The Art of Dropping a Game: When It's Okay to Not Finish
We've all been there. You're 20 hours into a massive RPG, but every time you log in, it feels like a chore. The guilt sets in. You've already invested so much time—and money!—that you feel obligated to see it through. This feeling is a classic psychological trap known as the "sunk cost fallacy," and it's a primary cause of gamer burnout.
Learning to identify when a game is no longer serving its purpose—to entertain and engage you—is a crucial skill for managing your gaming backlog and, more importantly, enjoying your free time.
Why We Feel Guilty About Quitting
The guilt comes from viewing games as a checklist to be completed rather than an experience to be enjoyed. We see the time we've spent as a resource we'll "waste" if we don't reach the credits. But here's the truth: the moment a game stops being fun and starts feeling like a job, any more time you spend on it is the *actual* wasted time.
A Checklist: Is It Time to Drop This Game?
Before you quit, ask yourself these honest questions:
- Am I genuinely having fun right now? Not "will it get fun later?" but is it fun at this moment?
- Am I logging in out of excitement or obligation? If you're sighing before you even press "Play," that's a bad sign.
- If my backlog were empty, would I choose to start this game today? Sometimes our tastes change, and a game we bought a year ago is no longer a fit for who we are now.
- Am I just grinding through a boring part to get to the "good part"? How long have you been telling yourself that?
- Is there another game I'd genuinely rather be playing? Your gaming time is finite and precious. Spending it on something you're not enjoying means you're not spending it on something you'd love.
How to Drop a Game Without Guilt
If you've decided a game isn't for you, don't just abandon it. Give it a proper farewell.
- Formally Declare Bankruptcy: Make a conscious decision. Say it out loud: "I am officially done with this game." This act of decision-making provides closure.
- Move It to a "Dropped" or "On Hold" List: Use the tools available to you. On Steam, you can create a "Dropped" collection. In the gameyap Backlog Burner, you can simply remove it. This cleans up your active list and feels incredibly liberating.
- Immediately Start Something Exciting: The best way to move on is to start a new adventure you're genuinely thrilled about. Pick one of those short, exciting games from your backlog that you've been wanting to try.
Remember, gaming is a hobby. Its only purpose is to bring you joy and relaxation. Giving yourself permission to quit is one of the most powerful tools you have to ensure it always does.