Brett Deister dives into the ongoing relevance and reception of games like Baldur's Gate 3, Star Wars Outlaws, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, highlighting the stark contrast between gamers' experiences and critics' opinions. He critiques the Game Awards for prioritizing journalists' views over those of players, questioning the validity of nominations that include DLCs and remakes. Steam's new regulations on season passes and DLCs take center stage as Brett discusses the need for accountability from developers to deliver on their promises. Additionally, he addresses political interference in gaming, particularly the push from certain politicians to crack down on perceived hate symbols in gaming communities. With a candid and sarcastic tone, Brett emphasizes that the gaming industry should focus on what truly matters: the gamers themselves.

Takeaways:

• Baldur's Gate 3 has more players this year than during its launch year, indicating strong ongoing interest.
• Star Wars Outlaws has faced significant criticism, particularly regarding its forced stealth mechanics.
• The Game Awards' inclusion of DLCs and remakes raises questions about the value of their nominations.
• Steam's new rules on season passes require developers to stick to promised release dates.
• Political interference in gaming discussions undermines genuine gamer experiences and opinions.
• Critics often overlook what gamers truly enjoy, leading to a disconnect in game appreciation.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• BioWare
• Valve
• Nexus
• Steam
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
• Unreal Engine
• ADL
• Hamas
• Hezbollah
• Valve
• Elden Ring
• GameStop
• IGN
• Rolling Stone
• Entertainment Weekly
• GamesRadar
• Polygon
• Digital Trends
• Giant Bomb
• New York Times
• Touch Arcade
• PC Gamer
• LA Times