My favorite video games, like Pokémon Legends: Arceus, let me walk away

Dear Polygon

I’m a 30-year-old with a full-time office job. Aside from my full-time job, I draw webcomic illustrations and plan to pursue a career in digital arts. Video games are one of my favourite ways to relax after a hectic day. My problem with this is that when I am into a game I can’t help but get lost in it. My free time is limited and I can become obsessed with the game, which may make it harder to do other things, such as my art. While I know that some of the problem can be fixed by my willpower and time blindness, it is still a question. Do you have strategies to pace yourself while playing new games?

— Lost in the Lands Between

It’s a difficult question Lost in the Lands Between. It is hard for me to leave a game I am passionate about when I’m too involved in it. Even though the industry is my main job, I find it difficult to justify spending time on games that take up too much of my time. I have to write reports and keep time to paint and read, so I can’t just ignore them. It’s a work in progress for me, too. But I do have some strategies and game recommendations that have made things easier for me — and they may work for you as well.

If my life gets hectic, I stick with games that are quick and easy to use. I’ve found that Citizen SleeperThe game, which I briefly mentioned in a previous Dear Polygon, works well for this because it operates in short cycles that serve as bookends to a session. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s RevengeSimilar functions can be achieved.

Although it is in an open space, Pokémon Legends: ArceusIt is perfect for this type of staccato beat. I can break up the game naturally by segmenting play sessions into single field outings to collect Pokémon, creating that easy save point to turn off the game once I’ve returned back to camp and updated the Pokédex. What have you done? Neon white? Its seamless platforming and shooting are basically tailor-made for quick sessions, provided you’re not trying repeatedly to beat your friend’s low time on the leaderboards. Lastly, against all odds, I’ve Final words gotten into Fortnite. Its no-build mode removed one of the multiplayer game’s most intimidating factors, and it’s easier than ever for me to play a round before going back to painting.

I do understand that the games you listed are not very similar to those that you suggested in your Dear Polygon form. You listed Elden RingIt struck a chord. It’s those sorts of games, like The Witcher 3 The Elder Scrolls 4.OblivionI find it difficult to control my time and manage them well. Lately, I’ve found that it helps to put these games aside until I know for a fact that I’ll have tons of free time to get lost in their worlds — times where I’m OK with my other hobbies falling by the wayside. I think it’s reasonable to have an ebb and flow in that regard, but I am always mindful of making sure it doesn’t stay that way forever.

One other thing that’s been helpful in managing all of my different hobbies while also maintaining a full-time job is actually really boring. It’s important to plan things.

It’s truly against my nature, as someone who enjoys chaos and spontaneity — but it works. Even though my schedule is loose now, I still break it often. It is not enough. Being A schedule is a way to get me started, and it helps you avoid indecision when the time comes for me to dive into new books or games. For example, I use the few hours I’m up before work to paint and draw in my sketchbook. That’s when I naturally feel the most creative and excited to paint. And of course, if I don’t feel like it on certain mornings, I don’t. And that’s fine. My lunch breaks are a perfect chance to work my way through whatever book I’m reading so I can use the time after dinner to play video games.

It’s by no means a rigorous schedule that I You can find it here To be consistent every day. To keep my passions alive, I have found it extremely helpful to create a flexible timeline in which hobbies can fit. A bit of planning, combined with games that allow you to happily walk away, could do wonders until your next vacation — at which point you’ll be able to dive into that next open-world game without any distractions at all.

Nicole

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