diff --git a/redbot/core/core_commands.py b/redbot/core/core_commands.py
index 8a037535c..918af1235 100644
--- a/redbot/core/core_commands.py
+++ b/redbot/core/core_commands.py
@@ -1077,13 +1077,21 @@ class Core(commands.Cog, CoreLogic):
     async def _game(self, ctx: commands.Context, *, game: str = None):
         """Sets [botname]'s playing status"""
 
-        if game:
-            game = discord.Game(name=game)
+        if len(game) > 128:
+            await ctx.send("The maximum length of game descriptions is 128 characters.")
         else:
-            game = None
-        status = ctx.bot.guilds[0].me.status if len(ctx.bot.guilds) > 0 else discord.Status.online
-        await ctx.bot.change_presence(status=status, activity=game)
-        await ctx.send(_("Game set."))
+            if game:
+                game = discord.Game(name=game)
+            else:
+                game = None
+            status = (
+                ctx.bot.guilds[0].me.status if len(ctx.bot.guilds) > 0 else discord.Status.online
+            )
+            await ctx.bot.change_presence(status=status, activity=game)
+            if game:
+                await ctx.send(_(f"Status set to ``Playing {game.name}``."))
+            else:
+                await ctx.send(_("Game cleared."))
 
     @_set.command(name="listening")
     @checks.bot_in_a_guild()
@@ -1097,7 +1105,10 @@ class Core(commands.Cog, CoreLogic):
         else:
             activity = None
         await ctx.bot.change_presence(status=status, activity=activity)
-        await ctx.send(_("Listening set."))
+        if activity:
+            await ctx.send(_(f"Status set to ``Listening to {listening}``."))
+        else:
+            await ctx.send(_("Listening cleared."))
 
     @_set.command(name="watching")
     @checks.bot_in_a_guild()
@@ -1111,7 +1122,10 @@ class Core(commands.Cog, CoreLogic):
         else:
             activity = None
         await ctx.bot.change_presence(status=status, activity=activity)
-        await ctx.send(_("Watching set."))
+        if activity:
+            await ctx.send(_(f"Status set to ``Watching {watching}``."))
+        else:
+            await ctx.send(_("Watching cleared."))
 
     @_set.command()
     @checks.bot_in_a_guild()