Hello everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Giant Bomb Community Spotlight! I, @zombiepie, am once again honored to be your host as we look back at the best community creations and site-related news from the previous week.
Another week in 2024 down; another week of devastating layoffs in the gaming industry. For those of you impacted by these cuts and corporate redundancy efforts, know that you are loved and deserve an industry that does not swallow you into a dysfunctional relationship.
As mentioned last week, Giant Bomb will be attending PAX East in 2024! The hope is to have at least two Giant Bomb-related panels, but things are still in progress. The new news this week is that Tamoor will be joining the Giant Bomb staff in attending the event.
Last week, someone asked about DICE and if there would be any coverage of the event on the site. I got word from Jan that Tam and Lucy are definitely going and will be chatting with folks. Maybe you will see some things from them, but that seems like the ceiling.
Earlier this week, some people were wondering if non-commercial use of Giant Bomb's API, especially for video apps, was being changed as per new management and I got a hard confirmation that the API policy hasn't changed. If you need your API key fixed or reset, contact support.
Finally, on January 31st, 2024, I will be having a meeting with representatives from Fandom about the state of the site and progress regarding known issues here. I have already been told that there will be significant information to be shared about the video player. However, if there's anything you want me to bring up during this meeting, feel free to share it in the form of a comment down below.
Tweets
An animation of the INCREDIBLE Flawless Victory from "Mike Miquanchi" @giantbomb @Tolkoto @JeffGrubb @DanRyckert @GBDudersFeed https://t.co/a2cX7jIpZm
— Pickle Giraffe (@Pickle_Giraffe) January 26, 2024
Spot the difference in this clip pic.twitter.com/DaOSTxM8Uw
— 🏳️⚧️ Creaky Legs 🏳️🌈 (@CreakyLegs) January 20, 2024
Ode to Tamoor Twocave, a real legend. Was he a man? Was he a bird? Who knows, but he was fatal to Mammoths! @giantbomb @JeffGrubb @DanRyckert pic.twitter.com/5Fj4NDWphh
— KOS39 (they/them) (@cosmicwhalefall) January 25, 2024
Watching @alex_navarro's "DLC DOA" stream definitely brought back a lot of memories of those nights during the pandemic. But, of course it also reminded me of the first time Rock Band DLC ended forever.https://t.co/SP5GUJA0SU
— Brad Lynch (@MarinoV1) January 26, 2024
@Tolkoto After those heartbreaking defeats on @giantbomb's Blight Club, I had to make you this hype video. pic.twitter.com/7YSgd1T8Zr
— evie mae 🏳️⚧️ (@ethers_elixirs) January 25, 2024
We're playing through Tail of the Sun on @giantbomb and it made me find an old stupid thing I made when I played through it 13 years ago at @gameinformer pic.twitter.com/m9gP6TZ9hL
— Dan Ryckert (@DanRyckert) January 25, 2024
Galleria
Minotti's Dungeon Of Doom (By: @BungleNoMore)
As to be expected, the Minotti x Quan Chi fan art did not stop coming out this week! This work by BungleNoMore imagines Minotti leading the Dungeon Of Doom.
Minotti As Paul Bearer (By: @jearum)
Imagining Minotti in his Quan Chi makeup as a figure in wrestling CONTINUES with jearum imagining them as the legendary wrestling manager, Paul Bearer! They even managed to pick out the perfect expression!
We Like Turtles (By: @kone)
And why not take Minotti's white face-paint getup and merge it with the most memed white face-paint-based moment in the history of humanity? Well... Kone has us covered in that regard!
Video
Flawless Victory - A Giant Bomb Blight Club Animated Clip (By: Pickle Giraffe)
We don't always have a video to share on the Spotlight, but this one is very very very very special and I hope as many of you give it a watch! This user-made animation reimagines the INCREDIBLE Flawless Victory from "Mike Miquanchi" during a recent Blight Club for Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero!
Activities
Unsanctioned Unofficial Game Pass Game Club Voting Thread For Cycle Starting January 29 2024 (By: @bigsocrates)
SteamWorld Build is the 3rd pick for the Game Pass Game Club this year! Have any of you played this indie strategy and simulation game from the Steamworld universe and developer The Station? Click the link to join the fun!
Also, if you are reading this on the week, please remember that you still have time to submit a vote for TWO GAMES that you would like the Game Pass Game Club to play in the future!
The GB Album Club 049 - Perihelion by Sungazer (By: @unclejam23)
The Album of the Week Club has a new album pick! This week, the group will be discussing Perihelion by Sungazer! Share your thoughts in the discussion thread above! Personally, I enjoy the bass work in this album!
Blogs
My Thoughts on Another Code Recollection (By: @bowl-of-lentils)
Bowl-of-Lentils is a participant in the fan translation community and a huge fan of the original, but they decided to write an essay on Another Code: Recollection about why playing Recollection gave them a surprising feeling of closure with the series.
Carry, Fight, Increase, and Be Eaten: An Analysis of Pikmin (By: GAMER_152)
In case you missed it, moderator Gamer_152 penned a lengthy essay on OG Pikmin! Read why they think there are merits in assessing it like a shooter as well as a strategy game, and that it should examined for its depictions of evolution!
My Favorite Non-Gaming Things of 2023-ish (By: @willin)
willin already published a traditional GOTY 2023 list on the site. So, this week, they decided to highlight their favorite non-gaming things that they enjoyed last year with their latest blog! Here's a hint of what to expect!
Am I Doing Something Wrong With BG3? I Want To Like It (By: @sombre)
sombre has a problem. They feel like they should "love" Baldur's Gate 3, but things are not working out that way. Check out their short blog to see what's the hitch-up and comment if you think it is worth it for them to continue on playing the game.
Indie Game of the Week 354: Ary and the Secret of Seasons (By: @mento)
Moderator Mento has a new 64 in 64 post! This is where they go through Nintendo 64 games in just 64 minutes before reviewing them! This week, Mento checks out Doom 64 and Heiwa Pachinko World 64! Guess which one cracked their top 10!
Additionally, it is time for another edition of Mento's "Indie Game of the Week" series and this episode tackles the sphere-summoning adventure game, Ary and the Secret of Seasons! Read why they were enjoying the game until they started butting up against some of its strange problems.
2023 Games of the Year! (By: @yeahbrother)
YEAHbrother might be a bit late, but they finally got around to writing a blog detailing their favorite games from the previous year. Just a friendly reminder to those of you that still have yet to publish a GOTY 2023 blog or list; I am still happy to showcase them! Just keep me in the loop!
Discussion Threads
It's Only January And Almost 6,000 Video Game Development Or Gaming Industry Related Jobs Have Been Eliminated (UPDATED) (By: @zombiepie)
It's only January and already almost 6,000 people in the gaming industry have lost their job. What does accountability for bad business decisions look like to you? How many of these cuts did you see coming?
Has Anyone Been Reading Any Good Modern Sci-Fi/Fantasy? (By: @sombre)
Have any of you been reading new science-fiction or fantasy books or novels? Do any of you have sci-fi/fantasy short story suggestions? Share your suggestion(s) with the community by dropping a comment!
Sega Is Charging People For A New Game+ Mode For Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (By: @brian_)
There's a minor storm of controversy regarding Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and how its New Game+ is locked behind a paywall. Is this a dangerous precedent?
What's The Most Anime Thing You've Seen In Public (By: @spacemanspiff00)
Here's a fun discussion thread on the Giant Bomb forums! What is the "most anime thing" you have seen in the wild? Have you seen any anime car decals? How about random cosplay out in the wild? Share your stories in the thread!
In The Most Bizarre Release Announcement Ever, You Have 3 Months To Play Love Live! School idol festival 2 MIRACLE LIVE! (By: @zombiepie)
In one of the most bizarre video game release announcements ever, Love Live! School Idol Festival 2 MIRACLE LIVE! had its global release and shutdown date announced. Does this speak to the state of gacha games?
What Do You Do For Fun Outside Of Videogames? (By: @sombre)
Trying out new hobbies is a common New Year's Resolution for a lot of people, but have you tried any non-gaming hobbies this year for the first time? What are your normal non-video game-related hobbies?
Is Palworld Using Generative A.I.? (By: @devoureroftime)
Should Palworld be added to Giant Bomb's "Generative A.I." concept page or do you think the game's use of other assets is something entirely different? Join the discussion and feel free to share evidence to strengthen your case.
Lists
Fan Translations Backlog (By: @frobos)
Frobos is making a resolution to play more games that only came out in Japan but have critically acclaimed fan translations! Here are some of the games they included on their list and consider making your own list when you can!
Wiki Of The Week
Huge props to @dochaus for creating this franchise page that I do not think a lot of people are aware of! Did you know that Lobotomy Corporation, Library Of Ruina, AND Limbus Company all exist in a shared universe? With the latter of those three coming out SOON, this franchise page might prove helpful to those of you wondering where the story stands right now!