10 Habits That Are Secretly Ruining Games For You

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses 10 bad gaming habits that can detract from the enjoyment of playing video games. These habits include juggling too many games, not knowing when to stop, expecting to win on the first try, sticking to familiar play styles, overlooking the artistic beauty in games, overindulging in competition, following gaming discourse too closely, relying too much on the internet for help, only playing new and popular games, and binging without balance. The speaker shares personal experiences and offers insights on how to overcome these habits to enhance the gaming experience.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Bad gaming habits can develop due to our brain's tendency to prioritize immediate rewards over long-term benefits, forming a 'cue, craving, response, reward' loop.
• 🎮 Juggling too many games at once can lead to a lack of fulfillment and make it difficult to get immersed in any single game.
• 🚫 Knowing when to stop playing a game that has become a chore is crucial to maintaining a healthy gaming-life balance.
• 🏆 It's important to embrace the challenge in games and not expect to win everything on the first try to truly enjoy the learning process.
• 🛠 Experimenting with different play styles can significantly enhance the gaming experience and keep it fresh.
• 🎨 Appreciating the artistic and aesthetic elements in games can elevate enjoyment beyond just gameplay mechanics.
• 🏆 Overindulging in competitive gaming can lead to emotional rollercoasters and detract from the overall gaming experience.
• 🗣️ Following gaming discourse too closely can influence personal opinions and potentially cause missing out on enjoyable gaming experiences.
• 📚 Relying too much on the internet for help in games can diminish the satisfaction of overcoming challenges independently.
• 📱 Focusing solely on new and popular games can lead to a cycle of dissatisfaction and prevent the discovery of older, quality games.
• 🚫 Binging video games without balance can lead to addiction and a decrease in dopamine-driven pleasure, necessitating regulation or abstinence.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is to discuss the bad habits that can develop in gaming and how they can detract from the enjoyment of playing video games.

How does the author describe the formation of bad habits in relation to gaming?

The author explains that bad habits form due to the brain prioritizing immediate rewards over long-term benefits, often leading to mindless behavior that can sap the fun from gaming.

What is the 'cue, craving, response, reward' loop as it relates to gaming?

The 'cue, craving, response, reward' loop is a behavioral pattern where a cue (e.g., approaching a risky situation in a game) triggers a craving (e.g., for safety and control), leading to a response (e.g., quicksaving) and resulting in a reward (e.g., relief from knowing actions have no permanent consequences).

Why does the author believe it's important to commit to a single game at a time?

The author believes committing to a single game helps find satisfaction in gaming because it allows for deeper engagement and prevents the feeling of being overwhelmed by juggling multiple games.

What does the author suggest doing if limiting oneself to a single game at a time feels too restrictive?

If limiting oneself to a single game feels too restrictive, the author suggests compartmentalizing play into explicit settings or moods, such as having one multiplayer game, one travel game, and one primary single-player game at a time.

How does the author view the idea of not finishing every game?

The author believes not every game deserves to be finished and that players should recognize when continuing to play is causing more harm than good, suggesting it's okay to stop playing a game if it starts to feel like a chore.

What is the significance of the author's experience with 'Tales of Arise'?

The author's experience with 'Tales of Arise' illustrates the point that commitment to a game can go too far, leading to playing out of obligation rather than enjoyment, and missing the point that sunk costs should not influence decisions to continue playing.

Why does the author encourage embracing defeat in games?

The author encourages embracing defeat because it is an opportunity for learning and growth, and overcoming challenges that initially seem impossible can be one of the most rewarding experiences in gaming.

What is the author's opinion on experimenting with different play styles in games?

The author believes that experimenting with different play styles can breathe new life into a game and is a great way to find more enjoyment, as it was in his experience with 'Elden Ring' when he tried a different character build.

How does the author suggest appreciating the artistic beauty in games?

The author suggests taking time to look at and appreciate the art direction, design, and music in games, as these elements can elevate the enjoyment of gameplay.

What is the potential downside of overindulging in competitive multiplayer games according to the author?

The potential downside of overindulging in competitive multiplayer games is the emotional rollercoaster it can create, with highs of winning and lows of losing, which can lead to frustration and a negative gaming experience.

Why does the author warn against following the gaming discourse too closely?

The author warns against following the gaming discourse too closely because it can lead to missing out on games that might be personally enjoyable, as opinions can become the defacto viewpoint and influence personal decisions about games.

What is the author's view on using the internet for help in games?

The author views using the internet for help as beneficial but cautions against an unhealthy reliance on it, as it can prevent the rewarding feeling of solving problems independently and reduce the highs of gaming.

How does the author feel about only playing new and popular games?

The author feels that focusing solely on new and popular games can lead to a cycle of churning through releases without finding satisfaction, suggesting that older games can also provide great experiences.

What advice does the author give for maintaining a balance in gaming habits?

The author advises maintaining a balance by setting rules for gaming consumption, such as only playing after completing important daily tasks, to ensure that gaming remains a rewarding experience and doesn't lead to addiction or imbalance in life.