Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast - Official Game Awards 2021 Predictions - Kinda Funny Gamescast

Episode Date: November 24, 2021

Go to http://expressvpn.com/kindafunny to get an extra 3 months on a 1-year package. Go to http://purple.com/kindafunny10 and use code kindafunny10 to get 10% off any order of $200 or more. Go to http://upstart.com/kindafunny to find out if Upstart can lower your monthly payments. Tim, Andy, and Blessing predict the winners and losers of The Game Awards 2021 from Deathloop, It Takes Two, Metroid Dread, Returnal, Final Fantasy XIV, Pokemon Unite, and everything in between. Epic Creator Code: KindaFunny Time Stamps: 00:00:00 - Start 00:02:15 - Housekeeping 00:04:30 - Sekiro: Demon of Hatred 00:16:00 - The Game Awards Predictions/Esports Game Awards 00:22:19 - Most Anticipated Game Prediction 00:24:00 - Best Debut Indie 00:29:07 - Best Multiplayer 00:34:33 - Best Sim/Strategy 00:40:22 - Best Family Game 00:45:18 - Best Fighting Game 00:48:24 - Best RPG 00:50:41 - Best Action/Adventure 00:53:56 - Best Action Game 01:00:49 - Best Community Support 01:02:16 - Best Mobile Game 01:05:20 - Best Indie Game 01:06:36 - Best Ongoing 01:09:40 - Games for Impact 01:11:06 - Best Performance 01:15:18 - Best Audio Design 01:19:21 - Best Score and Music 01:21:03 - Best Art Direction 01:23:20 - Best Narrative 01:27:30 - Best Game Direction 01:32:31 - Game of the Year Follow The Gamescast Team On Twitter: Tim Gettys: https://twitter.com/TimGettys Andy Cortez: https://twitter.com/TheAndyCortez Blessing Adeoye: https://twitter.com/BlessingJr Barrett Courtney: https://twitter.com/SadBoyBarrett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's up and welcome back to the kind of funny games cast. I don't know if it was just me, but that intro sounded really, really loud for me. Was it loud for you guys? I think I have the stream volume a little bit lower than normal. Gotcha, gotcha. Yeah, I have it like 85. I have it loud. That makes a lot of sense.

That scared me, but not as much as when Blessing turned his camera on earlier. I don't even know if he heard us because he didn't have his headphones on yet, but he turned his camera on, he didn't have his glasses on, and he just looked like his eyes. Like you just saw light. Like, Mike Hyam and walked into his bedroom and had just shaken him awake. It was, it was really funny. It's like when your friend like wakes up at the at the slumber party because they fell at sea first and they're just like really out of it.

And they're like, what's up, man? It's all good. I wasn't asleep. Hey, you're good. Yeah, I'm a lot. Yeah. Yeah. I had like a really sleepy couple of days.

Like Sunday I slept pretty much the whole day. And then like yesterday I was working pretty much the whole day. And then today I was like, dude, I need I need sleep. I need to rest after yesterday. So I was taking it at right before this. But I didn't realize that I was looking all disheveled in one. I love it. I love it so much.

Of course, I'm Tim Geddes and I'm joined by the new face of video games blessing at E.O. Ye, Jr. I'm back with another tea in my Rick and Morty Cup. This time, it is green tea classic from Bigelow. And I rated a strong 8 out of 10. Wow. Fantastic. What's the tea at Ti-O-Yea? What's the tea at Ti-T-O-Y?

That's really good. It doesn't work that great. I liked it. I liked it. Of course, that voice is the nitro rifle, Andy Cortez. You know, the holidays are almost here, Tim.

I'm just, I'm at half capacity, but I could still come up with gold, you know. Yeah, yeah, the Andy Cortez way. You'll love to see it. I would give you an award, a game award if I could.

Because this episode, we are predicting the game awards 2021. How is it 2021? That's insane to say. How's at the end of 2021? Whatever. Who cares? This is the kind of funny games cast.

You can get it on. YouTube.com slash kind of funny games or roosterteeth.com. It's where we get together, talk about video games and all the things we love about them. But if you wanted to just listen to us as a podcast search, your favorite podcast service for Kind of Funny Gamescast and we'll be right there for you. If you wanted to get the show ad free, if you wanted to watch it live as we record it. And if you want the exclusive post show where normally we play a really fun game called Bless Who. And guess what?

We're doing it after this episode. You got to go to Patreon.com slash Kind of Funny Games, just like our Patreon producers, Pranksy, Tyler Ross, Delaney Twining, Julian the Gluten Free Gamer, Alex J. Sandoval, Techie Haas, James Hastings, Casey Andrew, and Pranksy.

We appreciate all of you, so very, very much. If you don't have a dollar to toss our way, that's totally cool. You're out there, you're buying video games. You're all nimbly, bimbley. And if you're doing that on the Epic Game Store, make sure you use our creator code,

kind of funny on all Epic Store and Epic Indgame purchases like Rocket League and Fortnite and soon to be, Harmonics games as of today's news to help support kind of funny. Of course, we have a bunch of housekeeping for you, really just letting you know we're taking a bunch of days off for the Thanksgiving break. So there won't be that much content coming your way. But on the game side of things, we do have the kind of funny Xcast coming your way. Barrett, have we decided what day it's posting?

It's just going to go up on its normal day on Saturday. So when you're feeling all nimbly bimbley on a Saturday morning, go listen to the Xcast. That's what you want to do. What you got to do. But yeah, we won't be here. But there is a ton of content to catch up on over on YouTube.com slash kind of funny, including our amazing Spider-Man 2 rewatch. And for everybody asking what the content's going to look like, when we return,

we will be doing the Hawkeye 1 and 2 review on screencast. We will be doing the Matrix 1 in review. And then we'll get back into the Spider-Man rewatches with Homecoming. Very excited about all that. And that'll mark the return of both Andy and Bless together on Spider-Man rewatches. different reasons they've had to bounce off the last couple episodes. So that'll be a fun little spider reunion with Anthony Carboni. But today we're talking about the Game Awards.

Before we get to the predictions, I want to talk about the 2019 game of the year winner at the Game Awards, Sekaro, because Andy just beat the Demon of Hatred boss, which is cool as fuck. Tell me all about it. It's an optional boss near the end of the game. and I was warned by many people, including Tamora Hussein from GameSpot and Giant Bomb and kind of funny. I was about to get to the final boss and TAMS and everybody in the Twitch chat is saying,

Andy, demon of hatred, demon and I'm like, I think I know what this is. I think I've heard Fran Mirabella talk about the demon of hatred before. And Tams said, Andy, if you want my honest advice, don't do it. It's a very, very hard boss and it will only sour your feelings towards the game. So just fight the final boss, maybe go back to the, to demon of hatred when you're done. And I said, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool. And for viewers right now, you're watching when I rage quit the stream, because that was around hour four and a half of me fighting the demon of hatred. Oh, my God.

I told Twitch chat to him, you know what, I'll give it 10 tries. I'll if I you know whatever happens I'll go fight the final boss I'll just I'll move on mm-hmm but when you have the tendency to hyper fixate and hyper focus on things Tim you next thing you know it's four in the morning and you are quitting a stream because of how mad you are my god I just realized like what had happened here to yeah so I have a resurrection left and I have the boss on their final life which is the only boss that has three lives there's another boss that has three lives but I get It's really easy to kind of cheese that.

I have my final resurrection left. I resurrect as this fire ground thing is occurring below me. Oh, no, that's a bummer. And I'm like, nope, nope, not doing that anymore. And I just turn off the camera. I shut everything down. I just quit the stream. And then I talked about how true gamers overcome.

And I'm not going to let Fran Mirabella beat a boss and not me. Yeah. That was really the main motivation. he was my my my north star there guiding me so i continued on for an extra hour tim took me about five and a half hours total wait the same night you didn't stop that night nope oh my god i ended the stream and i kept on playing off stream i hit record immediately and kept on going with the footage uh and it was it was harrowing tim it was exhausting i can't imagine because i remember getting to the demon hatred

after I beat the final boss of Sechro looking at it and going, nah, I'm good. I'm not doing this. Because like the final boss of Sechro took me a while. That took me a solid maybe three to four hours to actually beat. And that was another harrowing boss that has a lot of phases. And

you know, has like a... Each phase is very different from the last with that boss to the extent where by the time I finished that boss, I felt like I had just gone through something. And I was like, dude, this is the peak Sekiro experience. Like, I don't I don't need anything to push me further. And when you get to the demon of hatred,

the thing about the demon of hatred is that they kind of have a different form, right? Like, Sekiro, many of the bosses are like kind of like duels where it is, you know, characters that are... Yeah, there are a humanoid, where it is like sword fights

and it is like the countering stuff. You have other bosses, right? You have guardian ape that is bigger and a little bit more mobile. And Demon of Hatred is probably closer to a guardian ape than like a Genitro or a smaller boss fight. But when I looked at Demon of Hatred,

and I saw like the kind of boss demon hatred was going to be. And knowing, like, I think I was, I was streaming it as well. Chat was telling me how difficult it was. And I think I may have had Amron or Tam or somebody in my ear as well telling me like, hey, this is going to be a difficult one. I looked at it and I was just like, it's optional, right? All right. I'm not here.

I don't need to face this thing. I don't need to prove myself. Yeah, the demon of hatred. A lot of people have issues with it, Tim, because like Bless was mentioning, it, they straight up throw a bloodborne boss into Sekiro. and it's a very different fighting style. you are fighting it like you fight a souls or a blood-borne boss where you're kind of getting underneath you trying to get behind it, just slash it it while it hits you.

And it has a very, very different attack pattern. And I think the thing that fucked me up the most was the fact that the attacks that it throws at you are so random and you could go six attempts without seeing a certain attack and you go, oh, fuck, I forgot you did that because I've just not been looking out for that move. it is such a difficult fight and a lot of it is just me not remembering the next move it's going to do and going God I'm a fucking idiot

but it was a blast like this did not ruin the experience for me I know that was Tam's worried that I was gonna because there's a moment before you fight because you did it well no there's a moment before you fight another optional boss that you have to take on a mini boss you've already fought with another added dude and the added dude, in addition to this minibus,

was some of the most tilted I've ever been in video games. And to where it just felt cheap and annoying, and I'm not having fun with it. With this boss, I'm learning the moves and I'm trying to execute them perfectly, and it felt really good to eventually do. But even now, I look back at that other mini boss with the extra dude and go and fuck that encounter.

Like, I hate that. And the next boss took me even longer, and I still said, fuck that encounter with the mini boss and the other dude. So, like, the thing about a lot of Sekiro bosses is that they will challenge you a lot skill-wise and reaction-wise. But I never feel mad at the game, really. It's mostly just me going, God damn it, that fucking move I haven't seen in a while. I've got to remember that. And, again, you feel so triumphant when you take down one of these big-ass bosses. and now I just have the final boss left that Bless is telling me.

And if that takes two or three hours, two other bosses have taken around two hours. So I won't be too surprised by that. But this one taken five and a half was definitely a holy shit. That was a long time. I'd say it was closer to like under five because I, for a while I went to go grind and try to get some other item that helps you out a lot. And I didn't use those items for the rest of the way.

And I know the comments are like, dude the umbrella the fire umbrella bro and I'm like I know man I just didn't know I didn't have the money to buy that to upgrade to it and watching the videos of people using the correct items it looks so easy and I'm like god I'm a fucking idiot I love it I there is nothing that makes me happier about your rise as a gamer the last couple years than this whole kind of like the soul's emergence that we've had because like I just you're a true ass motherfucker fucking gamer out here doing the damn thing you you said you said 10 tries you're going to go 10 tries estimate how many tries do you think you ended up doing about 120 holy shit see i love how that works with games because sure you have your souls i have my cup head everybody has their thing right but it always goes that way where you're like you tell yourself cool 10 i'm a limited to 10 but then once that 10's up you're like okay cool i'm just going to do a couple more but the next thing you know you're telling yourself just another 10 more and it's so funny how that initial amount somehow just becomes the new quantity that you just add to

to your next attempt and you're like, okay, fine. Well, I'm going to multiply it by five, 50 more tries. It's like the thing of I've come this far, right? Like, that's the thing that works for me whenever I'm playing Secker. Like, Seckerow is probably, is, I say this all the time. It's one of my, if not my favorite combat system in a game because it is so addicting and how well it flows and how much it incentivizes you to like, it's not about getting out the way or dodging as much as it is about like figuring out a way to close in the distance

and like get in those counters and build up that meter and get in, get, up close and personal with the opponent. And so, like, for me, when I approached that final boss, I was like, cool, let's see. All right, like, I know it's going to be tough. I know it's going to be difficult. Like, I'm kind of stressing this a little bit. Let me just give it a few tries.

And at the, at the, around like the fourth or fifth try, you know, I have the moment where I'm like, man, I was going to hop off, but I made it this far. Let me see if I can make it past this phase. Yeah, I got momentum. Let me see if I can just get this phase. And you get to the next phase. And it's like, okay, let me just see what this next phase is.

Oh, damn, this phase is kind of difficult. oh, but like, okay, I'm starting to see repetitive moves. Okay, I'm starting to see the strats here. All right, let's see if I can push through this phase. And there's something about that process that is so gratifying. And I think, Andy, for you, coming out of Demon of Hatred, the final boss in the game is going to be a breath of fresh air because it is kind of wrapping back around to the Sekiro that you know.

And I think going through the harrowing fight of Demon of Hatred is going to put you in a better place to kind of withstand and be down for the struggle of that final boss fight. And so, like, I think so. I think that's because my character has gotten stronger because of fighting the demon and hatred. Like I was able to level them up a bit. I say 120 attempts to him, but there was about legitimately 40 or 50 tries where I get hit in the first phase and I go, fuck it.

Restart. Yeah. Yeah. That counts though, but also that doesn't count as a full try. That's when you start getting that headspace of 10 more. Fuck it. 10 more real ones.

Yeah. Oh, yeah. Let's throw that one out the window. My thing with Demon Hatred too, Andy, is that, like, I think the thing that made me shut off my game as soon as I saw it. And, like, I did do like three tries before I was like, okay, cool. Yeah, I'm really not going to do this. It reminded me a bit of Orphan of Cause from Bloodborn. And Orphan of Cause was a boss fight that had me, I think, half tilted.

But also, when I beat Orphan of Cause, I had never felt anything like it where I was like, you motherfucker, I did it. I killed you. I beat you. And it's the thing of there are enough, like, for, to. for people who are unaware of Orphanacost, orphan of Koss is the final boss fight of the blood-of-the-blood-of-the-bloodin DLC. And it is a grueling boss fight. That boss has,

one, that boss is like a bit, like bigger. Like they're humanoid somewhat, but they are kind of like a fucked up human that is a bit taller than you. It's swinging its own placenta, Tim. That's what it's swinging. Yes. Like it is, it is equipped with its own placenta.

And with that, it has big reach. And that is the thing that fucks you up. And with that, it has big reach. It has huge reach with this. Alcenta. And so, like, dude, you'll be dodging back and forth.

You'll be dodging left and right. And, like, it will find ways to connect with you in ways where you're like, what am I supposed to do with this? Like, you, like, the way in which the orphan of cause boss fight forces you to dodge in certain angles that, like, you wouldn't have thought about before. Like, the strap for me became, okay, I got to always dodge to, like, the front left or to the front right instead of dodging back. Because with that, with the back dodge, orphan of cost sweeps.

You're going to get you no matter where you go. Yeah. Like, you got to find the eye frames. You got to really think about not only dodging at the right time, but dodging at the right angle. And then figuring out how are you going to close in? Because orphan of caution, you're not careful, will not give you the chance to close in. I have a very important question. In this fight on the floor is this cause right here that this is the orphan of.

Yeah, that's like the big whale body mom thing, I think. I forget the exact lore. It's like causes cause them, right? It's been so long since Emeran explained all this to me. Yeah, it's been a lot as I watched the lore. I'll brush back up on my Vati video lore. I can't wait to face that boss blast when I play the Blue Point Remaster coming in 2023 exclusive scoop. Game of the year, 2023 at the Game Awards, right?

We'll see. Oh, yeah, that's right. That's right. Yeah. Now, with that beautiful transition, I want to get right into our predictions for the Game Awards 2021. one, we're just a couple weeks away. Every year we do this, we have fun. We write down our predictions of who we think is going to win.

Mind you, these are our predictions of who we think is going to win, not who we want to win. And if we want to add that, we can say that. But what I'm going to write down from each one of us is who we think is going to win. And we will see who is right at the end of the day in just a couple weeks. It's so fun, though. It's going to be so hard. Especially this year, man.

The game awards just keep getting, I feel like, harder and harder to predict with this type of stuff. because more and more varied outlets vote, and even the big dog outlets are more varied in its employment and who has a say than ever in what actually ends up being the game award winner. So there are, I think, a shit ton of categories. I'm not even going to say. I think there's 30. Okay, okay.

But we're not going to do all of them because some of them are just things that we are not equipped to even try to predict. So we'll talk as a group about which ones those are and we'll go forward sports coach I give it to Andy Cortez exactly exactly our brawl in that tournament what us what a snub Jesus Christ so starting at the at the end of how they're showing these here best e-sports event best e-sports coach best e-sports team best esports athlete best e-sports game we'll start with give athletes a tens give athletes to Tens. Tens?

I believe Tens will win an athlete. Gotcha. Okay, that's the name of an athlete. Gotcha. Oh, got it. There we go. Tens of the Z. That's the Andy Quartet.

You don't think, you don't think Simp is going to run away with it, Andy? I only say Tens because Valerant, this was Valerant's coming out year, where they legitimately popped off with a massive amount of viewers throughout all of their different championship tournaments.

And Tens is, easily the most popular esports athlete because not only he's incredible at the game, very, very popular on TikTok and also dating a content creator at 100 Thieves.

So there's a lot of crossover right there. I want to recognize him. It clicked when you said he's popular on TikTok and is dating a content creator. I've seen many of those TikToks. Yeah, he's dating Kai Day from 100 Thieves. And they're a very, very popular young couple in the gaming world.

he's also just incredible the game and he's just super funny and personable and yeah he's i i would say he would win just because of i think his name is going to be more easy to recognize amongst a lot of people who maybe don't even necessarily know a lot about esports i do appreciate that in that category there's both a sim and a simple so yes yeah i also one of my favorite parts of the nominee special for game awards where jeff keely had to go through and read all the all the things and he got to best esports athlete and he like just directly says into the camera simp with like his full chest and I love it. All right.

So first one that I think that we're all qualified to at least give our predictions on best e-sports game. Y'all feel good about that? Mm-hmm. Okay. Yeah. Category goes for the game that has delivered the best overall e-sports experience to players inclusive of tournaments, community support, and content updates, irrespective of genre or

platform, call of duty, counter strike global offensive, Dota 2, League of Legends, or Valerite. I believe this is going to be Valorind. And I say that only because the obvious winner would be League of Legends. I think the voters will say League has won enough in the past. And this is the first year that Valence kind of having this, this big sort of debut. So I would give it to Valerent. Yeah, I agree for the exact same reasons.

Essentially, like you, I think you look at these other games. And when it comes to a category like this, I think the thing you, ask yourself is what game did something stand out this year and Valerant is the game that came out last year and like I think I think for that for it to come out and also be a really good game and to have an audience that is there for it and it being such a hardcore FPS I think it's an easy one for it. Yeah, Lee Legend's still the more popular esport. Totally. But I think this is the year that people say all right, LeBron won enough MVP's give it to somebody else, you know. And I also think the fact that it, it, it's give it to

to somebody else is giving it to the same person under a different name, right? It's Riot Games. And I think that that's kind of the biggest thing is the industry right now, especially, I think really wants to celebrate Riot for its successes. So I think Valeran makes a lot of sense. I think that League and Dota, like Andy was saying, have kind of had their wins before. Valorin feels kind of fresh and new.

And Call of Duty, I think just it isn't quite in this esports game category in a lot of people's minds, even though it is wildly popular. it still definitely is, you know, one of the most streamed things, most watch things, all that. I just think that, especially given the landscape, I don't imagine a lot of people are going to want to vote for that. So, yeah, Val. Tim, by the way, Tim and Bless and Bear, do you all watch Arcane yet? Episode one. It's incredible, dude.

Holy fuck. You finish episode three and you're like, fuck, this is amazing. Like, it's so cool. I don't know anything about the lore. I know some people think that might affect your viewing experience. It does not. It is just as amazing if you're not into, well, you get more out of it if you know about League of Legends and the

world of Rune Terra but God damn what a fucking show I'm watching it for the fighting game at this point like I like watching the gameplay I was like oh I'm getting into this game and so Arcane is going to be my gateway into that they got an MMO on the way bless and like they just wait they just released like an RPG too I saw this today like Rewonters the the something king the Rune King the Rune King yeah but that's a it's a turn base like RPG Like, give me a top-down case. The death loop related.

That's the closest I've gotten to anything arcane related. Mm-hmm. There you go. There we go. Most anticipated game, recognizing an announced game that is demonstrably illustrated potential to push the gaming medium forward. Eldon Ring, God of War, Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, the sequel to the Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild or Starfield.

Is this one fan voted? It is, and I'm going, Eldon. Ring, baby. I, yeah. It won last year. It won last year. It was the one kind of thing that happened where everybody said,

what the fuck is Eldon Ring? But that's how hardcore the fans are. And I, I don't know how much of it is only fan voted. Like, what's the weighted? I feel like this, I feel like this one is the most that's weighted for

Vanfo's. Yeah. Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised with Eldon Ring, especially with like how imminent it is as well. And like that one last year. and there were still so little to be known about it, right? And I think because that's coming so early in the year, I think people are just super fucking high off of it,

especially because of the previews that y'all just went through as well. I'm going to get weird. I'm going to say the sequel to the Legend of Zelda, Breath of the Wild. I don't even think that's weird. I think that's my vote for sure. Yeah. I mean, yeah, that's my, it's my personal pick. And yeah, I think, I don't know.

Like, I think we feel somewhat closer to that game now, even though it still doesn't have a release date. but it feels closer than it was last year, right? And so maybe that does something to the vote. Who knows? You aren't wrong when you say it's still closer. I don't know. I don't know that it feels any closer that it did last year.

If I'm being honest. Man, I hope it comes out next year. You know, Tim, switch mine to Breath of the Wild. Okay. This is like when you order the fajitas and like, you know, somebody else at the table sees them bringing out the fajitas to another table. And they're like, oh, shit.

You want to actually switch mine. That sizzle plate, baby. Yeah, making them sounds. Best debut indie for the best debut game created by a new independent studio. The Artful Escape from Beethoven and Dinosaur slash Anapurna. The Forgotten City from Modern Storyteller slash Dear Villagers. Kana Bridge of Spirits from Ember Lab. Sable from Shedworks slash Ralfury, Valheim from Iron Gate Studio slash Coffee Stain.

I wanted to be The Forgotten City so bad. It's my personal pick and it's a pick that I think would really deserve it. But my gut tells me that it's going to be Canna Bridges Spirit. So that is my prediction. I think that PlayStation Bump does a lot for it. And also, like, it's a standout game, right? It's the most beautiful game on this list just in terms of art style. Well, actually, there's actually a lot of beautiful games on this list.

I take that back because Arful Escape and Sable are really good looking games too. But I think Kena just has that standout effect of how good the animation is just technically. and it being just a very hyped game this year. I think they're going to get it. I want to say that it's going to be the forgotten city because of just what a critical darling it became. And I think as the year, I guess as the year went on,

we kept on seeing more and more people say, play the Forgotten City. This is a game of the year type thing. I feel like it's ramp up more for sure. Yeah, I think there's enough hype behind it. it that you're going to see not all i think a lot of the votes from the critics will go for a forgotten city and i think that's going to weigh heavier than whatever the fan vote is this is an insanely stacked category when you look at it but i'm with bless i think it's going

to be cana obviously artful escape is very near and dear to my heart but it's not going to get it um i think that cana is going to get it because of that playstation bump because it's a little bit more mainstream but i also personally think it deserves it mainly because uh it being an indie game like that one is different than the rest of these right like the that is almost unbelievable it's indie uh because of how triple a it is right so it's like that is something special i'm really really hoping that they get this because i want to see ember lab get all the flowers they deserve for what they accomplished with this and hopefully get more funding for making a sequel or another project because their next project is going to be a god damn banger next category this is one that i want to ask you guys if you think we should even talk about content creator of the year i am not familiar enough with these people so i don't think it's worth it i think it's going to be dream that's that's my bet too because that's the only one i've heard of but yeah i've heard of multiple of these names but i don't think i have enough awareness yeah let's not count it but the the content creator of the year for a streamer or content

creator who's made an important and positive impact on the community in 2021 dream foosley gals Eby and Greg. I do not know how to pronounce his dude's name. I see his name so many times. I heard Keely pronounce it and was definitely not how I would have predicted. I think it's like both the F and the GR. It makes more of like an H sound, I think. Greg.

He's the one who got his own Fortnite skin and he broke the most concurrent Twitch viewers. It could be him. It could be him. I think Dream. His name a lot everywhere. Dream just has that like that. Twitter's name. You know what I mean? It's like you just see people talk about that. He's got

the stands. He's got the Gen Zier stands, you know? But we also don't know what that, we also don't know what like Spanish Twitter is. It's true. We don't see their Twitter's popping off because we're just not in those communities. And so

I think you're right, bear, I think it might be that Fortnite guy, Greff Gretti. Grif. Yeah, because that was like a huge deal when he had like done that on Twitch and like not only because of the not only because of the fan vote but I think that enough people in the industry know about the controversies with dream and how he

apparently cheated during some like speed run and he was kind of under some some heat for a while there so I don't I don't think it will be dream I changed my mind I don't think the fan vote has much sway at all for the majority of the categories just to put that out there for I think it's like I think the biggest way again I could be wrong here, but I feel like in past, like, most anticipated was mainly a fan vote thing. I'm pretty sure that's 100% or like, or like, I think that, like,

I do think we get like, or a jury get like a say in. I don't think, I think that our votes, I think our votes are just like normal people votes, essentially. Yeah. Whereas I think all the other categories,

if I remember correctly, fan votes are like 10%. Fan votes are 10%. Yeah. Which I feel like probably will only weigh in for like things that are really closely, like, Next up, the next one we're actually voting on.

Best multiplayer for outstanding online multiplayer gameplay and design, including co-op and massively multiplayer experiences irrespective of game genre or platform. Back for Blood, Knockout City, It Takes 2, Monster Hunter Rise, New World or Valheim? I think this one's going to go to It Takes 2 because I think a lot of the jury will not vote for It Takes 2 for Game of the Year. and we're going to see you how it happens a lot of years where Horizon doesn't win game of the year, but it wins best whatever game. You know, they always

sort of give it the kind of participation award. Not that this is a participation award, but we're not going to give you game of the year, so we're going to give you the other stuff that you're all nominated in. I would like it to be it takes two, but I think it's going to be back for blood. Really? I think just stop of name recognition.

See, I agree with it. with Andy. I think it's it takes two, but I don't think it's for the reason Andy things of is I think it's more because of like when you think about outstanding online multiplayer and gameplay and design and the way people talk about like how it takes two is so expertly crafted for a two player experience. I think a lot of people who are voting are going to think about it. My heart wants Knockout City because Knockout City is somehow still the game that I played most this year. But like I feel like at every turn I hear people talk about back for back for blood. They're like, yeah. It's left for but kind of not.

My prediction is Knockout City. I think it takes two is one that is in, it being in many other categories, I think it's going to make a lot of people go, oh man, like, is this really the best multiplayer game and how I think about multiplayer? When multiplayer does mean so many different things, right? I think you think of online.

I think you think of competitive. And, like, technically, yes, like co-op is multiplayer. And it's like a really unique for most player that deserves to be, like, acknowledged in this category. I think it's easier to make the argument for something like Knockout City, which had a moment early on in the year. And is, I think, when you compare it to a lot of these other games,

even though this group of games is very diverse and different, I think Knockout City is the one that kind of like steps out in terms of like, back for blood, you know, I had fine reviews, wasn't above and beyond in terms of reception. It takes to you is in other places, Monster Hunter Rise, you know, is Monster Hunter rise, but also I think when you think of the prime Monster Hunter experience for a lot of people that does, I think that still goes to something like Monster Hunter World when you're talking about multiplayer. New World, I feel like I've seen people drop off a new world left and right. And then Valheim is one that I think also has a chance, but that's another game that I think

kind of came and went very quickly. Knockout City is the one for me that I think has had a little bit more of the standing power. And I think does stand out as like, oh yeah, this is like a multiplayer experience that me and my friends go back to all the time. I also say it takes too because it coming to Game Pass recently, I think had a large resurgence in conversation and it being sort of at the forefront of people's minds where a game like knockout city came so long ago and a lot of it is you know what have you done for me lately and i think the games that came out at the beginning of the year tend to suffer a bit more um just like ballheim will i think here i don't i think valheim feels like three years ago at this point and like

knockout city got a like a good amount of support throughout the year and i feel like with every update like i don't feel like a lot of people were really talking about it throughout the year to go back to. Next up, we have best sports slash racing game. For the best traditional and non-traditional sports and racing game, we have F1, 2021, FIFA 2020, FISA Horizon 5, Hot Wheels Unleashed, which you just love to see on this list. I love that it's here. Who would have believed?

Like, I, one of my biggest surprise for nominations, Tim, I'm just, I'm glad it's here. You know what I'm saying? I'm so, so there. No shot it's winning, but I love it. And then Riders Republic. I think this is a very obvious one. It's going to Forza Horizon 5. Easy Peezy.

Fucking easy clap. Give it a Forza. Although I would have said, blessing, I would have given it to, God, what's that E football game? E football, yeah.

Yeah, God. I mean, listen, I don't know if you guys have played some F1, 2021, but that should be hidden different. I don't kidding. It's going to be Forza Horizon. Even though, like, man,

I would love the competition on this list if Forza wasn't here, because I would make the argument. for Rives Republic. I think Rives Republic is really special, but I don't think anything can compare it to just the quality and polish of Fortsler Horizon 5. Yeah, it's funny that Hot Wheels Unleash is even on this list because the last two years winners were Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 remastered, which I'm just like, this is the Tim category. This is your category. All right, moving on. We got. Not only will Forza win there

because it's much better than the other options, but the big game of the year, snub, I think, is on a lot of people's minds when it comes to people in the jury. So I think we'll see it win there, and I think we'll also see it win in whatever fan vote ends up happening that Keylet is going to release pretty soon.

Best Sims slash strategy. Best game focused on real-time return-based simulation or strategy gameplay irrespective of platform, age of Empires 4, Evil Genius 2, World Domination, Human Kind, Incription, or Microsoft Flight Simulator. Inscription. This is such an interesting one because I think it is between Inscription and Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Me too. And those being two very different games, it is really hard to tell which. Because I think you look at the category being Best Sim slash strategy. I think Microsoft's Flight Simulator feels more appropriate. But I do think Inscription does have that swell of people that played it and go, oh, man, you guys need to pay attention to this. This is dope. like this is awesome and the way that people were doing for things like the forgotten city or death store or other indie games that came out and kind of kind of like had their moment and then had like grew over over the course of the year inscription is a bit more recent than those other games so it hasn't really had the the effect of coming out in a july and then by December everybody's talking about how great inscription is it just coming out makes me wonder how many people got around to actually checking it out and so i come i think the fact i i

think maybe the argument you're making bus is that did it come out too late to not even be on the nomination list but it's here and I think just based on the conversations that we're seeing on Twitter and just in all the circles and different other people that we follow in the industry I think it's going to be inscription based on just how many people think it's game of the year not just best sin strategy in the air. There's going to be a lot of people I think pushing for it to win this since I think this is maybe one of the two categories that got nominated for so I think there's going to be a lot of push here. And also, like, with Microsoft Flight Simulator, I wonder how many people are going to realize that Microsoft Flight Simulator literally won this category last year.

And I think it's weird that it got nominated again because it just got ported. But that's just me. I don't know. With that, I'm going with Microsoft Flight Simulator. Like for me, my strategy for these predictions is go with the mainstream, go with the most obvious. And I do think it's going to be Microsoft Flight Simulator. Yeah. That's the tough thing is I'm kind of there with you too, Tim.

And I think I'm there with Andy as well in terms of people wanting to fight for inscription. But I think the question for me is how many people want to fight for inscription? When I see the love for inscription on my timeline, is that the fact that inscription just came out and it is the people that are playing it in week one and week two. And it's the people that we follow that are in the press that are evangelizing it and like using their platform to tell other people that inscription is good. And is that enough for the overall mainstream of the 100 outlets voting in this to go for inscription, I'm going to go Microsoft flight simulator for my vote.

I'd go for a flight simulator if it was 50-50 fan vote and people in the press. I think that's where I could see it winning, but I truly think that everybody in the press will see just how popular inscription has become over the past month or so. It's my personal vote for sure. Yeah, I think inscription should have it, especially given the flight simulator won last year. But before we move on to the next category, let me tell you about our sponsors. This episode is brought to you by Purple. There are tons of gimmicks that promise a great night's sleep right now.

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I love that this category, like, it's just called best family. Like, it's not called best family game. And I get that that's not weird because the last category was just best sims slash strategy didn't say game. But it's just funny to say best family. That's a different category, though.

Let me tell you about a game called Reson equal 7. Have you guys played this game called 12 minutes? Have you guys played faster for you? Crossroads, just so. We got It Takes 2, Mario Party Superstars, New Pokemon Snap, Super Mario 3D World plus Bowser's Fury or Warrior Wear get it together.

This is a tough one for me because I look at it and it's not going to be Mario Ware, it's not going to be Mario Party superstars. I think Mario 3D World and Bowser's Fury is a weird one because it's an old game and all that stuff. But I think that I would vote for it takes two

here, despite Bowser's Fury being incredible. And 3D World being incredible as well, just an old ass game. But I think the mainstream vote prediction for me, I'm going Mario 3D world. Wow. See, I... My mainstream vote is superstars. Yeah, that's interesting

because, yeah, my mainstream vote would probably be superstars. Like, I think the games that are on this list that aren't going to get it are new Pokemon snap and then probably Warrior get it together. I don't think that is... Like, I think being in the same list as a Mari Party superstars kind of takes it off a bit. And then even Super Mario 3

World plus Bowser's Fury, I would have a tough time, believing that that makes it in as like a winner, just given that it is a game that is being ported over with new content, but is that new content enough for people to go? This deserves to win a game award. I think it's between Mari Party superstars and it takes two. And I'm going for Mario Party superstars. Just because I also think that a lot of people don't consider, I think there's the question of what does best family mean, like the argument of what is this category? Is it the best game to play with your family? Is it the best game that is appropriate for families? And I think people kind of get kind of

up in that and I think it's easier to make the argument for superstars than it is to make the argument for it takes two. See, I think people are just going to go with what's the best game here and I think they're going to go to it takes two. Because there's some moments that I've watched during like Nick and Andy stream and it's like yeah like this is about a family and stuff but I don't know if like I would have like I don't know if I'd like sit like my six year old down here and like have them watch some of the moments here. It gets a little real there. I mean it gets it I think it's it gets like real and adult in the way that I think like, you know, like, wild

like Cartoon Network shit does. Yeah, that's fair. Or whatever. I think Superstars wins not only because of it being the Mario Party that people have been wanting to have all these classic maps that they know and love but also the fact that it launched and online worked and it was such a good

first impression for people unlike Mario 3D world was. Yeah, that's fair. I just like with all, with the four out of five being Nintendo games like I just have a feeling that like they're gonna eat into each other yeah they're all just kind of gonna eat each other

specifically I would say but the two Mario games because I'm gonna be honest I love Waria big Mario Ware fan I'm surprised this is nominated for this fucking category I mean it's always just the category of what did Nintendo movies this year let's let's just put it all there I think it'll be an upset I think it'll uh I think

I think it'll be a non Nintendo game that wins it yeah I mean I out of these I want it takes two to win just because I think what that game has done is incredible and unique and it actually pushes things forward. I think Mario Party Superstars is too new. And I think that at the end of the day, it's going to be a how many people played it or are aware of it type thing. And Mario 3D World outsold the Wii U version, which sold pretty well in just a couple months. And Mario Party Superstars, we don't have the updated numbers on it, but like they're not as strong.

They're softer than 3D world. So I think it's just the numbers game at that point. I might change my vote actually to the takes two. Just because the more I think about it, I think there's just a large amount of people that have played that game by now versus the amount of people that played Mario Party superstars. I mean, I think superstars would be my vote. Like, I like it takes two more. But I think superstars in terms of what it is as a Mario Party game is, it is the best Mario Party game in a long time.

If not maybe of all time, honestly. Like, the more I'm like, this is fucking legit. Like, they nailed it. They did all the things that they needed to do right. And if I'm going to play a game with my family, I think it's going to be Mario Party superstars. So, okay, let's get the votes clear. I'm going Mario 3D World. Bless, you're going.

It takes two. And Andy? Man, you know what? I'm going to change my vote to 3D World, Tim, because I just totally overlooked the idea of people playing in the same room together. Like families. Yeah. Wait, that's hell of funny. They don't give a fuck about online.

Next category. We got best fighting for the best game designed primarily around head-to-head combat. We got Demon Slayer, Kemetu Noyaiba, the Hinocami Chronicles, Guilty Gear Strive, Meltyblood type Lumina, Nickelodeon, All-Star Brawl and Virtual Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown. It's going to be between Guilty Gear and Melty Blood. I've heard many of people be like, they tell me that they like Melty Blood over Guilty Gear,

but I think Guilty Gear is going to take it just based off of it being more popular, and well known, and it being just a very solid arc system works title. A very pretty game. Very pretty game. Multi blood also pretty, but Guilty Gear is my prediction. I'm going with Guilty Gear as well, although I definitely should not have a vote,

and I did not vote on this when we submitted our votes. Let's see. Well, this is predictions, Andy. It's not the votes here. So that's what's interesting for me is this one's tough, because I don't think it's Melty Blood because there needs to be

some type of name recognition to win these things Nickelode and also Bra has that name recognition but it doesn't have the fighter game vote right and also a lot of people

don't even know that game came out I bet like yeah yeah totally guilty gear strive I think is the obvious one but I wouldn't be surprised if Demon Slayer

so that's not Drew with you. No, I feel. People do not like 3D, like the arena anime. Yeah, the 3D anime. People are, that game is hot. That is a good looking game.

Those are tough cells and I feel like I've heard absolutely nothing about that game other than like Gary would have been like, oh, it's cool. And also, like, honestly, it is cool. Like, I played a little bit of that game and I was like, man, I can't wait. Should I play it? I mean, you love the anime, so I'll say, yeah, play it. And like, I'm finishing the anime now and I'm going to hop back into it and play more. And then once you hump back.

hop back into it, finish the anime, watch some full metal Alchemist Brotherhood. We'll see, I got a long list. I got to finish Arcane. But, like, I've also seen, like, multiple people on my timeline as well be like, yo, why aren't more people talking about Demon Slayer? Like, Demon Slayer is actually a pretty good game.

And so I think there is, like, there are people there that I think would fight for it. But there's just a huge stigma against 3D anime or Rita fighters that I think is going to work way against it. So at the end of the day, all of us are going to predict guilty gear. But I'm just saying this right now. I think that there is an equal chance that Nickelodeon or Demon Slayer take it.

God. If either Nickelodeon or Demon Slayer take it, you will see a revolt online unlike anything you've ever seen. Even worse than, you know, the-Fieli... Well, like, like, Jeffelie is going to get, like, full-late on Twitter. We thought the reactions to the great reviews of Simogami Tensei 5 were bad. Just wait until that happens, too. I love it, too. I love it.

Can you imagine? Yeah. Dude, I would walk out the building. I'd be all right, cool. I'm done game awards. See you guys. The game's dead to me. Best role playing for the best game designed with rich player character customization and progression,

including massively multiplayer experiences. Cyberpunk 2077. Monster Hunter Rise. Scarlet Nexus. Shin Megami Tensei 5. Tales of a Rise. I'm saying it right now. It's Cyberpunk 277.

The fact that it's here means enough places voted for it. You're crazy. It's tails over rise. Yeah, it's tails of rise. I forgot Scarletexis came out this year. You all, did Disco Elysium. The Final Cut dirty is all I'm going to say. You can't put a final cut in here. I mean, but that final cut is so good.

Andy, if we can put Microsoft Flight Simulator two times in a row for the same fucking category just because it got ported, then yeah, you could do whatever. One of them one game of the year, though, didn't? Or didn't it win last? Didn't it already, I guess it already won?

Isoleasium? Yeah, both did, yeah. I'm going with Tails of Rise. I think Tales of Rise had a sort of massive ground swell of support from a lot of people who not only like the Tales games, but just people who are into RPG games. And from what I've heard, it is fantastic. And I keep on wanting to hop into it. And it's just, it's such a burden, Tim, because it's like 80 hours long or whatever. And I want to try it out so bad.

It's gorgeous. It looks so cool. It's got one of the prettiest. styles and from what I've just seen and everybody saying that it is it should have been in the game of the year category it's another one of those games that I booted up and played for about an hour or so and like bounced out because I saw the feature ahead of me and I was like you do not have 69 more hours nice to put into this thing but like yeah it's a hot looking game it's a game that I think when I look at this category I do think it comes down to tales of

rise and Shimagami Tense 5 and I think Shimagami Tensei it speaks to a more hard hardcore audience that isn't as like wide as a tales of rise. I think Tales of Rise has the benefit of being a JRP that JRP lovers like love and respect and adore, but then also being a thing that is more approachable and accessible by a wider amount of people than Shem and Gombe Tense is. God, can you guys imagine Nickelodeon wins and then that's the next award. It's cyberpunk wins. I'm walking back in and then I'm walking back out.

Best action adventure game for the best action adventure game combining combat with reversal and Pubbles. Puzzle solving. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. Metroid Dread. Psychonauts 2. Ratchet and Clank, Rift Apart, or Resident Evil Village. This has got to be the toughest one.

Oh, I think it's the easiest one. This is Metroid Dread, no shot, because I think there's no way Metro Dreddred's winning game of the year. And so because of that, I think a lot of people are going to push for, Metro Dread's got to win something. So this is the one other category it's nominated for, so I think it goes to Dread. I also think it's a tough. very tough one to try and predict. Just because, like, you never know what

Resident Evil is going to do. That's the thing I think I've grown to accept. Resident Evil fans love Resident Evil. And, like, I think they tend to fight for Resident Evil. And so I can see, I mean, I can honestly see that and anything else equally win, except for

maybe Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. But even who knows? Because that has name recognition. And I think, just the element of surprise to it, where people were kind of blown away just based on what the expectations were. I'm going to go with the dark horse. I think Psychonauts 2 will win. I think it's going to be a lot of people just wanting to support Double Fine

and Tim Schaefer for his work in the industry. I can see that. I can see that in other categories, though, more so than this one. I'm with Bless that I think this is a very tough one, specifically because action adventure is such a weird, broad thing that can mean a bunch of different stuff. I want to give a shout to Resident Evil Village, because that is a great game that I think got a lot of hate from kind of funny side of things,

but otherwise people really, really do enjoy it. But I beat that game, but Tim, you believe that? It's insane. I beat that game. It took you seven months.

Beat that game and I sat through and watched Andy beat it over again. And I was like, you're like, wow, this game ends this way, huh? I was like, wow, I stand by all my opinions. The end, the end is not good. The end is not good. Marvel's Guardians, the Galaxy, man.

For me, it's between guardians. Metroid dread and Ratchet. Say, I think people repuzzle solving, and then they think Guardians, and they're like, no. Yeah. But I don't think people read that far. No, yeah. I think that's being generous.

So, uh, I'm going to cut out Ratchet. Between Marvel Guardians and Metroid. I'm just kidding. I'm going to go Metroid. And then, bless you were going. I've not voted yet. I'm, I'm between Metroid and Ratchet right now. You know what?

I'm going to say fuck it and I'm going to predict that I'm going to be disappointed and it's going to be Resoniebel Village. That's my prediction. I like that, Blas. I like that. I like your disappointment. When in doubt, doubt yourself. Next up, best action game.

We got, for the best game in the action genre, focused primarily on combat. Back for Blood. Chivalry 2. Death Loop, Far Cry 6, Returnal. It's going to be Returnal. That's my vote. Lock it in. Me too.

Wow. confidence. No hesitation. The confidence there. I just, I don't want to keep double, or second guessing myself and just like, I don't think Death Loop one game of the year, so will they give it to Death Loop here?

You know, I keep on wrestling with that sort of thought process. I'll go with Returnal as well, though. I just want to let you know, Andy. The reason that this year I'm going straight for the mainstream, it's because every other year I play the game you're playing, and it doesn't favor me. It doesn't favor me at all. So you think out of these returnals the most mainstream of the conversation for best action game?

Because I would go death loop. Yeah, I mean, death loop. It's weird. I think a lot of people appreciate Returnal, but not enough to be like, oh, yeah, I'm voting for it for every category that it gets nominated for. I mean, that's the thing, though, Returnals only nominated for a few categories. Yeah. But I don't think it's going to be that game like Andy's saying where they're like, well, it's only nominated here, here, and here. And we got to give it something.

I don't think it's going to be that game. where they're like, oh, well, we got to, it's got to win something. I think, I think, I also think it's the best action game. And I think people will look at this and will go, what game fits the best action game? And I think they'll pick DeLis. I don't agree with it, but I think they'll pick DeathLute. I think it's interesting. I do think it's between those two.

I think that Returnal, the conversation around stands out enough from the action perspective that it has a shot, but I won't be surprised if Deathloop ends up taking it. But I'm going to stick with Returnal. I don't think there's just been enough buzz of. Returnal not making game of the year. I think there's been a decent amount of conversation around that and it missing out and getting stubbed there. And this is the one chance that you can vote for Returnal.

Yeah. And I also think when you say it, when you say the words primarily on combat, right, focus primarily on combat. I know, like, I'm being very generous for people reading through, but I'm going to give trust to outlets that most of them read through. I do think that Death Loop, when you think a combat, or a Death Loop, I think would even be a better fit in action adventure over pure action. Because like the combat in that game is very much like pretty much standard first

person shooter or like, you know, uh, execution based like, you know, press R3 or I've kind of spend like a few months as I've played death loop now. So I couldn't even tell you the button binding. It's very puzzling. I'd say it's very puzzling strategy. Press this button to like snap this person's neck type type stuff. But I think, but I think a lot of people will again because this, this feels like arcane's like pop album almost with just like how like streamlined it is.

I think compared to their other games, and I think even on the action side of games of what people think of Death Loop and why I think it was probably nominated for action game, more so than Action Adventure, which I agree. I think this is like a weird nomination. I think it should have been flipped.

I think people are going to think about like, even though the design and more of like the puzzly elements and the stealth elements are more prominent in that game, I think the way that game is still designed around what you can do with action, I think that's going to be on a lot of people's. minds in the forefront of their minds of like, oh man, they can get really creative with the way that they present action in this game. I think that's why people will go. I hear you, but I think there's more of a journey to get there than looking at Returnal and going, okay, this is action. Like,

you are fucking, like the 95%, 99% of the game is action here. Like you're in real good action. It's a really good action. Now, here's an interesting point that I think is in favor of Returnal here is last year, the nominees were Hades, Doom, Eternal, Half-Life. Alex, Neo 2, Streets Rage 4. Guess what one? Doom Eternal. Streeterals. Hades.

Hades. It's a good point. Because Hades didn't win game of the year. And to me, Doom, Eternal is more the death loop here. But. Wait, Haiti's won game of the year last year, right? No. No.

It was the one, like, indie title out of all the... It was last... Wait, then what last was part two when game? Damn. Yeah. Yeah. Holy cow. Okay. Next category is one that I say we don't predict best VR slash AR Yeah I'm with you

The nominees are Hitman 3 I expect you to die 2 Lone Echo 2, Reson Evil 4 and sniper elite VR I don't believe in VR Tim so I'm I am shocked though this year I did not pick up my VR Like this is the first year in a while where nothing came out that made me want to Plug in my ESVR or my Oculus You would think like in quarantine

the next one we got innovation in accessibility recognizing software and or hardware that is pushing the medium forward by adding features technology and content to help games be played and enjoyed by an even wider audience I'm going to read the nominations that we can discuss if we want to predict or not far cry six forza horizon five marvels guardians of the galaxy ratchet and clank rift apart and the veil shadow of the crown I saw most talk about far cry six but I have no idea I'm not a predict.

Well, I mean, I played, I've, I played enough of these games where I, I have a prediction. And my prediction is Ford's Horizon 5. I think that game, that, that game, I think, does accessibility in really creative and cool ways. Like, even things as simple as, like, character customization, they have very prominent, like, they go above and beyond in terms of the choices they give you in customizing your character. Like, even things as simple as, like, hairstyle and stuff. Or even, like, using prosthetics as arms as opposed to, like, like, like, or prosthetics for any of your limbs, being able to replace those.

I think putting that front and center takes it a long way, but then also there are the news reports, a reporter on KFGD talking about how they're putting in sign language into the game, which I believe is like the first time we've seen something like that. It seems like they're going very above and beyond for the accessibility. Yeah, and like the way that like they can kind of like slow down the feeling of how fast you're going for certain players.

Like I remember that like popping off a lot on Twitter as well. So I can see that. So for me, this one is a tough one because I imagine that this is going to be a category that's weighted very differently towards people that actually know what they're talking about for it. But having said that, I think that all of these games are really great examples of it that I've experienced at least. I think that it's a good sign that kind of like there's a standardization happening with it. Like Ratchet just kind of followed what last of us did to an extent. Right. So Sony's building that out.

Forsa now has this new thing that Microsoft kind of sees. to be building a template but with that i i would go with far cry six based on the the conversations that i've been seeing online and you go i'll go as far i'll go as far i'll go with four i'll go a fort sir cool make shot tomorrow was regards to the galaxy though now that i'm in the last few chapters of that game it's been a struggle to like motivate myself to go back just because i don't love the combat in that game that much and part of what i've been doing now is going back into the difficulty settings and going all right how do i make this as fun as possible for me so i can just experience the story. And so I've been turning everything down and turning

my meters up and turning my damage up and all this stuff. And it is a fantastic way to experience that game. Next up, we have Best Community Support, Recognizing the Game for Outstanding Community Support, Transparency and Responsiveness Inclusive of Social Media Activity and Game Updates and Patches. Apex Legends, Destiny 2, Final Fantasy

14 Online, Fortnite, and No Man's Sky. Final Fantasy 14 Online. Amen. That's my vote too. This was the year of Final Fantasy 14 of more than any of the other years that we've had in terms of just sort of mass appeal and people talking about it. I would definitely go with them. And like their updates are so like the way that people tune into these updates and get hype about these updates. It's wild. I, I, at 2 a.m. in the morning, I'll hear Michael High. I'm just going off in his room and I'm like, oh, there must be

some Final Fantasy 14 shit happening right now. And lo and behold, you're giving an update. It's so crazy. I can't imagine caring about the lore in an MMO. Like, it's so wild. to me. That content is so alien, and I'm so happy that they have that. Yeah, I remember there was like an update recently, I think, where they had to delay the latest big expansion by a few weeks, and they were so broken up about it, like in the actual update itself, like the director was like, yeah. Yeah, I was like, hey, I apologize, like, like, like, being very apologetic about it. And I'm like, dude, when you want to talk about community support, that right there is some community support to be like that, like, hey, you know,

we want to do our best. We want to do great by you guys and all this stuff. My cat chute on the wire and everything fucked up. Yeah. The next category is best mobile game. I want to say Genshin Impact. So we got Fantasian, Genshin Impact, League of Legends, Wild Rift, Marvel Future Revolution, and Pokemon Unite. I think just similar to Final Fantasy, just based on watching Twitter

and all the different outlets and people that I follow up from different outlets, I think Genshin Impact, whether people are playing it on, mobile or not, the fact that Genshinbeck is so popular with how much money it's making and every time I always see tweets of a random person saying, oh, I got this girl that I can fight with now, whatever the fuck you do in that game. It's obvious that Genshin Impact is having a massive

impact, Tim. A massive impact on the industry. So I'll go with Genshin. And I don't even know people are playing it primarily on mobile. I just think it's so popular. People are going to see that name. and say, yeah, go for that. And with that, I'm going to go with Pokemon Unite.

I think that it was good enough for that week that I think people can be, oh, yeah, that was a mobile game I played that I did enjoy. And I think that the more mainstream, or not mainstream, the more American audiences would vote for that. But Genshin, I think. It's funny, Tim, I was going to say, but you don't think people will care about the whole pay-to-win controversy? And Genshin is just kind of that.

I was going to say Genshin impact, but I just remembered that that game came out last year. And so I looked up the best mobile game category last year. And Genshin was nominated, but it was won by Amongus, which makes sense because Amongus had a big moment last year. But I wonder if because it's the second year that Genshin is nominated, if people are less likely to vote for it because they look at it as a game that had its chance last year. And maybe they want to give it to something like either Marvel Future Revolution or Pokemon Unite. I don't know if people remember that. That's my thing. Yeah.

I mean, and I'm there with you too. So I am between Genshin and Pokemon, because I think Pokemon has the name to it. Pokemon had enough conversation around it for like a good amount of time. Or it's like Marvel Future Revolution. I don't know. I heard Greg say.

Yeah, I heard Greg kind of slag about it half once and that was about it. Yeah. I also get a lot of emails from Marvel Future Revolution. It's also on the mind. But I also don't know. how many people play Pokemon Unite on mobile. Maybe they do. Maybe it's just like I just people I know have a switch.

I mean, that's why I'm going with Genshin. I don't, it could turn out that 5% play on mobile. Yeah, most people I know playing Gensher are playing it on PS5 or PC or or P. And that's why I'm still voting for them.

Yeah, I know. That's a good call. That is a good call. They're playing it. So they're aware of it. I'm going to go with Genshin. Because I did almost play that game on,

on mobile. I'm a single Pokemon just, just to just have some spice for us. I so badly wanted to connect that game to my Luna controller and have my phone mounted so I can play Genshin in my bed. That was my dream, and I couldn't figure out how to make my Luna controller work. I'm sure there's an app where it hit me up in my DMs, I guess. Next time we got Best Indy for Outstanding Creative and Technical Achievement

in a game made outside the traditional publisher system, 12 minutes, Death's Door, inscription, Cana Bridge of Spirits, and Loop Hero. I'm going, Kana. My prediction is Death Store, even though personally I'd go inscription. I'm going with Death Store. I think this is another game that people recognize. Hoping to see at least an indie title B in the best in the game of the year overall category, I think Death Store will win this one.

Yeah, I feel like there's enough conversation around it, even like after it'd come out too. And this is the only category it's been nominated for. and I think a lot of people will recognize that and be like, this needs to be given the love. Whereas like, Kana, I don't really remember like how big of a conversation there was around that game of quality other than, man, this game is harder than we thought it would be, you know?

I love the image for 12 minutes here, being like the main character in the middle of being choked out by Willem Defoe. Then next time we got Best ongoing game, awarded to a game for outstanding development of ongoing content that evolves the player experience over time. Apex Legends, Final Fantasy 14, Fortnite, Genshineland Impact, Call of Duty, Warzone. Final Fantasy 14 online. Here's the thing. Yeah.

The answer for me is Apex Legends, because of Apex Arenas. And that game, Ring arenas into the game was a big addition, and it's fun, and it's great, and it breathed new life into Apex for me. Apex is not going to win, though, so I'm not going to predict it. My prediction is going to be an inch of impact. Whoa. Tim's going to say Fortnite. Yep. I'm going for a night, baby.

But actually, let me do a little typey, typey for a second. Sorry, you're going to look at Google Trends or what? He's looking at one last year. Because I think last year was Fortnite was nominated, but No Man Sky won. Oh, fuck. That's interesting. Because yeah, your boy, Hello Games

is his name. Sean Murray. Sean Murray, yeah, Sean Murray was like in the middle of drinking a beer. I was like, what the fuck?

Yeah. That's what I'm saying. The fact that a game like no man sky can win an award like this where we, I think we're given way too,

I think we're assuming way too much that like random people at New York Times who don't know what video games are except that their nephew plays Fortnite are voting on this. I mean,

Fortnite also did it great. job like that's the other thing too you know it's well but i don't think this year was like a massive year for four i i think if anything this is they they kept on coming out with characters but when i think of like um like was the travis scott thing this year that was last last year i believe because i feel like the the when those events were happening this year yeah i think ariana grande was this year yeah ariana gronde was this year because when i think of when those concert were first popping off and those big gigantic events i think that's when four Fortnite was at its strongest in terms of just mainstream appeal.

And they've continued to kind of keep that high bar of quality, but I don't know if it's being talked about as much anymore, just because it's expected from them, you know. So, Lescott Genshin, I got Fortnite. Andy, what did you say again? Final Fantasy 14. I think the weaves are going to win here. I am between Final Fantasy and Genshin for that.

Yeah, Final Fantasy. Having played Genshin, I think Genshin, I think Final Fantasy 14, God, it's tough. Because Final Fantasy 14 is growing. Like those numbers are only increasing in terms of people that play that game. I'm changing. I'm changing to Fall Fantasy. Fuck.

Yeah, I'm gonna stick. I'm sticking to Genshin. If I'm gonna win this trio of predictions here, I gotta be different. I can't just keep doing the same thing. But you gotta be different in the right categories, though, blessing. You gotta be different in the right categories.

Yeah, but I think Genshin has a big chance. Like, Genshin does very popular game as well. Next up, we got games for impact for a thought-provoking game with a pro-social meaning or message before your eyes, boyfriend dungeon, chickery, a colorful tale, life is strange, true

colors, and no longer home. Life is strange colors. I shouldn't have picked Genschen. I regret it. I regret it. I got into Blessing's Ed. Yeah, this is a life is strange for me. This is a gimmy for Life is Strange.

Tim, like what you're saying of like, this is one of those ones you go with popularity and Life is strange is the one that's like definitely has been... And only that, it was really good, apparently. It's good, yeah, it's popularity and quality and everybody knows that, so... Well, I would say Chickory is probably better,

but yeah, life is... Okay, Barry, you're walking a fine line, all right? Don't you dare insult Life of Strange that way, but also, I might... I think they're both great, but I personally think Chickory is better. With Bless, what's your prediction? Chickory. Oh.

I think Life is Strange has enough sauce in other categories, and people... I think the people that love Chickory are going to really want to fight for it. in this category especially, I think when you look at, like, when you look at the category description being for thought-provoking game with pro-social meeting or message, I think it's also easier to make the argument for Chickory or Life Strange. Like Life Strange has good messaging in it, but I think it's about as much, yeah, it's not as, there's not, there's about as much pro-social

message as there is in any, like, teen drama that, like, is about, like, a very heavy, heavily emotional story. Whereas Chick-a-Rie, I think that it wears that stuff a little bit more on its sleeve in terms of its subject matter. And so, I'm going, chicory. This next one is going to be pretty interesting. Best Performance. We have Erica Mory as Alex Chen in Life is Strange True Colors, Jean-Carlo Esposito as Anton Castillo in Far Cry 6,

Jason Kelly as Colt Vaughn in Deathloop, Maggie Robertson as Lady Dimitrescu in Resident Evil Village, and Ozio Mauga as Juliana Blake in Deathloop. My man Keanu Reeves was robbed. Okay, well, Johnny Silverhand supremacy. I love Johnny Silverhand. I'm going to give it to Erica Mori as Alex Chen. I think the fact that life is strange is up for Game of the Year

shows how popular it is. And I think they will break up for Game of the Year. Oh, it's not? Are you serious? It's not on Game of Year. Oh, shit. I thought it was. Never mind, I take that back. God, that changes everything. I do think you're right, though, Andy.

I do think Eric Amori takes this. My vote is Eric Amory. Oh, I guess best narrative is the one I was thinking of. Yeah. My vote for Ericomori is half like, I think she should win, but also I think she did a... I think the people that play Life Strange, or I guess the way that people look at something like this and look at Life Strange as a narrative game that is heavy on the dialogue makes it an easier argument than for like the more action-based stuff, even though I do think...

And that combined with there being two different performers here for Death Loop, think that splits the death loop vote a little bit yeah if like if it was one or the other for death loop i think death loop would be probably an easier it'd be it'd be it'd be an easier argument to make just because i think the voice performance in that game is great um but i don't i i think it's also harder to argue against i'm not and i think yeah also sorry go ahead then also when i look at resney evil village i don't i don't know people are looking at lady demetrisque as like peak performance in terms of like, you know, like how that character is portrayed in that game. It was a popular character.

Popular character that like, you know, was involved in a lot of memes, but I don't think people look at that and think best performance. And then I do think that Anton Castillo as, or Jean-Carlo as Pesito as Anton Castillo, is an option that I would not be surprised winning to see winning, but my gut tells me. I'm honestly surprised that like enough people played it to nominate him, but this is me. So an interesting thing here is last year, both Laura Bailey and Ashley Johnson, were nominated and whether or not

that got split, Laura Bailey won. I love Tim. I think last of us is a different beast, though, than death loop. Yeah. A hundred percent, especially like,

yeah, I think. Performance-wise, it's so much stronger. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I even think just like those two women's kind of popularity is in a different league than these two.

So I think that changes it as well. I don't know. This one is, I'm kind of just shooting in the dark because I think that it is honestly anyone's game. Like I think it's pretty up like pretty random. I'll go Giancarlo. I'll keep it as Erica Mori. It should have been the guy who plays Alexis Dorsey though from Deathloom. It really shouldn't have been. He was the worst part of that game. It's so good. He's so good. And I think there's going to be a lot of people who are you for Erica just because of like the way that she was able to show range a lot in that role as well more so than, you know, feel like the other characters in this category are a little more popular with, like,

how many people played them. But I think the life of strange people are going to be, like, really passionate about, like, what she did as an actress in this medium. I think that's why I'll go to Erica. I'm going to... That's Michael. I'm going with John Carlin. Yeah, but he was real good in that.

If Keanu was in this, Oh, man, I'm going all in for Keanu. I'm going to present Jeff Keely with the part in Death Loop where Alexis Dorsey says, make those tits slap. It's so good. It's so good. He's amazing. Bless you're locking in, Erica?

Yes. Okay, cool. Then we got Best Audio Design, recognizing the best in-game audio and sound design. Another banger year. We got Death Loop, Fort's a Horizon 5, Ratched and Clank, Rift Apart, Resident Evil Village and Returnal. I honestly think that all of these games deserve it, man. They are all so damn good when it comes to sound design from just ambience to like weapon sounds to dialogue to just 3D audio.

They're all so damn good. This one's incredibly hard. This is, I think, tougher than the last one. Just because I don't like what are the jurors thinking in this moment, Tim? What are the jurors thinking? Yeah. this one yeah this one is difficult for me like i my my personal pick would be returnal and i think there's a chance of returnal but also returnal wasn't nominated for best soundtrack and when i saw

that you know i had the thought of like you know what are they what were they hearing that i wasn't hearing because come on bro like returnal soundtracks off the chain and so like if it didn't get nominated for that is it going to get nominated for best audio design because i think the soundtrack is so heavy heavy in the audio design for returnal in terms of what makes that game games sound great. I'm just gonna go with death loop. I'm gonna go with forward to horizon. I think it's another one of those I think that it got snub for game of the year and I think it's like realistic games like games that are more realistic to like something that we can relate to like how things sound in

real life I think are more prone to win this category I think with things like Returnal and Ratchet. Like they, like the way that sound design goes around them is really cool, but that's not something that we connect, can really connect to in our real lives. And I think like what force it does to make it sound as realistic as possible is going to be in a lot of people's heads.

Yeah. I will just say though, like I think you're right about that, Barrett, but I think that Returnal is, uh, in my opinion, a step above the rest of these like just because it also having the haptic feedback and

stuff or like that adding to the experience of sound. I think is huge, but I think death loop is going to take it. I'm going to go Returnal just based off the, like how when I, when I first started playing returnal when Embargo lifted, I posted a video of like my dual sense on my desk in like the rain dripping down and how that sounded like just based just like the sounds of the rain drops in my dual sense like was something else. Right. I keep thinking back to that specifically and how well that feeds into like how you think

about audio and how that reflects like how the game sounds and all this stuff. I'm going to go returnal. I'm going to predict returnal. And that is something that is obvious to everyone within minutes of playing the game. So I think that is a safe thing. But final votes here. I'm going to death loop. Let's go returnal.

Andy. I also just think of the creativity of all the weapon sounds in Ratchet and clank and how, like, how much variety there is there. Forza is such a strong prediction, too. Like, I was thinking about going for it. Don't play this game. Bless, you little fucker. This is him doing his party bullshit. I'm being honest.

Because Bless is trying to do that manipulating thing where he's like pushing you to the wrong answer. But secretly he is actually pushing you to the right answer. I love it. Think about how they're in the, when they're making forza, right, playground studios, they rented out of garage. And they rented the cars. They put microphones, really expensive microphones down to like the tires. So many cars. Yeah.

So many cars. So many wheels. I want to watch the documentary one day of how they got those sounds. I think. Where's the troubouche? Best trebushe, man. I'm gonna switch it to Ratchet and Clank actually. Okay.

Oh, all right. The Dark Horse. It's just a weird choice. I don't know why. I like it. I know I'm not going to get a returnal too. That's the thing that sucks. It's like I'm both with my heart instead of my mind here.

It's going to lose you points plus. It is. I hope you get it though. But I also think all the NPCs chatting in Death Loop is like really good. Yeah, I'll save with Ratching. Like, yeah, like all the intercom and like. Yeah. Next time we got Best Score and Music for Outstanding Music,

inclusive of score original song and slash or licensed soundtrack we have the artful escape cyberpunk 2077 death loop marvel's guardians of the galaxy or near replicant uh version or yeah version all the numbers my vote is near replicant it's not even close wow okay i will say of like what i played of near replicant that soundtrack fucking slaps it's really good I don't think nearly enough people played it to like really for that to even. And that's a thing. Are you all voting with your heart? Enough people got here.

Yeah, it got there. But I think. And also people love this composer. Like New Artomeda is like a top three soundtrack of all time for me and for many people. Like people scan this composer. Yeah, I know. I know. I love.

I love the Artful Escape soundtrack and I think it's so good. There's not a chance it wins. I'm predicting guardians. And I think that it's because it's popular. It's licensed music that everybody loves. It's 80s music. And on top of that, the score is fucking fantastic. It is so damn good.

I hope it wins. And I'm predicting it. Yeah, I'm going to go with Guardians as well, Tim. Because I keep on telling myself, like, it's here, meaning enough people nominated it. Mm-hmm. My mind immediately goes, you did enough people play it. Is it too late? But no, I mean, it's here.

I feel like people are like still playing that game and still talking about it and still being really impressed by what that score and soundtrack does. Next up, best art direction for outstanding creative and slash or technical achievement and artistic design and animation. The artful escape, Death Loop, Kena, Psychonauts 2, Ratchet and Clank ripped apart. I think this will be Death Loop. I think how, I think just the motif of everything, like everything being so 60s and having. such a set art style I think people are going to gravitate towards that

although my personal pick would probably be psychonauts my personal pick my personal pick is undeniably artful escape but I do think that my second in my hearts would be Kana I think that Ratchett's going to win though that game is

it's fucking beautiful man like Kena is like oh it's like holy shit it looks like a Pixar thing Ratchett's like you're playing a Pixar thing. Yeah. Yeah, I think you're right, Tim. Especially like how diverse it is with like, all the different places you go to and like how each of those worlds are like so nailed

with like how beautiful, like all how it all looks on PS5. I think it'll easily be Ratchet. And everyone played it. Yeah, in my heart of hearts, I wanted to be psychonauts too. But yeah, I think it's going to Ratchet. Okay, so I got Ratchet, bless. I'm still thinking through a little bit. You know what?

I'm going to go Cana Bridges Spirits. Just be different. And also because I think that is the thing that that game does that I think is above and beyond. And that was, I think, most of our takeaways from that game is, damn, this game looks really good. There's a very strong argument for Ratchet for the popularity and the fact that, like, when we think about this game looks like a Pixar movie, right? Like, that is true for this game. And, like, I know Scygonauts 2 and Death Loop, I think I have similar levels of, man, the environment. design is top notch here but i think cana you look at and you're like how the fuck did they do

this but but like also remember bless of like the amount of uh videos on twitter and pictures on twitter of like them enhancing to like how close to get into like ratchets fur and how detailed perverts and it's yeah the bunch of perverts out there to movie over to psychoanauts too wow saconauts too for any cortez all right three categories to go boys best narrative for outstanding storytelling and narrative development in a game, Death Loop, it takes two. Life is Strange, true colors, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy,

and Psychonauts, too. A killer year for narrative, everybody. Hell yeah. I'm going Life Strange, three colors for my prediction. I kind of want to go with that as well. I didn't play it. I just know people gravitate towards the Telltale games for

or Deck 9, rather, for those stories. my personal vote would be Guardians of the Galaxy, but I think life has changed two colors will win that one. I think you guys are probably right, but this is going to be one of the few categories that I just fucking go with my heart

instead of my mind and I'm going Guardians, baby. Wow. Interesting. See, I think it's going to be a takes two. I think enough industry. I think enough industry people really love that game and like what they did with the story in that game. I don't think enough people. I just, I don't.

See, like, I see the argument for life as strains. I don't know if there's going to be enough people convinced by that argument for life as strange. I think the thing for it takes to is, I know for so many people, the story it takes to wasn't necessarily the thing that they took away from that game. I do think a lot of it is mechanics and a lot of it is the gameplay. Like, the story is good, but I do think that there are problems with that story. like what's the name of the book Andy

the Mr. or Dr. something. Yeah. I always messed it up. It's called him Gonzalo or some shit. Yeah, but like that that character was a character that I think didn't sit right with quite a few people. Like even me as I was playing, I was playing with my friend Yami and the whole time she was like,

man, they really did this, huh? They like, wow, I can't believe like they made this very stereotypical character. I think it takes two is really creative in how it weaves the gameplay with story elements, but I don't think it does a whole, lot in terms of like, whoa, plot twist. I didn't see that coming or what a great line of dialogue there. I think people get that from Life is Strange and they think about those emotional

beats where they're crying their eyes out. All right, you're getting me less convinced about it takes two, but not more convinced about Life is Strange. I mean, I just think it's a good story. I never played it. I love the story for Life is Strange. I'm just not convinced there's enough people that are going to like really go to bat for it.

I could see it being Guardians. I'm shocked that Death Loop is honestly. here, I'm gonna be honest there. I also see a lot of people not voting for Guardians because of its mainstream appeal. Yep, I'm right there with you. Give it to the property that is not a Marvel sort of thing. Yeah, I think you look at all these and you think,

which is the game that went for in story and in its life and strange new colors. But the, Andy, you making that argument, and it's because it's in my heart of hearts, I think that could be psychonauts too, especially with like how much, I think there's slightly more conversation about Tim Schaefer's back. Yeah, again, especially with like Tim Schaefer being behind that game and like that, the double-fine team being behind that game.

What a story? Yeah, I think the, yeah. Yeah. That's a good call. Saganautu is a good call. It's a really good call, yeah. Yeah. It's impactful at like all of the moments where I said, God damn, I don't know a goddamn thing about who these people are, but it's really good.

It's really well done and well-formatted and reveals the emotions. Yeah. Yeah. Going through the throws of that narrative. I'll stick with Live of Strange, though. I think people play that for the story. As it, like, they're not going to Life of Strange for gameplay for cutting edge, like, crazy gameplay moments. Yeah.

My only argument for Guardians, even though I'm not sure it's going to win, but I'm predicting it still, is that the same argument for Cyclonauts where it's like, wow, the story is so good, even though I don't care about the characters, it's the opposite of like, wow, the story is so good, even though I really care about these characters. So I don't know. It's just, it is that weird thing where it feels like not enough people are playing it, but they are. So it's here. It's here. And more people have played it since then. Exactly. Yeah, totally.

The final two. Best game direction awarded for outstanding creative vision and innovation in game direction and design. Death Loop. It takes two. Returnal. Cyclonauts two. Ratchet and clank ripped apart. This is going to be death loop for me.

I agree. I think DeathLip will win this one, and a lot of it just comes down to the overall design and puzzle solving and going to different times of day to figure out other different clues. I think it's so fucking genius in what it does. And more creative than the other ones in this. Although it takes too. It takes a very big. It has is the creativity to make the argument for that. whereas I think that Deathloop has like, wow, holy shit, it fucking did the thing that it promised it was going to do despite being overly promoted.

And despite everybody doubting it. Yeah. And being like, what is it? Is it a Rogelight? Oh, it's not. But it kind of is, right? And then you go, oh, it's a shooter. It's bringing a lot of dishonored mechanics and action and shooting.

Do we really want this? And then you sort of see what the game is actually about and how it's built. And it's so goddamn impressive. I agree. Deathloop is my choice, is my prediction for the same reasons you guys has mentioned. I think it's the one you look at and you're like, all right, what game went for it this year in terms of doing something different, but different on a big scale and on a big level. And I think that is Deathloop. And I think Arcane is a studio that people look at and love for their direction and for the way they think about making their games.

And I think Deathloop is kind of like the, Deathloop is the one that is a home run in terms of not only is an amazing arcane game, but it's the arcane game that I think is. speaking to the widest amount of people in terms of the mainstream popularity of it. Andy Cortez. It's also one thing to call out, Bless, that what company did something ultra creative and different, but to do that and also be a game of the year candidate is, you can make, you could try to make different shit all you want, and it comes out and everybody goes, ugh, this just doesn't work for me. But the fact that it hit and seen those day one reviews.

10, 10, IGN. Yes. Nuts. Yeah. And I, and I, I know it shouldn't. be a factor, but I feel like it is of also name recognition of the director themselves in this category as well. So I think like the most prominent ones you have here, like Dingo, I think really came out in the forefront of the marketing of Death Loop, but then you also have Joseph Ferris, what it takes

to. And I think Tim Schaefer for Psychonauts too. And I think it's going to be Psychonauts too. And I think it's because it's going to be because of double fine and what they've accomplished with that game and Tim Schaefer and more so of like what he's done in the industry and like how it led to this. I think in that same argument, I think a lot of people love Dingo as well. Like Dinga, I think in the last few years as he's been coming up, like he, one, he's been becoming more and more prominent just doing the interviews and like leading up to his games released.

A hundred percent. But he also, he also says a lot of the right things in terms of what people want to hear about these games and like even things like representation and a lot of what makes Deathloop death loop. I think he's also very identifiable, not as identifiable as Tim Schaefer because he's been around longer, but yeah, I think I think that applies there as well. I totally agree with everything Barrett mentioned about Tim Schaefer, but the thing with Arcane and Death Loop is I feel like a lot of hardcore people in the industry feel like this is finally Arcane's chance to get its flowers with not, with a lot of love not getting thrown the way of dishonored to. Yeah.

and dishonored one, and I feel like this is finally one where they say, give it a death loop, they deserve it. Yeah, and I think they give it to it in a different category, just not this one. Game design nerds are like, in like video game nerds in general, I think like the idea of immersive Sims, especially like people in the industry who are looking to find a game that speaks to them the way that, like their classic favorite PC games spoke to them, like the Half Lives or the Deus or the, like, whatever other game you want to mention

in that category, the Bioshocks. And I think people keep trying to make that happen more and more because those game design elements really speak to a lot of the games that we really love when you think of the modern iterations of that. So like I look at Metal Your Solid 5 and people love the freedom and openness and like reactivity of that game. We look at Breath of Wild and people love the exact same thing about that game. A lot of that comes from the history of like the immersive sim genre and a lot of that shines through death blue because it is arcane. Arcane are the guys that do that and they are the last guys that do that. because like, Idoz Montreal doesn't put out DSX games anymore.

Biocococ hasn't been around forever. Like immersive sims are very few and far between because they just aren't popular games generally. And Death Loop is kind of the last remaining bastion of like that specific type of immersive sim. And so I think with that, a lot of people who are at these outlets and are representing these outlets and are thinking about the games in that way

are going to go hard for Death Loop. And with that game of the year, recognizing a game that delivers the absolute best experience across all creative and technical fields death loop it takes two metro dread psychonauts two ratchet and clank ripped apart a resident evil village with everything everyone just said in the last category i think it goes to death loop as well yeah i think this is death loop no like no fucking shot for anybody else andy cortez this is so tough what do you talk to us i'm leaning towards either Ratchet and Clank or Death Loop.

I think about my own personal feelings with Death Loop and how I didn't love it as much as everybody did, 10 out of 10-wise, but it's still an incredible game and it deserves to be on the list. I think maybe the way that it ended might have some people not fully loving that experience.

Maybe that's just me throwing in my own personal biases into it. I just think Ratchet and Clank what's going to hurt Ratchet and Klingk is that it is a PS2 shooter that's really pretty and it absolutely amped up every aspect they needed to to be on this list. Presentation, graphics, story, characters. The characters you give a shit about,

this is a PS2 mascot platformer, like what the fuck. But Deathloop is just like everything you all just mentioned about Arcane. Yeah. Is this finally Arcane's change? pants. I think, and that's the other thing is that, like, what Blessing was saying of, like, a lot of people are going to be like, man, like, who weren't into immersive Sims

before. And, like, there are people like me who loved DesaSum 2 and wanted so many people to play Desauner 2. And then finally, everybody played Deathloop. And people are like, oh, man, this is what this studio does and they do it really fucking well. Like, this, Death Loop is Arcane's pop album. Like, they have come out, they've gone, they did their, they started off as experimental,

and they figured out how to make the immersive sims. a fucking pop album and so many people loved it when it came out. I think barring the ending, I think that's what's going to be on the least amount of people's mind, Andy, when it comes to that, they're going to think about the design and what Arcane can do with level design and world building and all of that stuff.

I think that's going to be at the front of it all, I think. And when I hear people talk about Ratchet now, what, six months removed from that game, it's like, yeah, it was a great Ratchet game. I agree with anything you just said. I'm going to stick with Ratchet. A lot of the reason why is I think people really want to see also Insomniac get the love. Because every time a great Spider-Man game comes out and loses to the better game that year.

And I feel like that's kind of become the status quo with these game awards. I'll likely be wrong here, but I think I'm going to stick. with Ratchet. Also, just to stay different in case I'm losing at that point. And then you could possibly be right. Or I could lose more. It is interesting that we're in between Arcane and Insomniac with this, because I do think that both studios are utterly fantastic and are continuing to on the Microsoft side and the PlayStation side, ironically, with Deathloop being PlayStation. But going forward, we're going to see, I think, those two studios kind of not compete with each other, but be in very similar

conversations when we talk about Microsoft versus Sony. It is going to be kind of of like the okay this versus that you know what i mean um but i i think that so far insomniac haven't made a the game of the year title i think that they will one day but i think that both the spider-man titles and uh ratchet and clank ripped apart aren't quite that whereas death loop is what barrett was saying that the pop version or the pop album it's it's that moment and i think that even though i didn't love it as much as some of the other games i still think it does have that game of the year quality above the rest of these. I think the conversation, I agree with you, Tim, is like, the conversation is a game

of the year nominee versus a game of the year. And I think in Somniac could spit out Game of the Year nominee after a game of your nominee, but I don't know if I look at their games yet, or at least, at the release this Ratchez and Klank game as this is the game of the year. I think in another year maybe, right, in a year where it isn't going up against a death loop. Honestly, I do think in a year where it's not going up against a death loop, I think its chances raise dynamically. I think death loop, though, I look at as a game that does hit all those different areas that you need to really do be, to really become that game of the year when you're talking about, you know, an engaging story and narrative, engaging voice acting, action that that feels not only polished and fun, but also creative and is doing something different and new.

and it being a new IP and it being, again, like you know, like you and Barry said, like the pop album of what Arcane is doing, right? I think it hits all those elements in ways that make it feel like it's something that is way refreshing. And that's not to say that Ratch and Clank Rit-A-Part isn't refreshing, but Ratchet and Clank is something that we've gotten before that I think needs to do a lot more in order to catch people off guard in a way where they look at this and they go, oh, fuck, man, this is the best game I've played in years. Like, you know, right before Ration-Lank Ritchaparte-Part came out, me and Greg played the R-Rash-N-Lank-Rat. Clank 2016 remake based off the movie, based off the original game. And jumping from that game into this next game, you know, like the biggest things that I could say for Rift Apart are that, hey, this game polished things up dynamically. Hey, this game has a bit more of an engaging story.

Hey, this game looks beautiful. But in, like, in its heart, it is kind of still that same game in ways that don't feel like a innovation. It feels like an iteration. Death Loop feels like an innovation in so many ways that I think people are to identify and look at and go, oh, this is game of the year. This is the best game that came out. Andy, it's their enema of the state.

Like, Dishonor 2, Dude Ranch, Death Loop, Enema of the State. But also, like, I mean, they were out there running in the streets naked and you're like, what's my age again? These guys are going to be huge. What's up, my gosh. I'm just saying, like, look at the ratchet sales, like the popularity of Ratchett. Like, you're making a good choice with Ratchet being your pick for The Year.

And I'm mostly, I also mostly stay with Ratchet just because I think of, it was, I think, really consistent front to back. And I, this is all just personal biases and I'm speaking with my heart Tim, but man, I wish I would have been on that review panel for Death Loop because I know I'd like it a lot more than I did at the end of it because I played it in

separate chunks and it started to feel like a chore going through the extra loops by the end of it. Like, I kind of wanted the game to end in the same way that I kind of felt with Guardians. It was like, man, this is kind of like lasting a bit longer than I wanted. And I just think of, I think Ratchet

it was just really complete and shocking that a game like that can even be here. It's akin to like having a comedy movie be like a best picture nominee. You know what I mean? Absolutely point. It's weird that it's even here that the fact that it's a, I'm going to jump and dodge and shoot a lot and have a bunch of different guns. And I just think it's the most complete 10 out of 10 for me. But that's for me.

Well, let us know in the comments below what your predictions are for every single category. I want you to leave one comment for every category with your pick just to stoke that algorithm. You know what I'm talking about? We will, of course, be live reacting to the game awards when they happen on December. I'm going to say 10th. You're so close. December 9th, maybe. We're going to be right there.

That's going to be a lot of fun. I hope that all of you have a fantastic Thanksgiving break, weekend, whatever the hell you want to call it. if you're up in Canada or somewhere else in the world, just have a good weekend, no matter what. Eat some damn turkey, no matter who you are. But we're about to do the Patreon exclusive post show. Until next time, love you all. Goodbye.