Print This Post
Getting Back Into Gaming
There are a number of things that can stop you from gaming, from schedule conflicts to lack or energy or problems with the gaming group. The worst, without a doubt, is when any of these are combined with burnout. The worst part of burnout is that it becomes a cycle that feeds on itself: You need to take a break from gaming, and when doing so you lose any “gaming mojo” that you had built up. When you come back, you might be suffering from some residual burnout, or atleast be prone to burning out again. And the longer you go without gaming, the harder it seems to be to get back into it.
So what do you when you’re ready to come back to gaming after an extended break?
Switch roles. If you’re usually the game master, may-be it’s time to just sit back and let someone else weave the story while you get to be a hero. This takes a lot less creative energy than preparing and running a session and juggling NPCs, storylines, facts about the world and game mechanics.
On the other hand, if you’ve mostly been a player, may-be it’s time to sit down behind the screen and tell a story. There is something very gratifying about taking control and responsibility for a story for the first time, and getting to weave different elements of a story together can be a great way to recharge your batteries if you’re used to navigating the maze of a story instead of designing it.
Do something different. For me, this was finally playing an evil character in an evil party - a Cult of Vecna to be exact. As I’ve wanted to play an evil character for sometime, finally getting to do so with the approval and cooperation of the group was very gratifying. Moreover, it completely changed the roles our characters had to play, and even the way we went about playing the game. It easily inspires roleplaying situations, and gives us a lot of opportunity to interact with people while trying to keep a secret agenda.
Play a game that works differently. I often find that feelings of burnout or futility are tied into over familiarity with a game system. After awhile, seeing the same basic list of feats in different d20 games makes the games, and the characters in them, feel much more repetitive than they should. Another solution could be playing a different edition of a game you’re already playing. The differences between the Dungeons and Dragons editions are remarkable, even if you don’t count the 3/3.5 editions - previous editions use very similar mechanics, but the abilities and structure of classes and races are laid out differently in each edition.
Keep the sessions short. Before I took a break from gaming, twelve hour sessions seemed like nothing to me. Coming back into gaming, I notice my attention starts to wander after five hours or so. It’s not that I’m not longer having fun, it’s simply that I’ve had enough. Continuing past this point, especially on a regular or repeated basis, will quickly lead you back down the path to burnout. It’s better to cut the session short and be eager to start again next time than get overly drained and burnt out again.
Go at your own pace. It can be tempting to start gaming a lot without much time in between, especially if that’s what the rest of the group wants and is pressuring you to do. Your duty is to remain firm: Anymore than you’re comfortable with and you’ll just wind up burnt out and not gaming again. Arrange for a second game to be played when you’re not there, or for your character to pop in and out of gameplay as your schedule permits.
Ask “Why do I want to game?” Whatever your reason for gaming, you need to be clear with yourself about it so that you can pursue it instead of hoping that you get it. If you game to relieve frustration, talk to friends, or tell stories but you don’t wind up doing enough of these things then you are going to burn out again.
Find a new group. In some cases, it may simply be that you were not compatible with the whole or part of your gaming group. Perhaps you had different reasons for playing, different style of play, different preferred games or just an unsolvable personality conflict. Whatever the reason, a fresh group could fix the problem. Consider this carefully before acting on it, and be sure not to burn any bridges - you, or they, might come around some day.
Is there anything that’s helped you ease back into gaming after a hiatus?
Comments
2 Responses to “Getting Back Into Gaming”
Leave a Reply
WoW nice post man. I could never give up gaming, even with a full time job, I still find time for my gaming ventures!
On line! Play by post/chat/e-mail is a good way to set your own pace.