Game Scoop! 793: Game of the Decade Watch Begins!
Release Date: January 10, 2025 | Host: IGN
Introduction to Game of the Decade Watch
Kicking off the first episode of the new year, Damon Hatfield, Sam Claiborne, and Justin Davis welcome listeners to Game Scoop! 793, marking the beginning of the "Game of the Decade Watch." Despite challenges posed by ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, the team adapts to remote recording with special thanks to their producer, Red.
Planning and Current Events Impact
The episode opens with a brief mention of the wildfires affecting the Los Angeles area, highlighting their impact on air quality and the IGN office's operations. Damon Hatfield shares, “[...] the Internet has been out from the IGN office all week” (02:00), emphasizing the resilience required to continue producing content under challenging circumstances.
Game of the Decade: Initial Nominations
The core discussion revolves around determining potential candidates for the "Game of the Decade." Damon presents his preliminary list of ten games, including:
- Tears of the Kingdom
- Baldur's Gate 3
- Elden Ring
- Hades
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Ghost of Tsushima
- AstroBot
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
- Balatro
- Vampire Survivors
He explains his criteria: games with wide appeal, lasting impact, and ongoing community engagement.
Damon Hatfield [05:44]: "Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur's Gate 3, Elden Ring... these games have made a real impact on the gaming community."
Debate and Refinement of the List
Justin Davis and Sam Claiborne engage in a thoughtful debate, questioning the inclusion of certain titles based on their influence and nostalgia factors.
Justin Davis [05:59]: "I don't think Final Fantasy Rebirth personally deserves to be a game of the decade contender. It's a great 8 out of 10 game, but not quite there."
Sam Claiborne introduces additional titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Animal Crossing, arguing their cultural and societal significance, especially in how Animal Crossing became a societal glue during global shutdowns.
Sam Claiborne [08:22]: "Animal Crossing was a glue of society when things shut down, which is so crazy."
The hosts also discuss the lasting appeal of remakes and their role in the gaming landscape, contemplating whether titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will gain more traction over time.
Emerging Trends and the Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors
A significant portion of the episode delves into the buzz surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2. The hosts speculate on its features based on leaks and mock-ups presented by third-party accessory makers like Genki.
Justin Davis [21:08]: "There are rumors of a Breath of the Wild running at 4K 60fps on the Switch 2... that's exciting but also makes me a little sad because Tears of the Kingdom needs the extra horsepower."
They discuss innovative features such as the potential inclusion of an optical sensor on the Joy-Con, enabling mouse-like functionalities for games like Civilization 7, and the incorporation of enhanced connectivity with existing Joy-Con controllers.
Sam Claiborne [46:20]: "The mouse mode is the cutest, coolest idea. It makes sense to have for games like Civ."
The conversation includes humorous speculations about future Nintendo features and the company's unique approach to hardware design.
Personal Gaming Break Activities
The hosts share what they've been playing during the holiday break, highlighting a mix of classic and modern titles:
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Justin Davis revisits SSX3 and Burnout: Takedown Hell, drawing parallels between the festival vibes of Forza Horizon and the mountain tournaments in SSX.
Justin Davis [27:00]: "It's like a big tournament and festival, similar to Forza Horizon's celebration of cars."
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Sam Claiborne immerses himself in Indiana Jones games, grappling with intricate puzzles and appreciating the game's depth.
Sam Claiborne [30:24]: "There are a bunch of puzzles that have to do with gears... it's really cool."
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Damon Hatfield engages with the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection, leveraging features like turning off random encounters and utilizing XP boosts to enhance his gameplay experience.
Damon Hatfield [34:26]: "I can just turn encounters off and walk back out... while earning points on rent is now a reality."
20 Questions Segment
A playful segment where the hosts engage in a game of "20 Questions" centered around video games, incorporating listener suggestions and personal anecdotes.
Justin Davis [63:22]: "Is this a console exclusive?" Sam Claiborne [64:03]: "No."
The segment showcases their camaraderie and deep knowledge of gaming history, as they attempt to guess the game suggested by a listener named Marcus from Chicago—ultimately identifying it as Octopath Traveler 2.
Engagement and Community Interaction
The hosts emphasize the importance of listener engagement, encouraging fans to join their Facebook group and participate in discussions.
Damon Hatfield [56:23]: "We can never use him again."
They also highlight Greg Kelly's creation of a tool that links to random "20 Questions" segments from past episodes, enhancing listener interaction and content longevity.
Damon Hatfield [62:07]: "It's a simple site that anytime you load the page, it will link to a random video game 20 question segment from a game scoop episode over the years."
Closing Remarks and Future Outlook
Concluding the episode, the hosts reiterate their commitment to the "Game of the Decade Watch" and express excitement for future gaming releases and industry developments. They also extend well-wishes to listeners affected by the wildfires and acknowledge Red's contribution in facilitating the remote recording.
Damon Hatfield [71:06]: "If you have your own suggestions for video game 20 questions, email them to me at gamescoop.com."
Notable Quotes
- Sam Claiborne [02:55]: "It's like a huge environmental catastrophe."
- Damon Hatfield [22:14]: "My personal pick would be Elden Ring out of the decade so far."
- Justin Davis [33:54]: "Once a video game is 20 years old, the keys to it are just given to the players."
- Sam Claiborne [55:42]: "It's a troll. I know exactly what you're talking about."
Conclusion
Game Scoop! 793 successfully inaugurates the "Game of the Decade Watch," offering in-depth discussions on influential games, engaging segments like "20 Questions," and insightful debates on industry trends and upcoming releases. The episode balances expert analysis with personal gaming experiences, ensuring both informative and entertaining content for its audience.