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Digital Gaming => Computer Gaming => Topic started by: Grim.Reaper on June 23, 2014, 08:22:56 PM

Title: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Grim.Reaper on June 23, 2014, 08:22:56 PM
So, it wasn't enough for me to depress people about how much money they have paid for all the Steam games in their library using the enhanced steam plug-in for Chrome/FireFox, now I am moving on to make myself even feel worse and underscore what an impulsive buyer I am and often wasteful:(

Within the same tool, you can calculate the total hours you spent playing your steam games.  While using Chrome/FireFox with the plug in installed, go to the steam web site and login.  Select the menu option "Activity" under your username at the top.  Then on the righthand side, select the "Games" menu option.  Select the filter to see all games.  At the top of the list it will show you the total number of game hours played and recorded.

This is where my depression comes into play.....

Total Games Owned: 130
Total Cost Paid (at least when bought at Steam, even worse considering I bought many outside of steam): $642
Total Hours Played Recorded:  347 Hours
Most Time with a Single Game: 109 Hours (second place is around 33-35 hours)

So if I do the math.....

I average playing each game.......2.6 Hours since the time I bought them.....doesn't seem like I got much play time out of them:(  It's exactly what I thought....I buy many things on impulse to just try them, very rarely playing them for a long time.

As I went through this exercise, noticed a few games I have never started and many that I only played a few minutes.....yikes!

This has been very good therapy for me:)
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: steve58 on June 23, 2014, 08:51:26 PM

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JTlCj7YVS0Q%2FTKH-o0REixI%2FAAAAAAAAFh8%2FzdAmovSKut4%2Fs1600%2Ffingers_in_ears.jpg%23covering%2520ears%2520gif%2520460x300&hash=f04700e8d15fb06c4542400ead5988686fc389c7)
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: -budd- on June 23, 2014, 09:05:50 PM
ok....I've had this installed awhile but haven't looked the numbers up in bit.

146 games [not sure if this includes the non-steam shortcuts of my matrix games i have in my list.]
cost $389.00
Time 561 hours
most time in game- Dragon Age origin- 82 hours       2nd 7 days to die 72 hours

Seems like when you uninstall the time goes away, some i've uninstalled but have put hours in show zero.
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Kushan on June 23, 2014, 09:08:45 PM
Grim, you are one evil man.

Total Games Owned: 65
Total Cost Paid: $1,342.55
Total Hours Played Recorded: 1,449.8 Hours

Almost all of that time is divided amongst 3 games:

Skyrim: 649 Hours
Crusader Kings 2: 216 Hours
Europa Universalis IV: 194 Hours
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: mirth on June 23, 2014, 09:25:06 PM
Oh good. New metrics for sucking joy from my life :P
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: MetalDog on June 23, 2014, 09:35:33 PM
I have 16 Steam games, not all of which were purchased on Steam.

Warlock: Master of the Arcane - 519 Hours
Crusader Kings II - 158 Hours
Avernum: Escape from the Pit - 79 Hours
Europa Universalis IV - 65 Hours
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: GDS_Starfury on June 23, 2014, 09:49:24 PM
16 games and 1000's of hours.  mostly spent on CS:S.
I'd be surprised if I spent more then $125 for what I have.
money well spent!
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: DennisS on June 23, 2014, 10:05:50 PM
1034 hours..by totalling them up manually. Where can I get the stats that you'll all have?
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Kushan on June 23, 2014, 10:09:31 PM
Quote from: DennisS on June 23, 2014, 10:05:50 PM
1034 hours..by totalling them up manually. Where can I get the stats that you'll all have?


http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=10421.120 (http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=10421.120)

Scroll down to Grims post.
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: -budd- on June 23, 2014, 10:09:41 PM
only for chrome and firefox

http://www.enhancedsteam.com/
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Sir Slash on June 23, 2014, 10:15:37 PM
Does time spent cursing the games count as actually playing them? Should in my book.
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: GDS_Starfury on June 23, 2014, 11:00:04 PM
I don't need an app to have an idea of how much time I've spent beating the shit out of people around the globe.   :knuppel2:
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: JudgeDredd on June 23, 2014, 11:52:51 PM
I feel better with this calculation as opposed to the money spent one...

I have 169 games coming in with 1577 hours played - an average of 9.3 hours per game  ;D
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Toonces on June 24, 2014, 12:33:28 AM
Well, I guess it's all perspective.

I spent $1000 and have 200 games, so I'm averaging $5 a game.  Honestly, how can we complain about that kind of pricing?

Depending on how you look at it, I have ~10 hours a game (80 games installed/800 hours) or ~4 hours per game (200 games/800 hours).  That's still not a bad return on investment all things considered.

However, it's so hard to quantify it like that.  For example, ARMA2, ARMA2 Combined Ops, ARMA2 British Forces, ARMA2 PMC, etc...all count as "separate" games even though they're essentially the same game.  Furthermore, a lot of these games came bundled and some of the bundled games I knew I'd never play.  So counting them is sort of...not right.

When I think about how much time I spend gaming and in front of this computer, I can't escape the conclusion that this is an extremely cheap form of entertainment all things considered.  While $1000 is a lot of money, for 800 hours of entertainment it is extremely worth the value.  And, these games keep giving- I haven't even touched some of the time sinks like Rome 2, Shogun 2, Morrowind, and so on. 

Don't sweat it.  Even at Jarhead kind of money none of us is doing too badly here.
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Jarhead0331 on June 24, 2014, 04:18:03 AM
Quote from: Toonces on June 24, 2014, 12:33:28 AM
Well, I guess it's all perspective.

I spent $1000 and have 200 games, so I'm averaging $5 a game.  Honestly, how can we complain about that kind of pricing?

Depending on how you look at it, I have ~10 hours a game (80 games installed/800 hours) or ~4 hours per game (200 games/800 hours).  That's still not a bad return on investment all things considered.

However, it's so hard to quantify it like that.  For example, ARMA2, ARMA2 Combined Ops, ARMA2 British Forces, ARMA2 PMC, etc...all count as "separate" games even though they're essentially the same game.  Furthermore, a lot of these games came bundled and some of the bundled games I knew I'd never play.  So counting them is sort of...not right.

When I think about how much time I spend gaming and in front of this computer, I can't escape the conclusion that this is an extremely cheap form of entertainment all things considered.  While $1000 is a lot of money, for 800 hours of entertainment it is extremely worth the value.  And, these games keep giving- I haven't even touched some of the time sinks like Rome 2, Shogun 2, Morrowind, and so on. 

Don't sweat it.  Even at Jarhead kind of money none of us is doing too badly here.

...and there is the silver lining analysis I was looking for. God bless you.
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Grim.Reaper on June 24, 2014, 04:49:25 AM
Quote from: Toonces on June 24, 2014, 12:33:28 AM
Well, I guess it's all perspective.

I spent $1000 and have 200 games, so I'm averaging $5 a game.  Honestly, how can we complain about that kind of pricing?

Depending on how you look at it, I have ~10 hours a game (80 games installed/800 hours) or ~4 hours per game (200 games/800 hours).  That's still not a bad return on investment all things considered.

However, it's so hard to quantify it like that.  For example, ARMA2, ARMA2 Combined Ops, ARMA2 British Forces, ARMA2 PMC, etc...all count as "separate" games even though they're essentially the same game.  Furthermore, a lot of these games came bundled and some of the bundled games I knew I'd never play.  So counting them is sort of...not right.

When I think about how much time I spend gaming and in front of this computer, I can't escape the conclusion that this is an extremely cheap form of entertainment all things considered.  While $1000 is a lot of money, for 800 hours of entertainment it is extremely worth the value.  And, these games keep giving- I haven't even touched some of the time sinks like Rome 2, Shogun 2, Morrowind, and so on. 

Don't sweat it.  Even at Jarhead kind of money none of us is doing too badly here.

From a pure cost perspective, I do actually agree with you that gaming is cheaper than most other forms of entertainment and I often justify it to myself that way.  For example, took my daughter to a movie over the weekend and for 2 hours of fun, it cost us roughly $35.  Family then went out to dinner, it cost $60.   Therefore in just one day I spent about 1/6th of all the money I spent on steam games over 6.5 years. 

What does concern me more is most of the stuff I buy I don't play more than a couple of hours.  Heck, some purchases haven't even played once or just a couple of minutes.  Why did I have to purchase something like that?  It's almost like I am collecting games versus playing games.

I must have an illness:)
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Grim.Reaper on June 24, 2014, 04:50:48 AM
Quote from: JudgeDredd on June 23, 2014, 11:52:51 PM
I feel better with this calculation as opposed to the money spent one...

I have 169 games coming in with 1577 hours played - an average of 9.3 hours per game  ;D

A lot better than my ratio:) 
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: bbmike on June 24, 2014, 05:42:55 AM
I buy a lot of games wanting to play them but knowing I won't get around to them until much later if at all. I think part of why I do this is because I lived in a time where if you wanted to buy a game you went OUTSIDE (I know!) to the software store (anyone remember Babbages and Electronics Boutique?) and looked at all of the choices and only bought one. The risk of buying that one game was that later (because interesting new releases were so infrequent and you played that title you just bought for a long time) you hear about how great another game is from one of your friends, you go back to buy it and guess what - you can't find it. You can't find it anywhere! Not even in a bargain bin! Even in this time of GOG.com there are still a lot of our old PC game friends left behind. So if Steam releases something like Sid Meier's Antietam HD for $19.99 you can bet your ass I'm going to buy it because to this day I've never played it!

Plus there's that never ending quest to find that next great game that give you as much joy and fun as whatever game did that for you long ago.

Okay Jarhead, Judge and the rest of you fellow game hoarders, I'm finished trying to rationalize this for us.  :buck2:


Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Grim.Reaper on June 24, 2014, 05:56:22 AM
It is a different time for sure...just to think a few years ago I HATED downloaded games and would only buy physical games:). Now I can't imagine not getting instant gratification:)
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: fabius on June 24, 2014, 06:23:21 AM
I have an odd thing going on with the hours played.

I'd say Paradox grand strategy are my favourite. But RO2 has the most hours. When I'm tired I just throw it on for several matches.

I guess when I get the hang of Arma III that cold be the same, and why Ultimate General and Rome 2 (with THE Mod) has clocked up so many hours.
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Tinkershuffle on June 24, 2014, 01:25:52 PM
This was in the comment section of Football Manager 2014:

"According to Steam I have played a total of:

FM 2014: 508 Hours
FM 2013: 2544 Hours
FM 2012: 2612 Hours
FM 2011: 1251 Hours
FM 2010: 3377 Hours
FM 2009: 1162 Hours

That's 11454 hours or 477.25 days.

This total doesnt include the previous FM's before steam and the CM series before that (i.e CM 00/01 & 01/02 the blue & red ones).

I think it's safe to say that FM has taken about 2 whole years of my life. When you view it like that it's quite terrifying."

You probably can't get much more value out than that...
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Grim.Reaper on June 24, 2014, 05:37:28 PM
Quote from: Tinkershuffle on June 24, 2014, 01:25:52 PM
This was in the comment section of Football Manager 2014:

"According to Steam I have played a total of:

FM 2014: 508 Hours
FM 2013: 2544 Hours
FM 2012: 2612 Hours
FM 2011: 1251 Hours
FM 2010: 3377 Hours
FM 2009: 1162 Hours

That's 11454 hours or 477.25 days.

This total doesnt include the previous FM's before steam and the CM series before that (i.e CM 00/01 & 01/02 the blue & red ones).

I think it's safe to say that FM has taken about 2 whole years of my life. When you view it like that it's quite terrifying."

You probably can't get much more value out than that...

Wow....certainly getting your money worth!  Impressed!
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: bbmike on June 24, 2014, 06:36:56 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on June 24, 2014, 05:37:28 PM
Quote from: Tinkershuffle on June 24, 2014, 01:25:52 PM
This was in the comment section of Football Manager 2014:

"According to Steam I have played a total of:

FM 2014: 508 Hours
FM 2013: 2544 Hours
FM 2012: 2612 Hours
FM 2011: 1251 Hours
FM 2010: 3377 Hours
FM 2009: 1162 Hours

That's 11454 hours or 477.25 days.

This total doesnt include the previous FM's before steam and the CM series before that (i.e CM 00/01 & 01/02 the blue & red ones).

I think it's safe to say that FM has taken about 2 whole years of my life. When you view it like that it's quite terrifying."

You probably can't get much more value out than that...

Wow....certainly getting your money worth!  Impressed!

Seriously! Are you in prison?  :P
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Tinkershuffle on June 24, 2014, 11:23:52 PM
Just something I saw posted on FM's Steam page. I think for a lot of people FM is more a lifestyle than a regular game. :)
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Toonces on June 25, 2014, 12:03:31 AM
The sale mentality is what is killing us.  I buy games when they go on sale full well knowing I have no intention of playing them anytime soon.  I'd say that that makes up 90% of my purchases at this point. 

When a game is marked 80% off and you know you want to play it eventually, it's almost impossible to resist the urge to buy it and "save" yourself some money.  If you don't play it, though, you haven't really saved anything, have you?  Interesting dilemma.   :idiot2:
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: GDS_Starfury on June 25, 2014, 12:13:30 AM
the Tribe is strong now.
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: solops on June 25, 2014, 06:14:20 AM
Quote from: Toonces on June 25, 2014, 12:03:31 AM
The sale mentality is what is killing us.  I buy games when they go on sale full well knowing I have no intention of playing them anytime soon.  I'd say that that makes up 90% of my purchases at this point. 

When a game is marked 80% off and you know you want to play it eventually, it's almost impossible to resist the urge to buy it and "save" yourself some money.  If you don't play it, though, you haven't really saved anything, have you?  Interesting dilemma.   :idiot2:

My son-in-law has 191 Steam games. I have 33. This does not count the other PC games and board games. It all started with Gettysburg back in 1968. I guess it is all cheaper than one bass boat.
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Martok on June 25, 2014, 12:29:39 PM
Quote from: Toonces on June 25, 2014, 12:03:31 AM
When a game is marked 80% off and you know you want to play it eventually, it's almost impossible to resist the urge to buy it and "save" yourself some money.  If you don't play it, though, you haven't really saved anything, have you?  Interesting dilemma.   :idiot2:
This is my problem in a nutshell.  Well put, Toonces. 

Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: Staggerwing on June 25, 2014, 08:11:12 PM
Quote from: Tinkershuffle on June 24, 2014, 11:23:52 PM
Just something I saw posted on FM's Steam page. I think for a lot of people FM is more a lifestyle than a regular game. :)

That averages out to over 5 hours a day for 6 years straight! Assuming each iteration of FM corresponds to the year played it would mean that the person played for over 9 hours a day each and every day during 2010.
If true...

That.
Is.
Whacked.
Title: Re: Getting Value Out of Steam Games - Hours Played
Post by: jomni on June 26, 2014, 12:31:28 AM
My most played game is not on Steam.