How Digital Overload and Constant Overstimulation Is Hindering Gamers
In this day and age, no one is spared from digital overload. Almost everyone (apart from folks who practice detachment / digital detox) is glued to our screens.
In constant pursuit of minor dopamine spikes, gaming takes a backseat and can, in some cases, go out the window, too. Thus, plenty of gamers feel their interest in their favorite hobby is waning. Don’t worry if you think so too; you aren’t alone.
As Paradoxical as It Sounds; “Gamers” in 2024 Are Struggling to Game, Thanks to Digital Overload
Many amazing games have been released recently, but gamers are subjected to digital overload and overstimulation. | Image Credits: Game Science.
Imagine this, the latest games in 2024, like Black Myth Wukong, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2, or Elden Ring are some of the finest games that are all the rage right now. But not for you, because you may have purchased your favorite console or built your custom gaming PC but have no time to play with it. Why? Because of constant overstimulation.
Or at least, that is what you think. Either work commitments do not leave you with enough time or you do not get enough time to boot your recent video game purchase.
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You look at the main and begin playing but cannot stand it for more than 10 minutes. It is too overwhelming. You think, “Man. how will I remember these controls?” or “This is too much effort”. But it could be the game’s fault, so you reinstall one of your favorites, only to quit playing that too.
As if phones weren’t already causing distress in people’s life, some genius thought of adding them to video games, too! Image Credits: Rockstar Games.
Laying on your bed, you look at your phone. Unlocking it doesn’t feel deliberate, it just happens in a split-second. It doesn’t seem to take any effort to open your favorite brain rot social media app.
There goes your ‘free time’ into swiping up and watching 15-second videos of people who earn by feeding you worthless content and diminishing your attention span. You look at your gaming machine, right as you cross it before going to bed and wonder why you spent the last two hours of your life scrolling when you wanted to game instead.
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Sounds familiar? Believe it or not, it is more common than you think! And this is precisely what overstimulation has done to a lot of gamers.
I’m not enjoying playing games anymore. Help. by invideogames
I talk to many passionate gamer friends who admit to doing the same thing. Not to mention the countless posts on this topic that you can find on social media. After all, giving in to the temptation of constantly using your smartphone is incredibly easy,
Digital overload has gotten you hooked on chasing micro-highs using low-density fun. Don’t worry though, as there is a way out. You can enjoy gaming again, here’s how!
How To Get Past Overstimulation and Enjoy Your Favorite Games
There was a time when video games didn’t have photo-realistic graphics but we enjoyed them. | Image Credits: Valve.
There was a time when most of us enjoyed games regardless of how sloppy the controls were or how bad their graphical fidelity was. That was because our avenues for spending our leisure time were either limited or required more effort than playing video games.
It is only much later that we got a handy device in our pocket that was supposed to make our lives easier and it did, only to enslave us afterward. If the goal is to enjoy video games again, it will require to get the ball rolling.
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However, once inertia works in your favor, you will have little to no trouble enjoying video games. I have broken down my approach into three actionable steps.
Reduce The Resistance Between Gaming and Yourself
Look at Jimmy, do you think he ever has problems trying to play Righteous Slaughter 7? | Image Credits: Rockstar Games.
In 2024, everything designed to keep you hooked works on intricate design philosophies. However, in laypeople’s terms, the human mind is proven to take the path of least resistance. This is a major reason why gaming after sitting at your desk all day seems like a chore. Your brain would rather consume junk on your phone.
You can reduce this resistance by keeping your controller in sight, gaming on your couch, or ensuring that your gaming setup isn’t an absolute mess and you want to use it. Additionally, take care of all updates or any other installs before your playtime so that you can dive right in.
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Conversely, you can also increase the resistance between you and your phone by keeping it in the other room when you plug it in for charging. Another tip that can reduce resistance would be to define your gaming session and attach an objective to it.
For example, instead of thinking, ‘I want to play Black Myth Wukong‘, think ‘Today I will defeat the Bullguard boss in Black Myth Wukong‘. Taking your entertainment and recreation seriously is the first step toward ensuring you can stay productive in the long run. This brings me to my second point.
Take Control of Your Mind as You Decide to Undo Digital Overload
You will need to fight these zombies in your mind that pull you away from indulging in your favorite hobby. | Image Credits: Techland.
Human Beings are creatures of habit. The more reinforced an activity is as a habit, the less effort it will require. Sadly, we are more accustomed to habits that take away points from our lifestyle rather than adding to it.
This is exactly why taking out your phone and watching short-form content is so easy. The first step I mentioned will reduce the time it takes to start your gaming session. Now that you have fired up a game, even if your brain tries to trick you into thinking it isn’t the best way to spend your time.
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Keep going at it, keep playing as it is proven that the effort required to do even the most boring tasks reduces exponentially as you elapse more time. This will restore your mind to where it was before social media fried its dopaminergic reward system.
However, I recommend playing something you love or a title that is statistically more likely to keep you playing due to its quality. That is because much as I learn about the latest games, they put me off more often than attract me to them. This reminds me of my third and final actionable step.
Try Playing Through Some of the Best Video Games Ever Made
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the best video games ever made, try it if you haven’t already. | Image Credits: Rockstar Games.
Video Games are some of the sophisticated products that have come out of the blend between art and technology. Some of the best games that I have played have stayed with me for years.
Picking what to play has always been a question that leads to more time lost and aversion towards video games. This is because of something known as the paradox of choice.
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So take the recommendation route and search for the highest-rated games available on your platform! Explore lists talking about the best video games ever made. Use subreddits and review-aggregator websites like Metacritic. Pick the first one you find even remotely intriguing and start cracking at it!
Maybe you will like it or you won’t, who knows? But taking this approach simplifies the process of picking a game! And you may discover your next favorite title, too!
All in all, keep in mind that gaming will not only help you regain your focus and attention span. It will help you in all walks of life. Moreover, getting involved in a hobby will ensure that you are letting your hair down from time to time.
I was bored of gaming and found myself giving in to the urge to scroll and indulge in overstimulation, too. When I realized that it took a lot from my personality and lifestyle; I devised and implemented everything I mentioned here.
Which game would you play today? And what platform would you play it on? We would love to know your responses in the comment section below!
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
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