Extremely specific game request thread. I love what I’ve come to call ‘Semi-Idle’ games. I work from home and am determined to act my wage so I like to have fun while on the clock. I’m not going to disregard work entirely but I want to play video games. So I leave a game running on my third monitor.
Enter my need for a game that doesn’t demand all of my attention, but is a little more hands-on than a screen saver with increasing numbers. A game where you are rewarded for letting things run, but it’s not the entire point of the game.
Some examples of what I consider ‘Semi-Idle’ with justifications:
-Project Zomboid: Game incentivizes basically sitting around and passing the time. I like to loot in spurts and then leave my character eating/working out/reading while I work.
-Super WorldBox Godsim sandbox. I can spend time setting up a world which I then let play out on its own, occasionally jumping in to disturb the peace.
-Fallout 76 Fallout 76 lets you set up a player-made camp where others can visit and buy from your stores. I find it enjoyable to leave it running and see who comes through.
-Sonic Adventure 1/2 I’ll play a level or two and then idle in the chao garden, just taking in the vibes and watching my chao do what they do.
Clicker games and other idle-genre giants aren’t really my thing, but if you know of a clicker/idle game that might fit the description, feel free to recommend those, too.
Bloobs adventure idle is an incremental game that’s basically what if runescape but inventory stacking and autopathing. It’s more active than most incrementals but maybe still more idle than you like?
Dwarf fortress maybe? particularly if you slow game speed a bit. you can designate stuff, set up management orders, and mostly wait for it to get done. It’s possible to be in very safe places and the game will usually pause if something significant happens (can disable for even more self running).