I'm with others here in that I didn't like this new format for GOTY discussions. Been with the site since it launched and subbed for years and this is by far my least favorite year for GOTY stuff. What I predicted last year about the deliberations came to pass and I couldn't make it more than 30min - 1 hour on each of the new videos. I've just been reading most of the staff's Top 10 lists instead.
I understand these videos are time consuming and aren't easy to make but I don't see the point in recapping practically EVERY decent game that out this year and spend three whole days talking about them. The website is full of Quick Looks and Podcasts if I wanted to go back and hear the Staff's thoughts on a game.
I would like it if they came into these GOTY talks with a set list of finalists per category (possibly 5 per, maybe more, maybe less) beforehand and then debate on which game would win with a runner-up. They can even upload some "uncut" or "unedited" videos in a separate list that show why each games were chosen and which were cut for those that want the full picture/experience.
I get that the Staff felt the need for change with some of the old GOTY deliberations really draining them and debates started to throw logic out the window as fatigue started to set it. Some restrictions on amount of time spent on a topic or more breaks in between categories could have helped. Changes and compromises were needed but this year just felt like an extreme gutting of the content people liked and wanted. I want more goofy Hitsmas like videos and really miss the fun categories like "Biggest Mess", "Most Disappointing", and "Please Stop". The takeaway is I think these changes turned off more people rather than get more people invested in this format.
I thank the GB crew for all their hard work and adore the content on this site but I just wanted to throw in my two cents on the GOTY deliberations topic.
Can we up this series to at least twice a week please? Loving it so far but the Monday wait for the next episode is painful. Having beat the game myself, at this pace with just one episode it will take a very long time to finish the game if you guys even plan to.
Link2025's comments