How (and Why) to Reconnect With Video Games
If you’re anything like me, video games were a big part of your childhood. They were a perfect way to spend a storm day, stay connected with friends who moved away, or even enjoy your free time; I loved playing video games growing up for these reasons. Somewhere along the way, I stopped playing them – in part because I grew up and got ‘too busy’, and they started to feel like a waste of time. However, a large reason was because of the way I was treated online for being a girl, and I wasn’t the only one who felt this way. Many women felt this way, and research supports that.
It wasn’t until the pandemic that I really came back to playing video games. I was temporarily laid off from my job and took fewer courses than usual because of the online format. My partner has always been a huge video game player, and with the extra time (and the ability to play with him) I fully jumped back in. I had played a couple games here and there after I stepped away, but this was the first time in a long time that I considered it my hobby and played almost every day.
I was nervous about returning, but now that I have, I wish I would have sooner. The community of friends I’ve made, the hours of enjoyment I’ve had, and the sense of accomplishment I’ve earned is amazing. It is something that I will always treasure. Because of my experience and the benefits it has had in other areas of my life, I will continue to encourage others, either new or returning, to play as well.
But why should you? Aside from the highlights above, everything else in your life expects something from you. Your job takes up so much time, and in addition, there’s a lot of specific activities your job needs that can take a lot out of you (specifically emotional, and sometimes physical, labour). School expects studying and assignments, friends and family have events they expect you to attend. It can be exhausting! But video games don’t ask for much: you just get to play.
Video games, and the worlds you play in, become an escape from all the pressures you have as a person. In my favourite game, Destiny 2, I get to become a saviour of humanity and fight alien species (Destiny is way cooler than I make it sound here). In Animal Crossing, I slowly work on a little island and tend to my crops while talking to cute little creatures. In Hitman, I’m an assassin on a top-secret mission. These games give me a break from everything going on in my life and just let me exist. No expectations, no requirements, and no extreme stress. It calms my anxiety, gives me a creativity boost, and lets me hang out with friends some days – though on other days, I can chill out with myself and listen to music.
To me, it is a part of my day where I can let my brain recharge and I can enjoy myself. One of the reasons I left was because I felt I was “too busy” for video games. I very quickly learned in university that if you don’t take breaks or make time for your hobbies, you’ll get burnt out. I did after my first semester in my second year after a fully loaded semester that didn’t end until December 23rd. I didn’t have enough time to recover and recharge for the second semester. So in the second semester, I had a hard time with my coursework and knew I needed a break, but I didn’t know how to take it. The pandemic quickly gave me an answer.
I’ve outlined much of my personal experience above, but science seems to agree that video games can provide positive benefits. Studies have shown that video games can improve things like dexterity, social skills, problem-solving, mood-boosting, and even vision.
If these reasons have convinced you to return to video games, you may need help knowing where to begin. Even trying to choose a device could be overwhelming! Here are a few ways I used to reconnect with video games.
One of the ways to come back is to play the games you used to enjoy as a kid. Not only will this be easier for you to learn the controls, but there is also the nostalgia factor of enjoying something you used to as a kid. You could also grab some friends and play a game together that none of you have played before. One of the best ways to be bad at something is to be bad with friends! Starting something new with my friends has been some of the best moments playing because we are all learning, and we have a ton of fun making silly mistakes. This allows you a safe space to make mistakes while you learn.
You can also try to find modern games in the genre of the style you used to play. Video games have grown so much since I was young – between graphics, mechanics, and even storytelling. If you used to enjoy a specific type of game but have a hard time playing it because they’re only available on an older system or the visuals are a little dated for your preference, try to see if it has been remastered or if there is another installment to that game – or even just something in the same genre or made by the same people. The Call of Duty series is one of the best examples of this: the original Call of Duty games are almost impossible to play now, but a new one is released nearly every year. Similarly, games like Animal Crossing, The Sims, and Dark Souls all have modernized sequels that are available to play.
Truly whatever way you choose to reconnect with video games is the best. While these are only two suggestions, there are so many other ways to reconnect with video games – the important thing is finding a way to enjoy them. Often brushed off as a waste of time and for children, video games are an incredible way to reconnect with your childhood and to have a hobby that gives you so many benefits.