We’ve all experienced some level of Post Game Depresion.
This is when there is a sense of emptiness, sadness, and/or loss of purpose upon finishing a video game. This feeling often comes after highly immersive games that suck you in for hours or engage you deeply in its world.
I tend to get this feeling whenever I finish a story-driven game thought it’s come up after any particularly challenging game. I just finished Tales of Vesperia Definitive Edition and, despite my best efforts, have struggled to get into my next game.
I know this is a common feeling and one that can make tackling a backlog difficult. That said, it has its benefits as it can keep gaming from feeling like a chore.
Despite the title of depression, there are plenty of fun ways to address this feeling and actually find fulfillment in your media journey.
One such way is to mix up what you are consuming. Rather than sitting around waiting for the desire to come back to play, fill that time with other media.
This down time presents a great time to finally start that book you’ve been wanting to read or start watching that TV show you’ve never had time to watch. Our time tends to be limited the older we get so filling it with other media, or even other hobbies, is a great way to fill that void.
It can also present a time to play those low impact games in your backlog. If you have opted to watch a new TV show or series of movies, you can always play more idle games that don’t require your undivided attention.
This can include cozy games, farming sims, 3D platforming collect-a-thons, and many others. I tend to shift to less story-focused and more platforming games during this down time while I finish the show I have been watching.
I’ve also found that embracing that time of depression and taking a few days off tends to bring me back ready to play my next big adventure. Having no gaming during this time actually feels refreshing and makes for a great boost during this time.
Everyone is sure to have different ways to approach the Post Game Depression era. The important thing is to recognize and embrace it. Furthermore, finding ways to fill that void with other activities further rounds you as a human and is good for your mental health.
I am not a licensed professional so my thoughts should not carry professional weight. Any kind of depression can be serious and may require professional help.
Still, video games should be fun and embracing our other interests amid gaming can increase the amount of fun video games can bring. It only takes knowing yourself to understand that.
What about you? How do you handle Post Game Depression? What are some of your other hobbies you sprinkle in throughout this time? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.
Featured Image: Bandai Namco (via Analog Stick Gaming)
Boss Rush Podcast – A Podcast about Video Games
The Boss Rush Podcast – A Podcast about Video Games – is the flagship show of the Boss Rush Network and Boss Rush Media. Each week, hosts Corey Dirrig and LeRon Dawkins are joined by friends, fellow creators, indie developers, and industry veterans to discuss the latest in the world of video games, including news, rumors, new releases, and what they’ve been playing. They also answer listener questions, debate important industry topics and Boss Rush Banter discussion points, and feature a rotating weekly segment. New episodes post every Monday.
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