Programming is awesome but as I said you need a project.

To the OP:
I've had the same problem like you. I also don't play that often anymore as I used to in the past.

I've done other things in that time and now I can enjoy to experiment with some small demos now. Nothing special or something I could, or would, show to anyone because it is just basic bulls**t. But I can now enjoy programming as a hobby again.

How long do you have this feeling?

And like the others said: Do something that makes you more happy than programming. Maybe you get some ideas that you want to try and you can enjoy it again.

504ab9, specify what you want to do. You don't want to do programming, does that mean you don't want to do something with computers? That you prefer manual work like a construction worker or a craftsman? Does it mean that you like computers but just not programming? Or just not programming games?

I also think that a market being inundated with all kinds of underpriced goods is discouraging. Every niche that promises you to get rich quickly is likely to be awash with goods. This is internet marketing, creating apps and creating websites.

Noone wants to be a construction worker as it contains risks and hard work, which is why there is a lot of money in it. I doubt that you have the body to be a construction worker in the first place, having been a programmer for so long.

[color=#000000]I would like to try Film-making, Doll and Puppet making, and learning additional Foreign Languages. I'm not a construction worker. I work at a steel mill...so I guess that makes me a steel worker.

Is there something else you like instead? Is there something you're so interested in instead, that you're not interested in programming anymore? Or do you not like programming anymore, but don't know yet what you'll like to do instead? If so, good look finding it ...

[color=#000000]I would like to make parodies of my favorite action films. I have challenged myself to recreate my favorite scenes with only dolls and puppets, no human actors. Full action too, car chases, explosions, the whole deal. Thinking of this idea was the only thing that kept me awake at my previous job.

To the OP:
I've had the same problem like you. I also don't play that often anymore as I used to in the past.

I've done other things in that time and now I can enjoy to experiment with some small demos now. Nothing special or something I could, or would, show to anyone because it is just basic bulls**t. But I can now enjoy programming as a hobby again.

How long do you have this feeling?

And like the others said: Do something that makes you more happy than programming. Maybe you get some ideas that you want to try and you can enjoy it again.

I think I've felt this way since maybe 2005 or so. I do have some ideas that would be a real challenge, but when I really think about it, it seems like I'm returning to the safe route instead of exploring the uncharted waters that I described in the post above.

I think you only need your own permission to walk away from programming. You feel guilty because you've invested a lot of time and effort into it.

I think people who walk away from an MMORPG may have similar feelings of loss.

I think you need to step back from it. Obviously if your not doing this as a profession and rather spend your free time else where, there isn't any reason to hesitate. Programming like any other skill to become really good you need to put in the "work", there is a conjecture that to become proficient at anything you need to put 10,000 hours in practicing it. That means working 5 or more years professionally.

Like within any "skill" once you've reached a certain level, programming isn't really difficult you've move on to higher level tasks and algorithmic design. I would say that this point if we can make a comparison between programming and playing an instrument, you would be a virtuoso, and I think that's where it really becomes "fun" since your only limited by your imagination, ambition and time, though some people never reach this point..

Even learning alittle of programming will go a long way, the world is increasingly becoming a programmed one, people are expected to build spreadsheets, make flow charts, assemble virtual widgets, etc.. it's all programming in a different guise..

Good Luck!

-ddn

Dear OP, I understand you.

Programming, for me, is like an ex wife (funny coming from someone who haven't married, or even have a girlfriend yet - i know, i know, i'm looking :-) )
It was fun while it last. But thing happened. Lack of opportunity could be one of the reason. I don't want to complain, too long of a story. Anyway, these days CGI is my new hobby. And music. Just move on and enjoy the memories.

[color=#000000]I would like to try Film-making, Doll and Puppet making, and learning additional Foreign Languages. I'm not a construction worker. I work at a steel mill...so I guess that makes me a steel worker.

[color=#000000]I would like to make parodies of my favorite action films. I have challenged myself to recreate my favorite scenes with only dolls and puppets, no human actors. Full action too, car chases, explosions, the whole deal. Thinking of this idea was the only thing that kept me awake at my previous job.

That's pretty cool!

I tried things that were my life those times like, lets see...
Paper modelling, music (drummer in a progressive trash metal band), programming, mechanical engineering (still into it), drawing and arts, 3D modelling and rendering, living abroad and learning that language, simple animation (the pig in my avatar is the main character of a future one-minute-long animation) the latest is LEGO Technic building, probably some other I forgot.... At the moment I feel a bit empty, but something will come anyway, maybe travelling on foot or on bike? Fuck knows...