Freedom...

Recently, I noticed that I was not having fun playing games.

Being that I have played games for a LONG time, I thought that maybe I was just burned out on games and needed a break.  I went a few days without playing and really missed it. 

Finally, I realized that having a larger disposal income meant that I was buying more than I could play.  I have a family who I want to spend time with and a honeydo list that looks like what someone might do to build their own house...so while I can buy any game I want any time, I cant get around to them.

So I would spend my usually hour to 2 hour game sessions jumping from game to game and still not feeling fulfilled.  The dots connected themselves.

I have and am in the process of selling the LARGE majority of my games and keeping a select few.  The few games that I have gotten rid of have made me enjoy my gaming so much more.  I can spend time with a title and not worry about the ones not on the shelf.

I only mention this because I see many mature gamers doing the same thing...and having been on both sides of the fence...I can tell you that playing and mastering the games you most enjoy is the best (and cheapest) way to enjoy this hobby.  Here are some steps to help:

1.  Look through your collection.  If there is a system you have not touched in a year, get rid of it and all the games. 

2.  If you enjoy different genres, buy only one game for each genre or 2 max.  For example I'm a FPS junkie.  I whittled my collection to Halo 3 and Killzone 2.  If I'm tempted to get another game like those, I have to get rid of one of those two in order to do it.  That makes you think "Do I really want to lose Killzone to get X". 

3.  Rent or Gamefly.  There are many games that I think are must play single player games, like Bioshock or Portal (from The Half Life Orange Box)....rent them and then return when you are done.  If you are into the game, you'll play through and return it.  If you it's not worth your time, your time spent gaming with it will show that and when it's time to return it, you'll be rid of it.

4.  Resist the temptation to buy older games you used to play because they are cheap.  90% of the time, you'll play it for 20 minutes and it will collect dust.  I have purchased games 3 and 4 times and can verify this will happen. 

5.  Finally, find a group that shares your passion for a certain game and make sure they are active.  It will give your current game much longer legs.