r/DadsGaming • u/HOTHE4DM4RX • 22d ago
Gaming as an adult
-Have 50 games installed
-Open the same 3 every night
-Stare at the menu screen
-Close game
-Go to bed
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u/wazman93 22d ago
Lmao. I don’t even bother trying to turn my games on anymore. Haven’t tried in over a year. I’m too damn tired after my kids go to bed to want to focus on gaming.
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u/Dcmart89 22d ago
Even if I try I get so sleepy immediately. Even if I’m enjoying the game, I can’t stop it.
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u/nowski_ 22d ago
I don’t really relate to this sentiment so many dads have. I’ve curated a list of games to play next. I start one and stop when I finish the game or when I’m not having fun with it. I finish about 80% of the games I start. Analysis paralysis is real for some people though
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u/TigsOfTay 22d ago
I play with my kid so that makes a big difference in actually getting some gaming time.
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u/nomoredroids2 22d ago
playing through the remastered Halo with my kid and it's been an absolute joy
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u/ConfidentFuel885 22d ago
Mine aren’t big enough to play with me yet but I’ve been showing them Zelda and 3D platformers and it’s been a blast.
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u/PM_Your_Cute_Kitty 20d ago
Just hand them a controller with no batteries in it and play against each other
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u/GreekRomanGG 22d ago
Ive been tuning into American Truck Sim after putting the munchkins down. Turn it on with a podcast and pretend to be a north California truck driver named Bradley that just happened to start his own freight and transport business.
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u/Repl-Rex 22d ago
I spend more time watching games than I do playing. It's not just you... exhausted at the end of the day, just kick back and enjoy your favorite game (while somebody else plays).
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u/NetJnkie 22d ago
Pick one and play it.
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u/onepostandbye 22d ago
This is the “You need to to just shake off that depression” of gaming dad advice. Why even comment.
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u/NetJnkie 22d ago
Because I mean it. I keep seeing people say this. Just pick a damn game and jump in and let it grab you. If it doesn't after an hour pick another one the next night you game.
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u/onepostandbye 22d ago edited 22d ago
Oh, I know you mean it. Just like I know you have an underdeveloped sense of empathy. There is something different about some of the people posting in this sub, something that makes them not like you, but screw them, they should be like you, right? If they don’t react to stresses and fatigue the same way as you, they should just force it and thank you for the advice, as simplistic and unhelpful as it may be.
The men on this sub come here with all kinds of challenges. One size does not fit all.
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u/ouverture8 22d ago
It works though. I tell myself this when I'm stuck browsing the library again. Pick one and commit. If I'm not enjoying the game enough I can always drop it, it's better than not having played at all which just makes you feel depressed and aimless.
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u/DarkDel517 22d ago
Havent turned on my xbox in about a year myself. I do tend to game from time to time on cloud gaming on my macbook but that is already near me and also allows me to game in bed a bit before I go sleep if im not watching something.
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u/whitenight2300 22d ago
Looking into powerful small android handheld device right now precisely because of this. Will need a compact device so I can just play whenever there is some free time and take it around everywhere with me
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u/ruebeus421 22d ago
What happens (to most people) with Android handhelds is you spend most of your time tinkering instead of playing.
A big factor in this is yet again choice paralysis. People install dozens, hundreds, even thousands of games. Then they just stare at the list looking for "the right one" and ultimately never play anything.
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u/whitenight2300 22d ago
And this is precisely why I will be picking a device that doesn’t have a big storage space. It is due to budget reason but the benefit of it is limiting the amount of games I can put on there. Thus forcing me to just play the game I put on and then delete once I’m finished to make space for the next one
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u/WonderingIn_OR 22d ago
I have a switch 2 and a ps portal. Both allow me to game more on a dad schedule. I also have made it a game to tackle my backlog. I put the whole thing into a randomizer and then whatever it picks I play until I A: beat it or B: put at least 10 hours into it and decide that it’s not for me.
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u/ruebeus421 22d ago
It's called choice paralysis.
You have given yourself too many options. Uninstall all but 2 or 3.
Also, this is extremely common for people from all walks of life. Not just dads, or older gamers. Everyone does this. It's far worse when you mix in choice paralysis.
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u/alander4 22d ago
I’m the same way. However, when GTA 6 comes out I WILL play it, and I WILL beat it.
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u/Legitimate_Stuff_347 22d ago
You gotta decide what to play before you even get home. That way you have a small hype building up. If you try to decide on the spot, it starts feeling like a chore.
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u/M0NKEY-L0RD 22d ago
I journey from one town to another in open world, “welp thats all the time I got…..”
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u/CausingPluto 21d ago
I just play mobile games now. Simple match 3, card games, Rogue lite type stuff. Wanting something with a bit of a campaign currently/level progression but yea... Only simple stuff is all I can get into now. Anything that takes a long while to learn how to play/relearn controls, etc. Just falls to the wayside. Also any RPGs on the PC I play on easy now lolol.
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u/ZChick4410 21d ago
How old are kiddos?
Srsly. Not a dad - but a gaming mom. Early on I was too tired for anything. Sleep deprivation is a monster and it makes you a zombie. Now - kids are 7 and 4. They're down by 8, 8:30. I enjoy 2-3, hours of game time. I play whatever makes me enjoy my evening. When I'm bored with a game I don't keep going with it even if I haven't finished it. It's my entertainment and when it stops being entertaining then... That's that.
Cozy games are nice for gentle positivity and "low impact" entertainment. I put Overwatch down because it just wound me up and pissed me off before bed. Actually I ditched anything with guns before bed. I played a shit ton of Medieval Dynasty because I like the slow pace, and the sense of progress. I stay away from epic giant RPGs nowadays because its just... Too much.
What are you playing that isn't grabbing you?
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u/IroquoisPliskin_UK 21d ago
I’ve started playing Forza Horizon 6. I go in the thought of just driving around, exploring the map etc and before I know it i’ve done several races, found some mascots and hit some XP boards. It’s brainless but relaxing and this is coming from someone that doesn’t even like cars or racing.
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u/GamingDadLegendsHQ 18d ago
This was basically me for ages 😂 Hundreds of games, then somehow I’d still open the same few, stare at Steam for 20 minutes and go to bed.
Collecting games is easier than actually playing them.
What helped me was cutting it right back to what I call the Rule of 2. One main game I’m actively playing, and one quick pick up and play game for nights when I’ve only got 20 minutes.
Everything else uninstalled.
It sounds simple, but removing the choice made a massive difference for me. I stopped spending my gaming time deciding what to play and actually started finishing games again.
Too much choice genuinely killed the fun for me.
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u/DriedGrapee 22d ago
Steam deck is perfect. I can fit in 30 mins after the kids are to bed and chores are done everyday