Game of the year philosophy

[Ando85]

When trying to decide what I think is the GOTY there is many factors to consider. Best graphics, gameplay, plot, et cetera. But, I have found something above all else that I believe should get the most emphasis. Timelessness. When looking at a particular game I like to think, if I pop this game in 10 or 20 years from now will I enjoy it just as much then as I would now?

This philosophy can be difficult as we can only predict the future. I realized this when I'd make top 10 game of all time lists. Not a single game on there is from this generation. Only a few last generation titles barely made the cut. It isn't that these games are any worse, I just haven't had enough time to pass to really reflect on games that hold up over time.

Considering this philosophy what would be your GOTY? I might choose Catherine. Such a unique and innovative game. I could see myself playing it 10 years from now and still enjoy it. What would happen if I popped in Battlefield 3, Modern Warfare 3, or maybe even Skyrim in 2030?

 

[TephlonPrice]

Game of the Year philsophy for me?

It's all what actually impresses me, is enjoyable, surprises me, & felt like a completely finished product at release & not just an excuse to cram in DLC at every turn.

2011 GOTY for me: Deus Ex: Human Revolution. This is honestly what shooters should've been doing more often: levels that actually come alive & don't just exist as set pieces. Sure, it has cover-based shooting, but at least it actually works both ways & can help you EVADE combat just as well as you can put lead in armor-plated skulls. Not to mention the RPG elements ADD to the game & don't detract from it, on top of conspiracy-theory laden story that manages to make sense with a protagonist who isn't in emo mode or in generic rage mode.

 

[LilithSlave]

Sounds like a way I would describe Skyward Sword.

It definitely has a timeless beauty and catchiness to it.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

I judge gameplay quality first and foremost, followed by soundtrack, followed by story, followed by graphics, and then have to consider POLISH.

So, Deus Ex won over Skyrim for me due to the lack of major bugs and fantastic soundtrack by Michael McCann of...nothing fame.

 

[Snatcher]

I hate to burst your bubble, but the word ''Philosophy'' is wrongly used in this context.

 

[Evil Top Hat]

My game of the year philosophy is whatever game I found the most enthralling and immersive. Saying whatever game was "most fun" isn't ideal from my point of view, because how much fun I have with something is based on more factors than the game itself. For example, the game I've had the most fun with this year has been dota 2, but that's more to do with having friends that play it than it actually being the best made game.

Anyway, I'll stop beating around the bush now. For me, it's Dishonored this year. Or possibly Gemini Rue.

 

[Dubiousduke]

For me, a game usually becomes my GOTY when it brings something to the table that I have never before experienced, or is a very rounded, polished experience that keeps you suspended in the universe of the game, involved and concerned about the goings-on. The first KOTOR, Morrowind, and Deus Ex: HR are some of my favorites, they had the atmosphere and mechanics that just gripped you and didn't let you go until you were 40 hours in.

 

[Razentsu]

I choose my GOTY's based on what game I liked the most in that year.

Revolutionary, I KNOW.

Yeah, I pretty much do this too. I have separate acknowledgements for most innovative games, best surprise, and whatnot. But game of the year to me, will always be the game I find most enjoyable.

 

[chaser5000]

Dishonored at the moment but I hope to get X COM it the next week or two so it could change.

 

[DoPo]

I choose my GOTY's based on what game I liked the most in that year.

Revolutionary, I KNOW.

Yeah, I pretty much do this too. I have separate acknowledgements for most innovative games, best surprise, and whatnot. But game of the year to me, will always be the game I find most enjoyable.

You two are weird. Get out! Everybody knows that you're supposed to ***** and complain about the state of the game industry by throwing exasperated sighs and pointing out games that apparently damage the players/the genre/gaming by their mere existence.

 

[OldDirtyCrusty]

It`s Max Payne 3. I still enjoy the previous two games and the first came out over ten years ago.
To be honest it`s not only about the game, it`s more about certain gameplay mechanics i really like. In the Max Payne games it`s the bullet time and the cinematic experience while being in full control of the character.

One other mechanic this year felt incredibly fresh and fun and it was the grabing and climbing on big scaled foes in Dragon`s Dogma. I`m not sure if i would play it in ten years but it will be always remembered as the first game i played featuring this kind of combat. I sure hope that i won`t see it only in DD2 and that other rpg games rip it off. Skyrim with this kind of combat system would be awesome and the third person view would make sense other than showing off kill moves and ogling the new armor.

SpecOps:the line - This game will allways be remembered for it`s story. One of the best stories i`ve played in a video game so far and it`s a freaking military TPS with chest high walls. So great.

Btw i`m one of the people who can`t have only one GOTY (at least not with so many entertainig releases and i`ve still a few games like Xcom, AC3, FarCry3, TheWalkingDead and others that i don`t get in my head atm to play).

 

[Soxafloppin]

Yea, I generally go by what game I enjoyed the most. Fuck me, Right?

I mean its good to go into Soundtrack, graphics but to me it all comes down to pure enjoyment.

 

[Pink Gregory]

Maybe it's something about Viktor Antonov's design, but I reckon Dishonored is going to age in the same way as Half Life 2 - very well indeed.

It may be short and perhaps could be more challenging, but it's a wonderfully characterful package, and I certainly treasure it.

Thing is, since so many games are understandably (in business terms) part of a series these days (was the past any different?) it's difficult to really elevate most games on their own merits while separating them from the series (I don't like using the word franchise).

I 'unno, this has been the first year that I've had the coin to buy something on release, and 2/3 release purchases this year blew me the fuck away, but I don't really have anything to contrast that with.

 

[mad825]

The most philosophical game of the year? That's a toughy as that would require me to lower my standards.

 

[mohit9206]

OP you see what you are referring to as timelessness is actaully GOTD ie game of the decade not GOTY.
GOTY is one game which was the best game THAT particualar year in which it launched.
For me the GOTY is easily THE WALKING DEAD .
such an awesome story, amazing art and visual direction, great writing, edge of your seat moments, all round amazing game . must play for everyone . tonight am gonna start playing the 5th episode !!

 

[KhaoticOne]

I like to keep my taglines separate and pretty distinct. So each have varying degrees of criteria they have to fulfill to achieve that. It is possible for a title to gain multiple taglines.

GOTY- The overall package is amazing. It can have shortcomings in some departments but makes up for it in others immensely.

GOTD/GOTM- Pretty much a tournament style of grading. All games compete in the month then year then decade. The criteria for GOTY applies here.

Classics- This is for titles that excelled in their genre(s). During their prime they were great games however in time they went beyond the screen and affected individuals outside of gaming (positively).

Timeless- Aging, progression of technology,or paradigm shifts in society didn't harm these titles.

Gateway- Overall good titles that is welcoming towards veterans and newcomers. Typically titles with this tag greatest hallmark is probably their well-rounded simplicity. Titles don't have to follow "easy to play difficult to master" to have this tag.

Genre-Defining- Titles who set the bar on what a amazing game (in their genre) should be.

(re?)Deconstructive- Titles who take their tropes/cliches/stereotypes of their genre/setting and present new perspective or laughs from it.

 

[sethisjimmy]

Sorry to burst your bubble but Catherine came out in 2011...

Anyway, I do like that game as well. I was initially disappointed because of the way the plot only advances because of Vincent's spinelessness (I kept thinking "just fucking tell her goddamnit!") but towards the end I began to appreciate it for its more unrealistic elements.