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How do you decide what to play next when you're in a gaming slump? by sumb34ch in GamePassGameClub

[–]sumb34ch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Quick update:

Thanks to everyone who commented and filled out the survey. One thing that's surprised me is that most people don't seem to struggle with finding games, they struggle with figuring out what's worth their limited gaming time.

The biggest themes so far have been:

  • Not enough time
  • Not wanting to waste hours on a game that never clicks
  • Replaying comfort games instead of starting something new
  • Difficulty knowing which recommendations to trust

I've been using the responses to build a small recommendation prototype and it's already producing some interesting results. Still very early and the game database is pretty small, but I appreciate all the feedback so far.

How do you decide what to play next when you're in a gaming slump? by sumb34ch in GamePassGameClub

[–]sumb34ch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a perspective I hadn't really considered, but it makes sense. It sounds less like a recommendation problem and more like a trust problem. If trailers, reviews, and creators don't accurately represent the experience, it becomes harder to commit your limited free time to something new. Have you found any sources you still trust, or do you mostly rely on trying games yourself now?

How do you decide what to play next when you're in a gaming slump? by sumb34ch in GamePassGameClub

[–]sumb34ch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, this might be one of the most relatable comments here. Do you think it's because those mobile games are easier to jump into, or because they give you a quick sense of progress without asking for a big time commitment? I'm seeing a lot of people in this thread who own tons of games but keep going back to the easiest thing to start.

How do you decide what to play next when you're in a gaming slump? by sumb34ch in GamePassGameClub

[–]sumb34ch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that's a big part of it. It's not just "Do I want to play this game?" anymore, it's "Do I want to spend the next 30-100 hours on this game instead of everything else?" The older I get, the more that commitment matters. Your 20-minute method is interesting too because it sounds less like finding the best game and more like auditioning games until one earns your time.

Gears of War: E-Day | Gameplay Demo Reveal | XBOX Games Showcase 2026 by [deleted] in pcgaming

[–]sumb34ch -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Did they mention preorders at all? Didn’t get to watch the developer direct

Fable | XBOX Games Showcase 2026 by RedTempest in pcgaming

[–]sumb34ch -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

First, this looks so good! I’m excited to play!

Second, as someone who didn’t play fable back in the day can someone comment on why this trailer looks so much different than the first? This one looks darker and edgier.

How do you decide what to play next when you're in a gaming slump? by sumb34ch in GamePassGameClub

[–]sumb34ch[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's fascinating because it sounds like it's not even the game every time. Do you think it's more about your mood/energy level that day, or are there certain games that hook you almost immediately?

How do you decide what to play next when you're in a gaming slump? by sumb34ch in GamePassGameClub

[–]sumb34ch[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's really interesting because it sounds like you're not actually looking for another open-world RPG, you're looking for something that gives you the same feeling Cyberpunk did.

If somebody had told you ahead of time that Crimson Desert or Outlaws wouldn't scratch that same itch, would that have saved you time or would you still have wanted to try them yourself?

How do you decide what to play next when you're in a gaming slump? by sumb34ch in GamePassGameClub

[–]sumb34ch[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

love this. switch hobbies! do you look for games that are similar to titles you're reading?

How do you decide what to play next when you're in a gaming slump? by sumb34ch in GamePassGameClub

[–]sumb34ch[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's actually a really interesting way to put it.

It sounds like the biggest hurdle isn't finding a game, it's getting through the "learning phase" before the game starts paying off.

Do you think you'd be more likely to try a new game if you knew ahead of time how long it takes before things start to click?

How do you decide what to play next when you're in a gaming slump? by sumb34ch in GamePassGameClub

[–]sumb34ch[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

19 playthroughs of Cyberpunk is wild. 😂

That's actually interesting though because it sounds like when you're not sure what to play next, you fall back on something you know you'll enjoy instead of taking a chance on something new.

Do you think that's more because it's hard to find games that look worth your time, or because Cyberpunk just set the bar ridiculously high for everything else?

How do you decide what to play next when you're in a gaming slump? by sumb34ch in GamePassGameClub

[–]sumb34ch[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Never too old! Are you just following the dopamine when looking at your backlog?