How do you deal with your backlog?

I had to reinstall windows which means that I have to install all my games again and I decided to use that to deal with my backlog. I'll install only a few games that I'm currently interested in playing and once I finish them, I'll install new ones. I think you should choose a game that you want to play the most, finish it and the move to another one that you're interested in. Good luck!

Usually whatever I feel like, although sometimes I look at how much time I have for a relatively continuous gaming block and try to choose something that fits there.

I generally don't exactly go for this whole "obligatory backlog" thing (which seems to be the big thing, strangely enough). For me, it's more of a "play what you feel like playing right now" kind of thing, although I do dedicate some of my time to playing a selected few games, especially when I've won them on Steamgifts.

I'd suggest going by what feels more interesting/entertaining... however, if you're planning on playing everything, don't do this as you'll be stuck with the boring stuff on the long run. I sometimes play two or three simultaneous games, but that's probably not such a great approach if you actually want to finish them - it'll sidetrack you.

So what option do you have left? By category/type. Again, this may feel a bit tiresome after a while due to repeatedly playing games of the same genre.

Shorter to longer, or vice-versa, seems like a fair option, although you may get bored of the same "style" a short (or lengthy) game has. Most short games are in the same genre, and such is the same with longer games. After playing a few short games, you may feel like playing something more... consistent? In any case, this seems like a smarter choice than the other.

I voted for "By interest/game type", but my honest advice? Vary. Finish one game, then try to pick something semi-randomly. I suggest making a short list of games you want to play, and go through it randomly, finishing each game.

I'm a member of backlog assassins here
different lists for games that take certain amount of hours to complete (if I don't feel to get into a huge game or medium game I pick something that I can beat in a couple of hours). I have also lists where I select games that I wan't to play next to narrow down what to play (usually games that I really want to play). I try to play at least 5 games a month (totally arbitrary number) and I usually is 3 smaller games (short or medium) and two larger games. So far this approach works well

As for finishing games I have no problem there (I am close to a completionist), but I still draw the line if the games does not interest that much or it is senseless grinding that takes hours and hours.

Start an "attack plan". Most people here, myself included, use BLAEO for that. It can be silly like playing in alphabetical order or the usual batches.
I'd recommend you to start with smaller games, so you get hooked on beating games faster. Besides, they're easier to stop and pick up again without losing grip of the story imo. Also, keep adding games that must be played in a set amount of time, in between. It helps adding some flavor and you don't forget them.
Playing more than one game at once can work, but it's risky. It might make you bored and unmotivated easier.

I Installed 7 games "for playing" + 3 "for playing/farming inventory items". Don't install new games, while i finish any 3 of 7 games "for playing" 😄

I usually have several "small" games installed. Something that doesnt really have a story (Dirt Rally, ETS) or is some indie type of game. Something you can play around for half an hour and leave it at that. And one or two big games. That has captivating and long story or just has awesome gameplay - some FPS or 3rd person RPG. Love those.. (e.g. right now - Rise of the tomb rider and Shadow of Mordor)

And driving around a lot on weekdays I dont really get time to get on my PC. But I have my laptop with me. Its quit old and not really powerful, so nothing much runs on it. I use that to finish some older games or not that requiring performance wise.

I tried the "play only one game at a time until you beat it" thing, and while it worked for diminishing my backlog, I started to have less fun as time went on. I'd start playing a game, and then a bit later I'd want to play something else, and making myself focus only on that first game made me begin to resent it, even if I tried using the other game as a reward. It got to where I didn't even want to play games because I'd have to play that one.

So now I play whatever I want to play. My backlog isn't shrinking as much (especially since "what I want to play" seems to be 50+ hour games a lot of the time XD), but I'm having more fun. And one way I try to make my backlog smaller is this: If I go too long without playing a game I've started, and I still have no interest when I notice and contemplate playing it, it goes in a separate "Stalled" category. It's not technically complete, but I consider it as such for the sake of my backlog.

I dont have a backlog... I just play w/e I want which often means.. replaying games or focusing on online games.

Slowly. Very slowly.

slowly.

I don't. I just play CK II.

I firstly beat short agames, and then beat long RPGs (like Witcher 3, Fallour 4).

I outline q couple of parameters, say maybe "20-30 hours, single player only, no difficulty related achievements", "rogue like, short runs, pick up and play" or "dedicated grind, co-op enabled" depending on what takes my fancy at the time and then have friends suggest games that fit. I'll play those games until I've beaten the game or feel it's done if it doesn't have a traditional ending. If a given game really grabs me I'll keep at it till it's as complete as I can get it. Other stuff I'll uninstall and go back to at a later date. If I really don't enjoy something I'll just shelve it and pick something else, though that doesnt mean I won't give it another go sometime down the line.

Why not start with your won games? And if you want to try it by starting small/short games first, use HowLongToBeat or Astats.

Slowly. Slooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooowly, and usually they multiply by that time D:
I usually try to prioritize SG wins to gifted games, and those to the remaining bought ones, but it's quite stupid tbh. It's good to take the first look at my wins when I'm indecisive, but to actually play it - no. Playing what grabs your attention and you're curious is a faster and more enjoyable way than forcing yourself to start with one pile. So I'm not always doing what I feel like I should be doing, making myself way too slow with my backlog.

I always play only 2 games at a time + cs. It works fine for me to complete all games. I don't like to play more than 2 "story" games at once because I just end up leaving one behind, and then forgetting what's going on in the game and even some controls. I also don't like to think I have a "backlog", I just have some reserve games to play when I finish the ones I'm playing.

It's still there waiting for me, I'm goint through it slowly but steady. My problem is I need a new Hard drive, no more free space on my desktop computer so have to install just a couple of games, play them and go for other two, but it's sloooow. Nowadays games eat so much hard drive space.

first by wins on steamgifts, because it's rude to not play and finish them.
then gifts, same reason for wins.
last i put all the games i bought or got for free, unless i buy something i wana play immediately (if i ever do this again, like a preorder).

category doesn't affect me a lot, unless i already beat all my wins which are top priority for me.

I do the fairly well-known "batch" method on BLAEO.

I go through my backlog titles and throw together whatever gives me a warm fuzzy at the time I make the list. Then I more or less play that group of games until finished. The list sometimes gets modified a few days/weeks later when some of the unplayed titles don't give me that fuzzy anymore, so I swap in new ones.

The tougher part can be trying to find a balance: not all the same type of game, make sure to throw SG wins into each batch, try to have at least one big game and one smaller one, pick games that are part of BLEAO themes, etc. My batches typically align with playing those titles within a calendar month, but it doesn't always work out.