It’s important for their mental enrichment.

Don’t forgot the Blitzchung Hong Kong scandal - Blizzard has really gone from scandal to scandal the last few years.

I loved discovering all the little quirks of the character skins - I remember the stone golem was immune to fire.

The games industry is shrinking post COVID boom, companies expanded massively to try to capitalise on that and now the money isn’t there anymore. The games industry is always bad for layoffs, with staff being seen as an unnecessary expense post project in many cases. Additionally the tech sector is experiencing a unheard of levels of bad year (something like a 700%+ percent increase in layoffs according to at least one research group) which is contributing.

Less competition for their farmers/Shortages mean higher grain prices.

I used to play dnd with an astronaught

I’m similar, except I collect rpg books and I’m 30. I haven’t sat down read a paper book properly in years, I just don’t have the attention span (thanks undiagnosed ADD). But I keep collecting because it brings me joy to do so and I enjoy the thrill of the chase going through second hand bookshops looking for deals.

These sort of hobbies are also great for bringing together like minded people, like you and your friend, so there are additional social benefits to them too if you’re looking for that. This is something Ive come to really come to appreciate more as I’ve aged and fallen out of contact with school friends and it gets harder to meet new people outside of your social circle.

Sorry for the ramble but I guess my main point is to ask yourself whether it brings you joy to continue collecting or not and if it doesn’t maybe to hold off for a few months and check back in with yourself then as you may feel different.