Making ACNH playtime a competition

[moonolotl]

I can totally understand you, I had quite similar experience but not with AC. Yeah, everyone can play the way they want but when these people make some...questionable things, I would rather try to not touch this

definitely! i say play the way you want unless youre hurting others/disturbing others with it, then im out

Ah! I understand then ^_^ I agree with the suggestions to just ramp up your own playtime then and see what their reaction is. It's a silly situation so you might as well get a laugh out of it rather than turn it into something negative! I vote go for it! bwahaha

honestly cant say i expected so many people to side with the evil option lol

 

[brockbrock]

Well, I guess it's better than competing over who has the most toilet paper.

 

[Aleigh]

Okay, hear me out, I got competitive over this too.
I have buts though

Something in my brain is wired to make me super insecure about the littlest and weirdest things. I get jealous super easily, and I always feel like I need to prove something. I recognize this in myself and I've been working on it for years.

I got the game when it first came out, and was racking up the hours quite fast. Not eight hours a day, but compared to all the other games on mt switch, it was significantly faster. Then I started looking at other people's hours, such as my friends irl and people I have added on my switch (that I know irl but don't talk to). Specifically three people. My online friend (we've been friends since webkinz in like 2012 lmao), my coworker (who I'm super close to), and this one girl who I knew from school and happened to have added. All three of these people were racking up hours faster than me, so I started keeping my animal crossing playing while I was doing other stuff just to add the hours. I passed my two friends, but not the third girl. None of them knew I was doing this, and I'm not about to tell them that I was lowkey competing, because I know it's a problem. It took me awhile to pass the third girl, and I felt so accomplished when I did, and I stopped leaving my switch on as much. She passed me again because of this. Now, I'm trying so hard not to care because I'm almost 20 and I should not be this childish about a game. But something inside me is telling me I need to prove myself. I'm the one who's been playing since I was a child, I'm the one who's played every single game in the past, not her (her being the third girl, as this is her first AC game), therefore I should be the one who's played more hours (yeah I don't get it either). It so stupid and I want to make it very clear I recognize this toxic behavior of mine and trust me I'm working on it. I'm working on not caring, because it is just a game. Hey, at least I'm keeping this "competition" to myself, because you know, it is just all in my head. I would never brag or actually bring the competition to anyone else as that is absolutely unnecessary

My point to all of that is maybe her mindset is the same as mine. It could just all come down to a mental problem. I'm not saying that makes it okay, because it doesn't, and I would never lie, but idk, there could be something underlying. I applaud you for backing off and not feeding into it, because like you, I am very stubborn.

Now that I have shared my life story with a bunch of strangers over the internet, I'm going to hide for awhile so I don't get the backlash and get even more insecure about my issues

TL;DR: I have a problem and maybe angel does too LMAO

(also this is like my third rant post today I should probably call it quits for a bit. I am so sorry to anyone who's read everything I've posted today ahahahahahaha ahhh fk)

 

[Mello]

Ah! I understand then ^_^ I agree with the suggestions to just ramp up your own playtime then and see what their reaction is. It's a silly situation so you might as well get a laugh out of it rather than turn it into something negative! I vote go for it! bwahaha

Oh my god Mairen, yes, you get it. Team Petty.

 

[Romaki]

People can be so weird with playtimes. She literally made New Horizons her fulltime job though, even if she's only letting her console run. I wonder what prompted this behaviour?

Your friend sounds really insecure though. If you mess with her it should be in good fun. But honestly you shouldn't, I really don't think her intentions are malicious towards other people. When she brags, just ignore it and change the topic. Talk about stuff you can both be happy about.

 

[moonolotl]

Okay, hear me out, I got competitive over this too.
I have buts though

Something in my brain is wired to make me super insecure about the littlest and weirdest things. I get jealous super easily, and I always feel like I need to prove something. I recognize this in myself and I've been working on it for years.

I got the game when it first came out, and was racking up the hours quite fast. Not eight hours a day, but compared to all the other games on mt switch, it was significantly faster. Then I started looking at other people's hours, such as my friends irl and people I have added on my switch (that I know irl but don't talk to). Specifically three people. My online friend (we've been friends since webkinz in like 2012 lmao), my coworker (who I'm super close to), and this one girl who I knew from school and happened to have added. All three of these people were racking up hours faster than me, so I started keeping my animal crossing playing while I was doing other stuff just to add the hours. I passed my two friends, but not the third girl. None of them knew I was doing this, and I'm not about to tell them that I was lowkey competing, because I know it's a problem. It took me awhile to pass the third girl, and I felt so accomplished when I did, and I stopped leaving my switch on as much. She passed me again because of this. Now, I'm trying so hard not to care because I'm almost 20 and I should not be this childish about a game. But something inside me is telling me I need to prove myself. I'm the one who's been playing since I was a child, I'm the one who's played every single game in the past, not her (her being the third girl, as this is her first AC game), therefore I should be the one who's played more hours (yeah I don't get it either). It so stupid and I want to make it very clear I recognize this toxic behavior of mine and trust me I'm working on it. I'm working on not caring, because it is just a game. Hey, at least I'm keeping this "competition" to myself, because you know, it is just all in my head. I would never brag or actually bring the competition to anyone else as that is absolutely unnecessary

My point to all of that is maybe her mindset is the same as mine. It could just all come down to a mental problem. I'm not saying that makes it okay, because it doesn't, and I would never lie, but idk, there could be something underlying. I applaud you for backing off and not feeding into it, because like you, I am very stubborn.

Now that I have shared my life story with a bunch of strangers over the internet, I'm going to hide for awhile so I don't get the backlash and get even more insecure about my issues

TL;DR: I have a problem and maybe angel does too LMAO

(also this is like my third rant post today I should probably call it quits for a bit. I am so sorry to anyone who's read everything I've posted today ahahahahahaha ahhh fk)

Ok honestly i can kinda relate to you!
I wouldn't say im competitive, but definitely easily jealous and also like "i have to prove something". This might be why this whole thing with angel bothered me so much.

I haven't left my switch on at all to rack up hours because personally id feel super guilty and cheaty if i did, as well as me not having any desire to be at a higher hour count than others.
Until angel told me about her sudden jump from 130 to 310 i didnt care at all, until i felt threatened by someone completely cheating the system. I got frustrated that she could 'cheat' to be higher than me and then use that as a badge to almost prove her worth and prove that shes better than me if you get what i mean?
Im aware how dumb this sounds, but this is coming from someone with some pretty bad anxiety issues. I worry about trivial things lol

 

[Pyoopi]

I'd prob do what @/SirBadger said but in the dryest tone ever.

You know how SpongeBob says "Imagination", like that but with the word "Amaaazing"

 

[Aleigh]

Ok honestly i can kinda relate to you!
I wouldn't say im competitive, but definitely easily jealous and also like "i have to prove something". This might be why this whole thing with angel bothered me so much.

I haven't left my switch on at all to rack up hours because personally id feel super guilty and cheaty if i did, as well as me not having any desire to be at a higher hour count than others.
Until angel told me about her sudden jump from 130 to 310 i didnt care at all, until i felt threatened by someone completely cheating the system. I got frustrated that she could 'cheat' to be higher than me and then use that as a badge to almost prove her worth and prove that shes better than me if you get what i mean?
Im aware how dumb this sounds, but this is coming from someone with some pretty bad anxiety issues. I worry about trivial things lol

Okay I'm glad I don't sound TOO insane. I also have some pretty bad anxiety issues so that's def a part of it. But yeah, the thing is I didn't care about the hours until I checked other people's, then oh dear lord. I've stopped caring as much though, and I keep telling myself it doesn't matter if she has more hours than I do
For context we're both around 270 hours

 

[mirukushake]

Honestly, I'd just reply "K" and not reply anymore/change the subject. Just don't engage.

 

[moonolotl]

Okay I'm glad I don't sound TOO insane. I also have some pretty bad anxiety issues so that's def a part of it. But yeah, the thing is I didn't care about the hours until I checked other people's, then oh dear lord. I've stopped caring as much though, and I keep telling myself it doesn't matter if she has more hours than I do
For context we're both around 270 hours

I've just had to slowly learn not to compare myself with other people for practically anything, but its kinda hard to stop doing it when people shove it in your face
im kinda glad im not the only one though!

 

[Aleigh]

I've just had to slowly learn not to compare myself with other people for practically anything, but its kinda hard to stop doing it when people shove it in your face
im kinda glad im not the only one though!

me too lmaooo

 

[astoria]

She honestly doesn’t sound like a good friend or person to be around. Seems very draining

 

[brockbrock]

I've just had to slowly learn not to compare myself with other people for practically anything, but its kinda hard to stop doing it when people shove it in your face
im kinda glad im not the only one though!

You're definitely not alone and a lot of people experience extreme anxiety which they feel ashamed or frustrated over. Everything is relative so what someone might feel is petty might not be to someone else. As you say, it can be very difficult to shrug off bragging when it's being shoved in your face.

I guess I'm just struggling to understand the anxiety around competing for game hours? I can understand feeling anxiety when looking at tumblr/instagram/YT/online pictures and videos of micromanaged and heavily decorated towns and feeling inferior, for example, but the competing over hours spent on a game where spending more hours doesn't necessarily mean you've accomplished anything more isn't making sense to me. I don't mean to be dismissive at all, as that's not my intention, I'm just trying to understand (I hope that's coming across! I am not trying to dismiss your anxieties and feelings!).

In my mind, your friend spending so many hours (let's say for the sake of argument that she hasn't inflated any numbers and is spending 20 hours a day on the game) playing is really not something I would think one should be boastful of... if she's playing 18 hours a day or however many you calculated, that's kind of a sad life, even in quarantine times. I would feel sorry for her that she feels the need to be brandishing this "accomplishment" which really doesn't mean anything other than she apparently isn't doing anything other than playing the game. I guess from what you've explained, she sounds like she has some insecurities herself and is projecting that outwards onto others, onto you.

If I were you I would keep a healthy distance from her (for your own sanity), recognize that this behavior of hers will likely continue and manifest in other ways, and keep doing you! Neutralize her influence in your life so she doesn't steal any of your power and happiness!

 

[moonolotl]

You're definitely not alone and a lot of people experience extreme anxiety which they feel ashamed or frustrated over. Everything is relative so what someone might feel is petty might not be to someone else. As you say, it can be very difficult to shrug off bragging when it's being shoved in your face.

I guess I'm just struggling to understand the anxiety around competing for game hours? I can understand feeling anxiety when looking at tumblr/instagram/YT/online pictures and videos of micromanaged and heavily decorated towns and feeling inferior, for example, but the competing over hours spent on a game where spending more hours doesn't necessarily mean you've accomplished anything more isn't making sense to me. I don't mean to be dismissive at all, as that's not my intention, I'm just trying to understand (I hope that's coming across! I am not trying to dismiss your anxieties and feelings!).

In my mind, your friend spending so many hours (let's say for the sake of argument that she hasn't inflated any numbers and is spending 20 hours a day on the game) playing is really not something I would think one should be boastful of... if she's playing 18 hours a day or however many you calculated, that's kind of a sad life, even in quarantine times. I would feel sorry for her that she feels the need to be brandishing this "accomplishment" which really doesn't mean anything other than she apparently isn't doing anything other than playing the game. I guess from what you've explained, she sounds like she has some insecurities herself and is projecting that outwards onto others, onto you.

If I were you I would keep a healthy distance from her (for your own sanity), recognize that this behavior of hers will likely continue and manifest in other ways, and keep doing you! Neutralize her influence in your life so she doesn't steal any of your power and happiness!

I think for me the main anxiety comes from the fact that she's, in my eyes, clearly lying. If she truly were spending that much time on the game i dont think id care, but its the worry that maybe people will praise her or applaud her for spending so much time and effort on her island/on the game when she hasnt. Im completely aware how bonkers this sounds, but thats what anxiety does to you i guess, but i just want to emphasise its mainly the lie thats bothering me

Ive learned from everyone that shes definitely not a good person to be around. I tried to patch things up with her since my best friend still talks to her quite regularly and I have to hang around with her occasionally, but i dont think i should force myself to take it. I'm just hoping my best friend will realise this too

 

[AquaMarie]

If it were me, I'd probably just ignore it. When I was younger I did have a friend that wanted to make everything a competition. She'd say something like "I read this 600 page book in one night." And I would just reply with something like "that's cool. I'm really enjoying it, so I'm trying to make it last."

Actually, now that I think of it, I have a friend who is has lied about her playtime too. But the sad part is that she's a middle aged woman, LOL. It's the opposite of what your friend is doing though. She'll tell me that she has been super busy and has had almost no time to play on a particular day, but it's like she forgets I can see her playtime has jumped up by 10 hours, lol.

With a different game she was putting herself into airplane mode so I wouldn't see her online, but her playtime was skyrocketing, lmao. She is just the kind of person that needs sympathy and it doesn't really bother me...so I just say something along the lines of "aw, I'm sorry. Hopefully you'll get some time to play soon."

 

[Xara]

i-

this honestly just doesn’t seem like a big deal at all. i don’t mean to be dismissive of your feelings but this honestly isn’t something to be that upset over. if angel wants to let people know about how many hours she’s put in, let her - if it bothers you that much, a simple “wow, that’s crazy” when she talks to you about it would suffice

it’s unfortunate that people will lie about trivial stuff like this because they’re desperate to feel validated and accomplished and unfortunately, a lot of situations going on rn prevent people from putting their time and energy into anything else and so, she feels she has to brag about animal crossing. it’s silly but thankfully, it’s harmless and if anything, it’s just a bit annoying but is still relatively harmless

 

[thatveryawkwardmayor]

wow im so glad im not 16 anymore lmao

im sorry but your friend sounds literally the worse. tell her to find a new hobby and go outside if shes logged 300 hrs into a game. im ashamed to even have 120 tbh.
what a clown

also dont even try to compete, why would you?? who cares?? keep it moving and change the subject.

 

[moonbox]

Trust me, you won't even be thinking about her in 4 years. She's annoying you, so don't feed into it. Attention-seekers hate apathy.

 

[Xara]

im sorry but your friend sounds literally the worse. tell her to find a new hobby and go outside if shes logged 300 hrs into a game. im ashamed to even have 120 tbh.
what a clown

you uh,, you are aware that there’s a global pandemic/quarantine going on rn and so going outside/finding new hobbies isnt really all that easy to do rn and a lot of people don’t have much else to do besides play games, right lmao

 

[thatveryawkwardmayor]

you uh,, you are aware that there’s a global pandemic/quarantine going on rn and so going outside/finding new hobbies isnt really all that easy to do rn and a lot of people don’t have much else to do besides play games, right lmao

im 100% aware but that doesnt stop people from literally picking a book to read, taking walks/exercise (if possible), school work, knitting, baking, cooking etc. theres other things to do besides play animal crossing.