As an avid gamer for over 20 years, I‘ve run the gamut from obsessive completionist to hyper-competitive online adversary. These days though, you‘ll mostly find me gently wandering through imaginative indie worlds or casually crunching numbers in a cosy simulator. I‘ve become a proud Slow Gamer.
What is Slow Gaming?
Slow Gaming is play that prioritizes enjoyment, immersion, and relaxation over achievement, efficiency, or mastery. Slow gamers appreciate games as an art form and self-care activity, not a set of optimized systems.
Photo by Luis Quintero from Pexels
Some common attributes:
- Exploration over progression
- Immersive worlds over adrenaline rushes
- Storytelling over domination
- Creativity over optimization
- Wonder over reputation
The pace allows room appreciate all the craft details developers instill and grow attached to environments and characters. It‘s the ultimate way to relax and give your brain a vacation from always running at 100 mph.
The Slow Gaming Spectrum
Slow gaming exists on a spectrum. On one end you have meditative walking simulators like Dear Esther or Firewatch. On the other, sprawling open worlds like Elden Ring that can still offer 60+ hours of content if you don‘t rush.
Plenty of management sims, RPGs, adventure games and more cater to a slower pace even if they have complex systems under the hood. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, when enjoyment drives play time rather than an impending finale, you‘ve entered the slow gaming zone.
My Slow Gaming Journey
I didn‘t always embrace slow play. As a kid, I blazed through platformers and bragged about completion times. In my teens, I spent hours mastering Counter-Strike bunny hops and Warcraft 3 build orders. I loved the frenzied high of hyper-fast reaction gaming.
But as I grew older, something changed. The stress of quick twitch gaming lost its appeal. These days I have limited gaming time between work and family. I wanted to fully enjoy and appreciate each session rather than always chasing the next win condition.
Photo by Luis Quintero from Pexels
I started seeking out games focused on discovery, creativity and story instead of domination. I played purely for my own entertainment rather than external validation. Taking this pressure off let me reconnect with the pure childlike joy that drew me to this hobby so long ago.
The Joy of Slow Gaming
Slow gaming changes your mindset around play. Development time goes into worldbuilding instead of balancing weapons and abilities for eSports. Rich ecosystems cultivate wonder and connection rather than anxiety around ranked ladders.
This shift enthralled me. I delighted in exploring every nook and cranny of alien vistas. The steady drip of narrative revelation kept me pressing on. New gameplay possibilities emerged from unexpected experimentation.
Difficulty ceased being an obstacle; now challenge indicated depth yet to uncover at my own pace. Instead of rage quitting, each failure brought satisfaction knowing more mastery awaited. I felt free to stop and smell the roses without losing an imaginary race.
Appreciating Gaming‘s Potential
Not every game needs to bombard our senses and reflexes. Through slower games I gained appreciation for the incredible artistry and meticulous design possible in this medium.
I may never again have the fast twitch mastery of my youth. But as a slow gamer, I have unlocked new pleasures that lasting long after adrenaline fades. I can finally see games‘ transcendent emotional and imaginative potential. The child in me still revels while the adult remains richly nourished.
If this sounds good to you, give slow gaming a shot. Sink deeply into a few touchstone titles instead of always chasing the next hit. Prioritize games celebrated for artistry and worldbuilding over challenge.
Most importantly, play at your own pace and listen to your instincts, not other‘s expectations. Find that flow state where time dissolves. Reward will follow.
How about you? Have you embraced slow gaming? Share your thoughts below!
