The internet game spout is trickling as we head into a very slow period. I’m lapping up all the bits of news I can find, but there’s no denying that much of the gaming press has the holiday season on their minds, and rightfully so. Game industry or not, we all work hard, so we might as well enjoy the break time we get! Of course, I’ll be hanging tight with my regular schedule from now until…hmmm..the end of time? In other words, if there’s news out there, I’ll find it! Right now, I’m about to find a few ‘Zs’. See you in a few, short hours.
I think I have a problem. I often find myself stretching a game to its absolute limits before I finally wrap things up. I’ve done it a million times in the past, and I’m doing it right now. Why can’t I just enjoy a game at its regular pace instead of artificially expanding the experience?
As I’ve said a few times before, I used to rush through games as quickly as possible. Those years have come and gone, as I’ve long since realized that racing to the finish isn’t any way to enjoy a game. Once I actually slowed down and enjoyed the scenery and pacing, I found that I was getting even more fun out of games. I wouldn’t watch a movie on fast-forward or read a book by skimming through, so why run through a game as quickly as possible?
Now I have the exact opposite problem. When I hit on a game that I really love, I find myself doing everything I can to make the experience last longer. I’ll even put a game down for weeks, sometimes months at a time, all so I can savor that final return to whatever the game may be. The site does keep me busy, and I don’t have as much time to play as I’d like to, but I think I sometimes use that as an excuse to keep from wrapping a game up.
For example, I’m doing that with Spirit Tracks right now. I know I’m just about at the end, but I don’t want the game to come to a close. Instead of continuing on and enjoying the final moments, I’m keeping the game off to the side of my desk, and diving into other titles. The whole time, I’m not giving these other games the attention they deserve, because all I think about is Spirit Tracks. The end of this great game is keeping me from enjoying other titles!
I hope I’m not the only one with this weird quirk. Do you find yourself avoiding a game’s final hours just so you can keep the fun alive? If you do, or you have any other quirks when it comes to game length, hit us up with a comment below.
