I SO give up on finishing games more than I used to, and for the same reason (I just lose interest). I do know exactly at what point, though: As soon as it looks like there are no new features left, only variations on what the game’s already shown me, that’s when it suddenly goes stale. Which sucks.

I know exactly what you mean about fearing that your pastime isn’t what it used to be. But I think we’re near a turning point for video games.

But I went back and replayed Chrono Trigger and Xenogears, and a fair portion of Final Fantasy VI, and no, I still really enjoyed those. And I don’t think it was just nostalgia value either, cause I played both Illusion of Gaia and Terranigma for the first time, and got a real kick out of those too.

Most of my gaming Lulls now are caused by my stubborn refusal to consult an FAQ on the matter (particularly near the end of Okami), like trying to crack a programming problem, taking a few days off can do wonders. If I’m feeling like gaming, but don’t have any game in particular I feel like trying to progress in, I have a small cache of very simple puzzle games that I usually grind out a bit of time in. It’s not exactly the most cerebral activity, but I find it more engaging than watching TV.

William - I am actually the opposite with FAQs, sometimes to a fault. I consult them too much, I think, so much that I eventually realize I haven’t played half the game but allowed a walkthrough to take over for me. The same with add-ons and mods in WoW. Recently I’ve gotten better about that, but a little help never hurt anyone, I don’t think.

I went up to GDC SF this February for the first time, and, having no idea what to expect, I was concerned that it was going to be a lot of sweaty fanboys talking about how good they are at Halo.

I don’t know if any of you have been to GDC before, but wow, I was totally wrong. I talked to people looking to hire programmers to produce rhythm games in Singapore, people wanting to create casual games to suppliment on the job training, people who want to create interactive documentaries to promote social change, and was introduced to the IGDA Writer’s Special Interest Group, a whole host of industry people just as passionate about video games that withstand literary criticism as I am.

Maybe other people already knew this, so I’m just slow, but not only is new stuff in development all the time, I think by the time we’re all in our thirties (I’m 22), the face of games will have changed completely. When you look at what’s going on right now, then remember that 12 years ago, we were all pissing our pants at the amazing graphics on Chrono Trigger.

Likewise, in the past 12 years, game music has really broken through. Japan has been ahead of us in this regard for a while, but Video Games Live, and the average quality of game music (production quality in particular) has shot up like a rocket recently. Even more exciting (for me, as a writer) is the increased emphasis on writing and narrative design. Though it didn’t blow me away, the fact that people are even TALKING about Braid in that sense thrills me to no end.

I just recently purchased Braid on XBL and that is definitely a nice change of pace and kept me entertained for quite some time.

It’s just sad when you can’t find the motivation to play the MMO you’re paying for…

My gaming ADD is the worst on the DS, I think 90% of my games I haven’t even played past the first half.

Please tell me I’m not the only one.

To survive a gaming lull, I play other games. Many other games.

If I get lucky, I start on a certain game that I continue playing until I finish it. That’s a bit rare though, since I have a very short attention span.

What am I doing here again?