Video Gamers Podcast
The GOTY Debate: Who Earned It… and Who Got Robbed - Gaming Podcast
01 Dec 2025
Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Hello, fellow gamers, and welcome to the Video Gamers Podcast.
Chapter 2: What are the official Game of the Year nominees and predictions?
The Game of the Year nominees have been made official, and while we'll be having our own Game Awards show later this year, we wanted to talk about the official nominees, what got snubbed, and what our predictions are for the Game Awards. There's sure to be some disagreements, some hot takes, and more. But first, some introductions are in order.
I am your host, Josh, and joining me, he's not been paid to nominate our graders in every category, but I'd be shocked if he doesn't do it anyway.
Chapter 3: Which games were snubbed from the Game of the Year nominations?
It's Ryan. I want to say the professionalism of Josh right now because I accidentally kicked my cord that knocked my camera off, and Josh just kept rolling with it, so I'm proud of him, and that's all.
I'm used to you guys doing dumb stuff at this point. I'm just used to it. Ace was just like, whoa.
Chapter 4: How do indie games influence the Game of the Year discussion?
I had to mute. I had to mute.
I was dying. I'm here, baby. I'm back.
Chapter 5: What makes Expedition 33 stand out among the nominees?
I'm back. That was wild. We used our phones to record, and my phone just launched across my desk. But we're here. We're professionals. Let's go. On to the next one.
All right. Well, okay. So that was Ryan's intro there. Totally wasted since he kicked his camera there. Thanks. All that thought that I put into your intro, Ryan, just all for nothing. It's cool. It's cool, man.
Chapter 6: Why is there controversy surrounding the Golden Joystick Awards?
All right. And joining us, he doesn't care about anything other than the fact it's the year of the Indy, but just because he's got to be weird. Expedition 33 isn't his favorite, and I don't think I like it much. It's ace. Oh, I see how it is. It is the year of the Indies, though. You can blame Ryan for ruining the intros, Ace, okay? I'm sorry.
Because I was really excited for these intros, and then Ryan just took all the wind out of the sails. All right, all right.
Chapter 7: What are the predictions for the Best Indie Game category?
Everyone take it from the top. We're afloat, you know? Everyone reset.
No, no, no, no. No, no.
No, we're not resetting.
It is the year of the indies, though. You got to admit. It is year of the indies.
You got to admit.
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Chapter 8: How does audio design impact the gaming experience?
How does that make you feel, Ace? Because, look, we joke, we pick on you about you only like indies until they make it mainstream, and then you're like, yeah, I'm not playing this anymore. Indies are getting too mainstream now.
Oh.
And famously, you have not beaten Expedition 33, which is the greatest indie to hit the world in like a decade. And I'm not trying to call you out, Ace, but the fact that you didn't want to play the best indie game ever made, you know, says something about you, I guess.
Yeah, you're absolutely calling me out. This is like the third time in two weeks.
Oh, is it? Yeah, it is. Maybe you should play Expedition 33, Ace.
Oh, maybe now that I'm done with Control, I will.
I'll blame the listeners. It's far too mainstream. All these listeners keep making me play games. It's far too mainstream.
I will say, though, seeing all these indies in the Game of the Year position, it makes me feel like a proud papa. It's good to see my children rise.
It's pretty amazing, dude. Honestly, it's pretty amazing when indie developers are completely outshining the AAA developers and just blowing them out of the water. Yeah, absolutely. With a tenth of the budget and better games than we've seen in a really, really long time, this is the year of the indie, man.
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