I have over 1,000 physical games from the 1980s to the present. I replay many old and new games. I love the hobby and love to experience a lot of variety and new and old experiences to create new memories and revisit old ones.

I do buy new games, I actually have a wall of physical games in my games room.
But StarCraft has been *the* game I always go back to once I have finished it.

I do both. I buy and play new games. Cyberpunk and No Man's Sky have been among my most-played games of the last decade, along with the Switch Zeldas.

But there are classics that I go back to again and again, and I love that the classics are being made available on platforms like Switch and PS5. Most recently for me, that would be the Lunar Remastered Collection. I have loved those games for 25 years. Part of it is that I didn't have anything I could plzy them on for a long time, especially Lunar 2. I have old systems like the Atari 8-bit, Bally Astrocade, and Magnavox Odyssey set up. For the A8, I'm enjoying revisiting those classics, and they're bite-sized experiences for when I don't feel ambitious. For the latter two, I heard/read about those systems when I was young but didn't have them, so now I'm exploring them.

Autistic people also thrive on routine and repetition of the familiar. It makes navigating an uncertain world somewhat easier.

Much of my time spent on games is on games I've already played a lot, so I don't fully know what you're talking about. I guess I do have some idea though: getting new experiences can feel like a better use of time. Of course there's also games you just really, really want to play but don't own yet, and I guess those games don't really need an explanation. But most games aren't that interesting, yet you end up playing them anyway. For me, a part of playing new games is also knowing what it's all about (although I only get games I think I would enjoy).

I've spent most of my time on new games simply because it satiates my crave for new experiences even if with long running series, it goes back to what you know + the new added aspects. I do replay games I effectively found immensely enjoyable though.

Also since our brains tend to forget a lot of the dinner details of most experiences with them. Having a new playthrough a few years into the future is also beneficial if you want it.
Best example, Xenoblade Chronicles X, played it 3 times on my WiiU got much further in my last attempt but I didn't finish it. Now we've got the Definitive Edition and despite all the new bells and whistles, it shouldn't technically be as rewarding as it is actually to me right now. I immensely enjoy my time with it.

Nonetheless, going through new games and experiences on the next Switch will likely be just as enjoyable as was the enjoyment I had of playing my Switch in 2017, though for different reasons this time.

@SvennoJ You were spot on about the sales and anticipation being the factor. Knowing this has already saved me money, mot that I've stopped sales but I'm being more aware and rectifying impulse buying. Only games I know I will start right away and have a good chance of completing. The science you quoted is so spot on to my experiences with sales and new games.

You're a step ahead already!

I caved in again last week, bought Into the Radius and System Critical 2 (was only $2!) on sale. Added to the back of my back log.
But I can enjoy looking forward to (maybe) playing them, for a long time lol.

Meanwhile I'm still having a blast with Hitman, so much to do in that game.

Damn. Seems like you've been been playing Hitman all year. Must be a stellar experience.

Every night since it came out on March 27th, 2 months so far :p

And yep, it's stellar. Too much fun discovering everything there is to do while knocking out guards etc and filling up all the storage spaces for bodies. Trying out all the different ways to kill them with traps in the environment.

And still haven't gone Rambo style, no shots fired (except in the final mission on my 1st play through). Knocking them out is more fun lol. And sometimes leaving a naked body around for them to find and watch / take advantage of all the commotion :) Dumb rather predictable AI, which is always fun to toy with.

Why do we feel the need the listen to new music and watch new movies? Just keep listening to Black Sabbath and watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy and nothing else for the rest of your life!
Also, my dude, Clair Obscure is barely one month old. Ask yourself, why did you play that game?