When Video Games Don't Feel Fun Anymore

If you're like me then as you grew up a lot of things, including video games, lost some of their magic and sometimes didn't even feel fun anymore. But even if you can't feel the same sense of wonder you did as a kid, you can still learn to enjoy games again as an adult! In this video I talk about some things that have helped me enjoy my time gaming more, and maybe this'll give you some ideas if you're stuck on how to have fun with video games again.

Background Music by GameChops:

Credits for some clips used:

[coughyybeans]

as a 30 something year old this hits pretty hard. you articulate how I've been feeling about games for so long. thank you for the video ❤

[retro_pollo]

Well said. You're never too old to play games and create new memories with new games you never got to play as a kid.

[bxrolox]

To me, something that can really rekindle that gaming flame is handheld gaming. Modded old handhelds, dedicated devices or even your own smartphone can be your little gaming zone during your commute or those little breaks you could have at work. Nice video Yewf, this one really hits close to home!.

[aidenwindsacredknight]

As a 27 year old who struggles with life and suffers from depression and anxiety this is very relatable in a weird way it's nice to see others feeling the same way even if it is sad.

[owenplante]

These are some really great points, especially the one about disconnecting in order to immerse yourself in the game. I genuinely cannot remember the last time I did that, I've always got Discord running in the background, or up on my phone, sending me notifications when friends hit me up. Even if I don't respond, it's still a distraction. I think I'm going to try this.

[emilymyers]

I've found the best way to rekindle my interest for classic games is sharing the experience with others. having someone else you can bring along for the journey makes it feel a lot more worthwhile

[BigBoyz]

I miss the magic that Kingdom hearts 1 and 2 had, booting up the PS2 and hearing both main menus for the first time as a kid was amazing 😭 i miss those days…

[BriahnAznable]

The solution for me was to stop playing anything with fomo in mind. So many new games demand your constant attention through live service, battle pass, etc etc… it’s impossible to keep up. Just have fun. Don’t play something just because everyone else is playing something, and never feel like you HAVE to play anything in particular.

I’m 40 now and it is really hard to remember just sitting down, slapping in a NES game from my pile, and just sitting there and having fun no matter what.. but I can still reproduce that feeling, I just have to turn off the part of my brain that feels like I’m falling behind by doing so. At the end of the day, there are more things in life to do than can ever be done, let your mind be at peace and reach contentment with what you have and what you’re doing. For me, that lets me have that childlike joy.

Sometimes it can also just be the right game at the right time. Metaphor ReFantazio was exactly the game I wanted it to be when it came out and I just stayed up all night playing it with my girlfriend watching… and just recently I’ve been playing the old FFXI mmo with some friends and have been having a blast. ❤

[Player-]

I love this video. I'm glad you rejected the rose-tinted argument, and preserved the childhood experience we deserve to cherish. You have to accept that, while our favorite things remain unchanged, we've grown and gone through much.

One of my issues has definitely been my rate of consumption and the constant dialogue surrounding the industry. Not only has my attention span gotten shorter, not only do I continue to find shows and other forms of entertainment to keep me pre-occupied, but I'm constantly feeling the pressure to check new games out.

My backlog only grows larger, I buy games I haven't yet touched, and I have found myself agonizing over how to get the most bang for my buck during sales.

TL;DR - Don't overthink your hobbies, don't worry about missing out, and make the most out of the things that *mean* the most to you. Just have fun, and remember why you do it to begin with. Your inner child will be thankful.

Awesome video :)

[cliffturbo]

I never had the trouble to enjoy playing video games, despite everything, like school and work. I keep finding new and fun things to play, other franchises that I'd never heard of, nor cared as a kid. In fact, what helps WAS the curiosity. Every generations has good and bad games, you just gotta find out what works for you ( Reddit ain't giving you a definitive answer). Just go and find *your* masterpiece, ya know?

[Mayahiime]

the first and last points are sooo true, this hasn't hit me as hard as it did for others but a comfy gaming space and turning my phone off helps me get into them and enjoy them more :>

[gypt]

'Dedicate time to gaming with no distractions'. THIS. I'm fresh into my 30s and have also been experienced a loss of love for games. It really does help to accept that gaming is a hobby you love and therefore should have time dedicated to it and not think of it as anything less.

[guessit]

Every time I disconnect to immerse myself in the game, I get so into it that I completely forget everything. People, time, place, space... Just living the moment till I either finish the game or get bored from it. With a lot of responsibilities at hand, that can be quite dangerous, but I am somehow managing to not get lost completely.

[jerdunderscore]

Showing Kingdom Hearts when talking about childhood hit me in the feels. That game was my everything during my early teens. ; _ ;

Awesome video!! I really agree with having a cozy space!! When I moved out from my parent's place and was able to separate my bedroom from my gaming space, it made a world of difference in my amount of focus and allowed me to finally be able to setup my things how I really wanted to! And with community, I personally find streaming games I love to my Discord friends gets me excited! Even if we're muted, just knowing they're having fun watching is enough to motivate me.

(Also you were right Yewf the title cards between chapters was a really good idea they came out really well!)

[flutterymuffins]

Making a space is so so important. For me I have a giant crt, my original consoles, my original cartridges; these nostalgic touchstones are massive in getting me immersed in retro games. Emulation is fine and valid, but the more you can do to connect with your childhood physically will help you do so emotionally too^^

[Vicky-Hugh-Martini]

The beginning hit too close to home, but I know I'm not the only whom has felt this way for a while. Thanks for the video Yewfie

[CallMeG]

Yeff you just called us old... Not but fr it hits me pretty hard all the topics you talked.

In my case the excessive amount of pressure on finding a job along side having a very stressful family is what's causing me to not enjoy gaming as much as i used to, adding to that the depression that makes me feel out of energy constantly it feels impossible to sit and relax playing something...

Adding to that, the only "fix" or solution was wearing a headphone and watching streamers or Vtubers streams, in part it makes feel comfortable since i feel im not alone and instead of having my family just treating me like sh*t i have someone who is having fun and connecting with people, in this you're heavily involved since watching your streams or videos helps me to think clear and enjoy some 30min or 1hr of gaming.
Bcs of it i always thank you as well the general Vtuber sphere for making people more happy or alive again!!!

[berserkzelda]

I'm currently in the middle of a quarter life crisis at the moment, trying to find who I am, and it feels the same way that you and many others are feeling. I still have faith that video games can make me feel joy like they did as a child, but it depends on my mood and when I'm not dealing with my depression and anxiety.

[Ash_]

This is a perfect last video before bed!

[Naxal]

The #4 has actually been a huge one for me! While not exactly a community, I've started doing a thing with my brother every weekend. We trade game recommendations back and forth and play them together. Sharing a game you love with someone who's never experienced it before is a great way to reignite that spark that may have faded over the years.