Thanks for providing examples that you enjoy but don't induce hyper-focus. I relate to the 'consciously' avoiding aspect. Sadly PDS games are only ever like 2GB downloads, so uninstalling them only buys me like an hour of freedom.
What are Incrementals, out of curiosity?
I tried a few times to get into FM but it never stuck. Which always felt faintly ridiculous. Almost as if I was someone who really wanted to get into heroin and was disappointed they couldn't get themselves addicted 😂
I did however get that fix from Motorsport Manager. It's way more 'game-y' and less simulation-like than FM but it gave me a faint taste of what an FM addiction must feel like.
I love Vampire Survivors. Have you played Halls of Torment?
So, this is exactly why I started this thread! Rationally, I can see how it'd consume an ADHDer but emotionally, it just doesn't make sense. Just because I haven't personally experienced it. It's why I'm intrigued to hear from people. Though most of the responses so far are other genres I too have hyperfocused on.
You're not alone. Factorio induces hyperfocus in the neurotypical. You and I never stood a chance.
With TES, Fallout and Stardew, I've definitely had something approaching hyperfocus. Not as severe as my PDS hyperfocus. Never with MMOs though. I've played a decent amount of a few but could never play more than one or two hours per day.
All hail the Omnissiah.
An observation inspired by your comment. I love video game narratives; I often hate video game storytelling. PDS games tell me stories but there's no cutscenes or stop in gameplay and the narratives are all dynamic.
I imagine Rimworld or Dwarf Fortress could be very dangerous for me.
I've only ever caught this with Factorio but it had me pretty bad. Do you have any other recommendations? I bought Dyson Sphere Program on sale but haven't tried it yet.
Comment as to why I think PDS grand strategy games have this effect on me. PDS games are 'real time with pause' and they have overlapping systems that work on different timelines. It means that there's rarely a point to 'offramp' oneself, when you complete one task, you're simultaneously 70% through another task, and it's so easy just to chain 'well, I'll wait for this to finish' endlessly.
Competitive multiplayer matches like Dota however, with discrete matches where everything resets, gives me a (healthy) chance to 'disengage'. I couldn't ever imagine getting hyper-focused on them but I know that a lot of people are, which intrigues me.
I think this probably would've been the funniest joke in the pilot, if they'd left it in.
The trailer for Shapez fucking slapped. Biters in Factorio pissed me right off but that just added urgency to get defences setup which just sucked me in deeper. I could never play without them. I derive too much satisfaction from wrecking their shit, after they've been such a nuisance.