Why did you make your HowLongToBeat account?

I used to be a really hardcore multi-player focused gamer. When I was in high-school, I was on a CoD team, so much so made a few bucks from our montages. When I was in college, I’d stay up till 5am most nights grinding out Siege/Apex/CoD/OW.. the whole shabang, with friends. I pretty much never finished single-player stories, though I was always interested in them. I could never dedicate the time, or have the patience to follow through. I would purchase games, play them, and put them down within hours. Always been something I struggled with.

Fast forward to 2023, all my buddies are grown up and most abandoned gaming as a hobby. Multi-player gaming began to get stale, and I was left staring at a lobby screen, doomscrolling on my phone. I hated it, feeling as if my hobby was slipping through my fingers. Now, I’m lucky enough to have a partner that also games, and she is mostly single-player focused. The more I asked her about her gaming habits; The fun she had, the memories she created, by herself… It all sounded borderline whimsical. This had me thinking of switching up my ways. So I did.

I had seen HowLongToBeat just through Google searches when browsing completion times for possible games I’d buy, but seeing the options for logging playtime, reviews, backlog, the forum… It was way more than I had expected. It reminded me of the mid 2000’s forums, what general social media has mostly replaced. I loved it. I was entranced, so to speak. That night, I logged nearly all the games I could find that I’ve touched, and every game forward I vowed to complete in full and catalog, or bare minimum give the ol’ college try before retiring. That was October 2023, and as of June 2024 I’ve kept that promise to myself and completed at least a couple games a month. These days, I basically only play single-player games, and I couldn’t be happier. Of course I’ll hop on with the occasional friend, but pushing 30, those days are few and far between. I actually would not have continued gaming as hard as I have without HowLongToBeat helping me commit, and discover the absolute joy of single-player. Nowadays, I get a lot of enjoyment from being in the discussion of newly released games, or even just adding me thoughts to old ones.

This website is truly special. Kinda my love letter. I’d like to hear how ya’ll started your account, and why.

Before I go over why I started, I discovered this site when I was playing the Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD collection on PS3 back in 2013 and I was kind of bored and frustrated with the game and I wanted to know how long the game was to see how much time I would hypothetically have with the game, this was back in a time where I still tried finish games I didn't like at all and it wasn't untill KH3, I realized, if I don't like the game, then I just simpily shouldn't get to the end. That was the last time sunken cost fallacy ever had any effect on me.

Now my story is pretty weird or at least I like to think so. I went to my cousin sister's house for her marriage in England, and then another one of my cousins had Xbox Game Pass and I was able to beat Sunset Overdrive, Halo 5 and Gears of War 4 while I was there and played those games while I had downtime, and then I discovered I can beat games every 3-4 days and from what I recall afterwards I wanted to log all the completions I ever did as a kid and a teenager all the way to now just to know all the beats I ever did on top of being to have a digital collection of my backlog since before HLTB, I used to record my beats and backlog on paper and pen and it was slowly starting to get bigger and bigger to the point where I had more papers than a paper clip can handle, I decided from then on to use this site. I had a choice between this and Backlogged and I found HLTB more appealing since it also tells you how long it takes to beat a game. That and adding stuff by clicking on things is just sooooo much easier than writing on pen and paper. It's also easier to keep track of bought games on HLTB too, I also use Color Note on my phone but HLTB is more customizable.

I didn't start writing reviews actively until 2022, before that I would use this site to count how many completions I did but I started to realize that I have played so many games over the years that I think I have a decent enough understanding them as well using some of the critical thinking concepts I learned in college, I also wanted to give more indepth thoughts on games I especially think don't get much coverage on the site or provide a new perspective on commonly discussed games. I also I find it incredible that I always find ways to write reviews that reach the HLTB character limit every week even with games that are hard to even actively describe.

To end this, I recently started to use the HLTB forums in 2022 as well, it never updates as much as Twitter and Reddit does but I do like how many on the site are chill about the things I say on here. Usually the stuff I say in other places would get me attacked from all sides.

Before I go over why I started, I discovered this site when I was playing the Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD collection on PS3 back in 2013 and I was kind of bored and frustrated with the game and I wanted to know how long the game was to see how much time I would hypothetically have with the game, this was back in a time where I still tried finish games I didn't like at all and it wasn't untill KH3, I realized, if I don't like the game, then I just simpily shouldn't get to the end. That was the last time sunken cost fallacy ever had any effect on me.

Now my story is pretty weird or at least I like to think so. I went to my cousin sister's house for her marriage in England, and then another one of my cousins had Xbox Game Pass and I was able to beat Sunset Overdrive, Halo 5 and Gears of War 4 while I was there and played those games while I had downtime, and then I discovered I can beat games every 3-4 days and from what I recall afterwards I wanted to log all the completions I ever did as a kid and a teenager all the way to now just to know all the beats I ever did on top of being to have a digital collection of my backlog since before HLTB, I used to record my beats and backlog on paper and pen and it was slowly starting to get bigger and bigger to the point where I had more papers than a paper clip can handle, I decided from then on to use this site. I had a choice between this and Backlogged and I found HLTB more appealing since it also tells you how long it takes to beat a game. That and adding stuff by clicking on things is just sooooo much easier than writing on pen and paper. It's also easier to keep track of bought games on HLTB too, I also use Color Note on my phone but HLTB is more customizable.

I didn't start writing reviews actively until 2022, before that I would use this site to count how many completions I did but I started to realize that I have played so many games over the years that I think I have a decent enough understanding them as well using some of the critical thinking concepts I learned in college, I also wanted to give more indepth thoughts on games I especially think don't get much coverage on the site or provide a new perspective on commonly discussed games. I also I find it incredible that I always find ways to write reviews that reach the HLTB character limit every week even with games that are hard to even actively describe.

To end this, I recently started to use the HLTB forums in 2022 as well, it never updates as much as Twitter and Reddit does but I do like how many on the site are chill about the things I say on here. Usually the stuff I say in other places would get me attacked from all sides.

Cataloging on pen & paper is old school as hell, I love it. Your profile has some good write ups, good reads, thanks for sharing

I believe I created my account because of the cataloging feature. Before I used this site, the first backlog I created was for the Zelda series, and then again for the Metroid series, and it was then that I decided I should finally create an account on this cool site that I had seen around instead of using notepad to keep track of my backlog. It's interesting because I don't play any more often, or enjoy games any more than I did before cataloging them and being on this site, but I've found myself branching out to play a ton of different games that I never would have ended up playing otherwise. I didn't expect to branch out into writing reviews, participating in the forum, and starting a blog out of it. Turns out I just really enjoy writing/talking about games.
Edit: No idea why it posted 2 of these

I believe I created my account because of the cataloging feature. Before I used this site, the first backlog I created was for the Zelda series, and then again for the Metroid series, and it was then that I decided I should finally create an account on this cool site that I had seen around instead of using notepad to keep track of my backlog. It's interesting because I don't play any more often, or enjoy games any more than I did before cataloging them and being on this site, but I've found myself branching out to play a ton of different games that I never would have ended up playing otherwise. I didn't expect to branch out into writing reviews, participating in the forum, and starting a blog out of it. Turns out I just really enjoy writing/talking about games.

I believe I created my account because of the cataloging feature. Before I used this site, the first backlog I created was for the Zelda series, and then again for the Metroid series, and it was then that I decided I should finally create an account on this cool site that I had seen around instead of using notepad to keep track of my backlog. It's interesting because I don't play any more often, or enjoy games any more than I did before cataloging them and being on this site, but I've found myself branching out to play a ton of different games that I never would have ended up playing otherwise. I didn't expect to branch out into writing reviews, participating in the forum, and starting a blog out of it. Turns out I just really enjoy writing/talking about games.
Edit: No idea why it posted 2 of these

I think branching out to different genres/reviews/etc. was one of the best byproducts of HLTB for me, too

Just to have all the games I played on a list

I started using the site years before making an account whenever I googled how long it would take to beat games. It wasn't until 2019 that I discovered you could make an account to track all of the games you own and sort by rating or time to beat (then later adding storefronts so you know where you bought the game from). Now I use the site to track my backlog and use the sorting feature to decide what to play next. It really helps keep everything organized and ensure I don't accidentally buy the same game twice.

was nice site to just list backlog games and completed games dates and stuff. mostly for that. i have older account. Actually joined in 2014, on may 7th.

I started using the site years before making an account whenever I googled how long it would take to beat games. It wasn't until 2019 that I discovered you could make an account to track all of the games you own and sort by rating or time to beat (then later adding storefronts so you know where you bought the game from). Now I use the site to track my backlog and use the sorting feature to decide what to play next. It really helps keep everything organized and ensure I don't accidentally buy the same game twice.

I’m curious, what in the sorting feature makes you determine the next to play in your backlog? I’m always having trouble deciding what’s next, so many good games…

Not much of a story behind it. I had been using Backloggery and still do a bit but I occasionally looked up how long something was. After landing here a few times, I looked around more and it seemed very useful. I decided to use making an account as a fresh start on the backlog and would only log completions since joining. I also liked the look of the forum--actually pleasant and not riddled with toxicity! So here I am.

I looked up how long would it take to complete a specific game and discovered this website. I was already active on GameFAQs, and a various other video game tracking/logging sites but I decided to join anyway. The presentation is welcoming and I like how user detailed each game description is when it comes to the time to complete. Also like the use of forums which seem to have vanish in recent times.

I’m curious, what in the sorting feature makes you determine the next to play in your backlog? I’m always having trouble deciding what’s next, so many good games…

In general, I sort by lowest rated and play games from worst to best. I realize that wouldn't make sense to most people though as you can easily get burnt out only playing "bad" games. I know some people sort by time to beat if they just beat a long JRPG and want to knock out a couple shorter titles before moving on to something else. The filters are also helpful if you decide you want to play through all of the games from a specific platform/storefront. I decided this year that I wanted to play through all my mobile games so I filtered by Android and sorted by rating and have been knocking them out that way.

I guess I first found out about this site while looking for a place to track how long it takes for me to complete games personally and at the time I REALLY got into Forza Horizon 3 (This was 2018 in August, two months before the 4th Entry came out) so I wanted to see how long it would take for me to complete the games I play and time myself to see what length I would get. But I noticed the site would probably be useful for logging games I've beaten already, although some of them are so old they need to be replayed. I made an account and noticed there was a forum as well, but I was scared to even use it at first. I was already very weary of many forums as I didn't want to have a toxic experience and didn't want everyone just getting into arguments constantly. But when I started using the forum, I got to realize how great everyone on here was and managed alongside with the Deep Rock Galactic community to make this my gaming home.

This August I'll have been on here for 6 Years. I'm glad I decided to stick to my guns and use this site for other uses such as the Backlog Blog. It's quite amazing how great this site developed over time by having many of us influence to get blogging as a main feature. My original purpose for this site to time games is an on and off thing nowadays but I'm hoping I can make more of an effort to do so most of the time without any pressure being applied on me. And it's also still a great way for me to take a look at my catalog of backlog games and see which might be my next pick. I'm not too fussed over completing my backlog as the more I have the less I have games run out on me.

I'll always be grateful I found this site because this is one of the best communities in gaming. Everyone is awesome here and it's very welcoming to newcomers as well. You're rarely going to find a place as caring and kind as this site. I even donated to the site to help keep things afloat for the site runners because of how much I support this place. HLTB Forever!

I used to be a really hardcore multi-player focused gamer. When I was in high-school, I was on a CoD team, so much so made a few bucks from our montages. When I was in college, I’d stay up till 5am most nights grinding out Siege/Apex/CoD/OW.. the whole shabang, with friends. I pretty much never finished single-player stories, though I was always interested in them. I could never dedicate the time, or have the patience to follow through. I would purchase games, play them, and put them down within hours. Always been something I struggled with.

Fast forward to 2023, all my buddies are grown up and most abandoned gaming as a hobby. Multi-player gaming began to get stale, and I was left staring at a lobby screen, doomscrolling on my phone. I hated it, feeling as if my hobby was slipping through my fingers. Now, I’m lucky enough to have a partner that also games, and she is mostly single-player focused. The more I asked her about her gaming habits; The fun she had, the memories she created, by herself… It all sounded borderline whimsical. This had me thinking of switching up my ways. So I did.

I had seen HowLongToBeat just through Google searches when browsing completion times for possible games I’d buy, but seeing the options for logging playtime, reviews, backlog, the forum… It was way more than I had expected. It reminded me of the mid 2000’s forums, what general social media has mostly replaced. I loved it. I was entranced, so to speak. That night, I logged nearly all the games I could find that I’ve touched, and every game forward I vowed to complete in full and catalog, or bare minimum give the ol’ college try before retiring. That was October 2023, and as of June 2024 I’ve kept that promise to myself and completed at least a couple games a month. These days, I basically only play single-player games, and I couldn’t be happier. Of course I’ll hop on with the occasional friend, but pushing 30, those days are few and far between. I actually would not have continued gaming as hard as I have without HowLongToBeat helping me commit, and discover the absolute joy of single-player. Nowadays, I get a lot of enjoyment from being in the discussion of newly released games, or even just adding me thoughts to old ones.

This website is truly special. Kinda my love letter. I’d like to hear how ya’ll started your account, and why.

That's a great story, always nice to hear people enjoying the forums and site as a whole as much as I do. This community truly is something unique compared to the ones elsewhere nowadays.

I created my account because I wanted to keep track of my backlog. There were times when I didn't know what to play and I had to go through my various libraries to see if I could find something. It was quite cumbersome. These days I have everything logged on HLTB so it's effortless to check. That was around January 2020.
The main reasons I've continued to be active is due to the stats and the community. I love looking at the stats for my completions and comparing them. As I already said, the community here is great, it's so much more positive compared to communities you see on regular social media's. I can just share my gaming progress and participate in fun challenges like the gaming challenge and game of the month. Every once in a while, there are also interesting posts like these where I can share my opinions.

I also used to write down my completions on paper (only JRPGs, though, since I love them more than any other genre), but then I lost the notebook, and realized that using a website would be a better choice than risking losing it again. Over time, I decided to catalog games of other genres as well.

The Wii U had just come out, this site kept showing up in my searches, it seemed like a natural fit.

I just got into the forum scene and found this community on this site really cool! Also the blogs and the forum just were a natural fit for me.

It was 2020 and I was bored

It was 2020 and I was bored

2020 joiners 🤝

I was amassing a large collection of games, I started by making a catalogue on gameye and everytime I played a game I liked to track my time. I already used this site to get an idea of playtime and I saw that I could make a backlog on here for my ever expanding collection of games. Once I realized that this site is mostly user generated I wanted to hop on board.

It was a win win for me, I could track my completions and playtime as well as manage games beaten and my backlog. Now I use HLTB to pick my next game, I select the console I want and hit randomize and boom, theres the next one out of my backlog I can tackle.

I guess I first found out about this site while looking for a place to track how long it takes for me to complete games personally and at the time I REALLY got into Forza Horizon 3 (This was 2018 in August, two months before the 4th Entry came out) so I wanted to see how long it would take for me to complete the games I play and time myself to see what length I would get. But I noticed the site would probably be useful for logging games I've beaten already, although some of them are so old they need to be replayed. I made an account and noticed there was a forum as well, but I was scared to even use it at first. I was already very weary of many forums as I didn't want to have a toxic experience and didn't want everyone just getting into arguments constantly. But when I started using the forum, I got to realize how great everyone on here was and managed alongside with the Deep Rock Galactic community to make this my gaming home.

This August I'll have been on here for 6 Years. I'm glad I decided to stick to my guns and use this site for other uses such as the Backlog Blog. It's quite amazing how great this site developed over time by having many of us influence to get blogging as a main feature. My original purpose for this site to time games is an on and off thing nowadays but I'm hoping I can make more of an effort to do so most of the time without any pressure being applied on me. And it's also still a great way for me to take a look at my catalog of backlog games and see which might be my next pick. I'm not too fussed over completing my backlog as the more I have the less I have games run out on me.

I'll always be grateful I found this site because this is one of the best communities in gaming. Everyone is awesome here and it's very welcoming to newcomers as well. You're rarely going to find a place as caring and kind as this site. I even donated to the site to help keep things afloat for the site runners because of how much I support this place. HLTB Forever!

You're based for FH3, I freakin' loved that entry.

Long Live HLTB

That's a great story, always nice to hear people enjoying the forums and site as a whole as much as I do. This community truly is something unique compared to the ones elsewhere nowadays.

I created my account because I wanted to keep track of my backlog. There were times when I didn't know what to play and I had to go through my various libraries to see if I could find something. It was quite cumbersome. These days I have everything logged on HLTB so it's effortless to check. That was around January 2020.
The main reasons I've continued to be active is due to the stats and the community. I love looking at the stats for my completions and comparing them. As I already said, the community here is great, it's so much more positive compared to communities you see on regular social media's. I can just share my gaming progress and participate in fun challenges like the gaming challenge and game of the month. Every once in a while, there are also interesting posts like these where I can share my opinions.

You hit the nail on the head, man. I wholeheartedly share your experience

I was using this site nearly every day in '22, and then I started accumulating more pretty plastics for my shelf. I figured "Well having them is important but so is playing them to me." So I made an account to start cataloging my collection as well as what I need in my collection. My Wishlist is very handy when buying games and saves a lot of time wandering shops etc. And This setup is very efficient. Where in previous years I'd beat 5 or 6 games, In the past two years I've beat nearly 60!

Yeah, I kind of wanted a place to track all my games, playtime, etc., with a new UI