If you have somehow lost the joy of playing and even the favorite MMO no longer brings you fun, you might be suffering from MMO fatigue. Leya has dealt with this phenomenon.
Like a child eagerly anticipating logging in beneath the Christmas tree! The next big adventure with the guild awaits. What is the new daily quest? When does the raid start?
Excitement, anticipation, euphoria!
Suddenly, this feeling is gone. Where there was once euphoria, a void takes hold. Only one question remains.
What is all this for?
The grind turns into drudgery. Always the same routine. The same boss, the same strategy, leveling, farming. It used to be fun, why on earth is it not anymore?
If any of you have struggled with similar thoughts, I can assure you: You are not alone. “MMO fatigue” and general disinterest in gaming eventually overcomes many gamers.
Where does this sudden discontent and indifference while gaming come from?
To explain this, we need to take a trip into our minds. Especially when we are younger, adrenaline often rushes through our bodies while playing. We experience triumph and are rewarded with successes. This triggers a huge release of endorphins in the brain, and we feel euphoric.
Endorphins are also released when we experience pain or sex or when love strikes us. These happiness hormones relax us, alleviate nervousness, and make us happy.
MMOs are masters at giving us endorphin boosts
Especially MMOs like World of Warcraft or MOBAs like League of Legends are excellent at triggering this chemical reaction in us. With repeatedly sprinkled successes and rewards from the known grind, we get constant small boosts of endorphins.
This even leads some to addiction and is indeed comparable to the feeling of a drug.
If we keep entering the game, the boost eventually isn’t enough for us anymore, and we become desensitized. “MMO fatigue” arises. We play more out of habit and don’t really know why. We chase after the feeling of happiness and no longer get the real “kick” out of it. This leads to frustration.
This can be compared to drinking alcohol. The more and often we drink, the longer it takes for us to get drunk and feel the buzz.
It is great that games are capable of giving us these feelings of happiness and sometimes even has something magical about it. They can help us relax, reduce stress, and just have fun. Especially pleasant about online gaming is the social component.
What should one do now if they are affected by “MMO fatigue” and want to regain the joy of gaming?
Just take a break
Engage in something else and get out of the grind routine. Maybe try a board game, visit friends, or go for a walk.
By taking a break, our tolerance threshold for happiness will lower again, and we will break the routine. The familiar MMO can feel new and exciting again.
It’s back to the adventure with new energy!
Equally helpful is simply switching genres now and then if you don’t want to give up gaming. How about a casual indie game that can be completed in a few hours? Our little devil Cortyn would recommend Pony Island.
Often, that’s enough to really regain the desire for the favorite MMO. You log in because you want to. – And not out of habit.
How about you? Do you know the “MMO fatigue” and what is your remedy against it?
Another problem with MMO fatigue can indeed be a lack of time. That’s why some developers prefer to focus on casual game elements in the future. So do the developers of Final Fantasy XIV and Runescape:
