Games are worth the time they take when they stay a choice. The notes below are the habits we follow ourselves while testing titles for the atlas.
Keep an eye on the clock
Long sessions pass faster than they feel. Setting a timer before you start is a small step that makes the end of a session a decision rather than an accident.
Treat optional purchases as optional
Every title we list can be played without paying. If you do choose to buy something in a game, decide the amount in advance and keep it well inside what you would spend on any other pastime.
Watch for warning signs
- Playing to avoid something rather than because you want to.
- Sleep, work or study routinely giving way to session time.
- Irritation or restlessness when you cannot play.
- Hiding how long you play from people close to you.
If it stops being fun
Take a real break — a few days away from a game usually settles the question of whether you actually enjoy it. Talking to someone you trust helps more than most people expect. If the pattern persists, a local health service or a national support line for behavioural dependency is the right place to turn.
Younger players
This site is for adults. Every title carries its own age rating on the publisher's page, and parental controls on consoles, phones and PC storefronts are worth setting up before handing a device over.
Talk to us
If you feel something on this site encourages unhealthy habits, tell us through the contact form. We would rather rewrite a page than leave it standing.