I've been trying to figure out what's the deal with backlogs and why gamers are so obsessed with them. As we all know, gaming is a very time consuming hobbty, so it's not uncommon to have of bunch of unplayed games that we struggle to find the time for.  
 
Some people have more untouched games than others (thank you, Steam sales!), but one thing I've noticed that almost everyone have in common is their obligation to share their backlog woes with everyone. It's impossible to visit the Giant Bomb forums and not see someone sigh about having a huge backlog or how they don't have time to play all the cool games they purchased 6 months ago. I know I'm guilty of it myself. Hell, there's even a website dedicated purely to help you catalogue and keep track of your gaming backlog. I thought about signing up for it but apparently they don't accept new registrations at the moment because the site got overloaded from too much activity. So yeah, I'd say it's a pretty common phenomena within the gaming world.  

Keeping track of a backlog, is the act of admiring one's possessions, and thinking of how much fun it will be to play those games. It's intoxicating in itself. 

I keep a backlog written down to help me schedule my weekends. I used to wander from game to game before I began doing this, and now I know exactly what each weekend is going to be like. I also find it to be something that I can brag to my friends about, and that is always a good thing.

Yeah, I've never really understood the fascination of backlogs. If I like a game, I play it until it's finished before putting it on the shelf and buying new things. I feel like sometimes people just act like they are all game reviewers, saying things like "Oh, I wish I could play this game, but there are so many games from my backlog I have to play first." That's just a bit ridiculous. If you're a busy person with not enough time to play games, maybe you should buy less games? It's like in Starcraft, if you queue up a bunch of probes or something, you're just wasting money that could be spent on other things while you're waiting for the first probe to finish.

I once went through the whole "I've got to get through my backlog" phase and I think the purpose behind discussing it was to keep me motivated. I think by talking it out and listing the games in one's unplayed pile it lets you take stock of the catalogue and prioritize how best to get through it. Mainly though, I think a lot of people just like to share a common problem. I think a lot of gamers are completionists and enjoy that feeling of finishing a game and so it bugs us when a growing list of games go into the pile of shame.

" What is it about backlogs that's so fascinating to gamers that we feel that we must share it with friends and strangers? I understand that it's nice to have an eternal meta-goal to strive for (i.e., play/beat all games in your backlog) but I can't help but feel like there must be something more to it. It it because backlogs are a thing so unique but common to gamers that it unites us? Is talking about our backlogs our weird way of "bonding" with each other? I don't know, I'm just rambling now. Somebody needs to study this. -Tordah "

Well my backlog exists only cause I can't just erase from my brain the need to play really cool game (not some meta-goal, but the sense that Im missing out on a good gaming experience) and that thought stays at the back of my mind like an unfinished task torturing me. Im not inclined to participate much in forums and even less so to blog, but I imagine that for people that are it would make a lot of sense to vocalize this in some way or another, so there you go, that's my analisis.

Thanks for the reminder mate. Need to a new backlog blog up, heh
 
One thing I like about posting those list here is that. If you do a blog you can attach it to the game's page. Which is good for the indie games (that i play a lot) since its often the only content there is for that game.

" Yeah, I've never really understood the fascination of backlogs. If I like a game, I play it until it's finished before putting it on the shelf and buying new things. I feel like sometimes people just act like they are all game reviewers, saying things like "Oh, I wish I could play this game, but there are so many games from my backlog I have to play first." That's just a bit ridiculous. If you're a busy person with not enough time to play games, maybe you should buy less games? It's like in Starcraft, if you queue up a bunch of probes or something, you're just wasting money that could be spent on other things while you're waiting for the first probe to finish. "

" Sharing my backlog usually serves two purposes. One is I'm more than willing to talk about the game with you. Two is a warning not to spoil the game for me. "

I simply don't like leaving games uncompleted for a major amount of time.

I suppose you have to raise an eyebrow when people talk about playing games as being something of a chore.  I do get this though, something comes along you've been really looking forward to - you move on to it, then, get bored and start to look at your unfinished games, and pick one to play until something you want comes out.
 
I have a huge backlog, I'm playing FFXIII at the moment, and it's not even mine!  I borrowed it off my cousin a few months ago - I am starting to enjoy it now, but I start playing it mainly because the shine had worn off Left 4 Dead 2, I'd completed Sonic 4 Ep 1 and didn't want to return it unplayed.  i want to S- rank some games that have fallen by the wayside, only ones I like though.  I won't be going back to S-rank Hydrophobia for example, because I found it really chorseome to play.
 
I might do Altered Beast, because I like it and apart from the play an online multiplayer game it should be pretty easy.  Having said that I'll probably drop back on Tropico 3 or Red Dead Redemption.  I might even DL the Undead Redemption expansion - sounds funny.

You still havent played the darkness?  
 
that came out 4 years ago! I thought my back log was bad becxause i hadnt played a game from 2 years ok, way to knock me out the park.

What territory do you live in? Your copy of The Darkness looks like it has a way cooler cover than mine.
 
BTW: Play The Darkness.

Sometimes talking about a backlog gives someone direction on what game to play next. I know if I wander into a backlog discussion and a bunch of people start talking about their good experiences with a game I haven't played, I'm more likely to play that next if it's on my shelf. 
 
Ex. - The Darkness!

 I thought about signing up for it but apparently they don't accept new registrations at the moment because the site got overloaded from too much activity.    

It's not just games for me. 
 
I have books I've got to read, Albums I've got to listen to, films I've got to watch. I like having a backlog, it gives a sense of security that basically means I won't ever have nothing to do. It's a nice feeling :)