My favourite type of game is turn based, with semi random/procedural generation of many elements of the gameplay, whether it be characters/map/team composition etc. The randomness is what lets me keep going and feeling like its new. The mechanics aren't new, but the application is

I’m in your boat.

I don’t play anything anymore, basically. Even “nostalgia” doesn’t feel fun because the dopamine hit from figuring the mechanics/lore out has passed.

My advice: co-op.

Playing a cooperative game with mates is fun. As an example, I got into Baldurs Gate 3 with family; never would have gotten so engrossed without them, and it sped up combat.

We started an Age of Wonders 4 game. One of them bounced off because it was too slow waiting for each other's turns, but it was enough to get me engrossed with its systems and lore.

As for real life?

Gamification is a freaking menace.

Organizer apps are great. Apps/reminders that beat you in the head are excellent. But I’ve had just about enough manipulation from my phone, thank you.

My main problem is stress, the permanent feeling of "you have stuff to do" is ruining any immersion or fun.

In any case, weed helps a lot.

Sativa for actually doing stuff, indica for relaxing

Dunno what types of games you check, but maybe pick something totally at random? Indies and old games may be interesting to add to the pool if you do it.

Also, not on gaming per se, but if you're too busy too constantly, please find some time to relax, else you could be burning yourself out.

And on online multiplayer, usually the other players are my source of stress, specially on co-op as they don't usually seem to know what they're doing.

And gaming helps me even when they are a bit bland because it's a media I can interact with when consuming. Things like movies and music, I need a secondary activity to keep myself active.

So, I live for progress indicators. Doesn't sound as fun when you call them that, but unlocking that skill tree, looting better gear, leveling up, oh God how I love leveling up.

I'm as old school as the term "beating the game". Most games today pretty much push you along the storyline until you get to the end, but I was raised on that desire to beat the game. So, I ride it out to the end, collecting progress indicators the whole way.

I just think it's funny how we've ADHDed ourselves into opposite extremes.

When one breaks something down to its components, nothing is new under the sun. I used to feel the same about games several years ago (albeit a little more about story rather than gameplay), but I eventually I reframed that into familiar systems and stories being comfort food. Now I actively seek those things out. That way, I'm generally assured of some enjoyment at worst, and at best I find some fun ways developers are putting twists on frequently-used concepts. Some of my all-time favorites are games I've played only in the past few years.

I also felt that way about time wasting, but once I started being more intentional and structured about my daily goal setting and time boxing my day, that went away. Now when I'm done for the day, I'm done for the day and I give myself permission to have downtime. Tangentially, Adderall also helped with this by giving me a hard physical signal to tell me I'm probably not going to get much more done for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, these days now I'm often too tired during the week. 🤷🏻‍♀️

That said, I also don't like achievements. It's something I would have loved 30 years ago back when there was way less to play, but there's too much choice now. I'd rather see what else is out there instead of spending time digging into something I've already seen most of. Feels like diminishing returns. Some people really get into it, though.