I'd probably pick some addicting grinding game without much story to make me think like puzzle quest or diablo style. Or a MMORPG - but then I'd have a hard time tearing myself away to actually go out and look for another job.

I have been out of work for a little over a month now; at a little over two years I was one of the longest lasting employees with the highest production numbers / lowest QA issues.

Fuckers fired me two days before new years, chicken shit bastards even tried to call me up and fire me over the weekend but I didn't get the message and came in to work anyway.

Still looking for work, it is infuriating how places want highly specific experience but no one is willing to train or work with someone who would need to be trained.

Yeah, that's why I was thinking something short, something that could just take up one whole weekend, get his mind off of things and let some time pass so the reality sets in a bit, and then free him up to do what will relieve the most stress of all, and that's finding another job.

If you like any of the Civilizations (I like IV), I would say fire up a new game of Civ IV, set it to marathon speed (makes the game take 1500 turns, a really long one) and just get lost in that world for the weekend, then come out fresh and ready to kick ass next week.

Sorry to hear your bad news. I know it's not easy but hopefully you'll find another job quickly. It's hard to know what game to recommend - maybe a good RPG to immerse yourself in.

Two games immediately spring to my mind:

First one is called: "Saving money" (Subtitled: "I won't spend money, I will need for more important things, on games right now!";

Second one is called: "Find a new job, quickly!" (Subtitled:"Instead of wasting time with playing games right now, I will put the next three months to a better use and find myself a new job!"

And no - I'm not kidding!
There are certain priorities in life - and games are at the bottom of the list - not on top.

Postal / Postal 2?

That sucks. I suggest playing something with obviously quadratic/exponential elevls and ever-increasing awesome, such as Defender's Quest or Heroes III. Alternatively, go cyberpunk on them by proxy with Shadowrun or Deus Ex.

Unrelated to games, educate yourself on the available safety net options asap and how to apply for them, the apply as soon as you're eligible. Are you paying a mortgage? See if you can renegotiate the conditions and research what the consequences of trying to renegotiate are. Do you have free medical insurance through your employer? Schedule as many free doctor visits as possible asap. Stay in contact with everyone else who's being made redundant; you might be able to advise or recommend each other for jobs.

I'm really sorry to hear this, but at least you have 3 months notice, my company was purchased 5 years ago and the company that purchased us, just closed many offices with no notice at all. Personally, I like immersive crpgs like Neverwinter Nights, Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale or Might and Magic 6, 7, 8.

I hope you find another job quickly. :)


edit - The Space Quest series is also very funny.

Can you not go on an actively political / social rampage against our unelected government instead?

Ninja'd... by about 9 hours. :p

By the way, if you really want to experience an awesome feeling, find a new job as quickly as possible, and then start it IMMEDIATELY, no notice, nothing. (In the US, it's customary, but not legally required, for employees to give two weeks notice before leaving but when said employer has no loyalty to you, you owe none back to them.)

It's a brief feeling, but boy does it feel really good for awhile. To just walk in and get your things and wish them good luck finishing up all the little odd jobs they had you in mind for completing.

I suggest the Capitali$m games, learn how to become a corporate raider yourself, buy the company and make the people responsible for your predicament work for long hours and minimum wages and if they don't like it, say they can always quit their jobs. =P

No Carmageddon mentioned yet? What's wrong with you, homicidal maniacs?