Why do I like your channel? You're struggling with all the exact same things as I do as a Christian father husband gamer. Thanks for being vulnerable and creating a place of gaming fellowship.

I'm here for the journey no matter what. I continue to get peace and clarity from your talks about minimalism and overconsumption, and I feel like your stories help set me up to be a better, more present partner and eventually a more attentive parent. Great and thoughtful Cup as always.

I can’t be the only person that enjoys this channel but just wishes this channel was more consistent. Or am I on an island.

Also dealing with this, the fulfillment vs enjoyment line was spot on. I think you're well on your way to finding the balance you seek.

Next Steam huge sale starts on Thursday, we have to be strong.

I struggle with NOT getting the next shiny new game which was just announced. But I think it´s not because I really need it but because it brings up an exciting emotion in me. Dealing with daily life having a demanding job, a family and other responsibilities makes me think I need to reward myself with new exciting games. But in the end it just costs money and is a burden which I bring onto myself unnecessarily. I have lost the joy of gaming and watching your videos helps me to understand why that is and how I can start enjoying this hobby once again. I watch you videos when they come out and I can fully understand your journey because I feel the same way. BTW: I usually listen to your videos as I bring my kids to kindergarden, so it would be cool if you could also do a podcast, just a thought. :)

I think a solid replacement term for gaming minimalism would be gaming essentialism or intentional gaming -focusing on those things that actually feel essential to our enjoyment. It sounds like Nintendo is essential to your enjoyment. Retro is there for you, too. Steamdeck has its place as well. But the latest and greatest isn’t or doesn’t. That’s what it’s all about. Honing in on what matters. Gaming essentialism and/or intentional gaming.

This is so relatable…sometimes I feel crazy for having the type of thoughts like you’re having. I appreciate what you do.

Love this Julian , just a guy trying to figure it out. Nice seeing your journey and where it’s taking you. I’ve commented on this many times but your videos seem to hit the top of my feed just at the right time. Keep going brother here’s to where you go next ☕️

Love your channel. Keep up the great work!

Christian gamer that is thoughtful about the game that he plays, drinks coffee and loves Jesus? I’m in.

Latin is such an interesting language, thought-provoking for sure. Sometimes, I find myself wanting to curate game playlists for people. Or at least thinking...if they were open to playing video games, they would enjoy the crap out of this...

Dude, very helpful I sold my switch OLED and all my games and I've been just sitting to situate myself.

Brother. I have a 2 year old daughter, and a son on the way in September. These last few videos have been an eye opening experience for me. Im going through the same feelings right now and you have given me a path forward. I think I'm going to downsize to the OLED deck or something similar and get back to basics. So I have more time and the clearest focus for my wife and children, without fully sacrificing my gaming hobby. I have been loosing enjoyment and fulfillment, and mixing the two up, between what I was enjoying and receiving from my time spent with my daughter and my wife, to what I was enjoying and receiving in my time spent with my hobby. You have given me a blueprint to start from. Thank you brother.

Cheers dude! At first this channel was like meh, now I found, this man speaks my language! Also, I’d say the reason I was meh, probably too many options too many videos.

This might be your best video yet. I would encourage you to really lean into a faith based gaming channel. We definitely need more of those. I've been going on a personal journey as well with gaming. Been having a lot of introspective conversations with myself on how, why, and what games I want to play. I think falling into fomo really messes with people. I'll use Elden Ring for example. I played it on PS5. I got it day one. I love From Soft. I've since given away my PS5 and added ER to my Steam wishlist thinking I will get it during a sale. As I went through my wishlist on Steam, I came to the realization that I did not want to play ER again. That I was happy with playing Dark Souls 1-3 and Sekiro if I wanted a From Soft game. I'm really starting to full understand the games I want to play. Fomo be damned.

It is a bit overwhelming, and I think it only is because of how much I love gaming. I currently have 5-6 “systems” hooked up or out in my room (handhelds) and it does really feel like I just don’t have the time to enjoy them all. I VERY much want to enjoy them all, but I can spend *all* my free time and still not get to everything. Then at that point it feels unhealthy too, as it’s taking up too much time. I am absolutely obsessed with Elden Ring right now but it isn’t necessarily for everyone. It takes some effort to really get over the hump (whichever hump you end up getting stuck on, a boss, area, etc.) and if you understand the game enough to get past that and don’t like it- it isn’t for you and that is fine.

I like this type of content, different from the rest. Keep making the content that God is putting in your heart!

The overconsumption of new games, will make the experience of the current game worse. This happens when you are already looking forward to the next thing, instead of enjoying what you have. Try staying with one game at a time, from beginning to end. Even though it might not be your favorite game in the beginning, the fulfillment of finishing usually makes the entirety of the game feel better. I've been doing this for the last year, and have finished more than 20 games. Some alot better than others. This from a father of two, with very little down time 😅

I agree with a lot of what you say except for the vinyl thing, I also believe we have other things that do the same and honestly much better (a pc can play FLAC and sounds soooo much better than that vinyl, and you just download the whole album and don't skip. you don't need something that prevents you from doing it to not do it) I feel like another step is to realize that we can minimise even more if we where to just get the full or close to full utility out of the things we already have

I dont think it sounds weird that limiting is freeing as you are freeing yourself from the worst aspect of this industry: FOMO.

This was a great thought provoking video. I would like to talk with you or get more information on what your plan or process is for strengthening your faith. There have been some struggles placed before my family over the last year. Faith has been tested. I am looking for ways to strengthen it during this storm. Is the discord hidden? How can I get access to it?

What are some of the games you enjoy playing most right now on the deck?

Ya, this was a good cup.

Yeah, i accepted a while ago that i just dont really like souls games. Im at a similar stage with you right now, pretty much just using the steam deck oled and switch oled. I find myself most excited about the switch 2 and what nintendo will bring out of the big 3. Only having an hour or 2 a day due to young kids, the switch and steam deck are perfect for me really.

Gaming should always be a fun hobby. If a game of any kind is a job or a slog or a insane challenge due to difficulty... YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG. :) I seriously scaled back, and in the last two weeks, I deleted a ton of games on ALL my Consoles and PC. If It is not fun... If it has not hooked me within a couple of sessions... If it is janky or has wonky mechanics... IT IS DELETED.

I think my issue with FOMO is buying a physical Nintendo game day one. I either might like it or not. But seeing how a bunch of Nintendo games have been discontinued physically. I feel like I gotta buy it right away even though I won’t get to it

Great video man

I’m going through a turn based phase. Finding that’s fitting with my lifestyle well. Currently playing baten kaitos on the switch

If every game was on every platform, what platform would you use? Also, what device type would you use?

This video cured my Arboviral Encephalitis

This is a very good introspective video my man. You said a lot of poignant things. This is probably one of your better videos in a long time and I’m probably the least religious person ever but I appreciate the insight.

“Boundaries” is misspelled in the thumbnail.

Thanks for this. I am in a spot of my life where in I am working and living abroad, out of my home country, in.a desert, and where gaming has been my escape to enjoyment- but at the same time this has been my journey also to study apologetics and growing my relationship with God. Thank you for those words. I have been blessed.

15:14 why do you do that?? I HATE when people do that!!

Well Said...

Great video. I definitely need to curate my gaming

Love the relatability of this channel! Keep it up man. As a fellow dad gamer, I love what you do. You’ve helped me find a lot of balance.

Ahhhhhhhh i love this channel dude

You presented it very well sir. I completely agree about over consumption. I definitely know that there are games I could do without. As for me I am happy to see you drawing closer to God and finding fulfillment in Him and knowing that Games should be enjoyable but not the only thing in life. I am here no matter what happens, I view you as a friend and future father figure so I can be a good gamer dad who also is a believer. You got this!!

You sure skipping Astrobot?

First one here lol. Keep up the great videos man.

I go through seasons of gaming, and then other seasons of reading books. Always curating and subtracting.