As the winter season sets in and the holiday cheer spreads, the team behind Rock Paper Shotgun (RPS), a popular source for gaming news and reviews, has announced that they are taking a well-deserved break. With the treehouse office deemed too chilly for the festive season, they've decided to take a pause from their usual routine, recommencing their services on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024.
The close of the year signifies a time for rest and celebration for many, and in the spirit of the season, RPS encourages its readership to refrain from sending emails during their hiatus. Interestingly, the staff won't be exposed to these frosty conditions for too long, as they will be back to bask in the metaphorically warmer climes of January.
Despite the break, the team behind RPS is set to provide its audience with a plethora of content to keep them entertained during the holidays. This stream of content is somewhat of a parting gift from the team, reflecting their affection for their audience. Tomorrow marks an important day on the RPS calendar as the ultimate door of their Advent Calendar is set to open, revealing the highly anticipated Game Of The Year 2023. Although whispers on Discord seem to suggest that the result might not be a surprise to most, the team at RPS maintains the holiday spirit by continuing with the charade, reminiscent of the season's traditional games.
The RPS Advent Calendar is not the only feature that readers can look forward to. The staff have also curated a selection of “extra options” with their RPS Selection Boxes. These boxes feature games that, according to the staff, were unjustly omitted from the official calendar or didn't quite make it but still deserve a mention. This belies a behind-the-scenes term coined by the team – "hon. menchies" – signifying these honorable mentions.
Furthermore, the RPS team will roll out a series of 'Year In Review' roundups to give readers a comprehensive look back at the year's defining moments. From putting together lists of the best reviews to examining the year's highlights through the lens of their guides, these retrospectives aim to provide readers with a unique perspective on the year that was 2023.
Another interesting feature for the holidays is the release of special posts that were initially funded by supporters. These posts will go live for all readers during the break, and one can access them through the 'Latest feed' or by exploring the 'From The Archive' tag. This initiative makes exclusive content available for the public, adding to the Christmas goodwill.
And as any festive period would not be complete without its share of cracker jokes, RPS promises to deliver some cringe-worthy humor with their annual Christmas Crackers. The staff boasts (with a hint of embarrassed pride) of having outdone themselves this year with jokes so bad they've set new records. More than just comic relief, these jokes are also meant to offer some perspective during the holidays, possibly including a joke with a Star Trek twist.
As the wrap-up message reveals, much of this is prepared in advance, with the future-past tense playfully used to inform readers that by the time they read the message, the staff will be engaging in holiday relaxation, potentially indulging in chocolates and contemplation of the year ahead.
The break for RPS is filled with anticipation, not only for rest and enjoyment but also for the interactive element that RPS believes in. They invite their readers to share their own gaming resolutions for the upcoming year in the comments section. Echoing a sentiment likely shared among their audience, the RPS team's resolution is to delve deeper into the world of 'weird stuff' in the gaming realm.
In a heartfelt conclusion, the staff extends a warm thank you to their readership for all the moments shared throughout the year and for their continuous support. With promises of a return in the new year, less the hangovers, RPS signs off with well-wishes for the holiday season and an earnest “see you next year!”
