Playing, Completed, Dropped, Backlog: How to Use Game Statuses (and When to Drop a Game)
The whole point of a backlog tracker is the status next to each game. If the statuses are fuzzy, the tracker lies to you and you stop opening it. Here is a clear rule for each one.
The four statuses
Backlog
You own it (or have it on a service), and haven't started. Only games you genuinely might play. Not a wish list of things that looked cool.
Playing
You've played it in the last couple of weeks and expect to continue. Keep this list short — two or three games, not twelve. If a game sits here for months, it isn't “Playing”.
Completed
You reached the end, or the end of the content you wanted. For endless games (multiplayer, sandboxes), decide on your own finish line and respect it. Rate it now — the rating feeds your recommendations.
Dropped
You stopped and don't plan to return. This is not failure; it is information. Dropping games is how a backlog stays a list of things you want.
When to drop a game
- You've avoided opening it for a month and feel relief when you think about removing it.
- The first 2–3 hours didn't hook you and reviews don't suggest it gets better. (Some games do — judge by what your favourite reviewers say about why it improves.)
- You're playing it out of obligation, not interest.
More on the psychology in why you abandon games.
Priority for backlog games
Backlog games carry a priority: High, Medium or Low. Keep High to a handful — it's your “next 3–5 games” list, and High games are marked with a red badge on the card. NXTO's “next to play” card leans on it. Our priority system goes into depth.
How to change a status in NXTO
- Hover a game (or tap it on a phone) and choose a status button on the card.
- Tap the status the game is already in and you'll be asked whether to remove it from your library — a quick way to clean up.
- Marking a game Completed stamps the date, which is what feeds the activity heatmap.
If you use Steam sync, statuses are never changed automatically. Hours come from Steam, decisions come from you.