Madison Genthry 
For some, video games are their favorite hobby, and it is hard to imagine ever giving it up. Nevertheless, it happens, and when it does, looking back and trying to figure out what went wrong can be quite difficult.
The odds are that it is an accumulation of multiple things, which is more common than some might expect.
Of course, losing interest in video games for a time does not mean that you will not go back to the hobby ever again. Sometimes, taking a break is the necessary thing. But you also need to consider what caused the feeling of disliking video games or losing interest in them.
This article will give you the reasons why one’s passion for video games disappears. And knowing what those reasons are will help you identify and avoid them.
No More Friends
Some video games are single-player mode, but it feels like modern gaming is all about that social experience. You play with friends and other players that you connect with. But what happens when someone you are close to decides to stop playing?
The odds are that your personal interest in a video game drops as well. And while you can consider looking for new people to play with, it is unlikely that you will manage to establish a similar relationship again.
Your friends losing interest in video games is not something you have to worry about in single-player games. Thus, if you wish to avoid such things in the future, sticking to single-player titles might be something to consider.
Outdated Hardware
Modern video games are quite demanding resource-wise, especially if you want to experience them in good graphics.
Players with older computers are likely to struggle if they wish to run AAA games on their machines. Lackluster hardware is a real issue.
There are also instances of a computer showing signs of technical difficulties. According to this post, annoying occurrences can happen on your computer, and dealing with them can take a while, which puts another dent in your gaming experience.
Not having the option to try the latest video game releases hinders one’s mood. And if you cannot upgrade the hardware right away, you might dedicate some time to save money for it in the future, which means not playing video games immediately. Taking a break can be beneficial, but you might also discover other hobbies and put video games aside for a long time.
Poor Developer Decisions
Poor developer decisions are quite common these days, and it is one of the things holding back the video game industry.
For example, you have companies pushing releases despite the plethora of bugs still in the game. Cyberpunk 2077 is arguably the best example of such a decision from a video game developer.
Then there are times when an established video game makes a turn for the worse. Cutbacks could lead to hiring less experienced people who have to take charge of balancing. And in MMORPGs and action brawlers, for instance, there is a thin line between good and poor balance decisions.
Beating a game into the ground to the point where you no longer want to play it anymore is not something that happens quite often. Nevertheless, such instances exist, and one’s motivation and desire for gaming drops a lot if a disappointment comes from a video game that you invested a lot of time in.
Watching Instead of Playing
The rise of esports and platforms like Twitch TV is great for the video game industry as a whole because it reaches more people. Many people considered gaming as a hobby for a specific demographic back in the day, but the status quo has changed. Video games are mainstream now.
Having said that, when you have access to video game tournaments and entertaining streamers playing video games, you are less inclined to play yourself.
Such behavior is a sign of the overall consumerism mentality these days. Instead of doing something ourselves, we would rather sit back and relax, watching others do it for us while also providing entertainment. And while the experience is not the same as if you would play the game yourself, it is still one way to interact with the IP.
Toxicity
The last reason to mention is toxicity. Some video games are quite competitive, which naturally attracts people who like to blame others. Arguments create a toxic environment, and it does not take too long for one to avoid such an environment.
Of course, you can switch to a different game, but if you like what you are playing but cannot stand other players, you will be conflicted about the conundrum. One bad experience might not be enough to lose your interest in gaming as a whole, but it certainly is not doing any positive favors.
