I recently got a job after finishing university, all is good. However, after 5 full days of being behind desk job, I feel a bit exhausted of being behind desk.
Thus my desire to game on PC has soured immensely. Despite having a huge backlog and actually want to finish games.
I’m debating to purchase a Steam Deck OLED in the hope, I can actually play some decent games on there without getting fatigue of desk/ screens but that’s a big investment (€670-700).
So I was wondering; how do the adults of Lemmy with 5 full days of work still get the time and desire to play their games?
My suggestion is to either change the context you play games in, or pick games that are very cognitively different from what you normally do at work.
You can change your context with a new console, but I think it may be cheaper to do something like buying a controller and playing games while standing up, or on your couch/armchair, or playing games while sitting on a yoga ball. The point is to trick your brain, because it’s associated sitting at a desk in front of a computer with boring tedium. Change the presentation and your subconscious will interpret it differently.
You can also achieve this by identifying the things that you have to do in your job that mirror videogame genres you enjoy and picking a game that shares few of those qualities.
I worked at the post office for years, doing mail processing, and my enjoyment of management and resource distribution style games went down sharply during that time because of the cognitive overlap- I played more roguelikes and RPGs as a consequence.
Any portable console is amazing for this, as you can literally change the whole context on a whim. A steam deck is nice, but even a used older console like a PSP / Vita or 3DS is amazing for a reasonable amount of money. As most of these systems no longer have legal ways to buy new games, I see no harm in pirating the games. I am doing this with a 3DS right now and going through the systems hit games is just an amazing ride. Currently enjoying Super Mario 3D Land and Bravely Default.
Yeah! Also, sometimes I use emulators that work well on phones to play older games, I had fun playing Final Fantasy Legends 2 with RetroArch.
You can change your context with a new console, but I think it may be cheaper to do something like buying a controller and playing games while standing up, or on your couch/armchair
I will try this! Will try the standing. Though, eventually I’ll sit due just tired of standing up. The gaming PC is in my bedroom so there’s not really much room for couch and such.
I have a controller that, I often use but same issue happens of being exhausted of the feeling ‘being behind a desk and screen’.
You can also achieve this by identifying the things that you have to do in your job that mirror videogame genres you enjoy and picking a game that shares few of those qualities.
The thing is, I don’t think anything mirrors my work. I currently have a very basic accounting job and it’s not even that demanding. My work week exists of a mix with doing accounting, listen to podcasts, watching videos on phone and such.
It’s one of the most relax work I have ever had to be honest. Yet it’s the first job where this feeling of exhaustion started.
I remember when I first started working full time. The exhaustion is real. It doesn’t ever really go away but you will eventually learn to live with it.
deleted by creator
I am becoming more and more attracted to doing a masters before I graduate… stave off the misery for another year.
Probably worth doing if you can afford it
Just get a bluetooth controller and use the SteamLink app on your phone. It let’s you lounge back and play games just like the steam deck and for way cheaper. I’m actually finding it hard to justify buying a Steam Deck when I have this option.
I’m in the same situation, working 8 hrs at a desk and I can’t join the discord group like I used to during school years. Now I just watch tv on the main monitor and use SteamLink on my phone
Sounds like you’re mentally drained after work to be honest. Nothing you can really do about it except play on some days only when you have the energy for it, or on the weekends.
My gaming sessions on my Steam Deck are about 1-2 hours around 2-3 times a week. It takes me about 4-6 months to finish an RPG.
Accurate.
I simply started playing less. At first I felt sad and angry, recalling my previous gaming years, but once I started to accept the fact that I was growing up and life changes, the sadness passed. Nowadays I rarely can sit on the PC to play for more than an hour every couple of days. But it’s fine. There really are not that many good games that are “must” play and there is no rush to finnish them.No stress about the back log. Also saves money on games, when you can just wait for the sales.
I do still play games on my phone, when I discover some what worthy games to scratch the itches.
I use my PC as a console an play from the couch on the TV with a controller!
Steam deck is good! And if your Internet is good, any device that can do moonlight streaming.
I have my steam deck plugged into my TV in my living room. I’m all hardwired and can use moonlight to stream my PC to my steam deck with no noticeable latency. I’m usually very picky about input lag / latency and I legitimately cannot notice it. Moonlight/sunlight is wayyyy better than steam remote play imo. And for indie games that the steam deck can run well, I can play natively from that. I hardly ever play at my desk anymore
deleted by creator
While I sometimes go a while without touching it before picking it up again, the Steam Deck DID take away that “ugh computer desk” feeling that kept me from gaming.
So I recommend it, BUT it’s not a cure, either. It’s just an unfortunate side effect of desk jobs that will never completely go away.
Lol…you don’t! Welcome to adulthood and having real world responsibilities. For me it’s turned into maybe 1-2hrs a night at best. Weekends I can sometimes get a bit more in.
I take a lot of breaks. Just a few minutes doing something else.
I watch other people play the games. Then when I’m tired I close my eyes and I have a nap. I can wake up, fully rested and maybe get to see the final boss! Or not. Maybe I just go to bed.
Username checks out.
I don’t burn out on screens. I can enjoy a game for 4 hours to unwind from 6 hours of work.
If you’re just starting out working, I wager to say you’re still… unoptimized. Putting in a lot more effort than necessary. New jobs are always stressful. Working for the first time even worse. Give it 10 years of working, and you’ll (hopefully) find your groove where you don’t let work drain your entire battery, and you still have energy left for relaxation.
