So, ERA between being a game dev and a podcaster there really isn't much time in the week to play games for me. I imagine most of you with adult lives have the same struggle! There's just not enough hours in the day to be able to do everything or to be able to consume the media you want to consume - first world problems I know.
But I recently have managed to have a pretty regular schedule of "me" time every night between about 11pm - 12:30am before bed and it has consisted of doing the same thing every night and it's started to really give me a lot of joy.
1. Open the balcony doors: let the fresh air and the night noises in.
Context here, I live in Kyoto. As some of you might know our summers are devilish and as an ex-pat Brit I long for the cold and fresh to come. Whilst summer is still trying to hang-on for a bit longer here (goddamn, climate change) it is now starting to be delightfully fresh outside at night.
2. Position my floor chair and TV right next to the door.
Living in Japan means my apartment is pretty small and there isn't much space in my box of a room. Whilst for the most part this is frustrating it does mean that the only place my TV can fit is by the door of the balcony and I sit right where the lovely fresh air is coming in.
3. Get wrapped up in a good blanket.
Yes, I understand this is a complete oxymoron to having the door open but to me nothing feels better than having the fresh air coming in and being wrapped up in a blanket.
4. Cup of tea ready.
Coffee at night - not a good idea. But, a nice cup of English tea or Rooibos is lovely to have.
5. Put on either a podcast or a streamer.
Wait what? I know, but I'm someone who really struggles to focus on just one thing unless it's absolutely gripping and engaging (Sekiro most recently). I feel much better when I'm "multitasking" or at least feeling like I am. To do this I put on my favorite podcasts that maybe I haven't had chance to listen to at work or I like to have the voices of my favorite streamers (I don't have many - mostly just Barry Kramer) on in the background.
5. GAME - One where sound and story are of low priority.
This is where the fun begins! I can start playing games in my blanket, with my tea, a nice podcast and the fresh air. Obviously because of the multitasking I've recently been playing games that don't require my absolute attention (for missing a story point or having to focus really hard). The games I've been playing have been stuff like: Destiny 2 (I'm a New Light player - so story means nothing to me, but I'm enjoying just going around shooting things and getting cool guns), FIFA (I love Football and doesn't require sound or attention really - I've helped Vissel Kobe win the league twice!), Smash Bros Ultimate (can never go wrong with Smash practice) and also a whole host of Apple Arcade stuff (Mostly Grindstone and Card of Darkness). If anybody has good game suggestions that would fit into this please let me know!
6. Finish and go to bed.
I feel like I've actually done some gaming or at least been able to relax my way and that makes me feel good going to bed.
This is a dumb post I know.
But, I really just wanted to talk about this as it's been a real delight for me recently and helps with winding down at the end of long days - how about you thought? I'd really like to know how other people have balanced gaming in their busy lives or do you have what I would call "Comfort Gaming".
But I recently have managed to have a pretty regular schedule of "me" time every night between about 11pm - 12:30am before bed and it has consisted of doing the same thing every night and it's started to really give me a lot of joy.
1. Open the balcony doors: let the fresh air and the night noises in.
Context here, I live in Kyoto. As some of you might know our summers are devilish and as an ex-pat Brit I long for the cold and fresh to come. Whilst summer is still trying to hang-on for a bit longer here (goddamn, climate change) it is now starting to be delightfully fresh outside at night.
2. Position my floor chair and TV right next to the door.
Living in Japan means my apartment is pretty small and there isn't much space in my box of a room. Whilst for the most part this is frustrating it does mean that the only place my TV can fit is by the door of the balcony and I sit right where the lovely fresh air is coming in.
3. Get wrapped up in a good blanket.
Yes, I understand this is a complete oxymoron to having the door open but to me nothing feels better than having the fresh air coming in and being wrapped up in a blanket.
4. Cup of tea ready.
Coffee at night - not a good idea. But, a nice cup of English tea or Rooibos is lovely to have.
5. Put on either a podcast or a streamer.
Wait what? I know, but I'm someone who really struggles to focus on just one thing unless it's absolutely gripping and engaging (Sekiro most recently). I feel much better when I'm "multitasking" or at least feeling like I am. To do this I put on my favorite podcasts that maybe I haven't had chance to listen to at work or I like to have the voices of my favorite streamers (I don't have many - mostly just Barry Kramer) on in the background.
5. GAME - One where sound and story are of low priority.
This is where the fun begins! I can start playing games in my blanket, with my tea, a nice podcast and the fresh air. Obviously because of the multitasking I've recently been playing games that don't require my absolute attention (for missing a story point or having to focus really hard). The games I've been playing have been stuff like: Destiny 2 (I'm a New Light player - so story means nothing to me, but I'm enjoying just going around shooting things and getting cool guns), FIFA (I love Football and doesn't require sound or attention really - I've helped Vissel Kobe win the league twice!), Smash Bros Ultimate (can never go wrong with Smash practice) and also a whole host of Apple Arcade stuff (Mostly Grindstone and Card of Darkness). If anybody has good game suggestions that would fit into this please let me know!
6. Finish and go to bed.
I feel like I've actually done some gaming or at least been able to relax my way and that makes me feel good going to bed.
This is a dumb post I know.
But, I really just wanted to talk about this as it's been a real delight for me recently and helps with winding down at the end of long days - how about you thought? I'd really like to know how other people have balanced gaming in their busy lives or do you have what I would call "Comfort Gaming".
