Currently Online 
| coolbeans said: Even after one of the genre's best years (especially w/ late console ports), TGA's continual disregard for a Best Puzzle Game category never ceases to amaze. Unless you can sneak it in as a hybrid for a 'Best Platformer,' good luck being credited on your GAME DESIGN. Fuck them, the horse they rode in on, and the cavalry behind them. |
Since I'm not tired of TGA rants (yet): "Games for Impact" is basically a DEI-corpo award. "For a thought-provoking game with a pro-social meaning or message." What does this even mean in the context of what's supposed to be a meritocratic awards show? Is it about being the most thought-provoking of the bunch, having the "best" message, or executing on pro-social ideas in mechanically satisfying ways? The nominees typically come down to what are the most popular indie games that are wearing environmentalist, diversity, and/or depression themes on their sleeves that year.
I know this post is more political in nature (I could say more too), but everything about that award category feels so fake. It oftentimes reads as a "Best Emo-Indie Narrative of the Year" without directly stating it. If the judges truly believe in a winsome character-driven love story or a short environmentalist fable being among the year's best, then they should nut up and give it a Best Narrative nomination.
Essay Pro