The RPS Advent Calendar Guessing Game - 2017 Edition

Aerothorn 2017-12-20 17:27:06 UTC #225

Book-shaka-laka! I am feeling pretty good about my odds of tying for first (in numbers if not in correct GOTY pick).

vinraith 2017-12-20 17:52:28 UTC #226

Yes, as much as I’m enjoying my momentary lead, I’m sure it’s fleeting. I suspect we’ll end up with a giant tie for first, I’m just hoping I’m in there somewhere.

Fumarole 2017-12-20 18:02:28 UTC #227

Is that the name of a Zulu librarian or something?

MiniMatt 2017-12-20 21:35:52 UTC #228

I keep having this terrible nightmare that Brendan will shoehorn Tekken in to the calendar.

Meanwhile, another Maths Interlude: we still have 35% of the entrants in 1st or 2nd place.

Other things that are 35% according to Google: a certain orange toddler’s approval rating, discount on takeaway pizza, Southwark’s minimum affordable housing policy target, and the number 35 bus passing Derby Rd & Queens Med

Aerothorn 2017-12-20 21:53:23 UTC #229

No, but I did write that comment from my office desk at a public library, so that may have been where I was coming from.

Graham 2017-12-20 22:38:36 UTC #230

Hey all. Just wanted to pop in to say I’ve been following this thread since the beginning and it’s been a delight as always. I’m glad we’re still surprising.

I’ll try to come back in on the 24th and write some behind-the-scenes notes about the making of this year’s list, if anyone is interested.

vinraith 2017-12-20 22:41:20 UTC #231

Thanks for popping in, Graham, I’m glad we’re entertaining.

I suspect I speak for just about everyone here when I say yes, PLEASE give us the behind-the-scenes scoop on this year’s list. That’s got to be a pretty good story!

alms 2017-12-20 23:02:10 UTC #232

I found this comment on Kieron’s blog:

Aerothorn 2017-12-21 01:08:44 UTC #233

Yes, Graham, I’d love to learn how the sausage is made! You must have had some good discussions this year and I can only imagine some staff were as surprised at the end result as we were!

Also, as the resident adventure game/puzzle buff, I am assuming that John will be required to play Zero Escape: The Nonary Games now that it has been so honored

DeekyFun 2017-12-21 08:12:09 UTC #234

Are we still feeling confident about the next three picks?

Fumarole 2017-12-21 13:13:47 UTC #235

Were we ever this year?

MiniMatt 2017-12-21 13:29:47 UTC #236

Going to say Divinity OS2 & Edith Finch, for sure. Less certain, Stories Untold for the third slot. Plunkbat in the final bestest position.

Hoping for a bunch of appendices to cover the entrants conspicuous by their absence in the final calendar.

vinraith 2017-12-21 17:02:56 UTC #237

And, completely unsurprisingly, there goes my lead. I still can’t believe I missed DOS2, it’s one of the few games on this list I really want to play.

MiniMatt 2017-12-21 17:25:08 UTC #238

Brief glance, but looks as though five people will now be tying for 1st place on 11 points, & 4 people tying for 2nd place on 10 points.

Over half the field are currently in 1st or 2nd place with just three days to go!

Vandelay 2017-12-21 18:07:35 UTC #239

Yes please. I love all the behind the scenes gossip. We need to know how many people Alice threatened with firing and/or their lives as well as what trials and deathtraps the newbies had to overcome to gain the privilege of having a voice.

And today brings the pick that shows my great shame. I’m sure I have form of doing this in previous years too, just completely forgetting to include a really obvious pick. Normally it doesn’t have a massive impact on the final result, but I reckon that this time it will mean ending joint second rather than joint first. Still, I’m surprised it didn’t come up as the 23rd pick. I’m sure many were considering it had a great chance of being the number one game, so I assumed they would keep us waiting for it. Outside of Plunkbat, I’m not sure what other contenders we have.

Vexing_Vision 2017-12-21 18:41:01 UTC #240

Well. This can only mean that Doki Doki takes the spot on the 24th.

I remain utterly convinced this is true, right up until the 24th.

vinraith 2017-12-21 19:34:58 UTC #241

As is clear from my list, my bet’s on Edith Finch for the 24th. Plunkbat seems obvious (despite my continued total lack of comprehension of the whole phenomenon) for one of the other days, but the third one really is still up in the air IMO. If I had to guess, I’d say Hidden Folks, but there’s lots of room to be wrong there.

Vandelay 2017-12-21 21:20:03 UTC #242

Last weeks podcast discussed Edith Finch. Can’t recall who it was now, but someone definitely really didn’t like it. I know that Plunkbat is unlikely to be universally loved by all of the RPS crew (can’t imagine it being John’s thing,) but I don’t believe I have heard any of them being overly critical of it.

Not to say that Edith Finch won’t be appearing, but I can’t see it being the top dog if one (maybe even a couple of them,) disliked it.

vinraith 2017-12-21 21:24:03 UTC #243

My only retort is that it was on the “Best Games of All Time” list from a few weeks ago, and IIRC nothing else from this year was.

and_its_man 2017-12-22 01:40:10 UTC #244

The last six picks have been pretty boring.
I hope the finale will involve surprise stunts.