Thank you for this. I haven’t engaged much with the community but I’m glad it’s here. Y’alls thoughtful approach to this newsletter in tandem with the podcast is appreciated, especially the thoughts shared in this post. This truly does feel like a welcome and open space, which is rare when talking about video games online.
As someone who struggles with social interaction, whether that is in person or online, having guidelines/ground rules like these really help me feel welcome in a space. Thank you all for all you do!
I agree. I am such a fan of the podcasts but have very little experience interacting with people about it. The closest I have come to trying to discuss games is when Justin McElroy served me chili at our local ChiliFest and I made a fool of myself. So, I think this will be a nice place for me.
Beautifully written. I've been struggling a lot with mental health stuff lately, and the last few episodes of friendly, well-meaning debate has really help lift my spirits when I listen in. Thank you guys for doing what you do and making this particular version of the podcast the best one yet.
Also, I was waffling on what small ~$20 game I wanted to treat myself to as a small holiday treat, and the answer has been right in front of me this entire time. Excited to begin playing Little Gator Game!
Long time listener but I haven’t yet ventured into the comments section. After reading this email though I’m all in! See y’all on the next one. I’m sure we’re all waiting with baited breath to see if Russ overturns his GoTY selection after finishing bg3
Love the podcast and especially the Resties required reading list. Is there a good way to know what games y’all are playing before the episode comes out?
We include the upcoming game for each Besties and Resties at the bottom of the newsletter, but we'd like to find a way to provide a better view into the weeks or even months ahead! Look for that in 2024!
Sometimes they do mention what game they’ll be discussing on the next episode, usually toward the end of the show. But it’d be really nice to have that info foregrounded in the newsletter or the show itself.
Have any of you hopped into Fortnite recently? They’ve added 3 new official, regularly updated modes, including Fortnite Festival, which is basically a Rock Band clone, and LEGO Fortnite, which is a full LEGO sandbox survival game complete with LEGO versions of every skin. Check it out, it’s wild.
I once set up a Minecraft server for my work center. It was a light PvP server and I had only a few basic rules, but #1 was "Just don't be a dick". The number of people who sought clarification about that rule was astounding.
Thank you to the Besties and this great community that supports them and makes it worthwhile for them to continue to create a great weekly show. As an early 30s dad with a young kid I find it harder than ever to make time to sit down and play games. Hearing about games on the show is such a great way to discover new titles to enjoy and is so helpful in deciding what I prioritize to play. And also, hearing about games I know I probably won’t resonate with or find the time to play is still such a delight because I can still appreciate them and enjoy them through y’all’s experiences and discussion.
In fact, my favorite part of the show is honorable mentions because hearing what y’all are playing and why it’s good is always enjoyable and is how I’ve found some gems that I’ve tried and loved. Some examples: Justin’s love for Slay the Spire, Plante and Frush’s love for Spelunky, and Griffon’s love for Rogue Legacy 2.
In light of that, one episode idea for you guys if there’s any dry spells in 2024 (could even be recurring): The besties all time honorable mentions, where yall bring some games that have been really special for you in past years, seasons, or stages of life. If that’s too broad you could even time constrain it the same way yall did for the required reading list in the resties.
Thanks for all you guys do and here’s to a great 2024!
This captures my thoughts perfectly! I'm in a similar stage of life and just being able to listen to the passion the boys share for the games they love, their thoughts on why certain ones didn't click, and engaging with this community is so special.
And being able to delve into games I would not have heard of otherwise is lovely.
Excited to be hopping on in time for next year ! My advice on a game to play : Dancing Duelists! It's a free game created by Mega Crit (of Slay the Spire fame) to test out a new game system now they're moving away from unity. Its a fantastic little deck building autobattler with a host of fantastic characters to play. Very engaging and super fun!
These guidelines are wonderfully written and giving me a lot to think about in how I engage online in general. I also appreciate the idea at the end, acknowledging sometimes people will break the rules and focusing on heightening the positive comments in contrast.
Hope y'all get a chance to check out "In Stars and Time". It feels like a great follow up to all the Sea of Stars talk in both emotional story driven RPGs and games with the word "Stars" in the title.
I’ve learned so much about video games from this podcast and found a lot of games that I’ve had a great time playing! Thanks for being our tastemakers, and looking forward to 2024!
Thank you for this. I haven’t engaged much with the community but I’m glad it’s here. Y’alls thoughtful approach to this newsletter in tandem with the podcast is appreciated, especially the thoughts shared in this post. This truly does feel like a welcome and open space, which is rare when talking about video games online.
Thanks again, and See you all in 2024.
Couldn’tve said it better myself! I think these guidelines are thoughtful, sensible and rad!
As a long time community manager, I love this. Plante’d written some of the best community guidelines around.
*Plante has*
Substack comments but editable
As someone who struggles with social interaction, whether that is in person or online, having guidelines/ground rules like these really help me feel welcome in a space. Thank you all for all you do!
I agree. I am such a fan of the podcasts but have very little experience interacting with people about it. The closest I have come to trying to discuss games is when Justin McElroy served me chili at our local ChiliFest and I made a fool of myself. So, I think this will be a nice place for me.
Beautifully written. I've been struggling a lot with mental health stuff lately, and the last few episodes of friendly, well-meaning debate has really help lift my spirits when I listen in. Thank you guys for doing what you do and making this particular version of the podcast the best one yet.
Also, I was waffling on what small ~$20 game I wanted to treat myself to as a small holiday treat, and the answer has been right in front of me this entire time. Excited to begin playing Little Gator Game!
Can't wait to hear what you think! (And thank you for all of the great Letterbox recs!)
Long time listener but I haven’t yet ventured into the comments section. After reading this email though I’m all in! See y’all on the next one. I’m sure we’re all waiting with baited breath to see if Russ overturns his GoTY selection after finishing bg3
Love the podcast and especially the Resties required reading list. Is there a good way to know what games y’all are playing before the episode comes out?
We include the upcoming game for each Besties and Resties at the bottom of the newsletter, but we'd like to find a way to provide a better view into the weeks or even months ahead! Look for that in 2024!
Sometimes they do mention what game they’ll be discussing on the next episode, usually toward the end of the show. But it’d be really nice to have that info foregrounded in the newsletter or the show itself.
Let’s make 2024 the eggiest, steamiest year yet. Thanks for all you do!
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8CrSoAp/
Have any of you hopped into Fortnite recently? They’ve added 3 new official, regularly updated modes, including Fortnite Festival, which is basically a Rock Band clone, and LEGO Fortnite, which is a full LEGO sandbox survival game complete with LEGO versions of every skin. Check it out, it’s wild.
Yeah! Hoping to do an episode on it in the first half of 2024
I once set up a Minecraft server for my work center. It was a light PvP server and I had only a few basic rules, but #1 was "Just don't be a dick". The number of people who sought clarification about that rule was astounding.
Thank you to the Besties and this great community that supports them and makes it worthwhile for them to continue to create a great weekly show. As an early 30s dad with a young kid I find it harder than ever to make time to sit down and play games. Hearing about games on the show is such a great way to discover new titles to enjoy and is so helpful in deciding what I prioritize to play. And also, hearing about games I know I probably won’t resonate with or find the time to play is still such a delight because I can still appreciate them and enjoy them through y’all’s experiences and discussion.
In fact, my favorite part of the show is honorable mentions because hearing what y’all are playing and why it’s good is always enjoyable and is how I’ve found some gems that I’ve tried and loved. Some examples: Justin’s love for Slay the Spire, Plante and Frush’s love for Spelunky, and Griffon’s love for Rogue Legacy 2.
In light of that, one episode idea for you guys if there’s any dry spells in 2024 (could even be recurring): The besties all time honorable mentions, where yall bring some games that have been really special for you in past years, seasons, or stages of life. If that’s too broad you could even time constrain it the same way yall did for the required reading list in the resties.
Thanks for all you guys do and here’s to a great 2024!
This captures my thoughts perfectly! I'm in a similar stage of life and just being able to listen to the passion the boys share for the games they love, their thoughts on why certain ones didn't click, and engaging with this community is so special.
And being able to delve into games I would not have heard of otherwise is lovely.
Thanks Besties, can't wait for 2024!
Excited to be hopping on in time for next year ! My advice on a game to play : Dancing Duelists! It's a free game created by Mega Crit (of Slay the Spire fame) to test out a new game system now they're moving away from unity. Its a fantastic little deck building autobattler with a host of fantastic characters to play. Very engaging and super fun!
Omg, the art style reminds me of Warioware, it's so cute!!! Definitely gonna try this one out
This looks sick! https://megacrit.itch.io/dancing-duelists
These guidelines are wonderfully written and giving me a lot to think about in how I engage online in general. I also appreciate the idea at the end, acknowledging sometimes people will break the rules and focusing on heightening the positive comments in contrast.
Hope y'all get a chance to check out "In Stars and Time". It feels like a great follow up to all the Sea of Stars talk in both emotional story driven RPGs and games with the word "Stars" in the title.
I’ve learned so much about video games from this podcast and found a lot of games that I’ve had a great time playing! Thanks for being our tastemakers, and looking forward to 2024!
Good advice not only for the community but for people to use in life.
Happy Holidays Everyone
Honestly I love you guys. You guys make me crack up so much each week. Happy holidays Besties!
Love you Plante (and the rest of the crew). Hope your holidays went well