The most vulnerable topic for a gamer to talk about is their backlog. Whether it be physical or digital, the backlog, like a monolith, peers over every enthusiast’s shoulder. The more we collect, the more guilt we pour into our collection. Are we hoarding games because we want them, need them for work, there was a great sale, or FOMO? I don’t know about you, but every time I see a new game staring at me, I think, “Ah, I’ll have time for it.” Then slowly but surely, it seeps into the backlog, tucked away beyond prying eyes.
Gamers guilt
The self-imposed concept of “The Backlog” forces us into a mindset that is torturous instead of enjoyable. Games are meant to be enjoyed, so why do we create this dread in the form of a list that dictates our enjoyment? Every time the Steam sales come along, I see my social media timeline fill up with the inevitable conversation about adding to the backlog and not having the time for these games. I notice a certain kind of guilt that a lot of us place on ourselves when we don’t start the games as soon as we buy them. There’s almost a remorse for leaving games untouched for so long.
This goes for physical games as well, where we buy them out of FOMO, play them for a bit, then shove them to the backlog. Life is busy, takes a lot out of us, and sometimes we might only have the spoons for a very specific type of game instead of those we bought on day one. There are times when all I want to do is sit down and play Elden Ring for the millionth time, when I know full well that I “need” to continue Bioshock. It’s the psychological comfort and predictability of the game that makes us want to return to it when we know we have other games we haven’t even played yet.
Unnecessary pressure
I hate the pressure we put on ourselves to complete every game we play. It’s setting unrealistic expectations that cause stress and lead to burnout in a space that’s meant to be a hobby. I used to get serious anxiety about missing important conversations when major, socially-relevant games, such as Metroid Dread and NeiR Automata, came out.
However, I’m learning that it’s all just unnecessary pressure placed on ourselves from the get-go. We believe that if we somehow clear up the backlog, we’ll miraculously be free of the curse that plagues us. We think we’ll be able to play a game one at a time without worrying that we’re leaving another game behind. In reality, there are too many releases to play everything all at once, so there will always be a backlog. It’s time to come to terms with that.
Release yourself
It’s okay to have a backlog of games. Don’t let the concept consume you and the hobby you’ve fallen in love with. It’s okay to play one game that you’ve known for a whole year, and it’s equally okay to nibble at games, playing bits and pieces until you’ve finished them. It doesn’t take away from who you are as a gamer. When those sales do come by to sweep you off your feet, know that your backlog shouldn’t be a burden, but a beautifully built library of stories, worlds, and adventures to go on when the time is right. Enjoy the games you want to enjoy, and do what makes you happy.
