Do you ever feel like games aren’t as fun as they used to be? That something feels wrong and off, and things aren’t quite right? You might think it’s just the game being bad. You might even think you’re just under the weather!

Courtesy of Andrew Neel

No, my friends, it’s very likely a case of gaming burnout. When your favorites aren’t fun, your gaming doesn’t feel good, and your adventures feel appalling, it’s time to take a step back and evaluate whether you’re suffering from video game burnout.

Failing at Funtime

Gaming burnout occurs when you’re not having fun, especially with the games you already love. Much like normal burnout, the symptoms are the same: exhaustion, listlessness, boredom, disinterest in daily activities, and an overall worse mood to boot. You’ll know if you have it, especially when you lose interest in the genres you enjoy.

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What causes this type of frustration is honestly a mixed bag. Much of it is based on your personality and how you play your games. Are you pushing yourself to play too much at any one time? Are you tackling frustrating difficulties or playing unfun, boring games you’re not interested in? Maybe you’re annoyed at playing multiplayer with others, or perhaps you don’t care about the game anymore and just want it to be over with. 

I’ve talked about burnout before, and gaming burnout is no different. While gaming-related, it’s caused by the stress you put on yourself, and if you’re not careful, that kind of pressure can ruin your day.

Changing Things Up

While it might seem ridiculous, it’s a phenomenon that many others actually feel from time to time. A post on Twitter went viral, talking about how they just weren’t fun with games anymore. A Redditor mentioned just how he couldn’t latch onto new games, and there’s even a video a YouTuber put out about how gaming just didn’t seem to feel the same anymore.

Twitter Burnout

When feelings like this occur, it's essential to learn how to come to terms with it. Left unchecked, issues like this can extend into your regular daily routine. Your day can be ruined if you're not careful, and more serious issues may arise if steps aren't taken to address this.

Thankfully, a few helpful ways exist to get out of a slump like this. Burnout is often a feeling of stress and isolation, so exploring new vistas and avenues to have fun can give you the energy you need to start enjoying things again. If you’re feeling lost, a change in how you conduct your day may be what you need to make things interesting again.

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Similarly, your video game burnout might be attached to feelings of pressure or performance issues. Maybe you're still salty about losing in that one game. Perhaps you're just frustrated at how the game plays. Regardless, consider doing the unthinkable when you're sick of what you're playing. Consider playing something else! 

Enjoying the Simpler Things

At the heart of everything: change your routine. When monotony sets in your daily routine, it’s no wonder the things you enjoy don’t seem fun anymore. This is especially true with video game burnout! What might typically be calming, routine adventures down well-trodden paths can quickly become grinding monotony if you’re not careful.

So, take matters into your own hands! Take your gaming into different genres you don’t normally explore! Do you normally play Call of Duty or other military shooters? Maybe a different type of shooter game will interest you, like Quake Champions for its multiplayer or games like Cultic and Doom1+2 for its single-player campaign. Interested in RPGs? Something like WrestleQuest might be up your alley, or a classic one like Ultima 7.

Cultic

Honestly, it might even behoove you to go back! Go full retro and experience the classic releases that are easy to get into but keep the fast, enjoyable gameplay you’re used to. Our catalog of games has releases across all the different genres. From puzzle-focused entries like JESTER and Kudzu to a wrestling RPG like WrestleQuest or the roguelike Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood! 

Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood

If it’s the variety you want, look no further than Mega Cat Studios. We started this company to help gamers find that feeling of fun and nostalgia that can feel so rare in modern times. Remember, games aren’t fun if the fun is forced! We’d love to do nothing more than to help you find your fun again.