This was a tough listen. Put me down for an "I'm With Jeff" shirt with everyone else. It took nearly an hour before the category was adequately defined and I found the definition made the category less interesting than two separate categories that would have made everyone involved happier. The name certainly didn't help.
Given the definition of the category established, Zelda had to be the runaway winner. That game feels like it will be the standard by which other open world games are judged.
It's funny that Brad was adamant about including world building and lore as part of the story discussion and not this category because I remember him arguing against Mass Effect 2 for Best Story in 2010 because he felt that the main narrative in it was weak and it was only propped up by the world building and lore (which I remember his not counting as story but I may not be remembering correctly). I'm not saying he is hypocritical, it's just interesting to see how the categories and perceptions of the categories by the staff have changed.
I got through about a half of it before I had to stop. I forgot how brutal this movie was and I just don't have the stomach for watching kids murder each other. It's just too grim.
I think the people making the argument that a lot of places you shop at have unethical business practices are missing the point. I don't think anyone is arguing against that point. Everyone shops at someplace that is unethical, it is unavoidable. Heck, people continue buying things from companies even after finding out about unethical business practices. For a lot of people, it's not possible to both be ethical consumers and continue to live properly. It's not possible and I'd argue it shouldn't be expected of them.
The problem people have with Dan's statements is that he wishes to be willfully ignorant of these things. It may not seem like much but if a lot of people thought this way, then there would even less chance of conditions improving (they are already close to nonexistent). I know I'm not being profound when I say that knowledge allows people to make better decisions. People may not be able to stop engaging with unethical companies but they might be able to make decisions (such as voting) that can limit or get rid of the bad aspects of companies.
I play video games but I'm not willing to turn a blind eye to the problems Devs face working for big companies and I'd bet that Dan isn't either. That mindset can be extended beyond video games.
P.S. I love Dan but I can't agree with his approach here.
UlquioKani's comments