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Friday Fun Thread for April 26, 2024

Be advised: this thread is not for serious in-depth discussion of weighty topics (we have a link for that), this thread is not for anything Culture War related. This thread is for Fun. You got jokes? Share 'em. You got silly questions? Ask 'em.

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Anyone here lose interest in the entire genre of complex games that they used to love?

Had the day off and decided to load up some old games. Opened up Rimworld, Divinity Original Sin 2, and Fallout 76, on which I've collectively spent probably 1,000+ happy hours years ago. Quit each within 15 minutes because they all felt overwhelming to figure out given the numerous different systems and controls. My goal going into it had been to relax and have fun, but the prospect of playing them felt like work. Back when I used to play them, I recall really enjoying all the optimization and googling/redditing, but now I don't think I will ever go through that again. Guess it comes with growing old.

I do have one theory, though. Ten years ago, or maybe 20 years ago, the world felt simpler, maybe because it was less connected and people were less tribal due to social media, and as a result, we savor complex games as a way to add spice. Today the world feels crazier, and our mental cycles are drained by things optimized to capture our attention, and so simpler games that don't demand as much are relatively more enjoyable.

I just feel like any game that I start these days I have to finish (in a week or so, don't delay) or otherwise I wont ever pick it back up. But what helps I found is to dedicate a 1-2hr time to dive into a game (new or old) and if after that the desire to close the game still there, well......

But I also noticed that there are some game mechanics I simply cannot tolerate these days, so I just skip the game when the reliance on those mechanics increases. Like doom eternal, no I don't want to hippity-hop all over the "combat arena" and swap weapons 1500 times in rapid succession. I loved doom 2016, look how they massacred my boy (