This blog is called the minimalist gamer, but I haven't really told what this is about. I think most people have at least a vague notion what minimalist mean. I'm just not sure they got it all right. To demystify a common misconception, it's not about trimming down a collection to x number of games (where x is an arbitrary number).
For me, minimalism is a change of habits. When I have bought games in the past it has either been a quest to get the perfect collection for a number of different occasions or getting games that are hot and salivates my interest. All of it comes down to a matter of acquisition. This summer I made a list of the games that would be my perfect small collection many of games. There are many on the list I don't own, but I immediately put it down to a list of games I should get. We all want to find the perfect game, or a diamond in the rough. The problem is that I think the search takes too much time and it focuses on the wrong things for me.
I have never been a collector and the reason I started buying games is that I want the opportunity to play games that aren't available to play. They were either not available at all among my gaming friends or belong to people I seldom play with. In retrospect several games have been bought for wrong reasons. Sometimes I have just been persuaded by hype, especially when it comes to new games where you might know the rules, but it isn't thoroughly reviewed. Somewhat related, sometimes I have been afraid that it was going out of stock and wanted to be sure to grab it mostly because it was exclusive. Other times, I have bought games that you as a gamer should have without thinking if I really like it. All has been an effort to get the perfect collection.
Recently I've been looking at getting Clash of Cultures. I really like civilization type of games and this seems like a good candidate. While I'm not uninterested in the game, I've decided to rest on the purchase. There are mainly two reasons for that; it is not reviewed enough and I have other civilization games I still want to explore. Getting new games can often push away older ones for the very reason they are new. I don't feel I give the games a fair shake when I play a few times and leave it on the shelf when new things excite me. It is not for lack of appreciation, but because the urge to find something new, maybe the perfect game. I've come to the conclusion that there is no perfect game for me. Good games have the opportunity to create great moments though. It is part the game and part the milieu I play in. Hunting for the perfect game is just not worth it for me.
Speaking about being jaded; I've decided to concentrate less on not just looking things up, but contributing less. I like blogging here (that’s why I do it), but find that many other contributions on this site feels a little like an obligation. I have updated ratings and comments on games, but I have decided that I will only do this if I think it gives the time back. Call me egoistic if you want to, but I honestly have other prioritizations and feel I have less time now than a few years back.
I am maybe jaded by playing too many games. Not that I can say I've seen them all, I can say that I know what I like in games and I not as easily impressed like I used to be. Foremost though, I don’t think I play enough of the old games I like.
What has all this about minimalism to do? It is about concentrating on experiences instead of expectations; about looking forwards what to do today, instead of dreaming of what’s to come; less about being a game connoisseur and more about playing the games.
For me, minimalism is a change of habits. When I have bought games in the past it has either been a quest to get the perfect collection for a number of different occasions or getting games that are hot and salivates my interest. All of it comes down to a matter of acquisition. This summer I made a list of the games that would be my perfect small collection many of games. There are many on the list I don't own, but I immediately put it down to a list of games I should get. We all want to find the perfect game, or a diamond in the rough. The problem is that I think the search takes too much time and it focuses on the wrong things for me.
I have never been a collector and the reason I started buying games is that I want the opportunity to play games that aren't available to play. They were either not available at all among my gaming friends or belong to people I seldom play with. In retrospect several games have been bought for wrong reasons. Sometimes I have just been persuaded by hype, especially when it comes to new games where you might know the rules, but it isn't thoroughly reviewed. Somewhat related, sometimes I have been afraid that it was going out of stock and wanted to be sure to grab it mostly because it was exclusive. Other times, I have bought games that you as a gamer should have without thinking if I really like it. All has been an effort to get the perfect collection.
Recently I've been looking at getting Clash of Cultures. I really like civilization type of games and this seems like a good candidate. While I'm not uninterested in the game, I've decided to rest on the purchase. There are mainly two reasons for that; it is not reviewed enough and I have other civilization games I still want to explore. Getting new games can often push away older ones for the very reason they are new. I don't feel I give the games a fair shake when I play a few times and leave it on the shelf when new things excite me. It is not for lack of appreciation, but because the urge to find something new, maybe the perfect game. I've come to the conclusion that there is no perfect game for me. Good games have the opportunity to create great moments though. It is part the game and part the milieu I play in. Hunting for the perfect game is just not worth it for me.
Speaking about being jaded; I've decided to concentrate less on not just looking things up, but contributing less. I like blogging here (that’s why I do it), but find that many other contributions on this site feels a little like an obligation. I have updated ratings and comments on games, but I have decided that I will only do this if I think it gives the time back. Call me egoistic if you want to, but I honestly have other prioritizations and feel I have less time now than a few years back.
I am maybe jaded by playing too many games. Not that I can say I've seen them all, I can say that I know what I like in games and I not as easily impressed like I used to be. Foremost though, I don’t think I play enough of the old games I like.
What has all this about minimalism to do? It is about concentrating on experiences instead of expectations; about looking forwards what to do today, instead of dreaming of what’s to come; less about being a game connoisseur and more about playing the games.