Interactive stories for me.

I get bored reading or watching things, because just observing doesn't keep me engaged. My thoughts bounce in too many unrelated directions that I can't keep attention unless I'm also listening to music, or a podcast, or doing another activity at the same time. But that sucks and it's mentally exhausting.

But playing games funnels that energy back into the activity. It gives me things to think about that pertain to the game, so I stay engaged. Considering the dozens of choices you make every few minutes, replaying the past decisions and developments in my mind, automatically planning out any of my credible paths forward.

I've read many good books and seen good movies. But even while enjoying them, I have to chain my thoughts to them like a hostage so they don't run free. I think it's about actively participating in something instead of passively observing it.