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Discussion on: Remember to rest. There's more to life than code.

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w3ndo profile image
Patrick Wendo

You could very easily find yourself in the position where you have "de-stressed" but actually "drained your battery even further".

I noticed this when I was in campus. It may seem like fun to be able to say I beat a souls-like game after the fact, but of the few times I have rage quit it has been on games like these. I still have a couple, but I only play them when I am in a position to subject myself to that stress. What I realized is that, just how people have comfort shows on Netflix, I have comfort games. Games that I can absentmindedly play. Typically I use fighting games and driving sims. Occasionally some GTA. And I never play online as that also stresses me out. Sometimes a simple story driven game is all you need. The Mass Effect series comes to mind, or maybe the bioshock series.

You didn't mention hydration, I would assume you top up before your run and replenish frequently during day (just coffee doesn't count).

I only use coffee to start me off during the day. After that I have a bottle bottle of water by my desk at all times. Hydration is key.

Now on the surface this may seem like "common sense" but how many people actually make an explicit inventory of "things that use up my energy" and "things that recharge my battery"?

I would have to read up more on this to make a proper comment.

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peerreynders profile image
peerreynders • Edited

Typically I use fighting games and driving sims. Occasionally some GTA.

Hmmm… interesting.

I kind of left the Resistances, Halos, Dooms, and Wolfensteins (all SP) behind.

Two representative examples for my "comfort game genres":

  • Ketsui: Kizuna Jigoku Tachi
  • Wipeout Omega (single player only)

I'm a total scrub at the first one (which is perhaps a good thing) and it took me some time to get somewhat competent with the second (series). But there is always the question of the opportunity cost that has been incurred.

Recently for my own perspective I've made this observation about these genres:

  • repetitive
  • predictable (judged by some as boring)
  • skill-based

It's the skill-based aspect that can still eat away at the energy meter. So my recommendation is to scrutinize, unpack and examine your preferences.

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w3ndo profile image
Patrick Wendo

Some games like Hitman do come in as proper problem solving games. The more you play the level the more you realise new ways to finish the missions. They can be very relaxing every now and then. The reason I mention hitman is because it is also repetitive and predictable. Your skill level is judged by your knowledge of the level and the game mechanics.