Saves and checkpoints
Free saving lets you quit whenever you like, while checkpoints only let you stop in certain places. If you are short on time, find out in advance how far the next checkpoint is.
Mechanics
Tips and mechanics
Some mechanics quietly decide how much time and money a game takes and how easy it is to step away from it. We explain them without scaremongering: how they work, why they were invented and what an adult player or a parent should pay attention to.
Once you understand how a mechanic works, you, not the game, are back to deciding how long to play.
How this section works: mechanics are described in general terms, without reference to specific games or devices. We do not give medical advice — we only describe habits that help many players.
Mechanics worth knowing about
Six mechanics that affect your time and attention more than any others.
Difficulty and assists
Difficulty modes, hints and accessibility settings exist so that a game brings joy rather than frustration. There is no shame in turning them on — it is a way to play at your own pace.
In-game purchases
Extra items, outfits and currency sold directly inside the game. Small amounts are easy to lose track of, so it helps to decide in advance whether you spend money on them at all.
Loot boxes
Packs with random contents: you do not know in advance what is inside. Parents should know about this mechanic, talk it through with their child and, if needed, restrict purchases in the device settings.
Daily quests and streaks
Rewards for logging into the game every day without a break. They create a sense of obligation — remind yourself that a missed day takes nothing away from your life.
Online chat
Voice and text chat with other players. It makes the game livelier but needs attention: settings usually let you limit chat to friends or switch it off completely.
Healthy habits for players
Take breaks
Every so often, get up, walk around the room and look into the distance. It is handy to tie a pause to a natural point in the game: the end of a chapter, round or quest.
Mind the lighting
Playing in complete darkness is tiring for the eyes. Keep a soft light on in the room and set the screen brightness to comfortable rather than maximum.
Watch your posture
Sit so that your back is supported and the screen is at a comfortable distance. If something goes stiff, that is a good signal to stretch.
Protect your sleep
Stop playing well before bedtime, especially if the game is fast-paced. A calm hour before bed makes it easier to fall asleep and wake up refreshed.
Plan your finish in advance
Decide at the start of a session when you will stop. It is easier to put the controller down that way than to make the decision at the most gripping moment.
Read next
- Guides
Guides for life alongside games: an evening with friends, playing with a child, coming back after a break. Plus our article catalogue.
- Questions
Answers to questions about the magazine, gaming time, habits, children and family settings.
- Glossary
A player's dictionary: genres and formats, game mechanics, online play and chat.
- Reviews
What to look at to judge whether a game will fit your routine, and how to read other people's reviews.
What we rely on
- Manufacturers' family-settings guides
- Federal Law No. 436-FZ (Russia)
- PEGI — about the system
We write about general principles and habits. Menus, modes and family settings work differently in each game and service and change with updates, so check the details in the official help pages.