I'm taking a break. It's not you, gaming, it's me

By Ben Kuchera: "It's a strange, almost scary thing to look out at the landscape of games, which encompasses hundreds of genres and hundreds of thousands of titles, and find nothing that grabs you"

[360ICE]

I've had a quite a few of those breaks myself. Sometimes there's just no time. Other times I just don't feel like playing games for an extended period of time.

That's not the case now, though. Never mind my two jobs and studies, Rocket League is on the horizon ;)

[joab777]

It's not that kind of break

I just got out of one. Nothing has interested me in awhile, until Bloodborne. It changed everything. I played a couple mmo's last ur but don't have time to keep up...and sp games have been quite weak imo.

Good thing is that it's Bloodborne, my vacation and The Witcher 3.

[VenomUK]

Ben Kuchera said: "I was forced to admit that the problem wasn't the selection of games on the market, but my own need to get away from playing games for a bit. It seems like every year or two I hit a few weeks, or even a month or so, when gaming as a whole just doesn't feel enjoyable."

This doesn't surprise me one bit. When I read his articles his heart never seemed to be in it - to be honest I don't think it ever was.

I absolutely believe in diversity in gaming and the industry, but Kuchera would clumsily use his articles as a political platform to complain about games and gamers even when it wasn't relevant to the subject matter. He would write 'serious' pieces that just went off-track completely.

Some journalists see games' writing as easy money but they shouldn't be doing it if they don't have that love for it. This is something you can't fake, this is something you can't hide as it comes out in your words and the way you express yourself. The public can tell.

[Gazondaily]

"This doesn't surprise me one bit. When I read his articles his heart never seemed to be in it - to be honest I don't think it ever was. "

In all fairness, I think a lot of us gamers (particularly older ones) go through this phase.

Alas, this is just a temporary break, not the permanent one many were hoping for :P

[VenomUK]

Septic, I think I get what you are saying about gamers having phases. For me, it's not that I stop enjoying games, it's just that sometimes real world stuff happens like work and family which leaves no time for gaming.

[Kalebninja]

oh yeah, withcer 3 has me excited.

[Maddens Raiders]

Pathetic. I never tire of playing video games and have been playing since the early eighties. Just leave dude - no one cares.

[mabreu]

It's OK to take a break from gaming, just try to make it a temporary break. I've been playing video games in the early 80's. I know very well that gaming can be expensive and time consuming.

However, there is a big upside to having a gamer lifestyle. It helps fight against mental illnesses like depression and alzheimer's. It also improves brain functions like memory and spacial navigation. It can greatly improve your life in so many ways. Just maintain a health body, have fun and take breaks when you need to.

[SantistaUSA]

same here, I go through phases, before last holidays I just couldn't stop playing then during the holidays I had to work so much that I went almost 3 months without touching any game, now I'm starting to get back to it again.

[Ripsta7th]

I feel i enjoy gaming more when i have a job, as able to get new releases right away

[Godmars290]

So he's taking a break from his job?

Not only don't let the door hit where the dog should've bit ya - but lose the key!

[OrangePowerz]

Maybe I can get an article on N4G the next time I take holidays? :)

[Dee_91]

I know right, what the hell does this have to with gaming?
I didn't read the article, I don't want any malware on my computer.

Wait.. aww crap I thought he was taking a break from polygon.. he talking about gaming? I can't tell you how disappointed I am that he isn't taking a break from blogging.. I was really happy for a minute.. crap.
On that note
NOBODY CARES THAT YOU ARE "TAKING A BREAK FROM GAMING", YOU AREN'T THAT IMPORTANT.

[morganfell]

@Dee,

He only matters in regards to the sheer amount of damage he has done to gaming and to companies with people far more talented than he. His presence as a worthless critic has made gaming less than it would have been without him. I for one hope he sees the hole that he leaves behind has a more positive effect on gaming than he does when he fills that hole.

[360ICE]

You probably can. Not sure if you've noticed, but anything goes.

[SilentNegotiator]

Ben hates his audience anyway; why should gamers care if he's bored with video games?

Plus, he spends his time trying to get people with opposing views to his fired like the neo-McCarthyist that he is; he is scum that thinks that people that don't think like him don't deserve to make a living.

PS. I sincerely hope that he reads this comment section on N4G and realizes how much gamers despise the way that he has pushed stereotypes and has harassed people for opposing views.

[Dee_91]

@SilentNegotiator
Yea any level minded person would read these comments and start to self evaluate.But a self centered-narcissist would see this as some type of proof of self importance lol.

[360ICE]

@Dee_91
Oh. I guess every person who has ever written anything controversial on the Internet should self-evaluate. (I mean, we always should, but still)

[AnotherProGamer]

He got fired actually

Polygon left him write a letter to make it look good for him

[Snookies12]

Hah, Polygon trying to make things look good... I took a break too, from Polygon. A break I fully intend to last indefinitely.

[morganfell]

When Polygon fires Arthur Gies and Brian Crecente then they will be making a legitimate effort to cut away the cancer.

[TheFutureIsBlue]

I'm taking a break from gaming.

It's called sleep.

The break will end when I wake up.

[CaptainObvious878]

Ben never liked gaming. In fact, I'm not sure if he even likes fun. Maybe he can't even recognise it.

In any case it's one less sexist leech infecting games journalism with toxic harassment and stereotyping. I hope the break becomes permanent.

[SilentNegotiator]

Wouldn't it be beautiful if this became a trend? People that care more about demonizing gamers and their little moral crusades than games, like Sessler and now Ben Kuchera, just walking away?

[-Foxtrot]

Oh no Ben Polygon is taking a break...after the shit he wrote about during GamerGate and the fact he works for a crappy corrupt website he can take that break for as long as he likes.

Don't hurry back.

[gamejediben]

Couldn't have said it better myself. Bubbles for you!

[overrated44]

Glad there are other people in the gaming community that are as fed up with Kuchera and Polygon as I am. Thanks for saying what we're all thinking so eloquently.

[Mega24]

Funny, if I've would have typed the same comment as you, I would have been marked a troll. Anyway, totally agree with you, maybe Polygon should take a break too.

[animegamingnerd]

Bye Ben hope you take a long break cause none of us will miss you.

[BitbyDeath]

Never heard of him but I do know Polygon sucks so feel free to burn it down on the way out.

[Rachel_Alucard]

This feeling is caused by either having too much freedom in what games you purchase nowadays filling your backlog up more and more, whereas when you were a kid you had to beg your parents to buy you it so you went months without any new games.

Another factor to this is you might be seeing games start to blend together more and more because you've played so many over the years that nothing can wow you now like it used to.

The best you can do is take a break for a long time from investing in video games and just go out and do hobbies that give you a variety and new experience in life so that you get that wow feeling back like when you first started playing games.

Also Ben is a huge corporate tool and we're the ones actually getting a break from him.

[cartman313]

Ah I miss that feeling when I was a kid. Any new game was amazing. Because of cheapshark.com my steam library is constantly growing yet I can't really get into any of the games anymore. I don't want to be bored of video games! :(

[fashionst]

and they claim GG never accomplished anything...

[thorstein]

Bye

[Kal-V3]

Maybe he never really liked games to begin with...you know..cuz he just complains about them all the time. There's a f**cking thought.

[WizzroSupreme]

Good luck, man. A break is sometimes all you need to put things in perspective. And shame on the haters.

Do unto others what you'd like to have them do for you. Enough with the trolling. It's exactly why people like Ben are entitled to a negative opinion of GG when people throw out troll "Well screw you, I HATE YOU AND EVERYTHING GO AWAY!!! AAGGH!" comments. If you're better than Ben, than act like it and not like a six-year-old.

[Pintheshadows]

'Do unto others what you'd like to have them do for you'

And then,

'If you're better than Ben, than act like it and not like a six-year-old.'

Well, Ben acts like a six year old most of the time throwing tantrums over things he doesn't like so... if people are acting like a six year old toward him, seems fair enough to me. This whole 'be the bigger man' nonsense is rarely relevant beyond 25 because you expect most people to act like adults regardless. Mr Kuchera doesn't.

Good riddance.

[Dee_91]

Its funny though, because wizzro comment is like the epitome of the mindstate of the type of people who like and sympathize with Ben and people like him.They don't care for making any type of sense, they just want to shame people and be the victim as demonstrated.Nothing is ever their faults, its always other people in the wrong.

[thorstein]

"Ben [is] entitled."

Exactly.

Polygon got caught with their pants down.

This site and Ben K. is what is wrong with Game Journalism. It's hate? I believe the finger needs to be pointed the other way.

You see, people like Ben are the ones that hate gaming. The people here, at N4G (as is evidenced by the comments) are the ones that love this hobby. We are the ones that love gaming.

We call out hateboys like Ben and all he does is attack users here with his vitriol. *Yawn*

Excuse me while I don't give two craps. He's leaving? Good. More like him need to leave.

[CaptainObvious878]

You do realise Ben is a hater himself, right?

And do you also realise people here are treating Ben the same as he's been treating us?

It seems like you have zero self awareness.

If fact the people here are a lot better than Ben because they're basing their opinion on past behavior and evidence, whereas Ben just looked at a few trolls and decided to declare all gamers are misogynists.

If Ben is allowed to have that "negative opinion" than we are DAMN sure allowed to have a negative opinion of him.

It seems like you aGGros just don't have a single ounce of common sense or decency.

[HighResHero]

@Wizzro:

Ben?

[SilentNegotiator]

"Do unto others what you'd like to have them do for you"

Ben and his white-knight fedora warriors spammed the employer of a person that had the audacity to disagree with Ben, to get him fired.

Do you HONESTLY believe that Ben follows such a principle?

[garos82]

its comments like these that makes me proud to be here at N4G. rock on all you freaking gamers : fanboys and general good folk alike!

Adios Ben and don't come back

[Gwiz]

I can agree with a lot from above,w00t.

[Neo_Zeed]

Now if only everyone at Polygon would take a break.

[PeaSFor]

one of the most toxic and narcissistic "journalist" in video game media taking a break?

lets pop the champagne!

NO ONE will miss you!

[Ginesis]

I don't care the reasons that this guy is taking a break but I wanted to put my two cents in on taking a break from gaming in general. I believe everyone at done point in time needs to take an extended break from gaming. I've been a gamer since I was four or five and around four years ago I took my first break ever from gaming since beginning it ( I'm 30) and I have to say it was great I came to appreciate my first love again and now many of the things happening in the industry don't really bother me. I just want to game. It's that simple and if it weren't for that break I wouldnt of been able to gain that aspect. I encourage my friends to do the same all the time cause they get angry about the craziest things in my opinion that's when you know it's time for a break.

[CaptainObvious878]

What's happening in the industry SHOULD be bothering you. Sticking your head in the sand is not a healthy decision.

[Ginesis]

It's not sticking my head on the sand. It's realizing it's not anything life threatening, therefore none of it is really upsetting. You guys gotta relax its just video games when its all said and done.

[WilliamUsher]

Gotta agree with Captain Obvious...

When monopolized media institutions can make or break indie and mid-budget devs and they're using this power to make their friends into something while trying to sink those they feel are competition, SOMETHING needs to be done.

You may not be bothered about a hobby that a lot of people love, but a lot of devs are in this as part of their livelihood. Having corrupt journos jeopardize their careers over hissy fits, nepotism and corruption affects you, me and everyone else who enjoys and loves gaming.

You may only want to game, but sometimes you have to stand up and fight for the things you love, lest they fall victim to wolves.

[CaptainObvious878]

It severely annoys me when anyone uses the phrase "just video games".

Maybe you don't have a passion for games, but I do. And just because I genuinely care about the state of the industry does not mean I need to relax.

You should know a lot better since you've been gaming for so long.

[Ginesis]

That's just how I feel about it. I'll use that phrase for anything that doesn't have a huge impact on my life. My phone is just a phone, movies are just movies, books are books, etc. You can live without these things. It doesn't mean my passion isn't there to me I'll save my anger for other issues.

[Pintheshadows]

If you really feel passionate about games, if you love them, you don't take a break and cite that it is the lack of games that interest you personally as the reason. If there were 10 games out a year I could maybe understand but that isn't the case.

It is very telling that in this age of thousands of different games, across all genres, from all sorts of developers from across the world that Ben can't find anything that appeals to him.

Could it be that this wasn't the medium for you in the first place Ben?

Could it be that you never had any place in writing about videogames if you feel that way in an era when they are more diverse than ever?

Could it be possible that you feigned passion for all of these years as you thought that being a game 'journalist' could lead you to the type of 'journalism' you actually wanted to do? (a common trend since the mid 90's)

Could it be that you discovered that in the internet age where thousands of bloggers compete with each other that simply wasn't possible anymore?

Could it be that pushing an ideology on to people who are simply trying to enjoy an entertainment medium that is the greatest form of ESCAPISM ever conceived was a very bad idea?

And before anyone jumps on me, taking a break from gaming is a very different thing to taking a break from the community in my eyes anyway.

[Wolfenstein51]

Shame on him. He has a job most of us would do anything to do. Does a CEO of a company like, for example, Doritos say "I hate chips! I'm not gonna eat them for a while. Oh, but I might go back to them". It's just something you don't do. If he feels that way, he should just quit. Guess what Ben, we don't give a crap if you don't like games or even have time for them. Do you want people to feel sorry for you? What was he trying to achieve with this dumb article?

[Crazay]

see ya.

[mixelon]

Wha? He's not in any way disparaging of games or gaming here. It's just a slump. Lots of people get them. If not about gaming about something else.

It's like artist or writers block, you can be absolutely passionate about something but just not "feel it" for a while. Overexposure to anything, having it take your entire focus - can lead to needing some time off, so you can return to it with a fresh perspective and regain some enthusiasm.

I sound like a marriage councillor, lol.. But we all have relationships with our hobbies, and they can be unhealthily self absorbing, and the joy can just need bringing back somehow. It always comes back, even for "people like Ben."

[Pintheshadows]

'He's not in any way disparaging of games or gaming here'

Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahaha...hahahahahah a hahahahahahaha...hahahahahahah a ...hahaha...ha!

Thanks for the laugh Mixelon. The only thing Ben IS these days is disparaging of games and gaming. He built a career at Polygon doing exactly that. You can make as many excuses for him as you want but comparing this to writers block is offensive to writers. You clearly don't understand what writers block actually is.

[mixelon]

As a writer I clearly know what it is, But well done with the patronising. He's writing about a very mid-30s personal perspective. Might I suggest you're not qualified to judge either? Not making excuses. Discussing what he wrote in the piece.

Notice i said "like" artists block, and mention overexposure. Not that it's exactly the same as artists block. Seriously.

Notice the "here" in the first sentance. Do you really maniacally laugh when someone reminds you of something tangentially linked to the topic at hand? :P I'm not talking about bens entire output, we're talking about this specific article and what he says in it, but Err, good job getting that rant in.

I never said I liked his writing.

[Pintheshadows]

Yeah Mixelon, you said 'like writers block'. That would suggest you were making a direct comparison. Saying something is like something else means you are comparing it. And if I sound like I am being patronising, it is because I am.

And just how did I know that you would respond with with 'As a writer I clearly know what it is'. I thought you would do exactly that when I posted that comment earlier.

I get the impression that if we were discussing Quantum Theory your response would be 'as a Quantum Physicist'. His article and history utterly betrays every argument you are making but I can hardly say I am surprised considering your sympathy with modern day idio... progressives.

And it seems to me that you have a fundamental problem with text comprehension if you believe Ben isn't being disparaging towards gaming in this article. The lack of passion in itself is telling. May I suggest that you watch some interviews with politicians or perhaps read an article tailored by one of their spin doctors. They certainly show similarities in this case.

And thank you for trying to misrepresent my comment. Shame it didn't work. Anyone who has any idea of who Ben is knows what he is at this point. Trying to pull the wool over peoples eyes with your absurd brand of apologia focused toward him.

And I only maniacally laugh when someone comes out with nonsense of a particular calibre. Luckily, as I am out of bubbles, I won't have to engage with it anymore, someone else can take over.

[mixelon]

Dude, you have issues. :D attacking *me* isn't how you make a case seem more salient.

I was just pointing out he's pro gaming in this particular article. It wouldn't matter what he, or I said - you make sides. I could say anything now - it's not a debate. You wouldn't pay the blindest bit of notice. There will be no contemplation because you have no respect for others perspectives than your own, however you came to it.

You read things to support your preconceived notions of his character. Right or wrong, this wasn't an anti gaming post. At all. I'm not defending or apologising the guy personally. I'm error correcting.

Sanctimonious nutcases don't do us any favours.

[Dee_91]

"It's like artist or writers block"
Whats creative about sitting on your a$$ with a controller in your hand? I mean the creative part is the part thats usually missing when you get artist block..
What you're describing is boredom. When I get bored of games ( which isn't often because I have little time for gaming ) I don't play games.. I don't take a conscious break, I just don't play them.. nothing amazing or article worthy about that lol

[Pintheshadows]

^Exactly this. And if you get writers block it isn't a lack of passion. It isn't boredom. It is a lack of inspiration.

You still desperately want to write but nothing will come out. And it is frustrating. And taking a break usually doesn't work as you just think about it even more as you are not writing.

You need to find inspiration again. I like going to a new place, like a park, or a beautiful city. Or meet a new person. That helps.

This Ben Kuchera situation is nothing like that. And it is also incredibly self centred of him to write an entire article about it. It shows how absurd and self interested these progressives are.

[mixelon]

No. Have you ever kept a journal?

That's a lot like games writing. It is creative, and they don't just sit on their ass and play games, they play games while critically examining them, which can suck some of the joy out of done constantly.

And playing games is creative, like playing an instrument. You can easily just end up using the time for something else.

In his case it's enough inspiration to outweigh 5 kids and a pretty standard gaming slump.

[mixelon]

Games aren't your career I'm guessing, so when you/I take a break it doesn't seem like it warrants declaring. The way he's done this is awkward for sure.

I think the framing of the article is dumb and designed to get hits, but the phenomena he's talking about, and where he's discussed it with friends is a topic that's worth writing about. He states clearly he feels it's a personal failing on some level, there's a level of guilt there.

A better article would have possibly asked more people if they have, and how they deal with and feel about these slumps.

It's attracted people's ire just because it's him though, and it wouldn't matter what he said he'd get tomatoes thrown at him here on n4g, lol.

[Spotie]

Your claim would make more sense if, you know, he wasn't guilty of doing exactly what you say he doesn't do.

[mixelon]

Last bubble, but let me get this straight. Many of the comments here are "yeah I frequently take quite long breaks, no biggie" with lots of agrees.

Ben posts about it? "No! How dare he! He's not allowed to take breaks or discuss it! He's one of the bad guys! He's insulting gaaammes!! Rabble rabble rabble!"

Good job guys. Good job.

[00]

Good, gaming doesn't need anymore corrupt scumbags like him.

[scientificreasoning]

This guy and arthur gies at polygon are fanboys are morons and have no place being "Professional " Journalist... There twitters at times are worse then crap you see from trolls on game forums

[Blank]

I seriously hope more at Polygon leaves because its better to have crappy "journalists" leave rather than a game developer leaving besides why did his ego make this article for??? He never created or contributed anything good for the gaming industry.

[borneblood123]

This is why I only play triple a console games, to avoid burn out.

Triple a console games with decent ratings always provide an immensely enjoyable experience.

Shovelware and other such tatt is best avoided like the plague.

[mshope10]

i wish i could stop gaming right now! monster hunter 4 ultimate has me so addicted i'm 80 hours in and barely feel like i play enough and with xenoblade chronicles 3d on april 10 i'm going to lose months of my gaming life just with those 2 games!

[Krimmson]

I'm sure Erik Kain is slightly pleased.

[wck]

What has this guy done that is so corrupt?

[BudokaiGamer]

Working for Polygon is all it takes.

[WilliamUsher]

Google up the Game Journo Pros and take your pick.

[sAVAge_bEaST]

Has a Xbone controller, as first pic, -makes excuses as to why he can't play B,B. & works @ polygon. 'nuff said.

-hopefully it's an early retirement.

[BudokaiGamer]

There's one barnacle peeled off the side of the boat! Now for the rest of them!

[nix]

i was kinda in a break between the time when PS4 was launching. i was playing games only on Vita.. casuals mostly plus few big ones.. thanks to PS+. that lasted for 9 months.

now i think i'm back in full form. these two months i finished 4 big games... I also got Driveclub and The Order. now i'm putting in lots of hours in Bloodborne..

i think it was lack of interesting games.. or maybe i just wanted break. i guess once in a while we need a break..

right now i'm a happy gamer.

[Artemidorus]

My commitments have gotten much larger and I have had to take a back seat with gaming for the the last yea, no harm in having a break.

Infact I enjoy games more spreading the time and have many games unopened waiting for me.

[whitesoxfalife1976]

There's no breaking from game dafuq is this. Some sounds like a bunch whinning girls omg nooooooooo I need a break. Cut ya Crap ya lil BITCHES and game, game hard. THIISSSS IIISSSS GAAAAAMMMMMMMIIIIIINNNNNGGGG drops phone n walks away

[Minute Man 721]

I'm taking a break also, last 3 weeks working crazy over time. That's more $$$ for games starting with Arkham Knight collector's edition statue

[barb_wire]

Oh, how we can hope it's permanent BUT my gut tells me he'll be back by E3 with his same old piss and moan articles.

[MannGamer]

I went through this phase until Destiny came out. And after 2 months of Destiny,it became boring and there is no game for me at the moment. I have so many games thanks to PS+ but I just don't feel like they interest me enough.
currently Persona 4 Golden is the game filling my need as a gamer...

[jriquelme_paraguay]

Good. And never come back.
And please, take whole Lolygon with you.

[kamundo]

Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye

[xX1NORM1Xx]

i feel like that just lately i played league of legends/payday/cod/random pc games with the same group of people at least 6 hours a day for the past 8 months and i just cant play them atm i love them but i need a change so ive just started playing random xbox games with some old friends instead i think ill just alternate between console and pc for a bit