As the chilly winds howl and festive lights sparkle, Rock Paper Shotgun, a cherished gaming platform, has announced that it is entering its winter holiday period. Fans and followers will have to hold off on sending emails until the team returns in 2024, which opens a window of leisure and recreation for the staff while leaving its audience with a trove of prearranged content to enjoy during the break.
The team takes its leave with a friendly yet firm reminder: the holiday season is upon us, and it is a time for breaks, including theirs. The break highlights the significance of rest in the perpetually bustling world of gaming journalism, where content creators, like many others, require time to recharge. The message bespeaks the need for downtime amidst a culture that often prioritizes constant connectivity and productivity.
While the treehouse—the imaginative and figurative workspace of the RPS crew—gets too cold for occupation during the holiday season, the gaming dialogues and festivities continue. Enthusiastically adhering to the seasonal traditions, they leave their audience with an Advent Calendar activity. The grand reveal, a festive staple, is set to announce their Game of the Year for 2023. This is a highly anticipated event, even though the choice of the winner seems to be an open secret among the community.
The period away will not leave the followers high and dry. Rock Paper Shotgun has a traditional backup plan ready. RPS Selection Boxes are the team’s way of recognizing the games that didn't make it into the Advent Calendar but still deserve an honorable mention (hon. menchies). These titles, handpicked by the staff, range from overlooked gems to high achievers that narrowly missed the main lineup. They confirm the plenitude of quality games deserving limelight and discussion, ensuring fans have new titles to explore.
The reflective tone of the message shines through as the year's review is slated to come out during the break. The year has seen its fair share of gaming phenomena, and Rock Paper Shotgun meticulously rounds up the Bestest Best reviews and features that defined the year. What’s more, the guide creators will provide insights on the trends and strategies that shaped gaming in 2023, presenting a comprehensive retro look at a dynamic year.
Adding to the festive spirit, Rock Paper Shotgun unrolls a virtuous move: making Supporter-funded posts freely available to all. This gesture not only opens up a wealth of content but also fosters a sense of community inclusivity. The From The Archive tag can act as a time capsule for readers, taking them back to previous insights and stories that may have slipped through the busy fingers of time.
Of course, what would a holiday be without laughter – however cheesy it may be? Rock Paper Shotgun promises to continue its tradition of ‘Christmas Crackers’, a series of jokes to lighten the mood throughout the break. These jokes, humorously hinted to be of questionable quality, serve as a quirky gift to the audience, keeping the holiday cheer alive in the unique spirit of the RPS community.
The announcement closes with an air of nostalgia and camaraderie. Speaking from the past, the writer reflects on the labor behind the scenes, ensuring that even as they feast on holiday treats, their audience will not be neglected. It's a peek into the personal connection between the site and its audience, inviting everyone to share their gaming resolutions for the imminent year. The writer shares their own – a commitment to exploring more “weird stuff,” an unchanging but ever-evocative aspiration.
As Rock Paper Shotgun wraps up its year, it does so with gratitude towards its community for the shared moments and support. The message is clear: the team values the shared passion for gaming that knits their audience together. With the promise to be back and refreshed on January 2, 2024, Rock Paper Shotgun encourages everyone to enjoy their own breaks and to look forward to reuniting in a new year that brims with gaming potential.
While the platform may be quiet, the anticipation for its return and the contentment of shared holiday mirth will surely keep the community's spirit alight. Happy holidays to all, and a game-filled New Year awaits just beyond the festive horizon.
