Are backlogs making replayability less important when choosing to buy a game?

Yes, backlogs and the fact that games are cheaper in general means that I don't mind if a game is only good for a single playthrough, as long as the playthrough is a fun one. Back in the early 90's, when games cost ~70-90€ over here (not accounting for inflation, in today's money that would be 106-136€ for a single game), you had to have some more lasting appeal to them, otherwise you would just end up feeling cheated.

I still factor it in because I also play on consoles, and games are pretty expensive for them so I only have a few, and can't afford to get many more, so I want to keep playing those few games I have.

On Steam I usually play 2-4 games a lot and work on my backlog a little, so games with high replayability I still play a lot and often. I do think I value replay less now, and replay games less now, but I think that's due to me actually having money to buy games now. Now I don't have to chose between Halo or Burnout and be able to only play that game until my birthday or Christmas, so If I only get a couple hours of enjoyment, I'm cool with that, as long as I feel I get my money's worth.

Yes, I've never replayed any of the 100+ games I completed on Steam

I've always hit a game, hit it hard, and done everything I wanted with it.
If that involves multiple playthroughs to do everything I want, then it involves multiple playthroughs.
Then I never play it again [multiplayer games aside].
(Note, sometimes it takes years and 40-odd playthroughs to 'finish' a game (I love you, VtM:B!)) :)

So the backlog explosion doesn't affect my play style at all- rather, it caters to it, and keeps me from idling time mindlessly replaying something I'd rather not, out of sheer boredom.

So: Replayability was never a factor for me in making purchasing decisions, and nothing has changed in that regard.

I've never been a big fan of replaybility because the very definition of replayability means that certain elements become repetitive.
(This only holds true in singleplayer games though, as when playing multiplayer games the fun comes from the social aspect and the randomness of the players.)
Since backlogs have become a larger problem my issue with replayability has only grown, and I am starting to have problems with even single-playthrough games that are simply way too big (10+ hours) so that it becomes more of a chore than enjoyable to fulfill them. Of course it depends of the general quality of the game.. some games are good at keeping you hooked all the way by constantly introducing new aspects, while others just drag on and on with the same mechanics.

And I'm here with my secondcharacter (but started with 4) in borderlands 2

I don't like to replay games and i'm not going to. There are some exceptions of course, but it's very rare.

I rarely replay something, so... I don't care.

I just check the game's data on howlongtobeat.com (or on steamcharts.com if it's a multiplayer)

I would not buy a game if the main attraction was replayability, but the secondary draw for Platinum Games' games is just that.
I have most of them and completed all multiple times, because they offer fairly unique gameplay.

Yes. Of course I like having so many cheap and great games to choose from but on the other hand it decreases their value dramatically -- not only the monetary but also the emotional. I "just don't have the time" to really really commit to a game because I also want to experience so many others. Experiences get devaluated.

Still... I haven't finished Morrowind yet and my first savegame is from 2013. I have spent so much time with this character and experienced so many things. I think, so far I have done around 80% of the things I want to.

So, while I feel myself being chased through every game, I still take my time to completely finish it and experience it as a whole. Nevertheless, this experience could be more enjoyable without this feeling of haste.

I've recently become annoyed at how big my backlog is and how many games I have that I'll probably just never play. Learn restraint with bundles early, people. With respect to replayability v backlog, it really depends on the game. I'm working on Arkham Origins right now and while I've gone for 100%ing all the other Arkham games, I'll probably be ok to just beat this once. I'm having fun so far (only about 5 hours deep) but I have too much other stuff to deal with. That being said I'll probably still spend a ton of time in Rocket League and Town of Salem despite my backlog. I do enjoy games I can go back to again and again.

Whats a backlog ?

Yes! I used to play every game 3-4 times when I was a kid! I used to have a crapton of time and no games! Now I have a crap ton of games but no time!! I actually prefer buying shorter games now and have started to see game lengths of 20+ hours as a con!

A very interesting topic and I'm honestly not sure how I feel...
My backlog is way too long... But that doesn't stop me from spending a stupid amount of time on any given game.

I am probably more likely to play a set length game to completion, but at the same point I am more excited by highly replayable games.

I think the end result is I am more likely to play a set length game from my backlog, but I am more likely to buy a replayable game...

I have always considered replayability when buying games, but yes, my backlog has diminished its importance.

I dunno, see, there are games in the backlog which are like "aww man, I can't wait to sink several hours into this and forget everything else" and also there are games like "yeah, I'll surely play this once when the stars align" When Alan Wake came out to pc I remember played it twice in a row and started it a third time I liked it so much. I didn't really care what was on my backlog back then, I just enjoyed the game immensely, and that's the only thing that mattered back then.

Yes and No.

Yes, you won't have an urge to replay a game if you know that you have many other ones to play instead. I can 100% confirm this theory, when I was a child and I had like 6 games, I played them all for a year or so, replayed everyone several times, and completed them at least in various different ways.

No, you'll still want to replay games you liked, regardless of the size of your backlog. I finished Witcher 3 two times now, and I plan on perhaps making my 3rd try, after new DLC comes out. This is usually the moment when you understand that the game is so good and entertains you so well, that other games are simply worse than your replay with that one. Life is limited, you can't play every game out there, therefore you need to maintain a priority queue and if replay of given game gives you fun, it's usually better choice than "trying" other games not being sure if you'll like them or not.

Not every game is possible to "replay" though. I don't mean physically, because physically you can replay anything, but most of those indie games and other low-budget ones are usually one-shots, even if you liked them. For example, I really liked Thomas Was Alone, but I know that I actually don't want to play it again.

It depends on the game. Generally I have not felt the need to replay a game for a long time, due to my backlog. But before I had the backlog, I used to replay my favorite games, not because I wanted to get the worth out of them, but because they were made so nicely I just had to experience them again. Its like I do with good books.. I reread them.

i love replying replaying games <3
but it doesn't have a higher priority for me when i have to choose between a new game or replay one.

even if they are linear, like deus ex hr. it makes replying replaying open world games easier and faster since you already know where and what to look for so you don't waste time, and you can try different builds/items.

yes, i also like replaying replying. :3

Yes. In fact, I wish there was no replayability. I don't like it how I sometimes feel like I want to replay games I've already finished when I should be playing new games.