The Ultimate Guide to Conquering Your Gaming Backlog
It’s a familiar story for every modern gamer: you see a great sale, hear the hype for a new release, or grab a free monthly game, and suddenly your library is overflowing. Your "pile of shame," or gaming backlog, has become a source of anxiety rather than excitement. This can even lead to gamer burnout. But fear not! With a solid plan, you can transform that overwhelming list into a manageable and rewarding journey. This guide will show you how.
Step 1: Acknowledge and Assess the Pile
The first step is acceptance. You need to know exactly what you're up against. Stop guessing and start cataloging. Use a spreadsheet, a notes app, or a dedicated tool (like the gameyap Backlog Burner!) to list every single unplayed or unfinished game you own. Learning how to organize your digital libraries is a crucial skill here.
Don't just list the titles. For each game, note down its platform, genre, and a rough estimate of its completion time (a quick search for "how long to beat [game name]" will help). This data is crucial for the next steps.
Step 2: Be Brutally Honest (The Great Purge)
Look at your list. Now, ask yourself some tough questions. Did you get that game for free and have zero actual interest in it? Did you buy it on a whim years ago and your tastes have since changed? It is perfectly okay to "declare backlog bankruptcy" on certain titles. If a game doesn't genuinely excite you anymore, remove it from the list. Your time is valuable; sometimes, you need to master the art of dropping a game.
Step 3: Prioritize with the "Rule of Three"
Staring at a list of 50 games is daunting. Instead, use the "Rule of Three." Select just three games from your master list to focus on:
- One "Main" Game: This is your big, story-driven epic. Your 60-hour RPG or your sprawling open-world adventure. This is your primary focus.
- One "Side" Game: This is a shorter, more casual title. Think of an indie platformer, a puzzle game, or a rogue-like. It's perfect for when you only have 30-60 minutes to play.
- One "Forever" Game: This is an ongoing multiplayer or live-service game with no real end. Games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, or Destiny 2 fit here. You play this socially or to unwind, without the pressure of "finishing" it.
Step 4: Stop the Bleeding - The "One In, One Out" Rule
This is the hardest part. To make progress, you must slow the rate of new acquisitions. Implement a "One In, One Out" rule. For every new game you buy, you must fully complete one from your current backlog. This simple rule creates a powerful mental shift, forcing you to consider if a new purchase is truly worth the time investment it represents.
Conquering your backlog is a marathon, not a sprint. By assessing, purging, prioritizing, and controlling new additions, you can turn a source of stress into a rewarding journey through the amazing games you already own. Now go have some fun!