Gamers vs Backlogs: How to Defeat Your Backlog - Retro Bird

Summary

This video delves into the ongoing battle gamers face with backlogs, offering practical advice for tackling the overwhelming pile of unplayed games. From game choice paralysis and the struggle to find time, to the importance of prioritizing games you can actually finish, the video provides a humorous yet realistic approach to managing your gaming backlog. It emphasizes reducing pressure by consolidating your collection and focusing on games that excite you, rather than stressing over completing every title. Ultimately, the message is clear: gaming should be fun, not a source of stress.

Takeaways

• 😀 Backlogs are a common gamer problem where the list of games you want to play keeps growing, often becoming overwhelming.
• 😀 Game choice paralysis is real—waiting until you're ready to play can make choosing a game harder, so it's better to decide ahead of time.
• 😀 Time and passion are the two main things working against you when it comes to gaming backlogs—either you don't have enough time, or your interest shifts.
• 😀 Realistically only start games you know you'll finish. Midlog games, where you abandon progress halfway, just make things worse.
• 😀 Don’t worry if you can’t finish your entire backlog—it's okay if some games never get played. The goal is enjoyment, not completion.
• 😀 Be realistic about how much time you have to play games and plan accordingly. Use tools like 'How Long to Beat' to gauge time needed for games.
• 😀 Sleep is necessary, and you can't sacrifice it just to play more games. Instead, plan gaming time around your schedule and energy levels.
• 😀 Consolidating your game collection (getting rid of games you no longer care about) can help you focus on the ones you truly want to play.
• 😀 The excitement of new game releases shouldn't bring guilt. Instead of feeling bad about the backlog, enjoy the excitement for what it is—fun.
• 😀 Hard games, like *Battletoads* or *Contra*, require multiple attempts and should be approached with dedication. Consider focusing on these during a dedicated weekend to knock them out.
• 😀 Treating your game collection like a mock rental store, where you check out and return games, can help bring structure and focus to your game choices.

Q & A

What is the main challenge faced by gamers regarding backlogs?

The main challenge is that backlogs tend to pile up over time. Gamers are often left with an overwhelming list of games they want to play, but they struggle to actually play them due to limited time or energy.

Why is it difficult for people to get through their backlogs?

The difficulty arises from two primary factors: limited free time and the waning passion for games. Gamers often want to play more than they have time for, leading to backlogs growing uncontrollably.

How can gamers increase their available time to play games?

While some may consider cutting back on sleep to gain more time, it's ultimately not a viable option. The solution is to manage your free time better and be realistic about what can be achieved within those time constraints.

What is game choice paralysis, and how can it be avoided?

Game choice paralysis occurs when gamers struggle to choose a game to play, often wasting time just thinking about it. To avoid this, it's recommended to decide in advance what to play, whether in the morning or earlier in the day, so the decision isn't made in the heat of the moment.

How can gamers ensure they finish the games they start?

Gamers should aim to start only games they are likely to finish. This helps avoid the problem of abandoning games midway, which leads to the creation of the dreaded 'midlog' — games left incomplete halfway through.

What should gamers do when they have multiple unfinished games?

When a game is left unfinished for too long, it can be difficult to return to it. Gamers might struggle to remember the story or gameplay mechanics. A common tip is to either push through to finish the game or consider restarting if it helps get back on track.

What are midlog games, and why do they pose a problem?

Midlog games are those that players start but don't finish, usually due to getting distracted by other games or losing interest. They create a cycle where players start over repeatedly, but never truly complete the game.

How does the excitement for new games contribute to backlog issues?

As gamers get excited about new releases, they often add those games to their backlog before finishing previous ones. This leads to a never-ending cycle of new games piling up, which creates feelings of guilt and stress instead of enjoyment.

What advice is given about the realistic expectations of finishing a backlog?

It's important to set realistic goals and understand that finishing an entire backlog might take an impractical amount of time. For some, the idea of finishing every game in the backlog might take an entire lifetime or more.

What perspective should gamers adopt about their backlogs?

Gamers should view their backlog not as a source of stress but as a list of games they might want to play when they feel the urge. Letting go of the pressure to complete everything can make the experience more enjoyable and less daunting.