving money and time.
Auditing Your Free Time
The first step in managing a backlog is to realistically assess available gaming time. Understanding how many hours can be dedicated to gaming each week provides a baseline for selecting and completing games. This self-assessment should be approached with kindness, allowing for flexibility rather than strict adherence to a schedule.
Browsing Your Library
Treating your game collection like a library involves browsing for titles that currently appeal to your gaming mood. This might involve identifying a preference for a specific genre, such as a first-person shooter or a story-rich role-playing game. Tools like Backloggd, InfiniteBacklog, and the mobile app GG can assist in organizing and inventorying game collections. These platforms allow users to track owned games, mark progress, and even journal experiences, making the browsing process more engaging. Some tools also offer sorting by user ratings or other criteria.
Narrowing Down Your Choices
Once games are organized, selecting which to play first becomes easier. Resources that aggregate critical acclaim, player popularity, and completion time estimates can guide these decisions. Metacritic provides insights into critical reception and popularity, while HowLongToBeat offers estimates for game duration. By cross-referencing these with your available gaming time, you can make informed choices about which games are feasible to complete.
For instance, if you have limited time for gaming each night, opting for shorter experiences like roguelikes or first-person shooters might be more suitable. Conversely, longer play sessions on weekends can accommodate more extensive role-playing or strategy games. This methodical approach helps in making deliberate choices without creating undue pressure.
Rotating Games and Sticking with It
Most players do not focus on a single game at a time. A more engaging strategy involves rotating between two to four games, chosen using similar selection criteria. This variety can prevent boredom and keep the gaming experience fresh. The selection can be based on different genres or game lengths, catering to various moods and time commitments. If a particular game captures your attention, it is perfectly acceptable to dedicate more time to it, as the core objective is to rediscover and enjoy games that were previously set aside.
Finishing and Moving On
Successfully completing a game provides a sense of accomplishment and directly contributes to reducing the backlog while saving money. After finishing a game, players face a decision regarding post-game content. Many modern games offer New Game Plus modes, additional challenges, or unlockable content. Players should assess their appetite for continued engagement. If the desire to play more is present, engaging with this content is a valid option. However, if the primary experience has been completed, there is no obligation to continue. Looking up summaries or videos of endings on YouTube is also a viable alternative for those who wish to conclude their engagement without further play.
Responsible Purchasing Habits
To prevent the backlog from growing uncontrollably, adopt a strategy of patient purchasing. Unless a game is a multiplayer title that requires an active community for enjoyment, it is often beneficial to wait for sales. Games can be added to a wishlist and purchased later when they are more affordable and when you are ready to play them immediately. This habit ensures that new acquisitions are intended for timely play, rather than contributing to an ever-expanding collection of unplayed titles.
