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I'm afraid of playing Single-Player games.
Since I was a kid I always felt alone while playing Single-Player games, but since at the time I didn't know what it was or how to solve it, so I just kept on playing.

Now I am in my early 20s and I feel so many emotions while playing Single-Player games, not necessarily one specific game or genre, if the game does not support at least Co-op mode so I can play with a friend, I feel afraid of playing it.

The emotions that I feel are basically loneliness, anxiety, fear and it makes me get into this depressive state of mind while playing any Single-Player games.

The reason I'm sharing this over here is not necessarily to find an answer since I believe the answer should come from myself. But I would just like to know if anyone feels like that as well.

If so, share a few of your experiences with Single-Player games.

Thanks for your attention! I appreciate that a lot :)

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Showing 1-12 of 12 comments
Zekiran Feb 2, 2020 @ 2:51am 
Single player games are what I prefer 99 out of 100 moments of game time.

As you're still quite young (less than half my age) I am gonna guess you grew up with consoles? With other people playing near you? that may have a lot to do with your dislike or discomfort with single player games.

But look at it this way:

Single player games are like reading a book. They're a very personal thing, and you can put it down or read through it for hours, at your leisure. You are not reciting it for anyone, you're not depending on anyone else to read it for you, and you're not responsible for giving anyone else an experience, just YOU and the book.

You can take your time looking at the locations in games, instead of being dragged around to the next encounter. You can read the dialog or listen to music, you can just stop and appreciate the level of design that went into the game - it's very hard, if not impossible, to do that when you're in even a co-op game.

You can take screenshots of things you find really amazing or funny, without having to wonder whether your friends are looking at you, or getting in the way. (no photobombs here!)

Instead of worrying about whether there are no others there in the game, remember that the developers of the game *intended the game to be your companion*. If there is a need for an ally or helper in the game, generally speaking, they've provided that. There's a thing called a "nag", such as Navi's "Hey, Listen!" - in almost every game there is some form of that, in the characters around you giving hints or suggestions. Developers who make single-player games also PLAY them, and they do know what it takes to get through them.

But they also want you to see the world they've made. Look at them like you're reading a book that's super immersive. :D
The Giving One Feb 2, 2020 @ 2:52am 
I imagine it is similar for many that don't like to play multiplayer games. Sure, co-op with a friend is great and should be fine, but playing with strangers in multiplayer games can also produce some pretty negative and strong emotions, comparable to some you might have felt as you described above.

So some people are kinda "afraid" of playing multiplayer games also. Not really an answer to what you asked about how others feel in single player games, but I thought it might help you some how.
Originally posted by Zekiran:
Single player games are what I prefer 99 out of 100 moments of game time.

As you're still quite young (less than half my age) I am gonna guess you grew up with consoles? With other people playing near you? that may have a lot to do with your dislike or discomfort with single player games.

But look at it this way:

Single player games are like reading a book. They're a very personal thing, and you can put it down or read through it for hours, at your leisure. You are not reciting it for anyone, you're not depending on anyone else to read it for you, and you're not responsible for giving anyone else an experience, just YOU and the book.

You can take your time looking at the locations in games, instead of being dragged around to the next encounter. You can read the dialog or listen to music, you can just stop and appreciate the level of design that went into the game - it's very hard, if not impossible, to do that when you're in even a co-op game.

You can take screenshots of things you find really amazing or funny, without having to wonder whether your friends are looking at you, or getting in the way. (no photobombs here!)

Instead of worrying about whether there are no others there in the game, remember that the developers of the game *intended the game to be your companion*. If there is a need for an ally or helper in the game, generally speaking, they've provided that. There's a thing called a "nag", such as Navi's "Hey, Listen!" - in almost every game there is some form of that, in the characters around you giving hints or suggestions. Developers who make single-player games also PLAY them, and they do know what it takes to get through them.

But they also want you to see the world they've made. Look at them like you're reading a book that's super immersive. :D

I do try my best to see things as if I was the main protagonist in a movie. But for some reason, I'm really "afraid" or taking decisions on my own. It is something I've been talking about and slowly but surely progressing through therapy. The only type of game that I enjoy playing at the moment is usually games that tell me exactly where I need to go in detail and what I need to do. I feel so overwhelmed by the fact that not all games tell you that much information, just like you said, they want you to explore the world at your own pace and appreciate the things around you.
I do find it easier to play sandbox games though, it does make me feel a bit alone, but it's manageable, an example of that is Minecraft, a game that I have played for almost 10 years now.

I just don't know how to overcome this fear or where to start at least. I really do hope to mind my way around this issue that bothers me so much.
Originally posted by The Giving One:
I imagine it is similar for many that don't like to play multiplayer games. Sure, co-op with a friend is great and should be fine, but playing with strangers in multiplayer games can also produce some pretty negative and strong emotions, comparable to some you might have felt as you described above.

So some people are kinda "afraid" of playing multiplayer games also. Not really an answer to what you asked about how others feel in single-player games, but I thought it might help you somehow.

Indeed, the only thing related to "fear of playing games" that I found were usually regarding multiplayer games. I do understand that for some people, having to deal with other people and different behaviors, including scams, toxicity and just the whole competitivity around it can be really intense and stressful. But for me, I couldn't care less about what other people will say or how competitive they can be. The way I see it is, if you're a competitive or a toxic player, go ahead, if you that's your way of seeing the game and those who play it, then prove to yourself that you are the best and that other players are "inferior" to you, but only to yourself, let me play the game the way I want to. I also bought the game, I also dedicated many hours into it, but just because I do not meet your definition of a good player, doesn't add anything to my life. I shall continue doing what pleases me.

That's my way of seeing this sort of behavior, that unfortunately tends to happen more frequently than it should.

So I do completely understand why some people would avoid multiplayer games,
The Giving One Feb 2, 2020 @ 3:21am 
From reading your last reply, you sound like a pretty strong-minded individual to me, actually. Especially what you said about not being bothered at all in multiplayer games with how others act. So if you have these emotions in single player, maybe that's just you and how you are and there is nothing at all wrong with that.

Some have issues playing multiplayer, and some have issues playing single player. :steamhappy:

Hope that helps somehow.
Originally posted by The Giving One:
From reading your last reply, you sound like a pretty strong-minded individual to me, actually. Especially what you said about not being bothered at all in multiplayer games with how others act. So if you have these emotions in single-player, maybe that's just you and how you are and there is nothing at all wrong with that.

Some have issues playing multiplayer, and some have issues playing single player. :steamhappy:

I hope that helps somehow.

Thank you so much, I appreciate that :)
I just feel a bit left out by this whole "fear of sp games"
There are games that I read a little about the lore or played the first few hours and i feel in love. My favorite one sofar being Dishonored.

And it makes me sad how others can really have a great time enjoying the game, the story behind it all, the details, artwork, and everything. While here I am, afraid of playing them.

I feel like I'm missing out on such a good time, and that's the main thing that bothers me
The Giving One Feb 2, 2020 @ 3:30am 
Maybe you just need to find other single player games that would hopefully appeal to your nature more ?

I am not sure how many single player games you have tried, but surely there are some where you would not feel the way you described. I mean, concerning your topic here, I would not want you to feel depressed or actual fear while playing single player games.

That can maybe be a bit unhealthy, depending on the level of anxiety and depression that you feel, perhaps.
Originally posted by The Giving One:
Maybe you just need to find other single player games that would hopefully appeal to your nature more ?

I am not sure how many single player games you have tried, but surely there are some where you would not feel the way you described. I mean, concerning your topic here, I would not want you to feel depressed or actual fear while playing single player games.

That can maybe be a bit unhealthy, depending on the level of anxiety and depression that you feel, perhaps.

Yeah, for now that's something that has been blocking me from playing other games ... I don't necessarily know where to start, which game to choose, etc ...

But i hope i can find something with the help of friends and viewers of mine.

Once more, I do appreciate you guys coming here and doing your best to make me understand this issue more deeply, I hope to be able to play some game with you guys at some point ;)
The Giving One Feb 2, 2020 @ 3:47am 
Have you ever heard of Planescape Torment ?



This game is recognized as one of the best games of all time concerning the story, and it is slower paced and there is more reading involved as compared to games such as Dishonored, for example.

For a long time, I wished this game would come to Steam, then one day it finally did. It's not a full on, action packed game like some you might have played, but the story is simply amazing.

It's a bit slower and maybe something that you would like to try. Just one idea that comes to mind. You mentioned the story of a single player game, and that one was the first one I thought of.
angerwatch Feb 2, 2020 @ 3:48am 
i want to play with someone to cause my only friend who plays terraria now plays roblox so im happy to play with you:D
Just imagine it was before the internet.
You played games.
Or you invited friends to play the games.

Both is fine.

Maybe tell, what is the fear about? What makes the difference?

Coop is just a nice enhancement, and some games waste the potential they have for that by not having coop.
sinatra Dec 21, 2020 @ 7:40pm 
I can relate what you say, i feel the same way, i am so scared of playing, for example im playing zelda botw on my switch, and i feel a lot of anxiety form time to time, a game that helped me a lot with this issue is rdr2, it is a great story and the game tells you what to do. ive been searching on the internet trying to find a solution, i will try all the tips in this forum. Thanks, James

Originally posted by Matty ~ ook een stuk brood ~:
Since I was a kid I always felt alone while playing Single-Player games, but since at the time I didn't know what it was or how to solve it, so I just kept on playing.

Now I am in my early 20s and I feel so many emotions while playing Single-Player games, not necessarily one specific game or genre, if the game does not support at least Co-op mode so I can play with a friend, I feel afraid of playing it.

The emotions that I feel are basically loneliness, anxiety, fear and it makes me get into this depressive state of mind while playing any Single-Player games.

The reason I'm sharing this over here is not necessarily to find an answer since I believe the answer should come from myself. But I would just like to know if anyone feels like that as well.

If so, share a few of your experiences with Single-Player games.

Thanks for your attention! I appreciate that a lot :)
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Date Posted: Feb 2, 2020 @ 2:45am
Posts: 12