For reference on the whole Bayonetta thing, Bayonetta 1 shares its release year with Dragon Age Origins and its worldwide release with Mass Effect 2 and Red Dead Redemption. Bayonetta 2 shares its release year with Divinity Original Sin. Bayonetta 3 shares a release year with Elden Ring and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. So no, it was never even close to the best game of any year it released in, and I don't know why Scot brought it up.
I looked at nominees, you will see others just as worthy that are FPS or slash and hack. Indeed even some of your examples above are just that. So a game can come from any genre and be worthy of Goty. That is what I am getting at, but the industry will favour what it sees as progressive unfortunately. I am not arguing which game should have got the award in any year in case you think I am?
I agree with your point on narrative, I am a big fan of story. But that's not the only reason for a game to considered for Goty.
Finally we do not have six nominees this year because 2023 "is epic", we have six because that's what awards ceremonies do, drift to more nominees and more awards.
For reference on the whole Bayonetta thing, Bayonetta 1 shares its release year with Dragon Age Origins and its worldwide release with Mass Effect 2 and Red Dead Redemption. Bayonetta 2 shares its release year with Divinity Original Sin. Bayonetta 3 shares a release year with Elden Ring and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. So no, it was never even close to the best game of any year it released in, and I don't know why Scot brought it up.
Finally we do not have six nominees this year because 2023 "is epic", we have six because that's what awards ceremonies do, drift to more nominees and more awards.
I reckon more categories would actually be a good thing. We have a lot of junk categories related to esports, and it would be more interesting to have awards for things like "best mission/quest," "best protagonist," "best antagonist," "best supporting character," and "most hilarious game."
For reference on the whole Bayonetta thing, Bayonetta 1 shares its release year with Dragon Age Origins and its worldwide release with Mass Effect 2 and Red Dead Redemption. Bayonetta 2 shares its release year with Divinity Original Sin. Bayonetta 3 shares a release year with Elden Ring and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. So no, it was never even close to the best game of any year it released in, and I don't know why Scot brought it up.
Finally we do not have six nominees this year because 2023 "is epic", we have six because that's what awards ceremonies do, drift to more nominees and more awards.
I reckon more categories would actually be a good thing. We have a lot of junk categories related to esports, and it would be more interesting to have awards for things like "best mission/quest," "best protagonist," "best antagonist," "best supporting character," and "most hilarious game."
No Aeander, because they would not be created for the perfectly good reasons you have put forward. The reason you get more nominees and more categories is industry pressure to make sure their studio is getting an award. Or is at least a nomination. You see this in everything from the Oscars to the awards given in schools. Everyone must be a winner, which is of course counter productive to highlighting quality in the industry. This is "awards drift".
For reference on the whole Bayonetta thing, Bayonetta 1 shares its release year with Dragon Age Origins and its worldwide release with Mass Effect 2 and Red Dead Redemption. Bayonetta 2 shares its release year with Divinity Original Sin. Bayonetta 3 shares a release year with Elden Ring and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. So no, it was never even close to the best game of any year it released in, and I don't know why Scot brought it up.
Finally we do not have six nominees this year because 2023 "is epic", we have six because that's what awards ceremonies do, drift to more nominees and more awards.
I reckon more categories would actually be a good thing. We have a lot of junk categories related to esports, and it would be more interesting to have awards for things like "best mission/quest," "best protagonist," "best antagonist," "best supporting character," and "most hilarious game."
No Aeander, because they would not be created for the perfectly good reasons you have put forward. The reason you get more nominees and more categories is industry pressure to make sure their studio is getting an award. Or is at least a nomination. You see this in everything from the Oscars to the awards given in schools. Everyone must be a winner, which is of course counter productive to highlighting quality in the industry. This is "awards drift".
I mean, not everyone is going to be a winner. No one's giving Gollum any awards unless we get a video game equivalent of the Razzy's (please do that! That would be hilarious.)
I honestly don't particularly care if things are done with any particular intent if the thing in question is good, or at least not bad. Who cares if the award is there to appear on a future edition's physical box art? They get that, and we get something to talk about.
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I agree with your point on narrative, I am a big fan of story. But that's not the only reason for a game to considered for Goty.
Finally we do not have six nominees this year because 2023 "is epic", we have six because that's what awards ceremonies do, drift to more nominees and more awards.
I honestly don't particularly care if things are done with any particular intent if the thing in question is good, or at least not bad. Who cares if the award is there to appear on a future edition's physical box art? They get that, and we get something to talk about.