Recently for my mental health I decided to stop playing competitive games. You know, your Battlefields, your Call of Duty's, your War Thunders, etc. I found myself angry more than I was having fun. For the past ten years... I don't think I ever ended a session of a player vs player match - "happy." Now I'm playing mostly singleplayer games with some MMORPGs. I am much happier. I actually look forward to gaming when I can. There is enough to get mad at in the world, I don't want my entertainment medium of choice to be anger inducing as well. I feel like the worst part about the vast majority of player vs player games is that someone basically has to not be having fun for the other person to have fun. Not universal, and probably more a matter of personal mindset but it's how I feel. I was just wondering how many if any comrades here have done the same and how it has effected you? I can confidentally say my life is better for it.
I've been playing House Flipper 2 a lot, which is a good detox from high stress games. Getting back into EU4 as well, beating up Europe at every chance I can get. Trying to learn Kremlingames games, mostly China: Mao's Legacy. Flying the MiG-19 in DCS, my favorite plane. It's been fun, and better. I do not miss War Thunder too much.
I'm not knocking people who like high action player vs player enviroments, it's just something I have grown to not enjoy anymore personally.
Yeah I had this same realization a while ago when I used to almost exclusively play competitive games. When I lost a match, at best I just felt bad, and at worst I was pissed because I got my ass kicked by some little shit taunting me over voice chat or something. When I won I just felt okay or maybe relieved, but not really good or happy. Either way when I stopped playing I was usually in a worse mood than when I started.
Now I mostly play single player games and have a lot more fun. After I close out of the game I feel satisfied and like I genuinely enjoyed the time I spent playing it. No more getting needlessly stressed out or having my day ruined because of a game. Also it helps that when I need to answer my phone, get a package at the door, etc. I can (usually) just pause the game and come back no problem.
One of my breaking points was having an incredible loss streak in War Thunder and when I finally won a match I noticed the only thing I felt was relief. Nothing else. Like goddamn that is not something I should have to work towards in a hobby.