As winter sets in and the festive lights go up, it's not just families and businesses that are winding down for a well-deserved break. In the world of video game journalism, even the tireless writers and editors at Rock Paper Shotgun (RPS) are locking up their virtual treehouse and steering into their holiday hiatus.
The team at RPS recently announced that they would be taking a break for the Christmas season. But it’s not just a simple step away from the keyboards; this break comes with a twist of a miscalculation. While the break seems well-timed for the chilly December period, they won't be returning until January 2, 2024, causing a humorous foresight into the inevitable struggle of dating documents in the new year—a sentiment most of us share as we transition from one year to the next.
Even as the RPS crew enjoy their holidays, they are not leaving their audience in a content lurch. They have proactively planned for this interval with content to keep their readers engaged. Notably, the site is set to release its Game of the Year 2023, a reveal that seems to be the worst-kept secret among its community but an eagerly anticipated announcement nonetheless.
Disappointment by some over the selections for the year’s Advent Calendar of games is met with the promise of RPS Selection Boxes—each staff member’s opportunity to shine a spotlight on games they believe deserve honorable mentions. These mentions, or 'hon. menchies' as they’re playfully termed, give readers a chance to discover potentially overlooked games during the days following Christmas.
Moving beyond just game recommendations, RPS is also diving into retrospectives that encapsulate the year. Whether it's revisiting the 'Bestest Best' reviews of the year, exploring standout features, or analyzing 2023 from a guides perspective, the team is committed to guiding readers through the year that was in gaming.
One unique aspect of their holiday content release is the decision to make Supporter-funded posts available to all readers. By visiting the 'From The Archive' tag, users will get access not only to newly unlocked supporter posts but to a wealth of other premium content previously exclusive to their supporters.
There's a lighter side to the content queue as well: the annual Christmas Crackers. Without spoiling the fun, the team hints at a collection of jokes so bad they're good, ready to drop throughout the break and provide a daily dose of holiday hilarity.
Yet amidst the programming of tweets and the scheduling of posts, there's a reflective tone as RPS bids the year farewell. The invitation to share game-related resolutions for 2024 in the comments section hints at community and engagement—a hallmark of RPS's relationship with its readers. The resolution of the staff to 'play more weird stuff' perhaps uncovers the essence of RPS's ethos, an enduring curiosity and passion for the intricate tapestry of the gaming industry.
As the lights of the virtual treehouse dim for now, there is an appreciation for the moments shared and experiences created. The Rock Paper Shotgun team extends heartfelt gratitude to their readers for being part of their 2023 journey. It's with festive cheer and open hearts they say, "Have a lovely few days, gang, and thank you for everything. See you next year!" And with that message, both readers and writers alike stand at the precipice of 2024, ready to unravel another year of gaming narratives, with the hope that the only hangovers to combat will be from too much gaming rather than New Year's Eve revelries.
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