Between us, we've spent £14bn on Steam games we've never played (Via: eurogamer.net)
Steam Users Have Spent a Staggering £14bn on Unplayed Games
It turns out that gamers on Steam have a serious habit of buying games they never get around to playing. New research reveals that £14bn ($19bn) worth of games are sitting idly in Steam libraries.
The Findings
This surprising number comes from research carried out by PCGN and SteamIDFinder, who have crunched the numbers. They found the total cost of these unplayed games is shockingly "about the same as the gross domestic product of Nicaragua." 😲
Why So Many Unplayed Games?
It seems that the draw of sales, bundles, and the ever-growing library of new games are just too tempting for many. Gamers purchase these titles with the best intentions, yet many fall into the abyss of the "pile of shame", never to be experienced.
Impact of Sales
Seasonal sales events like Steam’s Summer and Winter Sales offer huge discounts, making it hard to resist snapping up multiple games at once. While these deals feel like a steal, they often just add to the backlog.
The Allure of Bundles
Game bundles, where numerous titles are grouped together at a lower price, also contribute significantly. It’s easy to see why gamers might justify the purchase by thinking they’ll eventually get to all of them. Spoiler alert: they don’t. 😅
The GAMERs Psychology
There’s also the psychology of collecting. For many, having a diverse game library available feels like a badge of honor, even if many of those games remain untouched.
Conclusion
In the end, it looks like gamers are great at buying games—but not so good at playing them. If you want to dive deeper into this topic, feel free to read the original article.
The Great Steam Game Backlog: More Than Just a Pile of Shame
It turns out we're all secretly Scrooges of the digital age—hoarding a ludicrous amount of unplayed games on Steam. Shockingly, the combined value of these ignored treasures clocks in at a staggering £14 billion ($19 billion). That's pretty much the GDP of Nicaragua, just lounging in our libraries. But why do we end up with so many games we never touch?
The Temptation of Steam Sales
Let's be real—who can resist a good old Steam sale? That rush of adrenaline when you see a game you've been eyeing slashed by 75%, feeling like you've won the lottery. Next thing you know, your wallet's a bit lighter, but your perceived gaming experience is richer. Or is it?
Too Much Choice
The paradox of choice is real here. The more games we have, the harder it becomes to pick one to play. Sometimes, the indecision is so paralyzing that we end up playing nothing at all. It's like standing in front of an open fridge, knowing there's food inside but still ordering pizza.
Gaming FOMO
Fear of missing out (FOMO) isn't just for social media; it's very much a gaming thing too. We buy titles out of a somewhat irrational fear that if we don't get them now, we never will. And so, we stockpile games like they're canned goods in a bunker.
The Role of the Backlog
For some of us, a backlog isn't just a collection of unplayed games—it's a trophy case, a way to showcase our gaming preferences and aspirations. Each unplayed game represents a promise to ourselves: that one day, when the stars align, we'll dive into these rich worlds and soak up the experience.
Time: The Ultimate Boss Level
Having a hefty backlog points to another issue: time, or the lack thereof. Most of us juggle work, family, and other commitments. Finding a solid block of time to immerse ourselves in a game becomes a luxury rather than a given.
Research Backs It Up
The research from PCGN and SteamIDFinder isn’t just an eye-opener; it’s a reminder of our changing gaming habits. It's fascinating to think that we collectively hold onto a treasure trove of experiences we might never explore.
A Silver Lining?
While it might seem like a bummer that so many games go unplayed, there's also something to be optimistic about. The allure of these untouched adventures means we're never truly out of games to play. Think of it as having a buffet of gaming options available whenever you want, even if you're currently on a diet.
In Conclusion
Our expansive Steam libraries could be seen as a reflection of modern consumer behavior in the digital age. Between killer sales, the allure of endless choice, and the grind of daily life, it's no wonder so many of our games end up collecting digital dust. Yet, this "pile of shame" also stands as a testament to our eternal hope that one day, we will conquer every last quest.
Anyone else feel like tackling their backlog right now? 🎮
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