A few years ago, I took any and all mobile games off my phone in an attempt to free myself of their addictive hold on my time, attention, and money. I don’t think I went more than a couple months before I downloaded a couple of favorites and was back at it again, playing and swiping as I derided myself for my lack of willpower.
This time, I think I’m ready to make it stick. Here’s why:
- I won’t be getting rid of ALL mobile games–just the “free” ones. I’m deleting the ones that are “free to play,” which usually support themselves through a number of micro transactions, often built around some form of gambling style gacha system. Essentially, if it uses randomized prizes that incentivizes the use of real money, is gone. Goodbye Marvel Contest of Champions, Marvel Puzzle Quest, and Star Trek Lower Decks. Also, collecting apps like Topps Marvel Select.
- I WILL be keeping any mobile games I’ve either paid to own, have access to through a game pass system, or that I feel I can use in tandem with content creation projects. These types of games are pretty much paid for and won’t be trying to read recurring income off my payments, and they’ll therefore be more likely to not punish me for not being on them ALL THE TIME. Or not paying to win. So, titles like Grimvalor, Wayward Souls, and Lovecraft’s Untold Tales can stay.
- I’ve got plenty of other things to do now, and other distractions and media. Seriously. Between podcasts, books, graphic novels, audiobooks, movies, shows, and console & PC games, there already plenty of there to take up my time and attention. And that’s not even taking into account my aspirations as a content creator: between my YouTube channel, this blog, Instagram and so on, it’s not like I don’t have plenty to do when I’m not working. Oh, and of course there’s Trouble to keep me occupied, along with friends and family. Y’know, a life.
- I’m deleting all mentions of them. Twitter and IG accounts. Subreddits. Emails or other notices that promote them will be modified and taken down. I’m going to remove the temptation by blinding myself to their promotions. It’ll take time, but it’ll be very complete.
I think this will be a good move for me, as I try to increase my productivity and become a better librarian, content creator, and overall person. I’d love to hear people’s perspectives on this, including any similar struggles you’ve dealt with, how you broke them, and what you think of what I’m proposing for myself here.
Best of luck to everyone as we all try to become the best versions of ourselves.
Spidey Librarian 