2017 Community Game of the Year - Results on the front page!!

benign1 wrote:

Memoria - Happily this game paid off after a bit of a slog through Chains of Satinav with great characters and an engrossing plot.
Assassin's Creed Liberation - A mechanically mediocre experience redeemed entirely by possibly the best protagonist of the series.

So glad these two got a mention. Memoria is a very special game to me, I just love Sadja to bits. Played it before I played Chains of Satinav, and in my opinion Memoria holds up on its own just fine.
Finally, Aveline is just more badass than Connor, Arno and Jacob put together. Just putting that out there.

Final tally, 156 goodjers, 472 games: pretty good run if you ask me. Will start the research and write up tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who voted, discussed and posted in here. It was great and you all behaved... most of the time.

I think Horizon Zero Dawn might have picked up an early lead, but over the last week or so Zelda will have overtaken and pipped it to the post. With your stat collecting skills Eleima is there a way to check Be nice to know as I was rooting for HZD all the way.

Have again enjoyed reading folks lists, the worst of game purchase enablers this thread. Cheers all / Eleima.

Ah, also - I noticed Life is Strange appeared on a fair few lists, be cool if it made the top 10. Edit... again.

I'd wager Zelda will be nearly double the points of the second placed game, Horizon & PUBG are looking like certs for 2nd & 3rd. Hopefully Steamworld Dig 2 will be in the top 10, that game was a 2D showstopper.

Great work Eleima, page for page you moderated posts & kept everything on track as well as giving updates on the voting process for the last 5 weeks or so, I've thoroughly enjoyed the Goodjers lists this year & will scour through them again to see what gems I can find.

Can I change my vote? I found the ballot confusing and didn't mean to vote for Miranda.

Bubblefuzz wrote:

With your stat collecting skills Eleima is there a way to check

Yes, that's totally doable, ask me again once the results have been posted.

Spikeout wrote:

I'd wager Zelda will be nearly double the points of the second placed game, Horizon & PUBG are looking like certs for 2nd & 3rd.

Wow. o_O That's .... really specific.

The amount of no.1 votes Zelda has got in the last week has been insane, its purely just a guess though with the (near) double points prediction.

One game I thought we would have seen far more votes for is Splatoon 2 (which I need to get around to myself).

I occasionally forget that the difference between #1 and #2 is only a single point. I've often thought this could've been increased to two points, so to give the top spot additional worth. Kind of like football (soccer) where the three points for a win, verses one point for a draw, evolved from the original two points for a win, one for a draw, ruleset.

Maybe history of the GOTY will show that the game with the most top spot votes, assuming it's a lot, doesn't need this. Or maybe that it would weigh the vote too much.

I think for many people there isn't necessarily much difference between their number 1 or 2. Other than our dear and fair voting overlord demanding that you have to rank your list.

RnRClown wrote:

Kind of like football (soccer) where the three points for a win, verses one point for a draw, evolved from the original two points for a win, one for a draw, ruleset.

Or Formula 1. 25 points for 1st place, 15 points for 2nd IIRC. But... it doesn't matter so much for this type of voting because not every game is played by every voter. So Zelda will get 10 points on some peoples list, but HZD, even though it's nearly as good*, will get zero on peoples lists if they haven't played it.

*I haven't played either game.

I was only shooting the breeze as to why I am not always confident that the game seemingly soaring high will find its way to the top.

I'm not petitioning for a change of rules going forward. It was just chatter.

The GWJ Community GOTY is for our own entertainment. Nothing too serious. We have games from by gone years, those few have heard of, and many a lot of us simply missed. The rankings are awesome, but arguably secondary to the write-ups, and the discoveries. It's a great place to share your gaming year, and to catch up with the community's. Great fun.

Anyway. Bioshock Infinite managed to claim victory once, even without a top spot bonus. I am clearly wrong, deduction of points required!

RnRClown wrote:

Anyway. Bioshock Infinite managed to claim victory once, even without a top spot bonus. I am clearly wrong, deduction of points required! :-D

True.

RnRClown wrote:

I occasionally forget that the difference between #1 and #2 is only a single point. I've often thought this could've been increased to two points, so to give the top spot additional worth. Kind of like football (soccer) where the three points for a win, verses one point for a draw, evolved from the original two points for a win, one for a draw, ruleset.

Maybe history of the GOTY will show that the game with the most top spot votes, assuming it's a lot, doesn't need this. Or maybe that it would weigh the vote too much.

Well that’s why there’s a lot more going into it than just the weighted score. I also keep track of how many people had a game on their list and how many times it was ranked as number one.

I have an early contender for my 2018 list already. Prince of Persia, on the Super Nintendo. I've never played this on any platform, best I can recall, and it is awesome. My wife loves it, too.

* See there's an update on threads I favorite *
* See latest commentor is Eleima *
* Grab popcorns and drinks, excitedly click open the thread *
* See last comment is not the result *
* Major disappointment *
* Go to a corner and cry on my miserable life *

Kinda what happened to me couple minutes ago. Just saying.

Eleima wrote:

Final tally, 156 goodjers, 472 games: pretty good run if you ask me. Will start the research and write up tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who voted, discussed and posted in here. It was great and you all behaved... most of the time. ;)

Wow 472 games. That is quite the variety, much more than I thought there would be.

472 far surpasses what I would have guessed, too.

lucci.tonight wrote:

* See there's an update on threads I favorite *
* See latest commentor is Eleima *
* Grab popcorns and drinks, excitedly click open the thread *
* See last comment is not the result *
* Major disappointment *
* Go to a corner and cry on my miserable life *

Kinda what happened to me couple minutes ago. Just saying.

Sorry Lucci, but don't expect to see anything until next week.

LeapingGnome wrote:

Wow 472 games. That is quite the variety, much more than I thought there would be.

For the sake of comparison, in 2014 (can't find 2016 right at the moment and I don't have the numbers for 2015 in the spreadsheet I picked up), we had 126 goodjers for 348 games.

I would agree that the write-ups we spawn are even more valuable than the numbers.

Every way of doing a "top 10" has pros and cons, but our at least has the problems of, I think:

(1) Being weighed in favor of things people buy, obviously. Nobody is forced to play a minimum of X games before voting one over the other. Since I don't have a Switch, I'm not voting for Switch games, no matter how much better they are than what I voted for. This isn't a unique flaw by a long shot (IIRC, "Best Foreign Filmn" is the only category of the Oscars where the Academy makes you watch all nominees before voting) but it does mean that say Bioshock Infinite, if widely bought, might make a lot more lists than a theoretically better game that not as many people tried.

(2) I'd love to see a statistical analysis on this, but I think that WHEN the game is released probably makes a big difference, and that we are weighed towards games that release in the middle of the year, followed by early in the year. A game that releases really late probably has its votes split between the release year and the following year.

Personally, I don't give too much value to final rankings; but I love to skim the thread, and read writeups on games that are getting a couple of votes but have flown under my radar.

For the sake of discussion, let me be the devil here and defend against your point (1)

beeporama wrote:

(1) Being weighed in favor of things people buy, obviously. Nobody is forced to play a minimum of X games before voting one over the other. Since I don't have a Switch, I'm not voting for Switch games, no matter how much better they are than what I voted for. This isn't a unique flaw by a long shot (IIRC, "Best Foreign Filmn" is the only category of the Oscars where the Academy makes you watch all nominees before voting) but it does mean that say Bioshock Infinite, if widely bought, might make a lot more lists than a theoretically better game that not as many people tried.

I would like to think a game's success not only depends on the game in-and-itself, but also depends on its marketing strategy. This of course includes how a game generates a fan base (e.g. Legend of Zelda), how a game promotes itself (Battlerite through streamer), and what a game's business model is (e.g. Battlefront II).

Take two arbitrary games. Game A introduces 5 new ideas; Game B introduces 1 new idea. Looking purely at mechanics (i.e. gameplay), one might say Game A deserve a better spot than Game B. However, suppose Game B promotes itself successfully to reach a further and broader customer base, and through this claim #1 of a top 10 list. I think it's still a reasonable victory.

Now I realize that some games would get advantage with this mentality; notably the titles that have had a long history. I also realize that our 400 something goodjer can create a pretty bias statistical environment, since some of us strive to discover quirky games, and some of us have very distinct taste. It will never be a good representation of how these games' successes really are in the market.

Point (2) I agree with wholeheartedly though. If we really want to strive for a more balanced competition, it will have to enforce a rule that reads something like "only games that have been released for more than a year is eligible". But where's the fun in that

Shadout wrote:
RnRClown wrote:

Anyway. Bioshock Infinite managed to claim victory once, even without a top spot bonus. I am clearly wrong, deduction of points required! :-D

True.

Last of Us probably would have won that year if there was a top spot bonus. From the write up:

2. The Last of Us
Additional Prizes: Console Exclusive of the Year, Most #1 Votes

Here's a fun fact: The Last of Us topped nearly three times as many lists as its nearest competition (and our Community Game of the Year). It appeared on 42 lists in total—the same as #3 pick, Tomb Raider—but more than half of those lists ranked it as the overall Game of the Year. It's impressive to see a console exclusive ranked so highly, but especially one that was exclusive to not only consoles in general but to a single platform specifically.

Community Game of the Year: Bioshock Infinite
Additional Prize: Most Votes Overall

Hotly anticipated and highly controversial, Bioshock Infinite was ranked on more lists than any other game but was also called out more than any other for dishonorable mention. Its story, themes, characters, and politics will be hotly debated for years to come, and it's our community's top pick of the year.

2017 Community Hand-Wringing About the Community Game of the Year - POLLS ARE NOW OPEN

  • What problems can I vote for? Any perceived problem you've had ever. Say every one had been telling you how awesome Brütal Legend is but you never thought it was any good and hate it seeing it on others' GOTY? You can absolutely put it on your list. And if you're going into your third playthrough of The Witcher III and already made it #1 on your list last year, but it's still not Community GOTY, then you can vote for that problem too. Voting this year is still open to any problem from any year.
  • What if the top problem ends up being something re-hashed since 2007 or something? It will be kill me now
  • Are you going to do anything really neat and special with the results? Absolutely not! The format is going to stay the same it has been for years, but don't let that stop you.
Gravey wrote:

2017 Community Hand-Wringing About the Community Game of the Year - POLLS ARE NOW OPEN

  • What problems can I vote for? Any perceived problem you've had ever. Say every one had been telling you how awesome Brütal Legend is but you never thought it was any good and hate it seeing it on others' GOTY? You can absolutely put it on your list. And if you're going into your third playthrough of The Witcher III and already made it #1 on your list last year, but it's still not Community GOTY, then you can vote for that problem too. Voting this year is still open to any problem from any year.
  • What if the top problem ends up being something re-hashed since 2007 or something? It will be kill me now
  • Are you going to do anything really neat and special with the results? Absolutely not! The format is going to stay the same it has been for years, but don't let that stop you.

You forgot:

f you fail to spend at least 500 words discussing your most- and least-favorite Mass Effect companions, your vote will be discarded.

I'm just a little sad that my GOTY isn't likely to appear in the top 10, despite being a successful retooling of what had become a pretty tired franchise. Either the wonderfully eclectic taste of Goodjers overshadowed its improvements, or, more likely, there were so many high quality releases in 2017 that people who would have otherwise played it just didn't have time.

I am, however, the ever faithful Assassin fanboy, and wouldn't miss one for anything.

beeporama wrote:

(2) I'd love to see a statistical analysis on this, but I think that WHEN the game is released probably makes a big difference, and that we are weighed towards games that release in the middle of the year, followed by early in the year. A game that releases really late probably has its votes split between the release year and the following year.

A couple of us are working* on this actually and this is one metric I want to use.

*Caveat that we are busy academics and make no promises on when results will be ready to post.

Thanks for doing this Eleima. A toast to you.

BNice wrote:

Thanks for doing this Eleima. A toast to you. :drink:

BadKen wrote:

I'm just a little sad that my GOTY isn't likely to appear in the top 10, despite being a successful retooling of what had become a pretty tired franchise. Either the wonderfully eclectic taste of Goodjers overshadowed its improvements, or, more likely, there were so many high quality releases in 2017 that people who would have otherwise played it just didn't have time.

Oh, I don’t know. I think Breath of the Wild has a pretty good chance of making the top ten.

cheeze_pavilion wrote:
Shadout wrote:
RnRClown wrote:

Anyway. Bioshock Infinite managed to claim victory once, even without a top spot bonus. I am clearly wrong, deduction of points required! :-D

True.

Last of Us probably would have won that year if there was a top spot bonus. From the write up:

2. The Last of Us
Additional Prizes: Console Exclusive of the Year, Most #1 Votes

Here's a fun fact: The Last of Us topped nearly three times as many lists as its nearest competition (and our Community Game of the Year). It appeared on 42 lists in total—the same as #3 pick, Tomb Raider—but more than half of those lists ranked it as the overall Game of the Year. It's impressive to see a console exclusive ranked so highly, but especially one that was exclusive to not only consoles in general but to a single platform specifically.

Community Game of the Year: Bioshock Infinite
Additional Prize: Most Votes Overall

Hotly anticipated and highly controversial, Bioshock Infinite was ranked on more lists than any other game but was also called out more than any other for dishonorable mention. Its story, themes, characters, and politics will be hotly debated for years to come, and it's our community's top pick of the year.

Cool. Thanks for looking back. It's interesting. Maybe not to everyone, but no one is forcing anyone to participate, or even give thought to it.

lucci.tonight wrote:

For the sake of discussion, let me be the devil here and defend against your point (1)

beeporama wrote:

(1) Being weighed in favor of things people buy, obviously. Nobody is forced to play a minimum of X games before voting one over the other. Since I don't have a Switch, I'm not voting for Switch games, no matter how much better they are than what I voted for. This isn't a unique flaw by a long shot (IIRC, "Best Foreign Filmn" is the only category of the Oscars where the Academy makes you watch all nominees before voting) but it does mean that say Bioshock Infinite, if widely bought, might make a lot more lists than a theoretically better game that not as many people tried.

I would like to think a game's success not only depends on the game in-and-itself, but also depends on its marketing strategy. This of course includes how a game generates a fan base (e.g. Legend of Zelda), how a game promotes itself (Battlerite through streamer), and what a game's business model is (e.g. Battlefront II).

Take two arbitrary games. Game A introduces 5 new ideas; Game B introduces 1 new idea. Looking purely at mechanics (i.e. gameplay), one might say Game A deserve a better spot than Game B. However, suppose Game B promotes itself successfully to reach a further and broader customer base, and through this claim #1 of a top 10 list. I think it's still a reasonable victory.

Now I realize that some games would get advantage with this mentality; notably the titles that have had a long history. I also realize that our 400 something goodjer can create a pretty bias statistical environment, since some of us strive to discover quirky games, and some of us have very distinct taste. It will never be a good representation of how these games' successes really are in the market.

It sounds like you don't actually disagree with the substance of what I said?... just whether it is a "problem." I guess using that word makes it sound like I'm losing sleep over it or something. Maybe I should say "quirk" or "characteristic."

It might matter what you think is the value of these kinds of lists and discussion. If it's just for fun and games, sure, whatever! To me, the value is in finding games I'd enjoy that I might have missed or skipped over. As such, I'm personally much more interested in lesser-known games rising to the top, than in games I've probably already heard about and know about and decided on. So, that's a bias I have, and why I used a term with negative connotations, I guess.

This all might sound more complain-y than I intend, and if so, sorry!

BadKen wrote:

I'm just a little sad that my GOTY isn't likely to appear in the top 10, despite being a successful retooling of what had become a pretty tired franchise. Either the wonderfully eclectic taste of Goodjers overshadowed its improvements, or, more likely, there were so many high quality releases in 2017 that people who would have otherwise played it just didn't have time.

I am, however, the ever faithful Assassin fanboy, and wouldn't miss one for anything.

For me it is a game I am interested in and almost everything I have heard is good, but it just came out at a crowded time where I already had too much on my list waiting. I am in the pick it up later this year at a price drop phase now.