Thread by @GameChangerDOC

Some things that need to be considered when choosing #GOTY. A thread.
1. A game is multiple parts. It's gameplay, audio, writing, graphics, and length/replay value. It's not 1 thing. It's all 5 things. A game with great writing and shit gameplay isn't GOTY. A game with great

gameplay & shit writing isn't GOTY. GOTY is the game that addresses all 5 topics the best cumulatively. Very few games do all 5 well. But a game that does the fewest in the group well shouldn't be considered GOTY even if it does 1 or 2 of the parts better than the other nominees.

2. Length is subjective but directly tied to value. Longer doesn't mean better. Shorter doesn't mean bad. But the comparative value of 1 game to another in a competitive space dictates that a longer game is better assuming both games are the length they need to be.

3. A game can be too long, just as a game can be too short. But when comparing a game that is too long compared to a game that's too short, the longer game wins because of the value component of the comparison.
4. A GOTY doesn't have to be replayable. An excellent one off

experience that's the right length contends just fine. Replay value only counts in the discussion if it adds value to the gameplay experience. A game that is fun to replay but adds no value to the gameplay experience is artificially longer and thus doesn't make it a better

GOTY candidate.
5. Ports, as in games that were released already on previous platforms in their entirety should not be considered for GOTY. Because they were already considered in their original release.
6. Games that reuse assets from older games are not necessarily ports.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch) is a port. Smash Bros Ultimate is not a port. See point 5.
7. Remasters should not be considered for GOTY for the same reasons ports shouldn't be. See point 5.
8. Remakes should be considered based on the level of original content changes from the

original game. A game that completely recreates the same original experience with better graphics and audio quality shouldn't be considered because the content is grunt work rather than original creative work. A that drastically changes the original experience can/should be

considered because the level of creative content is comparable to that of a new game.
9. While point 8 should be considered, a remake should always be held to a higher standard than an original game and in most cases shouldn't win GOTY unless it's completely different from the

original. Resident Evil 2 shouldn't be considered considering the other games released this year. Ratchet & Clank (2016) should have been considered.
10. A divisive game shouldn't be considered unless all the games nominated in a given year are divisive. GOTY should have mass

appeal or at the very least mass respect for the simple fact that it's "GOTY" not "GOTY for some".
11. Games should be considered in the vacuum of games. The studio shouldn't be considered. The actors, outside of the quality of their performances shouldn't be considered. The

director shouldn't be considered. The publisher shouldn't be considered. The games should only be considered as they are regardless of external factors.
12. It's OK to like a bad game. Just because you like it, doesn't make it GOTY material.
13. It's OK to not like a good game.

Just because you don't like it doesn't make it not GOTY material.
14. Sales has to factor into GOTY. A game that gets positive critical reception that no one buys/plays isn't GOTY material. Control is not GOTY material for this reason.
15. Like with actual politics, you should

vote for the nominee that you believe best exemplifies the values/qualities required to be GOTY. Not the game that you like the best from the nominees.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
#TheGameAwards