A new year is here, and if you’re like me you’ve probably been putting together a list of new year’s resolutions. Yes, every year we promise we are going to eat better, exercise more, and spend more time with our loved ones. This year I want to encourage you to add a few more resolutions to that list. These resolutions are specifically for gamers, not only to make your gaming experience better but all of ours. Maybe some of these resolutions are things you’ve already been thinking about anyway and just haven’t committed to doing. 2017 is the year we can do something about it and pledge together to try. Lets take a look at some of the New Year’s resolutions every gamer should make in 2017.

The first resolution every gamer should make is simple. When the summer and winter Steam sale comes around, buy in moderation. This one is probably going to be the hardest for me. The annual Steam sales are something a lot of us look forward to all year. The games are cheap and we can begin to clear out that wish list we’ve been adding to all year long. Here’s the thing, it never seems to stop there. Sometimes games are just too cheap to pass up. Other times we try to finish off a collection knowing we haven’t played the game in years and probably never will. Finally we have to stop buying the games that look fun and are at a great price but we know we’ll never have time to play. Its sad but there are just too many games and too little time, lets not add to the expression too little money as well.

Next up, breathe new life into your favorite games by trying to become competitive. Obviously not every game can be competitive but many can. If you’re into shooters there’s almost always high score tables and various competitions going on, why not try one? I know it can be a little harder with MMOs like RuneScape, however there are ways to compete and have fun. One way is to give seasonal high scores a try when they are active. The high scores pages are generally inactive but seasonal high scores change every time they are done. Another way to compete in RuneScape is to do XP competitions. Many clans in RuneScape host these weekly/monthly competitions and they are a lot of fun. Some clans even offer a cash prize to the winner. In addition, if you are really feeling brave and want to go up against some hard hitters, why not try RSBandB’s very own skill of the month. Having a friendly competition running can really rekindle that fire you once had for a game.

Now its time to get serious. This is where all of our decisions begin to effect each other. The next resolution every gamer should have is to stop buying games that aren’t finished. Yes, I’m talking about early access. I know sometimes a game still looks good even though it isn’t done and sometimes you want to support the development of the game buy giving the developers your money. The problem is there have been too many unfinished games hitting the market hiding under the label early access. Early access seems to mean in too many cases that the game is never going to be finished. Look at Arc Survival Evolved last year. They released DLC! DLC for an early access game is just ridiculous and must be stopped. I mean can they, I don’t know, maybe finish the actual game before they start offering additional paid content? The only way to make sure developers stop abusing the the label of early access is to stop buying them.

Arguably the hardest resolution gamers need to make in 2017 is to not fall for the hype. This one is hard because there is a multi-million dollar industry centered on hyping you up. Advertisers know how to do it and they do it well but gamers have some responsibility as well. Its great to be a little excited about the next installment of your favorite game but don’t be fooled by crafty trailers or misleading spokespeople. Be aware that what you might be building up in your head isn’t going to be the final product and that while its fun to be a part of a community eagerly discussing the what if’s of an unreleased game the hype can quickly spread out of control. If a game is truly good and deserving of hype than the hype will continue to surround after release when its quality can be verified.

Lastly and most importantly quit pre-ordering games. It has to stop. Every year we tell ourselves we’re not going to pre-order and yet every year what happens, ah ya we pre-order. Its no wonder each year sees fewer and fewer really awesome games, the companies are getting our money before we ever know if the product even deserves our money. I’m sorry, but the little trinkets they offer us to pre-order are not enough. As it stands right now we are buying based on brand recognition and deceptive marketing. Its time to put our money to good use and stop the cycle. Buy the game at release or after. There was a time when pre-ordering made sense. When games came on disc and maybe you lived in a town with one game spot then yes, of course you wanted to reserve a copy. However times have changed and most game sales are digital downloads now anyway. This is one resolution that I plan to keep this year and I encourage you all to do the same.

Well there you have it, the five new year’s resolutions that gamers need to make this year. Hopefully you can add them to your own list and make a difference in 2017. I know I will be trying my hardest to do the same (even during the Steam sale). Next month I’ll be back in Gielinor. As is tradition I’ll be covering Game Blast and double xp weekend – wait, what, there’s no Game Blast, seriously? Double xp weekend is still on right? Phew, OK looks like we have a lot to go over next month, until then, Happy RuneScaping.