14 DAY TRIAL // I want to play Europa Universalis IV, the grand strategy game that’s set to launch in a few days, but somewhere deep behind my desire I know that, after launch and a few feverishly days spent exploring its core new mechanics and ideas, I might abandon the title for some time.
I could offer some feeble rational explanations for this: I want to make sure that a few patches are delivering before investing more time; the launch schedule is packed with other titles, including XCOM and Saints Row 4, that I need to play; I still have unfinished business with some other games.
But the problem is really linked with modernity, instant gratification and our tendency to love the hunt more than devouring the prey.
I have friends who bought Startcraft II: Heart of the Swarm on launch, eager to get into multiplayer once the changes were fresh while also exploring the story of The Queen of Blades, and only played about 20 matches before dropping the game for three months.
I eagerly awaited the launch of Dishonored last fall and only played two missions, which I loved, before returning to the familiarity of Skyrim and the myriad of adventures I still had to solve.
I bought Command & Conquer 4 on launch years ago, heard that it was bad and failed to play the game at all, although I do have plans to explore the game now that the free-to-play Generals 2 is set to launch.
Other elements like lack of time or pressure from other gamers also play a part, but I have to acknowledge that the problem is linked to the individual more than to the circumstances.
For the coming fall launch season, I will try and play more of the video games I buy instead of dropping back in the hands of nostalgia in order to play more PCM 2013 or Football Manager 2013.