As the year draws to a close, many organizations and businesses are winding down, taking a well-deserved break to spend time with family and friends. This year, Rock Paper Shotgun, the beloved gaming website known for its in-depth analysis and quirky take on gaming news, has announced that it is on winter holidays and requests that readers refrain from sending emails until they're back in action in the new year.
The message to the website's audience is clear and light-hearted: the team is ready to step back and enjoy the holiday season. Despite the pause in usual activities, Rock Paper Shotgun has made sure that its audience will not be left wanting for entertainment and reading material. There's a plethora of content that the team has thoughtfully scheduled to be published during their absence, ensuring that readers have plenty to engage with during the festive period.
Rock Paper Shotgun's readers are no strangers to the site's annual traditions, such as the Advent Calendar, which involved the reveal of their Game Of The Year 2023. While the community on Discord may gleefully claim to know the winner, the anticipation remains for the official announcement. The joy of guessing and the playful banter, much like playing charades, is part and parcel of the holiday fun.
In addition to the Game Of The Year reveal, there's an extra treat lined up: the RPS Selection Boxes. These are essentially lists curated by individual staff members, encompassing games they personally recommend, many of which may not have made it to the official Advent Calendar but still hold a special place in their hearts. This feature gives insight into the diverse tastes and gaming interests that exist within the Rock Paper Shotgun team, potentially leading readers to discover new gaming gems.
Furthermore, the RPS Year In Review articles look back on the year, summarizing the highs and lows, the standout features, and the guides that played a significant role throughout the year. It's a fascinating look into the gaming landscape of 2023, jogging memories of the past year's gaming hits and surprises, such as Hi-Fi Rush.
Notably, the spirit of giving is alive and well at Rock Paper Shotgun, as the team has decided to make Supporter-funded posts available to all. Readers have the opportunity to delve into a wide array of content from the site's archive, a move that generously opens up premium content that was previously exclusive.
Keeping the spirits high and laughter flowing, the annual Christmas Crackers will feature. While the jokes might make one cringe—they're anticipated to be 'just awful'—they are a tradition that brings a goofy smile to the community during the holiday season.
As the team speaks from the past, they are putting the final touches on their holiday setup—scheduling tweets, finalizing posts, and making the virtual space cozy for their readers' visits during the break. They leave their audience with a comment section prompt to share gaming resolutions for the upcoming year. For the staff at Rock Paper Shotgun, it's about playing more "weird stuff," a recurring theme that encourages exploration and openness to unconventional gaming experiences.
The warmth of the sign-off message is apparent, as the team expresses gratitude for the past year and looks forward to reconnecting with their audience in 2024. The assurance of returning on January 2nd is comforting to readers, setting the stage for another year of engaging content and community rapport.
As Rock Paper Shotgun takes its annual hiatus, the team has ensured that their absence is but a brief pause in the constant stream of gaming culture they cultivate. Through scheduled posts, year-end roundups, and festive jokes, the bond with their audience remains undiminished. Readers are encouraged to enjoy the holidays and engage with the content provided, eagerly anticipating what Rock Paper Shotgun will bring to the table in the new year.
While the treehouse may be too cold for the team right now, it's only a matter of time before they reopen its doors, inviting both the familiar and the new to gather around the warmth of shared gaming passion and community spirit. Until then, readers are left with ample reading and gaming recommendations to explore and enjoy.
