As the festive cheer spreads and temperatures drop, the team at Rock Paper Shotgun (RPS) has decided it's too cold to work from their metaphorical treehouse and has announced a much-deserved winter break. They will not be available until January 2, 2024, but they have assured their dedicated readers that their absence will not leave a void in the gaming news landscape.
The announcement comes as a humorous call to public relations professionals and other eager email senders, who are reminded that the RPS team will not be responding until the new year. The tone is light-hearted, reflecting the general merriment of the season, and there is an acknowledgment that date mix-ups are inevitable as 2024 rolls in.
True to their commitment to their audience, RPS has thoughtfully prepared a lineup of content to keep their readers engaged and entertained during the holiday season. Readers have been promised a showstopper: the reveal of their Game of the Year 2023. Slated for unveiling on a Saturday afternoon, the RPS team teases the expected reaction—despite predictions of the winner floating around the community, the announcement is shrouded in playful secrecy, maintaining the festive spirit of surprise.
For those readers who may have been let down by the choices on the Advent Calendar this year, RPS offers a consoling package of additional content—the RPS Selection Boxes. This concept provides a platform where each staff member champions games they believe deserve honorable mentions, extending recognition to titles that might not have made it to the spotlight earlier.
Further diving into retrospection, the RPS team has curated a series of Year in Review roundups, encompassing a comprehensive recollection of 2023 from various perspectives. This includes a compilation of the Bestest Best reviews—the accolades given to standout games throughout the year. In addition, the features team and guides team have their own takes on the year's defining moments and trends, drawing readers' attention to what shaped the gaming world over the past twelve months.
RPS doesn't stop at reviewing and recommending. As a gesture of goodwill, they have made several Supporter-funded posts accessible to all. By checking the "From The Archive" tag, readers can unlock a treasure trove of RPS content, broadening their insights into the gaming industry.
Not one to shy away from holiday clichés, the team has prepared a series of Christmas Crackers—jokes so comically terrible they verge on being a highlight for their sheer cringe-worthy humor, destined to become a daily treat throughout the break.
In a heartfelt sign-off, the message transitions from a jovial update to a warm thank you, addressing the readers directly for their continued support. The author, seemingly transported from a moment in the immediate past, brings a personal touch by sharing their anticipation for the new year and welcoming readers to contribute their game-related resolutions for 2024.
The RPS team’s resolution is an annual tradition—to engage with more "weird stuff," a commitment to exploring the uncharted territories of gaming that inspire both writers and readers to step outside familiar zones. With a final endearment for its readership, Rock Paper Shotgun closes the year on an optimistic note, looking forward to rejoicing in the diverse world of gaming in the year to come.
