Why Video Games Can Feel Like Work: Escaping the familiar and Seeking the Unique

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through game releases or ads, feeling something akin to work stress or pressure? Do you ever find that playing video games takes up a significant part of your day and leaves you feeling exhausted, similar to a job? This article explores why video games can feel so much like work and how seeking out unique games can rejuvenate your gaming experience.

Time Investment and Obligation

Many games require a significant time commitment that can parallel a job. Investing hours in completing quests, leveling up, or mastering skills can create a sense of obligation. This high time investment is a common trait in many genres, particularly in the case of offers like the Soulsborne series, where completionism is key. For instance, in Hollow Knight, the deep lore and challenging combat mechanics necessitate a significant time investment, similar to the pressure one might feel to complete new projects at work.

Goals and Objectives

Video games often have clear goals, making them pursuit-oriented activities much like work environments. Whether it's completing missions or achieving high scores, these structured tasks can evoke a sense of task completion and achievement. However, this structured approach can also lead to feeling like work. In the multi-player setting of Deathloop, players must work towards a common goal, like completing a mission, which adds a layer of social pressure and teamwork, much like a professional environment.

Skill Development and Professional Development

Similar to professional development, video games often require players to learn and improve skills, such as strategic thinking, coordination, and problem-solving. The process of acquiring these skills can resemble the professional development found in a job. Unlike the repetitive nature of monotonous work, games like Tunic challenge players to engage in creative and strategic thinking, providing a sense of accomplishment that mirrors career growth and development.

Social Pressure and Teamwork

Multiplayer games can introduce social dynamics that mirror a workplace, including teamwork, competition, and the pressure to perform well. Players may feel accountable to their teammates, creating a sense of responsibility. In games like Deathloop, players are not only required to compete against an AI but also cooperate with their team to achieve a common goal. This social pressure can be intense and contribute to the feeling of it being a job.

Reward Systems and Motivation

Many games use progress systems, achievements, and rewards that can be reminiscent of performance reviews and promotions at work. The satisfaction of leveling up or completing challenges can create a similar motivational drive. The reward systems in games like Hollow Knight and Subnautica provide not only a sense of accomplishment but also keep players engaged with a clear path to advancement. For example, the intricate puzzle-solving in Tunic provides a form of mental challenge that can fuel continued engagement and motivation.

Stress and Frustration

Just as work can be stressful, challenging games can lead to frustration and pressure, especially in competitive settings. This emotional investment can contribute to the feeling of it being a job. In games like Hollow Knight, completing the game's lore and beating its challenging boss battles can be as daunting as meeting a critical deadline at work.

Routine and Structure

Gamers often develop routines around their gaming habits, much like a work schedule. This can reinforce the association between gaming and work, creating a parallel work-like environment. For instance, setting a specific time each day to play games can reinforce the idea that gaming is as much a part of one's schedule as a job.

Conclusion: Embracing a Changing Gaming Library

Reflecting on the games I have enjoyed over time, I realized that the common factor was diversity. Games like Hollow Knight, A Plague Tale: Innocence, Subnautica, and Tunic are vastly different in genre, storytelling, and gameplay mechanics. Each offers a unique experience that breaks the monotony of the usual, shooter-centric games. Embracing a range of genres and experiences can help maintain a fresh and exciting gaming adventure, reducing the feeling of it being like work.

Breaking out of the comfort zone and trying something new can refresh both the mind and spirit. Whether it's a story-driven narrative, a survival adventure, or a puzzle-packed platformer, each genre offers its own set of challenges and rewards, making for a more engaging and diverse gaming experience. So, next time you find yourself feeling like a video game is just another job, consider branching out and trying something new. You might just find the next 'unique gem' that revitalizes your gaming experience.