Since I have had less and less time to play games these days, I have spent most of my day at work reflecting on why I play and what sort of games I actually enjoy. When I first moved to my new place, I spent so much of my free money and time playing each new console release, devouring titles indiscriminately and not taking much time to meditate on each game played. I was devouring games instead of savoring them. Now that I have been living and playing with Laura, my tastes and game time have changed so much, and often for the better. We discuss each game we are interested in before we purchase; taking the time to decide if we really need the newest game just because everyone in the media is talking about it.

But in something else I do, I can relate to how you feel. I end up taking it on as a challenge though, to try and do as much as I can. Yet even with that, I lag behind others who are able to just stay current better than me. But I can’t worry about it — I have to go at my own pace, and not let peer pressure affect me.

We don’t keep many games round here. I have a small selection of games from various consoles. And of all games, the one I absolutely can’t get rid of is DOOM 3 for the XBox. It terrifies me, but I just have to finish it someday. But right now, though I have a couple newer games hanging out in their respective trays, I haven’t had an hour to play a game in awhile, so I’ve been collecting the occasional star in Super Mario 64. And I’ve been spending more time in the Wii Shop looking for old NES/SNES games. So many good games from that time! I’ve also thinking more and more about getting some Gamecube games. It’s not that hate Wii games, but I really don’t like the Wiimote. I like the Gamecube controller, and I use it for any Wii game that accepts it.

And I think I veered a bit off topic there. Perhaps I need to go get a star to clear my head.

I hate facing my own insecurities just as much as anyone else; but when I’m sitting down for a really great round of Super Mario 64 or Red Dead Redemption, one thing that never crosses my mind is, “boy, this game is really old. Why am I not playing [insert new release here]?” I’m as secure and as happy as I can be in that moment.

And what you say about us shedding new light on old games, is so true! Games, just like history in general, can be seen from so many different angles. And each blogger puts a little of his/herself in their blogs about those games, even if it’s just a straightforward review. It’s what makes those game seem immortal. And it’s part of what makes this community so great!

That need to feel “trendy” seems to cycle round every ten years or so. I think as I face yest another decade of existence, that cycle may be starting again! It’s a strange thing. I love my little backlog and I look forward to working my way through it…slowly, and on my own time. I hope you have a blast as you work through yours! (And just think of all the money we’re saving!:) )

I am also fine with being behind everyone else. I play games I want to play. Sometimes I buy new ones (I have to, as games seem to be sold new for a month or two, then you can no longer find it already), and then they sit on my shelf for a year because I’d rather play an old game. Why, I bought “FFXIII-2” when it came out, and I still haven’t played it. I’ve been busy replaying old GameCube games, “FFX”, and now a game that is old but brand new to me, “Phantasy Star IV”. As I see reviews on games I bought but haven’t yet played, I feel like I should play the new games shortly after they come out, but you know, if I’d rather play something else right now, that’s what I’m going to do. If being current means playing new games I’m not quite in the mood for, then I’m not going to. And hey, hopefully it’s fun for people to read my reviews on older games. Older games are just as good as new ones. Maybe more so because we’ve had more time to grow attached to them.

I’m not saying I feel alienated by the video gaming community. Not at all. I found that this is a really great community to be a part of, but I do find myself having a hard time relating with people’s retro gaming memories because I scarcely had any. Then, there are those who play the new stuff and hearing them gush about how great it is, while I’m still working on games that are three or five years old now. Maybe even more.

Regardless, I have the same attitude as you do. I play what I want to play even if it isn’t what everyone is currently playing or talking about anymore. The joy of gaming is you play to have fun. And since we blog about these things, I kind of think we can give these older games maybe a fresh perspective. Those who played it may stumble upon our posts, read it, and think, “Wow, I forgot how amazing this game is. This person is talking about how she enjoyed it and now I want to go back and relive that feeling again.”

If there is a game that catches our fancy, we’ll play it, but in our own time. ;)

A game in most cases should be an enjoyable experience whenever you play it, regardless of that proximity to the release date.
Critique for movies and music can understandably be written very quickly as these are both mediums that are disposable in their nature.
Of course you can watch a movie and listen to an mp3 again, but you will be sure of your experience the next time out.

In the case of gaming, the digital revolution has changed the focus of their sales. Now games are expected to be disposable and so publishers give their developers even smaller deadlines to meet in their quest for quick easy profit. It doesn’t help that the big money is actually being earned in the casual gaming market.

Obviously I would like to be able to write about games for a living, but look at the awful recent practice of big-name websites reviewing Sim City and giving it wonderful scores because they had about 20 minutes to make a decision on the game’s quality.

For an industry that is about the creation of worlds to experience to be reduced to a type of fast-food culture is absurd. Don’t allow yourself to feel guilty for not dropping £45/$60 on a game immediately “just because your friends” have.

This was a little rushed I’m sorry. I hope that made sense…

For my own experience I looked at my backlog of games on Steam at the beginning of last year and said, “Nope.”
Since then I haven’t bought a game and have promised myself I won’t until I’ve thoroughly enjoyed those games.

So there!