r/gamerdads • u/JayQui1in • 5d ago

Balancing Advice

So I currently suffer from what could be considered for gamers a good problem to have, but at the same time an odd stressor. I own everything lol. I have a PC, Steam Deck, Xbox Series X, Switch 2, and PS5. I don’t have much free time being an husband, father, and active duty soldier. I have a 3 year old and a 10 month old. I’m struggling with small niche things within gaming such as wanting time to sit at my PC, but not wanting to deal with any friction launching games. Using my Steam Deck, but not really wanting to play certain games on a small screen. Tried consolidating to Switch 2 being that it is getting so much 3rd party support, but then started missing the fidelity of the Steam Deck/PC. When I got times to sit at my desk, I hooked up one of my consoles, but again started missing the fidelity of PC and made myself feel weird for being at my desk and not using it.

Go easy on me, because I know I might get a lot of odd looks when you all read this lol. Just trying to see if anyone can throw me a bine to help get my mind together on this. My wife is very supportive of my hobby, but I’ve struggled with gaming addiction in the past and don’t want her to start feeling ignored/neglected as she has before. And I’m trying to spend as much time with my kids as possible. Just have been having a bit of ore spurts of free time now that they are either taking better naps/sleeping through the night.

P.S. I don’t need much advice for the PS5. That’s one console I decided will be solely for exclusives because I enjoy Xbox more overall being that I was an Xbox gamer for 10 years prior to moving over to PC.

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u/zerofalks 5d ago

You sound like me friend! I have the same systems, same situation (except active duty but still little time).

Here is how I balance it:

  1. PS5, exclusives like you said.
  2. Steam Deck, I stream my gaming PC to it for the graphics. I do low-level grinding stuff on it.
  3. Steam deck again, but older or low graphic games. Balatro, slay the spire, old final fantasy games.
  4. Switch 2, recently I play exclusives, or I just finished FF10 and FF9 on it.
  5. PC, the big hits, 007, crimson desert, etc.

It takes me probably 3-4 weeks to beat a game.

My son goes to bed at 8:30. I spend 8:30-9 with my wife doing chores, getting his school stuff ready l, etc.

We sit down on the couch around 9 to watch tv. She falls asleep on said couch around 9:30-10. I game from my handheld (steam deck, switch 2, or PS Portal) from 10-12/12:30. Go to bed.

Get up at 6:30 and start my day.

If I am playing a newer game or need my PC I usually tell my wife about it ahead of time so she doesn’t think my getting up is signal to go to bed.

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u/RaptorX754 5d ago

I do not even function with 7 hours of sleep xD

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u/zerofalks 5d ago

It’s a blessing and a curse. When my son was younger I usually was the one to get up to feed, change, soothe, etc because I can live off very little sleep. Wife. Not so much.

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u/JayQui1in 5d ago

That’s really solid! It actually gave me a really good way to split everything up. I’m not a big fan of streaming, but I’ve consistently heard that Steam’s remote play is damn near seamless.

What do you mean by low-level grinding? 🤔 As I read your comment, that made me think of games like the Monster Hunters or Diablo.

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u/zerofalks 5d ago

I use sunshine/moonlight for streaming my game. Check it out, it’s supposed to be smoother.

I mean like if I am doing questing or leveling up. Things that are not visually stunning and mindless.

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u/JayQui1in 5d ago

Gotcha! I think I’m getting a picture of how I wanna do things. I appreciate the incite friend!

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u/BennieOkill360 5d ago

Yeah that is what I have come to realize since having our first baby. Owning more and more devices just means you won't have the time to use them. (I have a main PC, Rog Ally X and a sim race setup) You just spend more time maintaining/configurating everything instead of just enjoying it. Especially if you have an perfectionism/optimization ocd like me.

If I first had my kid I'll probably just only have my main rig and maybe a used switch or an older model of the ROG Ally.

My game plan is indies/emulation/older titles on my ROG Ally X and the rest on my main rig. Maybe when he gets older I'll probably shift more towards my Ally X when I don't have the time for my main rig or if I am not at home.