Sometimes if you’re just looking to pass the time, even boring games will do. Right now, the gaming industry is really starting to push the boundaries of technology like augmented reality and simulators like Oculus Rift, however, these games have absolutely no cool car chases or epic battles that will keep you on the edge of your seat — quite the opposite in fact.
Part of what makes gaming so popular is that it allows people to immerse themselves in a whole other world, often where they’re a hero on some awesome quest to save the world. But a ton of purposely lackluster games are popping up, simulating the less-than-fun parts of life. This is pretty much spelled out in the title of 'Waiting in Line 3D,' which serves as a spoiler for the only thing players can expect to be doing in that game.
13 Intentionally Mundane Games
From Chore Gamification Apps to Purposely Lackluster Video Games:
Laura McQuarrie — Mar 7, 2014 — Tech
13
Touching Tsunami Tribute Games
The 9.03m Video Game Honors the Lives Lost in the 2011 Tsunami
12
Distracted Driver Simulation Games
'Tweet Chat Like & Drive' Shows Distracted Driving on the Road
11
Purposely Lackluster Video Games
'Waiting In Line 3D' Encourages You to Practice Your Patience
10
Chore Gamification Apps
Kids Will be Excited to do Household Tasks with the ChoreMonster
9
Subway Development Games
The Mini Metro Game by Dino Polo Club Simulates Keeping a City Running
8
Family Drama Video Games
The Novelist is an Emotional Family Saga as Gameplay
7
Doomsday Countdown Devices
This Minecraft Clock Ticks Down to the End of Days
6
8-Bit Political Protest Games
Riot is a Game That Lets You Pick Both Sides of the Political Strife
5
Language Learning Video Games
Koe is a Japanese Language Game That Makes Learning Easy
4
Realist Video Games
'Always Sometimes Monsters' Mimics Real Life
3
Tessellated Architecture Games
The Monument Valley Game App Combines Technology and Illusion
2
Virtual Literary Worlds
Ever, Jane is an English Lit Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game
1
News-Incorporated Gaming Platforms
MultiPlay.io Lets Gamers Weave Real-Life News Events into Games
Related Ideas
Gamified XR Vacuuming Apps
'Spatial Vacuuming' Makes Home Cleaning Engaging and Rewarding
Nostalgic Gaming Timepieces
The Retro Gaming Watch Brings Gameplay to the Wrist
3D Display Gaming Consoles
The Conceptual 'Uplight' Game Console Has Interchangeable Components
Metaverse-Based Virtual Rides
G-SHOCK THE RIDE Simulates Futuristic Durability Testing
AI-Generated Real-World Transformations
AI-Artist Who Gives a Unique Design to Real Objects
Nostalgic Beer Brand Phones
The Boring Phone by Heineken Helps Adults Focus on What Really Matters
Emotionally Rewarding Multiplayer Games
Toca Boca Days Helps Tweens Find a Sense of Belonging
Novel AI-Generated Product Designs
Arcade Introduced a Transformative AI Product Creation Platform
AI-Powered Choose-Your-Own Adventure Books
Playbrary GPT Merges Literature with Gaming
In-Game Billboard Advertising
Gameloft Enables Partners to Advertise Natively in its Games
Playful Entrepreneurial Metaverses
e.l.f. UP! on Roblox Helps Gen Z & Gen Alpha Build Skills
Streaming Series Games
Netflix Stories Invites Viewers to Participate in Their Own Adventures
Vacuum-Tracking AR Apps
This App Detects Areas Of the Floor That Were Missed During Vacuuming
Gamified Collectable Sleep Apps
'Sleepagotchi' is a Furniture-Collecting App for iOS and Android
Deep Focus Desktop Displays
The Conceptual 'SINK' Tabletop Stopwatch is Smartphone-Powered
Minimal Phone Interfaces
Minimis Launcher Hopes to Reduce Distractions and Screen Time
Interactive AI Storytelling
Euphoria Stories Crafts Unique Storylines That Respond to Decisions
Gamified Stress Reduction Apps
The 'URSO' Mental Health Gaming App is Fun and Engaging
Interactive Gaming Phone Cases
Bitmo Lab Introduces the Protective GameBaby Transformative Case
Gamified In-Airport Activations
Haribo's Mobile Games Gives People of All Ages the Chance to Win
Immersive Halloween-Themed VR Experiences
Zero Latency VR Offers Suspenseful 'Halloween Thrills'
Lifestyle Activity Tracking Apps
The 'Timeline It' App Tracks Virtually Any Activity or Event
Monetizable Mobile Gaming Apps
'Playbite' Enables Players to Win Gift Cards and Prizes
Immersive VR Thriller Games
PlaySide Studios Announced 'Shattered' Thriller for VR Consoles
Professional Social Media Games
LinkedIn Released Three Games to Build Connections on its Platform
Gamified Virtual Fitness Apps
GymPet Transforms Workouts Like an Interactive Game
Gamified Home Chore Apps
Developers Showcased a Gamified Home Chore App at Meta's Hackathon 2023
Fashion Gaming App-Updates
Fashion Gaming App 'Drest' Launches New Update
Immersive Hybrid Billboards
Meta's Halloween Thrillboards Tease Immersive Meta Quest 3 Experiences
Gamified Eyecare Campaigns
LensCrafters Debuts Blinky's Eye Odyssey with Adventure & Eye Care
Brick Builder Community Apps
The LEGO Play App Provides a Kid-Safe Space for Builders of All Ages
Gen Z-Focused Board Games
Mattel Launches Scrabble Together for Non-Competitive Gen Z Consumers
Gamified Workout Apps
'Workout Quest' Merges Workout Data with AI and Technology
Simulation Parking Lot Games
The Car Park Capital Game is a Real-Time City-Building Experience
In-Car Gaming Experiences
BMW Introduces the UNO Car Party Experience for Immersive Fun
Virtual Reality Design Apps
'Live Home 3D' from BeLight Software Uses VR for Home Renovations
Immersive Virtual Television Experiences
Television for Apple Vision Shapes the Future of TV
Feline-Centric Animated Games
The Little Kitty, Big City Game is Launching on May 9th
Gamified Youth-Focused News Apps
RocaNews Uses Challenges and Quests to Encourage Staying Informed
Multifunctional Game Sets
The 'LEGO' Group is Merging Physical and Digital Play
Immersive Memory Loss Simulators
Lost in the World Brings Alzheimer's Awareness to Gen Z Gamers
Horror Movie Tie-In Games
A Quiet Place is Receiving a Game on Modern Platforms
Mixed-Reality Bedtime Apps
Pillow is a Mixed-Reality App for Quest That Supports Relaxation in Bed
Eerie Film-Inspired Apps
The 'Welcome To The Afterlife Generator' Transforms Selfies
Gamified Education Platforms
Trust Wallet Has Introduced a New Feature Called Trust Wallet Quests
Dynamic Mobile Fashion Games
Tommy Hilfiger Unveils a New Mobile Fashion Game Called FashionVerse
Immersive 3D Fitness Games
Ergatta’s Latest Fitness Offering is the Wavelength Game
Virtual Reality Gameplay Chairs
The New Roto VR Explorer Chair Rotates with Virtual Movement
Casual Mini Games
This Online Hub Allows for Players to Easily Learn Engaging Games
Twisted Storytelling Games
Storiado is a Bizarre and Hilarious Alternative to Board Games
Comprehensive Math-Learning Experiences
Math Learner Uses Games to Make Math Fun for Young Kids
Exercise-Focused Gaming Apps
The Smart 5min x Suika Game is Entertaining and Beneficial
Screen Time Reduction Apps
BePresent Gamifies Limiting Phone Usage with Daily Challenges
Mobile Game Discovery Platforms
Nostra's 'Discovery' Makes Games Available from Phone Lockscreens
Competitive Live Games
April-8 Live Game Let's Players Challenge Friends Across The Globe
Unsettling Mystery Action Games
Blumhouse Games' 'Fear the Spotlight' is an Engaging Eerie Story
Distraction-Blocking Apps
The 'FlowBuddy' App Helps Users Cut Down on Screen Time
Haunting Gaming Adventures
The New Hauntii XBOX Game Is Super Mario Inspired
VR Track Racing Games
Micro Machines: Mini Challenge Mayhem Pushes Virtual Cars to the Limits
Digitized Life Goal Apps
Buckit Breaks Down Life Aspirations Into Achievable Goals
Gaming Ads-Inspired Video Games
D3 Publisher and Monkeycraft Present the Ironic Those Games
AI Dare Generators
AI Truth or Dare Puts a Personalized Twist on the Classic Game
Web-Based 3D Creation Engines
Anitya Seeks to Democratize Immersive Experience Development
Reality-Bending Car Ads
CarGurus Ad Features Melting Lego and Gourmet Chef Toddlers
Scannable Skincare Murals
The Ordinary's Interactive Augmented Reality Mural Promotes Bodycare
Web3 Sci-Fi Adventure Games
'Project Awakening' is a Web3 Game Set in the EVE Online Universe
AI Image Trivia
In Guess the AI, Players are Tasked with Finding the Word Within an Image
AI Storytelling Apps
The Storyteller Offers an Endless Supply of AI-Written Stories
Ad-Free Gaming Platforms
Subscrible's Latest Gaming Platform is Available on Mobile Devices
AI Financial Education Games
Go Boldly Empowers Players with Financial Tools and Tips
Dark Meditative Digital Games
The Crow Country Game is Inspired by Retro Classic Games
AI Roleplay Chatboys
DreamPal Lets Users Chat With Intelligent Personality-driven bots
Age-Inclusive Board Games
Hasbro Revamps its Classic Board Games to Accommodate Aging Consumers
Turn-Based Stylized RPGs
Sandfall Interactive Announced 'Expedition 33' at Xbox Games Showcase
Youth Movement Competitions
The PLEZi Absurdly Good Games Encourages Summer Activity
Work-Ditching Video Game Campaigns
Call of Duty's "Ghost Your Boss" Invites Players to Skip Work
Simplistic Dynamic Game Experiences
Joelle Tindall Created the Unique Touch Egg Game
Accessible Game Development Apps
CrazyGames Partnered with 'Struckd' to Enable In-Browser Creation
Slacking Support Tools
Office Slacker Helps Workers Pretend to Be Busy
VR Buildable Biome Games
LEGO Bricktales is an Immersive Adventure Puzzle Game
Extreme No-Excuse Fitness Apps
Workout Nightmare Blocks Websites Until the Workout is Finished
Socially Adept Gaming Robots
This Robot Offers Companionship & Conversation to Lonely Gamers
Personalized Bed Time Reading
BlissFable Lets Kids Be the Protagonists of Their Own Stories
Interest-Based Action Plans
Curiosity Quench is an App Transforming Passions Into Actionable Plans
Gamified Sustainability Platforms
The Carbon Games is an App that Makes Sustainability Competitive
Gamified Budgeting Apps
Bread Budgeting Makes Budgeting Fun By Integrating Challenges
Mixed Reality Intergalactic Games
The Cozy Custom Starship Home Game is for the Meta Quest 3
Web3 Action FPS Games
'MetalCore' is a Unique Blend of MMO and FPS Gameplay with Web3 Elements
Gamified Plastic Bottle Journeys
Last Bottle Takes Users on an Informative After-Recycling Journey
VR-Based First-Person Shooter Games
SGEntertec Debuts the Highly Anticipated Bounty City
Creativity-Supporting Art Apps
The 'Blank' App Uses AI to Create Custom Art Based on Prompts
Interactive Choice Wheels
Pick The Wheel Gamifies Decision Making While Making it Engaging
AI Word Challenge Games
AI Plays Wordle Challenges Users to Beat the Computer
Cozy Village Sim Games
The Tales of the Shire Game Helps Villagers Complete Tasks
Gamified Office Worker Exercises
Crouch Beat Encourages Workers to Get Up and Moving
Relaxing Brain Teaser Games
Sprinkle Words Takes a Non-Competitive Approach to Phone Games
AI-Powered Drawing game
Doodle Play Tasks Players to Use Strategy and Imagination
AI Accountability Companions
Tomo Cafe Gamifies Study and Work with a Friendly Anime Face
Senior-Focused Exergames
Ludica Health's 'LudoFit' Helps Adults Maintain Strength and Balance
Camera-Based Puzzle Games
'The Star Named EOS' is a Journey Centered Around Taking Photographs
Immersive Fighting Math Games
Karate Math Dojo Combines Fighting with Learning
Contemporary Classic Horror Games
Still Wakes the Deep Immerses Players in a Scary Game
Daily Brain Training Games
'10 Games: Daily Brain Training Offers a Suite of Cognitive Games
In-Car Gaming Systems
Volkswagen Will Feature AirConsole's Video Games in its Vehicles
AI-Generated Guessing Games
'Human or AI?' Tasks Players with Spotting the AI-Generated Image
Point-and-Click Escape Games
Escape Room Phantom Train Challenges Players with Stories and Puzzles
Conceptual Gamified Sleep Apps
'Sleep Quest' is an Early-Stage Gamified Sleep App for iOS
Word Search Phone Games
Word Hunter is a Vocabulary-Building Game for Your Phone
Smart Life-Planning Apps
Last Plannr is More Than a Traditional To-Do List
Gamified Task Management
MyTasking Gamifies Daily Tasks with AI Guidance for Enhanced Productivity
Virtual Table Top Games
TinyTable Combines the Joy of Table Top Games with Virtual Video Calls
Distraction-Limiting Apps
Shrewd Observer Helps You Live a More Disciplined Lifestyle
High-Motion VR Action Games
Attack on Titan VR Lets Players Hunt Massive Monsters in the Metaverse
Prehistoric Puzzle Games
'Block Puzzle in the Stone Age' Takes a Refreshing Twist on a Classic
City Exploration Apps
Concrete is a Social Exploration App Inviting Users to Discover Their City
Interactive Entertainment Board Games
MONOPOLY GO! Transforms Digital Mobile Game into Real Play
Practical Role-Playing Games
'Fantasian: Neo Dimension' is Built on Practical Environments
Stimulating Word Association Games
Worlds of Words Challenges Players to Think Outside the Box
Blockchain Gaming Platforms
Solana Labs Unveils a Tool to Streamline the Development of Web3 Games
Networking Platform In-App Games
LinkedIn is Working on Integrating Games to its Platform
Mentally Stimulating Game Collections
Fresh Words: Word Game Boasts Engaging and Challenging Games
Interactive AI Language Learning
Lantalk Integrates Interactive Role-Playing Games with AI
Bubble Tea Art Games
Call of Boba is a Fun Game where Players Sell Bubble Tea Drinks
Intentional Online Experiences
Slow Internet Takes Users Back to a More Enriching Online World
Strategic Running Gameplay
Battle Run Invites Joggers to Conquer Territories on Their Runs
Phone Puzzle Games
Word Search Game Offers Mental Stimulation with Word-Based Challenges
Custom AI Charades
This App Can Generate Fun Categories and Ideas Within Minutes
Pixel-Style Role-Play Games
Disney Adventures Into Pixel Gaming with its New Mobile Title
Social Gaming Calendars
ArcadeCal Helps Gamers Coordinate Their Gaming Sessions
Soothing Puzzle Games
Puzzle Odyssey Hosts a Collection of Games at Varying Levels
Creative Hollywood-Themed Games
'Greenlight' Tasks Players with Pitching Ideas to Studio Heads
Distracting-Blocking Apps
NoScroll Helps People Avoid Addicive Short Videos and Other Distractions
Indie Game-Adapted Movies
The El Paso, Elsewhere Game is Getting Turned into a Movie
Re-Imagined Adult Party Games
Fluttr Spin the Bottle Features 150 Naughty Challenges
Live Board Game Productions
Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern is Theatrically Interactive
Focus Group Simulators
This Tool Enables You to See a Product Through Thousands of Perspectives
Narrative Alien Simulations
Beyond Earth: Life Simulation is a Choose Your Own Adventure
Gamified Personal Goal Platforms
GoalQuest Transforms Goal-Setting into an Adventure
Captivating Maze-Solving Games
Maze Mastermind Tasks Players with Escaping in Less than 10 Moves
Adorable Goal-Setting Apps
CanGoal Keeps Users Engaged With Cute Characters