Reflecting on My Gaming Resolutions: Looking Back at 2025, Looking Ahead to 2026
At the start of last year, I set out to do something a little different. In January, I wrote an article outlining my yearly gaming resolutions. A way to be more intentional about how I spend my time with games, what I choose to play, and how I approach gaming as both a hobby and a creator.
Those resolutions weren’t about chasing trends or forcing myself through an endless backlog. Instead, they were personal goals. They were small promises to myself about balance, focus, and enjoyment. Now that 2025 is behind us, it feels like the right time to look back and be honest about where I succeeded, where I fell short, and what I learned along the way.
In this article, I’ll quickly revisit those 2025 gaming goals and reflect on how they actually played out over the year. From there, I’ll shift the focus forward and lay out my 2026 gaming resolutions. Including talking about the priorities, habits, and mindset I want to carry into the year ahead. So with a fresh calendar and a new year of games on the horizon, let’s dive in.
A Quick Recap of My 2025 Gaming Resolutions
Finishing More Games Before Moving On
One of my main goals for 2025 was simple on paper but harder in practice: finish more games before jumping to the next one. It wasn’t that I never completed games, but I had a bad habit of drifting away midway through something I genuinely enjoyed, only to return months later, if at all. When I originally wrote about this resolution, I specifically called out Fantasian Neo Dimension and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth as two games I was actively playing and fully intended to see through to the end. Both deserved my full attention, and both were games I was excited about at the time.
The problem, as always, was distraction. Games like The Elder Scrolls Online, what I often refer to as “job games,” have a way of quietly pulling focus away. Daily logins, limited-time events, and habitual routines can slowly take over, even when you don’t consciously mean for them to. Before I knew it, my attention was split, and progress on those single-player experiences stalled. I’ll be honest: I didn’t end up finishing either Fantasian Neo Dimension or Final Fantasy VII Rebirth in 2025. That part of the goal didn’t pan out the way I had hoped.
That said, this resolution wasn’t a total loss. Over the course of the year, I did finish several other games. I was more mindful about sticking with experiences I started, and I made a conscious effort to close the loop on several playthroughs instead of endlessly bouncing between titles.
Because of that shift in mindset, I still count this goal as a success—just not a perfect one. And honestly, that balance between progress and reality ended up being one of the biggest lessons I took away from 2025.
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone
If you know me at all, this resolution probably made perfect sense on paper. My tastes have always leaned heavily toward JRPGs, turn-based games, and traditional RPGs. Genres I’m comfortable with and naturally gravitate toward. For 2025, I wanted to challenge that habit by intentionally spending time with games and genres I don’t normally dabble in. At the top of that list was Elden Ring.
The Souls-like genre has always fascinated me from a distance. I respect what those games do, I admire their design philosophy, and I’ve always been curious to experience one for myself. Elden Ring, in particular, is widely regarded as something special, and it was a game I genuinely wanted to sit down and play. That said, this is where I have to hold myself accountable.
I didn’t follow through on this goal. I never truly committed the time needed to dive into Elden Ring or the Souls-like space in a meaningful way. While some might argue that Expedition 33, which I did finish, has elements that feel like the “Souls-like” of RPGs, I don’t think that fully counts toward what I set out to do.
Even giving myself that partial credit would feel like moving the goalposts, and that wasn’t the intent of this resolution. I wanted to experience something fundamentally outside my comfort zone, and in that regard, I came up short. Not every goal needs a positive spin, and this one serves as a clear reminder that curiosity alone isn’t enough. You still have to make the time and commit to the experience.
Expanding Coverage and Stepping Further Into the Spotlight
This resolution focused on two areas where I felt our site could grow. That is stronger Nintendo coverage and greater personal involvement in video interviews. Looking back on 2025, I can confidently count it as a success. On the Nintendo front, my original intention was to personally cover more Nintendo-related topics throughout the year.
While I did contribute in that area at different points, the bigger win came from the team itself. Over the course of the year, we brought on several new writers, and one standout addition was Randy Rhodes.
He’s done a phenomenal job across the board, particularly when it comes to Nintendo coverage, helping to strengthen an area we had previously identified as a gap.
Then There’s Interviews
As for video interviews, this goal was more personal. I’ve heard the feedback. People want to see me on camera more, taking a more front-and-center role in interviews and discussions. While I didn’t completely overhaul my approach overnight, I did make meaningful progress. I appeared in more interviews than before. I accepted more podcast guest invitations and gradually became more comfortable putting myself out there.
One of the biggest moments for me was conducting my first solo interview with the team behind Frosthaven. Though it wasn’t on camera, it was still a major milestone. Being trusted to represent the team on my own at an event was a big step forward, both professionally and personally.
I also closed out 2025 on a strong note with a Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked gameplay session, followed by an interview with Gustav Stenmark of Resolution Games. Those experiences helped reinforce that this was a year of growth, not just for the site, but for me as well. Due to the progress made across coverage, collaboration, and personal involvement, this is one resolution I’m proud to mark as accomplished.
Being The Tabletop and VR Guy
The final resolution I set for 2025 was fully taking on a role I had already been drifting toward: becoming the site’s VR and tabletop-focused voice. This goal was less about starting something new and more about recommitting to a mission I had originally been passionate about, but had slowly lost focus on over time.
On the tabletop side, my intent was to shine a brighter light on an area of gaming that often gets overlooked, despite being a meaningful part of the broader gaming space.
While I did contribute some tabletop-related coverage throughout the year, including a standout interview at Summer Game Fest, where King David learned how to play Magic: The Gathering using the Final Fantasy set. Honestly, this is an area where I could have done more. I let momentum slip at times, and I didn’t push as consistently as I originally intended.
Then There’s VR
The “VR guy” portion of this resolution was more personal and largely mental. I’ve always had a deep love for VR, AR, and mixed reality gaming, but I struggled with the idea of being viewed only through that lens. I worried that developers might see me as a niche voice rather than someone with a broader skill set and perspective. In 2025, I finally worked through that hesitation. Instead of pushing back against the label, I leaned into it.
Allowing developers and teams to see me as the VR-focused voice if they choose to, while continuing to showcase my range through the work itself. That shift made a real difference. Over the year, I reviewed multiple VR experiences, tested early-access builds, and took part in interviews in this space, including one mentioned earlier in this article. There’s even a potential product review on the horizon that continues that momentum.
While I believe I still have room to grow on the tabletop side, the larger goal, which is embracing my role within VR, AR, and MR gaming, was met. Because of that, personal growth and renewed confidence, I ultimately count this resolution as accomplished.
Looking Ahead: My Gaming Resolutions for 2026
Committing to the Souls-Like Genre in 2026
Even though I fell short on this goal in 2025, it’s one I’m not ready to let go of. In fact, that missed opportunity is exactly why it’s carrying over into 2026. I still want to fully dive into the Souls-like genre and give it a fair shake. This style of game has always fascinated me from the outside. The emphasis on challenge, mastery, and deliberate design is very different from the genres I usually gravitate toward, and that’s precisely the point. For me, this resolution is about pushing myself out of my comfort zone and experiencing a side of gaming I’ve admired but never truly committed to.
In 2026, I’m making this goal clear and non-negotiable: I will play Elden Ring, see it through to completion, and use it as my true entry point into the Souls-like space. From there, I want to explore more games in the genre and understand why it resonates so strongly with so many players. This time, the goal isn’t just curiosity, it’s follow-through.
Continuing to Finish the Games I Begin
This is one resolution I’m carrying forward from 2025. Even with progress made, it’s still a habit I want to strengthen in 2026. Finishing games changes how I experience them. It deepens my appreciation for their design, storytelling, and pacing in a way that jumping between titles never quite does. In 2026, the focus isn’t just on finishing more games, but on being smarter about what I start in the first place.
That means smaller rotations, fewer impulse playthroughs, and giving games the space they deserve before moving on to something new. If I commit to a game, I want to see it through, rather than letting it fade into the backlog. This approach also ties directly to balance. Between reviewing, streaming, and covering games as part of my efforts for LOGNET, it’s easy to treat playtime as something disposable or temporary.
This resolution is about slowing that process down. It’s about allowing myself to fully experience a game from beginning to end whenever possible. I made meaningful strides toward this goal in 2025, and in 2026, I want to build on that momentum. Fewer unfinished stories, fewer abandoned save files, and more complete experiences. That’s the standard I’m aiming for this year.
Building Confidence in Interviews and Industry Conversations
One of my most important resolutions for 2026 is to put myself out there more. Especially when it comes to interviews and conversations within the gaming industry. This builds directly on a goal I started exploring in 2025. Now I want to take it further and do so with more confidence. Attending Summer Game Fest in 2025 was a huge step in that direction. I had the opportunity to speak with a wide range of people across the industry and the content creation space, including Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond, Aaron Greenberg, Destin Legarie, Ben Starr, and many others. Those conversations were meaningful and encouraging, but I’ll be honest, they also came with nerves.
That’s something I want to continue working through. That same event was also where I conducted my first solo interview, which was a major milestone for me. It proved that I can step into those moments when the opportunity presents itself. Now, the goal is to make that feeling of confidence more natural and consistent. Looking ahead to 2026, I want to be comfortable striking up conversations, asking questions, and representing the team in interviews without hesitation.
I want to reach a point where Lord Cognito can say, “Hey Chris, you’ve got this interview,” and my response is an easy and confident, “Yeah, I’ve got it.” This resolution is about growth. It’s about being more present, more vocal, and more comfortable engaging with the people who help shape this industry. The more I lean into those opportunities, the better I’ll be at telling their stories and sharing them with the community.
Renewing My Focus on Tabletop and TCG Coverage
Another important focus for 2026 is continuing and strengthening my commitment to tabletop and TCG coverage. This is an area of gaming I genuinely care about, and one that deserves consistent attention rather than sporadic spotlights. Tabletop and TCGs have always been part of how I engage with games, whether that’s through Magic: The Gathering, board games, or hybrid digital experiences. In the past, I’ve helped bring attention to that side of the gaming space, but I’ll be the first to admit that momentum has come and gone at times. In 2026, the goal is consistency.
A big part of that renewed push begins with the upcoming release of Lorwyn Eclipsed. Lorwyn is a setting that holds a special place in Magic’s history, and its return presents the perfect opportunity to re-engage more deeply with TCG coverage, whether that’s through set impressions, gameplay experiences, community conversations, or broader discussions around design and identity.
This resolution isn’t just about covering releases as they happen. It’s about treating tabletop and TCGs as a meaningful pillar of gaming culture alongside video games. I want to spotlight the players, the stories, and the experiences that make these spaces thrive. Also, while reconnecting with why I was drawn to them in the first place. With Lorwyn Eclipsed on the horizon, 2026 feels like the right time to fully recommit and build sustained coverage in a space that continues to grow, evolve, and matter to the gaming community.
Renewing Pokémon Coverage with a Competitive Focus
Another area I want to refocus on in 2026 is Pokémon coverage. Particularly on the competitive side, once Pokémon Champions officially releases. Pokémon has always been part of my gaming DNA, but over time, consistent coverage, especially around teams & competitive play, has taken a bit of a backseat.
Champions feels like the right moment to change that, with its emphasis on structured, competitive gameplay, creating an opportunity to dive deeper into team building, strategy discussions, and the broader competitive ecosystem surrounding Pokémon.
That’s a space I’ve enjoyed engaging with in the past. Also, I want to be more present in moving forward. This renewed focus won’t be limited to just high-level competitive analysis. I also want to explore Pokémon more broadly again; from covering mechanics, updates, and community conversations in a way that’s welcoming to both competitive players and longtime fans who may be curious about stepping into that side of the game for the first time.
As Pokémon Champions rolls out, my goal is to rebuild consistent Pokémon coverage, with the intention of treating it not as a one-off topic, but as an ongoing part of what I cover. Whether that’s competitive impressions, learning experiences, or broader reflections on where Pokémon fits in the modern gaming landscape, this is an area I’m excited to lean back into in 2026.
A Long-Term Goal: Earning a Pro Tour Invitation
This final resolution is different from the others. It’s not something I expect to accomplish within a single year—and it may take longer than 2026. Even so, it’s a goal I want to set now. Magic: The Gathering has always been an important part of my life, helping forge lasting friendships, introducing me to incredible communities, and shaping aspects of my life that I sometimes stop to appreciate. Because of that history, this goal isn’t just about competition. It’s about honoring a game that’s meant a great deal to me over the years.
The resolution I’m setting is this. I want to earn an invitation to the Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour by the age of 42. As I write this, I’m 36 and turning 37 in March. Which gives me roughly a five-year window to make this happen. That’s an ambitious goal, there’s no denying that. It won’t be easy, and it will require real focus, discipline, and consistent effort. I genuinely believe it’s attainable. If I commit myself to improving as a player and approaching the game with intention.
There are multiple paths toward that goal. Whether through Magic: The Gathering Arena, Magic: The Gathering Online, or in-person competitive events. If you’ve been following me on social media, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve already started taking steps in that direction. I’ve been getting back out to smaller events, practicing more consistently, and re-engaging with competitive play.
This resolution is about the long game. It’s about growth, persistence, and believing that with focus and effort, meaningful goals are still within reach. Setting it now gives me something to work toward, not just in 2026, but well beyond it. And I’m excited to see where that journey leads.
Growth, Reflection, and the Road Ahead
Looking back at my 2025 gaming resolutions, what stands out most isn’t whether every goal was perfectly achieved. It’s the growth that came from setting them in the first place. Some goals were met, others fell short, and a few revealed habits and challenges I didn’t fully anticipate. But each one helped me better understand how I play, how I create, and how I want to engage with games moving forward.
The 2026 gaming resolutions build directly on those lessons. They’re more focused, more intentional, and more honest about what I want out of gaming. Whether that’s finishing the games I start, stepping further outside my comfort zone, expanding coverage I care deeply about, or committing to long-term goals that will take time and dedication to achieve.
At the end of the day, resolutions aren’t about perfection. They’re about direction. And as I head into 2026, I’m excited. Not just for the games ahead, but for the opportunity to continue growing as a player, a creator, and a member of this community.
