When it comes to dropping a video game, the idea is often easier said than done.

For various reasons, it’s hard for people to stop playing a game that is just not clicking for them. Why is that? It should be easy to do since no one wants to slog through something they aren’t enjoying.

And yet, many of us keep at it.

A big reason for this struggle is because of the way we view video game and our relationship with them. The specifics of this statement will differ between persons but the larger idea is correct.

One potential area is called the Fallacy of Sunk Costs. This is a bias in our heads where we push on through because of unrecoverable resources such as time in money.

Many of us feel the need to finish a game because we have already sank 20 hours into it. We can’t get that time back so we need to push on through or else our past 20 hours are wasted. In this case, we are seeking a payoff for time invested regardless of the feeling.

This idea also extends into money. We bought several games on sale so now we have an obligation to play them. This economy makes this particularly poignant because wasting money is not a good idea in this economy.

When I learned about the Fallacy of Sunk Costs, something clicked in my head. I had started Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden and, for the life of me, couldn’t get into it. I heard all the accolades and wanted to like it, but just couldn’t.

While the money aspect of this fallacy wasn’t an issue (I was playing it on a PS Plus subscription), the time investment was a problem. I felt like I had come so far and needed to see it to the end. Identifying the issue made it all the more easy to overcome.

As I reflected on that experience, I also thought of some other areas that made it hard to drop the game.

For one, the accolades made me feel like I was the problem, not the game. Everyone else loved it so something must be wrong with me and I just need to push forward. I regret to say that this kept me locked in far longer than I should have.

Another realization also came in: You can’t play every game out there. As much as I wanted to play all of the top-rated games, the reality is that is impossible. No one has that time.

I am a father of three who works full time as a teacher. I don’t get to play until the end of the day and am usually exhausted by that time. I needed to realize that, that time was precious. I shouldn’t waste it on things that aren’t enjoyable.

Now, just because you drop a game now doesn’t mean it’s over forever. It made it easier for me to drop a game when I realized that I could potentially come back to it.

Banishers is a slow-burn game. My mental strain was not a match for that type of game. I needed something engaging, fast-paced, and immediate. That doesn’t mean I will never play a slow-burn game again. Rather, it means now is just not the time.

It’s OK to drop a video game. I don’t know who needs to hear that but it’s true. My parents used to have a wise saying for me when I was young: “If you aren’t having fun, it’s time to stop.”

That was applied to moments when I was furious at Super Mario 64, but the principle applies to dropping a game. Now, when that time is will be different for everyone so that should be part of your consideration.

That said, it is OK to drop a video. Use your time to enjoy playing and don’t allow it to become a chore. Getting to this point will make gaming that much more fun.

What about you? What do you think about dropping video games? What is your rule of when to drop them? What stops you from dropping them? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.

Featured Image: Compagnons (via Unsplash)

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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