Summary
I love being immersed in an epic adventure, but sometimes it’s nice to sit back and play something that doesn’t demand my constant attention. These games let me turn my brain off for a while, and play passively while I listen to a podcast or audiobook, watch YouTube, and detox from daily stressors.
Multitasking While Gaming
Playing games while I do other things is a greatway to clear my gaming backlog. I can work on my platinum trophy inPowerwash Simulatoror grind out levels in an RPG while I catch up on reading or my favorite shows all at once.
Having something on in the background sometimes helps me avoid getting distracted by other things too since I have something else to look at during downtime. This means I’m less likely to get on my phone and start doom-scrolling social media in between dungeons inFinal Fantasy XIVor give up on the grind before I’m done.
Games With Lots of Grinding are Best
When it comes to multitasking while playing, games with a heavy focus on grinding or generally repetitive gameplay are ideal. Even if it is a mostly linear game I often end up having to grind out levels or farm for better items to progress, which can sometimes take hours.
Grinding in many games, particularly RPGs, live-service games likeDestiny 2, orroguelikes with roleplaying elements,often means completing repetitive tasks to earn gradual progress toward a specific goal, making them ideal for passive gameplay.
It’s also possible to cut back on how tedious grinding can be by making it into a background task while watching TV, movies, or any other kind of content in the meantime.
In some ways, this makes grinding something I actively look forward to, as I begin to associate the grind with my other media habits, combining the two into a cumulative task that leaves me fully engaged.
Make the Tedious Parts of Gaming More Entertaining
While grinding can be somewhat comforting if you do it in the background, other games have tasks that are much more tedious and time-consuming without as much direct input.
Management simulation games likeJurassic World EvolutionorCities: Skylinesare fun, but are full of tasks that require little more than waiting for things to unlock. Usually, I just do other in-game tasks while I wait, but it can often be pretty monotonous just waiting for in-game money to come in, for a neighborhood to develop, or for a specific item to appear.
This is where background entertainment comes in, as it can help to make these tasks go by faster or at least turn them into something productive. Now, instead of being a tedious and annoying thing to have to do, I can turn the monotony into entertainment by seeing it as an interactive element to something else playing on the side.
Finally Reach the Endgame
A lot of endgame (or late game) content requires hours upon hours of repetitive gameplay to reach, which can be a deterrent for many players. This is especially true forthose without a lot of time to play every day.
Luckily, if you just play them in the background while multitasking, it cuts back on the tedium of the grind, which means you’re less likely to lose interest. Instead of giving up due to boredom, I can reach content I might have otherwise missed out on, like postgame dungeons, secret boss fights, or even legendary weapons in games likeBorderlands.
Even games that typically demand full attention can have a ton of side content that can be critical to attaining secret items or other parts that I might miss. TheYakuzagames are mostly story-based but have a ton of side stories that can take hours to get through and sometimes unlock critical aspects of the main game.
I usually see these as an opportunity to take a break from the main game and dedicate time to finishing up content I would otherwise skip while I do other things. This way, I get much more out of my games since I’m less likely to just quit after the credits roll and will be more willing to see what else it has to offer.
Experience New Content
Playing games while I watch TV, listen to audiobooks, or consume other kinds of content often makes me less discerning about what I put on. This means I can expose myself to new kinds of media that I might have otherwise avoided, which can help me discover new interests.
I often experiment with new shows, check out audiobooks I’ve been hesitant to read, or get through a YouTube series I’ve been putting off while I play games in the background. The game prevents me from losing interest while whatever I’m watching or listening to plays out, giving me a chance to determine whether I might be into it.
This way, I can use my gaming habits as a tool to help branch out and discover new interests or clear out a backlog of content I’ve been putting off.
Handhelds and Dual Monitors are Ideal
When it comes to passive gaming, handhelds like the Switch or Steam Deck are some of the best tools as they aren’t necessarily as immersive as a giant TV and are playable from almost anywhere. I can lay in bed or relax on the couch with a TV show on while I complete daily tasks inAnimal Crossingat whatever pace I like.
Alternatively,having two monitors makes it possible to have two things displayed simultaneouslyside by side, which is ideal for passive gaming habits. I can have a game on one screen and a YouTube series, podcast, or other content on the other, letting me flip between the two at a moment’s notice.
It might seem counter-productive, but the next time you’re playing one of your favorite games and find yourself struggling with some of the more tedious parts, consider putting on something else while you play. The key is to find content that matches your headspace, and I’d recommend starting with podcasts or audiobooks.
You may find yourself more open about the content you engage with and seeing parts of your games you might never have seen otherwise.
