The Game Awards 2024 nominations are out, but what will win Game of the Year? Kaitlyn and Sam make their predictions on this final weekly episode of Real Time Strategy. They discuss Elden Ring’s DLC nomination, the difference between Game of the Year and Best Game Direction, if an RPG can take the crown, and more.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:00:32 – Final Episode Farewell

00:06:11 – Game of the Year Nominees

00:08:39 – The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Controversy

00:19:15 – Should We Be Surprised by Black Myth: Wukong’s Nomination?

00:25:57 – Our GOTY Frontrunners

00:37:43 – Best Game Direction Predictions

00:53:11 – Best Adaptation Predictions

01:02:14 – Announcement Predictions

01:08:27 – Outro

Stories discussed:

Polygon – The Game Awards announces Game of the Year 2024 nominees

IGN – Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Game Awards Nomination Sparks Renewed Debate Among Fans

Polygon – Black Myth: Wukong is one of the lowest-rated Game of the Year nominees in Game Awards history

Dead Game – Unlocking The Cheat Codes To Geoff Keighley's Game Awards

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Phil Spencer says Xbox is working on prototypes for a handheld console. Kaitlyn and Sam discuss how it can compete in a landscape dominated by phones, Nintendo, and the Steam Deck. Then they break down why Take-Two sold its indie-focused publishing division Private Division and how the Nintendo DS changed gaming in honor of its 20th anniversary.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:07:38 – Phil Spencer Says Xbox Is Planning a Handheld. What Should It Be?

00:31:27 – Why Did Take-Two Interactive Sell Private Division?

00:49:54 – Read of the Week: The Guardian’s 20-Year Anniversary Coverage of the Nintendo DS

01:19:17 – Outro

Stories discussed:

Bloomberg – Microsoft’s Gaming Chief Is Still Looking for Acquisitions, Sees Future Growth

GamesIndustry.biz – Zelnick on Private Division sale: "Those projects were smaller, we're in the business of big hits"

Variety – Why Private Division's Mystery Buyer Probably Isn't a Gaming Giant

The Guardian – Nintendo DS at 20 – the console that paved the way for smartphone gaming

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Sean Murrin, CEO of gaming creative agency Waypoint, joins Kaitlyn and Sam to discuss the relationship between creative activations and PR. They highlight Waypoint’s work with physical goods, mailers, stunts, events, and more (including the Elden Ring Pot Boy puppet at the 2021 Game Awards), and how that work can drive word-of-mouth and media coverage.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:06:44 – What is Waypoint?

00:27:39 – Influencer Kits

00:41:40 – How Gaming Trends Have Changed Waypoint

00:49:18 – Making Elden Ring’s Pot Boy Puppet for TGAs 2021

00:59:15 – Sean’s Other Favorite Projects

01:02:00 – How to Be a Good Creative Client

01:09:49 – Outro

Find Waypoint’s work here, and watch the agency’s show, Side Quest Sessions, on YouTube.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.