As the festive season arrives, Rock Paper Shotgun (RPS), a familiar name among gaming enthusiasts, has announced its annual winter break. The team has reminded public relations professionals and correspondents to hold off on sending any emails until they are back at their virtual desks in the new year. However, while the staff bundles up against the seasonal chill and takes a well-deserved rest, RPS fans can look forward to a trove of pre-scheduled content meant to carry them through to 2024.
Eager to maintain the holiday spirit, RPS has a special treat lined up for their readers. On the following Saturday, the final piece of their Advent Calendar will reveal the much-anticipated Game of the Year for 2023. Although there might be little surprise among faithful readers about what title will clinch this coveted spot, the tradition continues. The announcement is set for 1pm GMT, rewarding those who tune in with the formal recognition of the game that has truly stood out this year.
If the Advent Calendar choices haven't entirely hit the mark with some of the readership, RPS has devised an additional offering called the RPS Selection Boxes. Staff members will use this opportunity to shine a light on games they believe deserve recognition but might not have made it onto the Advent Calendar. These "hon. menchies" will provide an eclectic assortment of gaming recommendations when regular posts from the RPS team pause for the holidays.
The website isn't just about looking back at the best games but also about providing reflection on the gaming industry as a whole over the past year. With this in mind, RPS will release a series of 'Year In Review' roundups that give readers a chance to reminisce about the year's gaming milestones. They will remind readers of the high points, presenting the 'Bestest Best' reviews and encapsulating what 2023 meant from a gaming perspective.
Guides from the RPS team often help players navigate complex gaming landscapes, and in doing so, these guides have become an essential part of the RPS identity. In the year-end review, the guides team will offer insights into what trends and themes defined their work and, by extension, the gaming world in 2023.
Appreciative of the support from their community, RPS is also unlocking various Supporter-funded posts for public viewing. This gesture offers an inclusive peek into content that has been exclusive to supporters in the past, further boosting the festive offering. Curious readers are encouraged to check the 'From The Archive' tag for these unlocked treasures and enjoy a broad range of previously supporter-exclusive content.
While RPS is known for its in-depth gaming analysis and authoritative reviews, they also have a lighter side, celebrated with their annual Christmas Crackers. These are designed to bring a smile—or maybe a groan—with holiday-themed jokes that the team jestingly admits might have outdone themselves in the 'awful' stakes this year. Expect a little humor to be part of the daily posts that will help offset the more serious gaming analysis that RPS is known for.
As the closure message reveals, the RPS team is handling tasks from the 'past' to ensure readers have an uninterrupted flow of content while they're away. With tweets scheduled and a stash of chocolates at ready, they're also taking a moment to express gratitude for the interaction and support of their readership over the past year. They invite comments sharing gaming resolutions for 2024, revealing their own commitment to exploring more 'weird stuff' in the gaming universe in the coming year.
With a firm 'see you next year' and a hopeful note that fans won't be suffering from the notorious New Year's Day hangover, RPS bids adieu to 2023. The enthusiasm and anticipation for the fresh possibilities of 2024 are palpable—even through the paused correspondence—as the gaming community awaits their return on January 2nd. Fans are reassured that though the treehouse office may be closed for now, the spirit of gaming and community engagement remains warmly alive through the winter break.
