The gaming community's go-to resource for insightful commentary and reviews, Rock Paper Shotgun, has officially announced that they are on their winter holidays. The usually bustling website with frequent updates will experience a brief pause as the staff takes a well-deserved break, returning on January 2, 2024. The announcement has left many anticipating what the website has prepared during their absence, as well as when they will be back with their fresh takes on gaming in the New Year.
Despite the holiday hiatus, the Rock Paper Shotgun team hasn’t left their readers without entertainment. Acknowledging the holiday traditions, the site has prepared a line-up of content, hashtagging the scheduled posts to ensure the audience stays engaged. An example is the Advent Calendar tradition, which will culminate with the much-anticipated Game of the Year 2023 reveal. Even though some keen community members on Discord are confident in their guesses about the winner, the official announcement is set to keep the holiday spirit alive with the final reveal scheduled for 1 PM GMT.
But the yearly wrap-ups don’t end there. Rock Paper Shotgun is also providing an array of Selection Boxes post-Christmas, where every staff member shares their personal game recommendations – the ones they feel were unfairly left out of the Advent Calendar or that under other circumstances didn’t make the cut. These honorable mentions serve as a personal touch from the staff, providing insight into their individual tastes and favorites from the past year.
For those keen on analytical reflections, there will be multiple Year In Review roundups. From looking back at the standout reviews dubbed "Bestest Best" to examining the year’s trends from a game guides perspective, these compilations serve as both a recap and a lens into the site's viewpoints on the year's gaming landscape.
A special treat awaits the site's Supporters, as Rock Paper Shotgun is unlocking specific posts that were initially funded by this dedicated group so everyone can enjoy the thoughtful content. By exploring the "From The Archive" tag, readers will have access to a trove of previously exclusive articles, extending the range of content available throughout the holiday season.
Adding to the festive cheer, the team has prepared their annual Christmas Crackers – a series of jokes that promise to be in line with the holiday spirit, for better or worse. These tidbits of humor are promised daily, ensuring a light-hearted touch to the content offerings during the break.
The temporary sign-off is tinged with both excitement and nostalgia, as the message from the team reflects a sense of community and shared experiences. The staff, speaking from the "past" due to the pre-scheduled nature of the announcements, invites readers to engage in reflections and share their gaming resolutions for 2024 in the comments section. With a personal resolution to "play more weird stuff," the call for engagement hints at the inclusive and interactive characteristic of the site's relationship with its audience.
The thank you note to the readers encompasses the essence of the holiday sign-off. It’s a nod to the communal experiences shared throughout the year and an upbeat promise to reunite in the New Year. As readers dive into festive celebrations, partake in the scheduled content, or simply take a break themselves, there’s a clear sentiment echoed by the Rock Paper Shotgun team: enjoy the hiatus, engage with the holiday offerings, and gear up for the exciting possibilities of gaming in 2024. Fans can rest assured that come January 2, the team will be back, refreshed and ready to continue their coverage of the gaming world, hopefully not too hungover from the festivities.
