How to deal with the backlog?

So sitting with close to 40 games on PS3/ Xbox/ PC that I have yet to finish. Some of them are small, but most of them are 'AAA' budget games. My main gripe is that its just growing. Every time I tell myself 'No, finish what you currently have first', but then I always end up buying new releases Day 1. I then play it for a few hours, perhaps even days and then bam! 4-5 months go past without me touching it.

I would love to say that this is a time constraint issue, but I find myself staring at my screen after work, wondering what I should do. Perhaps this is caused by the idea of overwhelming choice?

Anyway I need a system. I'm starting to get afraid that my mindset of not finishing games will cause me to lose interest in the hobby itself. What's the point of buying games if I only spend a few hours playing them and then ignoring them! It feels like I'm in a broken relationship with electronics, where each purchase is just a new way of me trying to make it work, but sadly the new purchase is just a charade of not accepting that my hobby is dying for me.

The other problem is that looking at my backlog, the amount of time it will take to actually deal with it is super intimidating.

But then I get excited at the idea of new games coming out. Everytime I see a well made launch trailer or read a hands-on preview on a game I 'need to own', I get goose bumps. Yet come a few days after I bought it, I end up ignoring it.

I've tallied it up and sitting on close to R16 000 worth of games I have yet to finish, 5 of them have yet to be opened :<

I need a support group :|

So anyone want to share their system of dealing with a backlog?

Gah wrong place, could a mod move this to general gaming. Sorry about that
(If it can't be moved, can it be deleted so I don't dupe)

I have the perfect sollution for you! You see, I am sitting with exactly the opposite problem that you have. I feel I don't have enough games and that I constantly need to challenge myself with a new one. I come home after work, staring at my screan, wnadering what am I going to play today. I propose you ship some of your stash to me. I think if I take some off your hands its like a win-win situation. Maybe the loss will make you want to play your remaining backlog a bit more often.....?

Charl - Don't fret my friend, I am in the exact same boat as you, except I may have a fairly valid excuse, 2 kids that keep me seriously busy.

Alas, I still find myself wondering wtf I should play when I do in fact get 5 minutes to do so.

I keep saying "I will get to that, I will get that" and never do. I have stopped buying games, will only buy what is SERIOUSLY necessary, like Gears of war 3 for example. I also have about 5 or so games still wrapped :wtf: :p

Otherwise I will enjoy the titles that I haven't gotten to and I am also going to trade in a ton that I don't / won't play.

I would suggest figuring out what it was about each game that got you so excited, and try re-experience that. Choose one of the games on your list and go watch some trailers and read some reviews. I find I tend to stop playing games I love for long periods of time, but then I'll be at work and come across a trailer or gameplay video which instantly inspires me to want to play again. This has actually recently happened with 3 games I love but don't currently have time to play: Bad Company 2, StarCraft II and Shogun 2.

Also, try and forget about all the other games you have to play when you're playing one. The problem is that you're spoiled for choice. The same happens with me and music - if I buy 5 CDs and take them home, there is a good chance that I won't get into any of them, whereas if I were to have just bought one, the chances would be higher that I would end up really enjoying it.

It sounds like you're procrastinating because in your head you have made your pile of games a task which you must get out the way, instead of simple entertainment. That pressure is likely what's causing you to keep putting them off.

Also, you need to stop buying games man :)

Pick 1 you really want to play then randomly choose 4 others. When you finish 4/5 then replace those 4 and put the 5th one in a separate pile, the "leftover pile". That way the "leftover pile" becomes your new backlog.

Big ol post incoming!
Thanks for moving the thread mod.

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Originally Posted by steaksauce

I have the perfect sollution for you! You see, I am sitting with exactly the opposite problem that you have. I feel I don't have enough games and that I constantly need to challenge myself with a new one. I come home after work, staring at my screan, wnadering what am I going to play today. I propose you ship some of your stash to me. I think if I take some off your hands its like a win-win situation. Maybe the loss will make you want to play your remaining backlog a bit more often.....?

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Heh, with those route, I'm truly pissing away my money then :p
But I get what you mean. might actually be a decent idea to get rid of some of them, the loss would make it easier to manage and justify

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Originally Posted by Grimspoon

Charl - Don't fret my friend, I am in the exact same boat as you, except I may have a fairly valid excuse, 2 kids that keep me seriously busy.

Alas, I still find myself wondering wtf I should play when I do in fact get 5 minutes to do so.

I keep saying "I will get to that, I will get that" and never do. I have stopped buying games, will only buy what is SERIOUSLY necessary, like Gears of war 3 for example. I also have about 5 or so games still wrapped :wtf: :p

Otherwise I will enjoy the titles that I haven't gotten to and I am also going to trade in a ton that I don't / won't play.

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Yeah, I justify my excuse by watching movies. I think my main problem is that I just can't find a way to juggle between work and my hobbies. If I have to go through my complete recreational backlog, like movies I bought/ books I bought. I will be completely bonkers.

Are you children still young? Or do they always keep you busy, irrespective of age?

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Originally Posted by Tinman

I would suggest figuring out what it was about each game that got you so excited, and try re-experience that. Choose one of the games on your list and go watch some trailers and read some reviews. I find I tend to stop playing games I love for long periods of time, but then I'll be at work and come across a trailer or gameplay video which instantly inspires me to want to play again. This has actually recently happened with 3 games I love but don't currently have time to play: Bad Company 2, StarCraft II and Shogun 2.

Also, try and forget about all the other games you have to play when you're playing one. The problem is that you're spoiled for choice. The same happens with me and music - if I buy 5 CDs and take them home, there is a good chance that I won't get into any of them, whereas if I were to have just bought one, the chances would be higher that I would end up really enjoying it.

It sounds like you're procrastinating because in your head you have made your pile of games a task which you must get out the way, instead of simple entertainment. That pressure is likely what's causing you to keep putting them off.

Also, you need to stop buying games man :)

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I think that's exactly what happens. Thanks. Looking back now, esp to the game i completed and return to, its mostly caused by exposing myself to the game through another medium. Be it a trailer/ game play footage or even something I read online. This actually happened to me with infamous. I completed the game in the same week it was released. I've completed it twice since then, mostly because of the infamous 2 announcement and the hands-on impressions since then.

I think the main culprit for not seeing gaming as entertainment, is due to calculating the growing sum I spend on games. I should really stop doing that :/

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Originally Posted by hideinlight

Pick 1 you really want to play then randomly choose 4 others. When you finish 4/5 then replace those 4 and put the 5th one in a separate pile, the "leftover pile". That way the "leftover pile" becomes your new backlog.

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Thanks, I have a version of this going on at the moment. Throwing games into stacks based on 'degree of completion'. Consists of 3 stacks. Need to complete | Want to complete | Don't care to complete.

I usually end up trying to play some of the games in the need pile and then send them to either 'want' or 'don't care'. The system works .. until a new game comes along, then everything gets moved aside :/

I think the best advice I can take from this is simply: I need to stop buying games on release date, with a little self-control, I might be able to pick up the titles I want when there is actually a special running.

I should also stop reading up on games. I honestly need to get away from the hype machine, that is gaming media.

Another approach would be to assemble all of your games in one place, then go through them and consider which of them you could do without playing. Perhaps you bought some of them on impulse? Once you have worked through your collection and [hopefully] eliminated the bulk of your titles, sell or give these away and concentrate on what you think you really want to play.

This is what I am busy doing, though I shall probably end up binning those that are too old to interest anyone.

I would probably get more gaming done if I did not spend quite so much time on the internet.

Personally I tend to finish whatever game I'm busy with before I get new games. If I have half played games lying around they will drive me crazy, and if you pick up a game halfway after not playing it for a few months, you'll have forgotten what's happening in the story, how the controls work, etc, and generally suck at the game because you're trying to relearn how to play it at a point where you should be well practised.

The upside to this is that when I do get round to buying a new game eventually, it's often not so new anymore, and the price has come down nicely.

I would say that if you have a stack of games that you're not particularly interested in finishing, sell them and concentrate on the ones you do want to finish.

Phoenix don't bin them! Let me know which titles you want to get rid of. I'm a collector of sorts :P Same goes to anyone else who want's to get rid of some. The only advice I can give to you is maybe take a small break and try to figure it all out. Make a mental note as to which games you have to do and do them... take your time with the others and when a new game comes out just add it to the list don't put everything aside for it. It's not a race!

I also have a backlog, and its also across platforms... Always is tricky, but I think what you should do is put off expanding your collection for now and play the games in whatever order YOU WANT. Don't choose all from 1 platform, or alphabetically. Pick one that appeals to you and give it a shot.

Play longer than you anticipate, and it may "hook you" too :P

I also find knowing someone who plays or has played said game is also a plus as you can discuss it with them and possibly become more motivated to finish the game.

Also, time is a serious commodity, you can always play the games at a later stage in life when things chill a bit (same problem here)..

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Originally Posted by Tinman

I would suggest figuring out what it was about each game that got you so excited, and try re-experience that. Choose one of the games on your list and go watch some trailers and read some reviews. I find I tend to stop playing games I love for long periods of time, but then I'll be at work and come across a trailer or gameplay video which instantly inspires me to want to play again. This has actually recently happened with 3 games I love but don't currently have time to play: Bad Company 2, StarCraft II and Shogun 2.

Also, try and forget about all the other games you have to play when you're playing one. The problem is that you're spoiled for choice. The same happens with me and music - if I buy 5 CDs and take them home, there is a good chance that I won't get into any of them, whereas if I were to have just bought one, the chances would be higher that I would end up really enjoying it.

It sounds like you're procrastinating because in your head you have made your pile of games a task which you must get out the way, instead of simple entertainment. That pressure is likely what's causing you to keep putting them off.

Also, you need to stop buying games man :)

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I agree with the Tin's method. I also have a backlog and end up staring at my PC screen not able to make my mind up. But this has helped me alot! Going back and looking at video's and information and think back to what got me so excited about the title. It gives me plenty motivation to get cracking and enjoy the game. Otherwise it does tend to feel like a chore and that's when I just give up..
This weekend I pulled out my StarCraft 2 collectors edition and for the first time I actually paged through the Art Book properly and watched "The Making Of" DVD, it's time I got my money's worth :)
My problem is also not a time issue, but more so that games are being pumped out at an alarming rate and it's a bit daunting as to what do you play, and as soon as you start getting into the game something new out, along with it's own Hype Train :)

Yeah pretty much what Tinman said. I've stopped playing 10 games at the same time and started focusing on one, finishing it and moving on to the next. The more you're playing at the same time, the less chance you have of finishing any of them.

The problem with waiting is that you get left behing i.e. if a game has a goodmultiplayer component and you don't get involved from the start, by the time you do start you are left behind.

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Originally Posted by Fivel

The problem with waiting is that you get left behing i.e. if a game has a goodmultiplayer component and you don't get involved from the start, by the time you do start you are left behind.

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Very true. Its like what Happened with alien swarm. About 8 of us got it in the first week of letting people know its free from steam played it for about 3 weeks then other people wanted to join us but then we already moved on to lfd2.

Yup, same issue here. Three things are to blame.

1. Having a PS3 and PC really divides your time
2. Steam specials keep adding more games to my backlog
3. Rift has been occupying most of my gaming time, leaving little for anything else.

My plan of action is to slowly ween myself off Rift and start dividing my time by playing my Steam games during the week and PS3 over the weekend. Well that's the plan at least. :D

Try this little exercise:

1. Take all the unfinished games in your collection
2. Estimate amount of time left to complete each game and add this together
3. Divide this by how many hours on average you play each day
4. This will give you number of days needed to finish everything :eek:

This ignores new games you buy as well....

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Originally Posted by Fivel

Try this little exercise:

1. Take all the unfinished games in your collection
2.

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Hahaha
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...-did-there.jpg

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Originally Posted by Crzwaco

Hahaha
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...-did-there.jpg

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pffffft...hit enter by mistake.........post updated!!!

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Originally Posted by Fivel

Try this little exercise:

1. Take all the unfinished games in your collection
2. Estimate amount of time left to complete each game and add this together
3. Divide this by how many hours on average you play each day
4. This will give you number of days needed to finish everything :eek:

This ignores new games you buy as well....

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Math makes my brain hurt :cry:

Anyways i have the same problem. My solution? Just start playing the one that you enjoyed playing before and you will quickly regain interest. Like Tinman said, watch a few youtube video's - that always gets me to install i game i haven't played in ages.

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Originally Posted by Fivel

pffffft...hit enter by mistake.........post updated!!!

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But it was funny as hell :D

Charl. I have the same name and exactly the same problem. I have about 60 games that I still need to beat, across 4 platforms.

I have said that before i buy a game, I will finish 5 of my current games. So far, I have transgressed 3 times.

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Originally Posted by Crzwaco

But it was funny as hell :D

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Lol....sadly in my case stupidity cannot be patched or cured.

One game at a time?

Sounds like what MrG is doing asking what game he should play next.

Same problem, but I like the three stack idea. Might give it a try.

I got about 20 games lined up. Just can't find the time

i think its almost impossible to deal with it. (especially if u buy games regularly) although it depends on the average hours u spend on your console. for me. i would say I average 24 hours a month

It's good to know that I'm not the only one with this problem. For me getting uncapped and browsing the Steam sales was dangerous, I now try to avoid looking at specials as they'll just add to the list of "yet-to-be-played" games. I like the idea of re-hyping a game I've got and haven't finished.

Some people are really good at creating problems where there are none. Whether you play them or not, its not a problem that has to be dealt with.

@Fivel

Yeah, that's on of the reasons I don't really care for MP anymore. At least most of the tacked on MP of games are barren for a reason. I've also done the calculation too many times! My main problem is that my gaming time is not consistent. I might do an hour this week, whilst having done 40 the previous week.

@TheAvenged87

heh perhaps the trait is a burden we get with the name :D

@HavocXphere

Heh true. In my defense though, its mostly based on my value vs money spend scale :D

Back to topic,
Part of the problem is that I suffer from a form of OCD, where I completed get annoyed for not finishing something, especially since I spend money on it.

Gah gonna have to work on a system, Infamous 2 is here next week -_-

I think it's easy to fall into that category as the games come out faster than us working class can complete them.
I have stopped buying games to try and complete what I have.

My trouble is that I would like to have 1 game that I can completely get into and play it till the wheels fall off.

I'm hoping that Diablo 3 will be that game...it's just too much effort to get really involved in every game I play.

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Originally Posted by ExcessOfEvil

...
I'm hoping that Diablo 3 will be that game...it's just too much effort to get really involved in every game I play.

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Yes! Can't wait for a game to come out that rocks me over. Diablo 3, Torchlight 2 and Skyrim. Everything else can burn in a fire for all I care.

But I digress, I've made a decision. Infamous 2 will be my last purchase until I get through at least 30% of my current gaming backlog.

Personally I find its always a good idea to keep a title or 3 stashed away unfinished for a Rainy day.

So playing through Castlevania: Lords Of Shadows, just finished chapter 2 ... god this game is boring :/
Worth it to play until the end? Or should I save myself the trouble?

Finished enslaved last night ... what a pile of crap. Ninja theory really needs someone to help them with their technical fucks ups. Honestly I've lost all hope for DmC now. Heavenly sword was better than Enslaved though, but still. DmC locked at 24 fps confirmed?! :<

I wish I had only a backlog of 40 games

/lewks at steam library
/lewks at retail pc games
/lewks at x360 retail games

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Originally Posted by Charl

So sitting with close to 40 games on PS3/ Xbox/ PC that I have yet to finish. Some of them are small, but most of them are 'AAA' budget games. My main gripe is that its just growing. Every time I tell myself 'No, finish what you currently have first', but then I always end up buying new releases Day 1. I then play it for a few hours, perhaps even days and then bam! 4-5 months go past without me touching it.

I would love to say that this is a time constraint issue, but I find myself staring at my screen after work, wondering what I should do. Perhaps this is caused by the idea of overwhelming choice?

Anyway I need a system. I'm starting to get afraid that my mindset of not finishing games will cause me to lose interest in the hobby itself. What's the point of buying games if I only spend a few hours playing them and then ignoring them! It feels like I'm in a broken relationship with electronics, where each purchase is just a new way of me trying to make it work, but sadly the new purchase is just a charade of not accepting that my hobby is dying for me.

The other problem is that looking at my backlog, the amount of time it will take to actually deal with it is super intimidating.

But then I get excited at the idea of new games coming out. Everytime I see a well made launch trailer or read a hands-on preview on a game I 'need to own', I get goose bumps. Yet come a few days after I bought it, I end up ignoring it.

I've tallied it up and sitting on close to R16 000 worth of games I have yet to finish, 5 of them have yet to be opened :<

I need a support group :|

So anyone want to share their system of dealing with a backlog?

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Gah at chapter 3 with castlevania ... might throw this on 'bluuuuurgh' pile :<

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Originally Posted by Charl

Gah at chapter 3 with castlevania ... might throw this on 'bluuuuurgh' pile :<

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hey if you plan on getting rid of it I'll gladly take it off your hands :D Been wanting to play it for a while

I never used to have a backlog, until I got a 4mb/s line...
I now play so much multiplayer that the SP games I buy just sit (I have around 15 I'm still having to finish :eek:!) :(. I dedicated the whole of next year to finishing all my unfinished games. I'm only buying 4 games (SSX, Mass Effect 3, Tomb Raider and the next Total War) next year and that's it. The rest of the time I'm just gonna finish the games I already have.

Maybe try and set aside some time just for them? Don't play any other game (I lent BFBC2 to a friend of mine, so I forced myself to finish some SP games) during that time, just choose a game or two and just play those instead.

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Originally Posted by Duke Dude

I never used to have a backlog, until I got a 4mb/s line...
I now play so much multiplayer that the SP games I buy just sit (I have around 15 I'm still having to finish :eek:!) :(. I dedicated the whole of next year to finishing all my unfinished games. I'm only buying 4 games (SSX, Mass Effect 3, Tomb Raider and the next Total War) next year and that's it. The rest of the time I'm just gonna finish the games I already have.

Maybe try and set aside some time just for them? Don't play any other game (I lent BFBC2 to a friend of mine, so I forced myself to finish some SP games) during that time, just choose a game or two and just play those instead.

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Yeah same boat. I think that might be the best way to handle it. Sure the problem I created is my own damn fault. I mean I don't have to finish the games I bought, it's just a decision I made sometime ago and it's been eating at me for a while.

Infamous 2 is already bought (coming in two days). But I've already started going through my games.
Infact, I've been using The Backloggery to keep track. Well on my way to deal with this now - mentally that is :p

I've decided to have gaming days to deal with my backlog. Today is Dead Space 2 day. Tomorrow will be Splinter Cell Conviction day. Still have to decide what Thursday and Friday will be. If I don't finish a game on it's alotted day, it gets shifted to the back of the queue. :P