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Submit Your Question For The MinnMax Show Podcast

This week for community questions on the podcast, we'll have Ben Hanson, Kelsey Lewin, Jeff Marchiafava, and Sarah Podzorski. It's your turn to make the show better by leaving a question, news story, BetterQuest goal, or anything else for us to read on the show as a comment below! We’ll choose our favorite and iam8bit will ship out the great prize below for the winner! We'll stop pulling questions around 8am Central on Wednesday.

On this week’s episode we’ll be talking about...

Everybody at the Backstage Pass tier can watch us record the show live on Wednesday at 1:30pm Central, with an exclusive pre and post show. The unedited archive will be available to view after the fact. You could do us a favor by subscribing to the audio version of the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app, telling a friend, leaving a review, and subscribing to our YouTube channel!

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You can also find the vinyl soundtrack for A Little To The Left for sale in iam8bit’s online store, and you can use the promo code CORNBREADCHAOS for 10% off everything under $100. Psst… please don’t post that promo code anywhere else on the internet. It’s a MinnMax-exclusive thing. https://www.iam8bit.com/collections/all

Comments

I could be way off but if I factor in all the small flash games I played when I was younger plus random arcade and mobile games it probably inflated the number quite a lot

Jump On Everything

In a similar style to games like tetris forever and the making of karateka, what is your dream game/game series documentary?

Sabai

What would you rather fight? A 100 goldikarp-sized chocobos or 1 chocobo-sized goldikarp?

Will K.

Hola Hola! I'm heading home for the first time since moving away 3 years ago. The first thing I'm eating is Whataburger and then Chicken Express (yes, I'm from Texas). My question is: what dish do you miss the most after being away from home for a while? It can be a dish from regional chain or a home cooked meal.

Alejandro Medellin

Astro Bot, Lego Horizon Adventures

Dusty Beaman

A deadline HAS to affect your experience with the game, right? But how much....hard to determine

Dusty Beaman

My original Yu-Gi-Oh cards. I've replaced most, and maybe even all of them

Dusty Beaman

Probably more. For me, if I play the demo/trial and the game doesn't give me a discount on buying it, then they probably lose me more than they gain me. Even if it's only like $5. Example: I did the Stellar Blade game trial, trial ends, no reduced price, I waited. Next day or 2 I played the Eiyuden Chronicles demo/trial, it ended, massive discount on price, I purchased even though I'd rather have gotten Stellar Blade.

Dusty Beaman

If it looks good, does it really matter?

Dusty Beaman

The use of "magic/mana" and being able to overshadow people and make them hit/hurt each other

Dusty Beaman

Ben might be my favourite host for any show ever. Who is your favourite host of something ?

Ian

01/16 Donkey Kong Returns 02/14 Assassin's Creed Shadows 02/18 Avowed 02/18 Lost Records: Bloom & Rage 03/06 Suikoden 1&2 Remaster No Confirmed Dates: Eternal Strands, Lunar Remastered Collection, Throes of the Watchmaker DLC, Archeage Chronicles, Ballad of Antara, Bye Sweet Carole, Cuffbust Steam, Death Stranding, Double Dragon Revive, Eriksolm: The Stolen Dream, Fable, Ghost of Yotei, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, Mouse P.I. for Hire, Project 007, Splinter Cell Remake, The First Berserker: Khazan, The Legend of Baboo, Threads of Time, Wolverine, Wuchang Fallen Feathers

Dusty Beaman

Hey guys! What video game would you recommend to someone that’s buying their kid their first console for the holidays? ( For specifics, let’s say it’s a PS5)

Nicole

I inadvertently fostered about 300 tadpoles this year. My husband and I rescued 150 or so out of a fast-drying puddle and made a makeshift habitat in our yard for them. After they grew up and left, we were shocked and delighted to find that a different species of frog had decided to lay eggs there, and we wound up with another group of them. Over the last six months I’ve learned a ton about frogs and our local ecosystem, and I’m now planning to make the habitat permanent so future generations have a safe place to lay their eggs. I was wondering if any of you have ever ended up with a random project or hobby land on you that you wouldn’t have expected? Sincerely, Kendra (and about 300 teeny tiny baby frogs)

Kendra

Thanks, Michael! It’s reeeally tempting, especially to get access to so many Steam games that don’t get a lot of console rereleases.

The Sleepy MailMan

Awesome! How so?

AnAttackCorgi

Yes! You just described me a few years back before I got a steam deck and I love it.

Michael Berry

I use an app called "colornote"

Dusty Beaman

This would be way better

Dusty Beaman

For me, only when the quest is inherently evil. Looking at you, Tenpenny Tower in Fallout 3.

Jesse Eberenz

Haha, it depends on the mood I'm in. In a game like Golden Idol where the whole game is solving puzzles, I slam my head against the wall a little longer than usual

Jesse Eberenz

No, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, no, no, yes, yes, no, yes, yes, yes, no

Dusty Beaman

Whats a habit from beginning of the pandemic that you still have?

Tonytheswordsman

Out to eat

Dusty Beaman

This is the dumbest thing that GOTY 2024 isn't announced and celebrated in January/February 2025

Dusty Beaman

I don't think I'm anywhere near that number. Probably 150

Dusty Beaman

A good one with no microtransactions. Maybe MLB the Show can get there?

Dusty Beaman

I hope for imitate

Dusty Beaman

Maybe Been hating actors is an act?

Dusty Beaman

Yakuza/ Like a Dragon

Dusty Beaman

You have much more restraint than I do... I'm usually at 5 min

Dusty Beaman

Hello everyone! What is your biggest game of the year awards surprise you’ve had in the past?

Joshua H.

Because the WEF wants us to eat bugs and like it

Dusty Beaman

Nix from Star Wars Outlaws

Dusty Beaman

Hey y’all! What would it take for a fighting game to win Game of the Year? It’s a bummer that Tekken 8 didn’t get a nomination this year despite its stellar visuals and gameplay. Street Fighter 6 also didn’t get a nomination last year, and even the way it was so accessible to newer players couldn’t get it in. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the only fighting game to ever get a nomination, but it couldn’t beat Sekiro in 2019. What could be added to a fighting game that could get it the win?

CaffeineDad

Have you ever clicked "no" on "Would you like to accept this quest?"

Bon Jon Bovi

They just hate everything

Dusty Beaman

Great music. I mean, isn't that the definition of a "podcast game"?

Dusty Beaman

Index fingers on the triggers; I refer to them as L1R1/L2R2 but it dawned on me as I read this question that my 9yo can only figure out what button I mean when I use "trigger/bumper"

Dusty Beaman

Hey MinnMaxers! Long time listener, several-time question poster, & I believe hopefully first-time question selection-maker! 🤞 With the “Finally” release of the Steam Deck upon our Southern Hemisphere shores yesterday, I thought it’d be good opportunity to take a look back at the Steam Deck, and share some stories and positives about what it means to you? (as all (Deck) cards on the table (forgive the pun, I couldn’t help it) but I have put in for one (tbh a grand total of 3 min after sales had opened, in fact #nojudgments #longwait) and am waiting with tantalising anticipation for it to be shipped… (with all the excitement, I also randomly posted on the MM Reddit and MM Gaming discord, but not sure if many caught it - honestly dont know my way super well around social community conventions 😝) - so naturally I’d like to focus on how the MM crew think it’s benefited us gamers? (not speaking of the obvious upside-down-in-bed weight concerns, which sounds like Haley rightly pointed out haha)

Thorn23

Unknown 9:Awakening for it's gameplay mechanics

Dusty Beaman

Best: Luigi; worst: bowser

Dusty Beaman

I like feeling overpowered

Dusty Beaman

0

Dusty Beaman

Pizza Hut

Dusty Beaman

No

Dusty Beaman

Missing person case(s)

Dusty Beaman

Hi MinnMax! Rise of the Golden Idol is one of my favourite games this year! One of its feats to me is that it managed changing artstyle from pixelart to regular art without losing its vibe, what are some other game series that successfully changed artstyle?

Luca Alberti

Hey, MinnMax! Is the Steam Deck a good purchase for those who’ve never dabbled in PC gaming before?

The Sleepy MailMan

Hi Minnmaxers, what's a game you've delayed playing until a specific moment in your life? For example, my friends gave me Baldur's Gate 3 for my birthday in August, but I've held off on playing it until I move into my new place in December, so I can fully soak that sucker up in my new cozy space.

Krauser_05

Hi Ben and The Cohorts, With GOTY talk in the air and having 5years of MinnMax. Is it time we rank the existing 10 ‘Tens’? Of all the Tens which one is the best Ten? Is there an existing Minn Ten stronger than any of the Max Ten over the past 5 years. Keeping doing the lords work. Glenn Hawthorne

Glenn Hawthorne

Hello everyone! As game of the year discussions have begun. When any of you decide to play a game that you may have missed due to work reasons, does playing it at your own leisure unrelated to any deadlines that may exist change the way you might think of it? Curious as playing a game when you want to and have to can be very different. Thank you!

Curtis

Hey MixMann! How would you feel about a slate of categories like “best DLC”, “best update”, “most improved/most transformative DLC”, “best DLC music”, etc. to create a space where DLC can be celebrated without overshadowing or stripping new games of rewards? If Keighley were to implement such an idea, what do you think it would look like? Personally, I would prefer this over seeing Erdtree win in the usual categories. I don’t deny it deserves to be celebrated, but seeing it win over a game like Balatro would be a real bummer. I see Balatro as a new expertly crafted experience, and Erdtree as a neat twist on an old expertly crafted experience, which already had its time in the sun.

Leo’s Immersion

Hello Minimal Maximus. What's the best worst video game?

demo sphere

Hey friennds with two ns. Hot take time : S.T.A.L.K.E.R is one of the rare "franchise" to achieve the perfect triangle of artentainment = the book is wonderful, the movie is a masterpiece, the game (I'm talking 2007 one) is a cult classic. Do you have examples of other full book/movie/game achievement? Cheers.

Felix davin

is Ben ready for Balatro to win GOTY this year?

LlorchDurden

my Metroid Prime 2 copy

LlorchDurden

Hi. Quick question: why do we "say cheese!"?

Crayter

What’s something you’ve lost that you still think about?

Freddy Fro

What class in college did everyone struggle the most with and how did you get through it? Thank you all.

Adam Castellanos

I'm currently on the fence about Dragon Quest 3... Should I feel guilty that the existence of fan content like romhacks and randomizers nudge me away from buying some remakes? Or should remakes strive to be more than visual upgrades? I avoided the Super Mario RPG remake entirely, because I just didn't see any reason to buy it when I have access to randomizers and difficulty mods of the original. On the other hand, with Star Ocean 2, buying the remake was a no-brainer because of the improved battle system, quality of life upgrades to skills and crafting, side quests with new bosses, and lack of any PS1 Star Ocean 2 romhacks that I know of. If possible, please absolve me of the sin of not spending my money on new games due to enjoying ethically and legally gray fan content. -Plessie

Plessie (Jesse K)

I'd love to see MinnMax react to the Indie Game Awards show that Six One Indie just announced. It's happening on Dec. 19, exactly one week after Keighley's show; if there are any indies from this year that got decent but not superlative attention from the press (1000xResist, Nine Sols, etc.) that you feel got snubbed by the Game Awards, chances are that they got some love here. Also, forgive me if this is a bit cliché, but which game would nominate for game of the year in place of Shadow Of The Erdtree, if any?

mantaguy

(Copying my question from last week because I submitted late without realizing) I finally bit the bullet and bought a Quest 3S, my introduction to VR. It has been such a hit with my wife and kids, none of whom are really gamers. It makes me think that VR (especially the quest) should be marketing itself as an accessible family fun machine, like the Wii, rather than another device for gamers. I realize local multiplayer is a barrier, but we have had fun just watching each other play. My kids are asking for a second one for Christmas. VR has to do better messaging the casuals! Am I nuts?

Rooster

I've really been enjoying trials of games through Playstation recently, and they've saved me from several purchases i would have otherwise regretted. My question is, do you think demos/trials have convinced you to buy more games or pass on more games? I genuinely think demos lose at least as many purchases as they gain in today's landscape.

Mason Cowell

M&ms what the best game to play at thanksgiving? I use to love playing CoD multiplayer with my cousins just passing the controller everytime you died.

betoq92 .

CLCs, In the reaction to the Game Awards nominations, Haley was looking for a good analogy to Erdtree’s nomination for GOTY, for other mediums. I think I have it. The most 1:1 case would be, say, Dune 2 winning Best Picture at the Oscars. Two years pass and they release a director’s cut version that adds an hour of new footage with a new subplot, its own arc, etc, and that version gets nominated for Best Picture. Yes, the new stuff is as long or “complete” as other films, but it can’t exist separate from the original movie, not only thematically, but literally, mechanically (physically?). SotET is one of the best gaming experiences I’ve had in a long time, but please let other games shine. I’m rooting for you, Astro and Balatro!

Christian Feliciano

Which rogue like gives you the best feeling when you get an op build going?

Onlinesquid

Much like Overwatch Classic, is there a game (whether it's defunct or just has no player base or a dead game) you wish could have a Classic mode to return to?

Bob Buel

Dearest Minnimal Maxers, Why is no one talking about how the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake isn't 2D-HD at all? In every other game Square Enix has marketed as using the HD-2D art style both the characters and environments are created with a pixel art inspired look. For Dragon Quest 3, however, the sprite based characters are instead placed in high detail environments which eschew the pixel art textures completely. In this way it has more in common with the Star Ocean 2 remake than Octopath, Triangle Strategy, and the Live A Live remake. Long story short: Square lied; the pixels died.

Brad Grenz

What is the ultimate podcast game?

Ecto Coolest

Isn't the inclusion of Silent Hill 2 into the Best Narrative TGA evidence that it's a slippery slope when we allow remakes and we should just have new 1.0 releases be eligible for all GotY lists? (this will forever be my hill to die on)

Tanner Hoisington

Hello Minns of the Max! Ben Hanson mentioned he does not like to play “big boy” games on handheld. Which reminded me of how I used to only play first person shooters on Xbox because of the off-set control sticks. Does anyone else have specific quirks about how you game with certain games?

SuperThisWay

I’ve recently started going back to the gym and decided to play the Switch while doing an hour long bike ride. If you game while doing cardio, what’s your go to game?

Nick Petoskey

Do you all think The Game awards should have two separate music categories: one for orchestral score and one for “chiptune” soundtracks? I played Sea of Stars recently, and the music in that game is absolutely unreal, but I feel like it would never have a chance to win any type of (well deserved) award when up against the scores of things like Final Fantasy 7: ReBirth or Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Trapezoid

Let's solve the popularity contest between Spider-Man and Mario, in a talent show format. What would each of their stage acts be? How would you score them as judges?

Phelix Diaz

Anytime I'm playing a game and I see a bookshelf I instantly go over to read the spines on the books to see if they put anything interesting there or have cool book designs. I gotta see if they put in easter eggs, maybe some puns, or they just kind of throw in 2 books and repeat them over and over again. Is there anything in games that popup and you say, "Hang on I have to check this out real quick."

rmva

Other than the Switch 2, what is looking good for next year?

Poofydoo

Hey y’all! The Pacific Northwest is currently being hit by a “bomb cyclone” which is just a horrifying name for a bad storm. What are some names you’ve heard of or you’ve made up that horrified you to your bones? The more unnecessary the better!

Brody Weller

Hey minnmax, This weekend I watched the substance and it was so disgusting I almost walked out of the theatre. Have you ever walked out of a theatre, not because of movie quality, but because you couldn’t handle what you were watching?

Sean

Hello cohorts, I would love to hear the panels reaction to the first ever adult accessory for Xbox from SoCo... https://www.purexbox.com/news/2024/10/southern-comfort-unveils-first-ever-adult-accessory-for-xbox-series-x Has Xbox just won the console war?!?

Graham Jones

Just watched the new MinnMax spotlight video (which was fantastic), and immediately recognized the beaches and restaurant in Encinitas, which is just north of where I live. I just moved to San Diego in March and it blows my mind how cool this area is. After seeing San Diego firsthand, is it on the shortlist of locations for next year’s community meetup?

Jesse Bengel

Hey gang! If each of you had a monkey paw blursed wish, what game that you're ashamed to love would you bring back as a floor to ceiling remake?

Joseph Chapman

My personal wrestling walk out song would be the metal track that plays in the opening scenario of Final Fantasy X

Sean Rubin

How should one defend and argue for the importance and emotional impact of video games to older individuals? I recently had a discussion with my mom about the impact and power of gaming after she saw the Netflix movie The remarkable life of Ibelin. She said it changed her perspective on how gaming can give you an opportunity to connect and escape from your reality. However, upon discussing it further, she continued to still believe that video games are very violent, do not have much substance and that gamers are not a welcoming community simply based on lack of coverage in the mainstream news. She also says that she feels there are not a lot of resources out there for people to be able to start gaming at a later age. I would love to hear the cohort perspective on how to show older and skeptical people the benefit of gaming and encourage them to participate in the hobby.

Graham Jones

Do you ever sneak a little snack when cooking. Let me explain, you are chopping some carrots, do you eat a little bit of carrot?

Toke F.

Hey MinnMax! Anyone has a favorite car in a none-racing game? I used to have a fav convertible in Vice City that I made sure never to crash whenever I took it out

resnet

Weighing in on the "Is DLC Game of the Year??" debate, in which some have said "I mean, Shadow of the ErdTree is basically big enough to be a sequel." The question there is: Would you have been happy paying full game price for Erdtree? Does the price tag or the classification make this unsavory for a nomination?

Vilis

In honour of the Give To The Max charity stream auction on Saturday, what’s the coolest piece of gaming memorabilia you’ve ever seen throughout your career? And how much would you pay to have it!?

OhMyBlob

How do you organize the games you’ve played/beat throughout the year? For me I like to keep it simple and use an iPhone note just listing out which games I beat in each year, but curious about how others like to do it

Eric Swanson

As a Survivor fan, hearing Ben mention the show every once in a while always makes my ears perk up a little bit. Gets me wondering though: which of the cohorts do y'all think would be the best on that show (physically, socially, strategically, etc.)? You guys have such a diverse group so I think anyone could make a run on any given season. Thanks!

tuxpeng

Hey everyone, I just finished an F.D. Signifier video on YouTube, and he shouted out Jacob Geller! Have any of you had that odd moment where different creators in different interests overlap?

TheName'sPug

Twenty years from now, which of this year's games will be worth the most as a 'retro' collector's item?

JorSneezy

I’m surprised by the quiet hype for gamepass this week Microsoft flight simulator and stalker 2 in the same week? Pretty big sneaky week heading into Thanksgiving What genre are you craving now for the holidays, but there is no new good game for you within it?

SenttheProphet

What's your biggest gaming regret? Mine was not getting PS1. I went with the N64 and while I loved it I definitely missed out on some key experiences like JRPGs.

Bobafets

Hey Minnmax crew! Not an official Better Quest goal, but I have just completed my MLIS (Masters in Library and Information Science) degree! So many streams and New Show+s helped get me through the work over the years, and shoutout to Kelsey for inspiring me to write about video game preservation for a couple of assignments. My question is, what are your favorite experiences reading in games? I thought it was really cool that The Longing had full books that you could read, and when you finished reading one, the character would sometimes make a little note at the end about the book.

Nate Voris

Hi MinnMax: A local Kyiv band I like a lot, Dity Inzheneriv (translates to "Children of Engineers) are on the STALKER 2 soundtrack. I even know the drummer and am recording at his studio where the band also records. Not really a question here, just an acknowledgement that it's great to see STALKER 2 out with everything they have been through and are going through. In fact, the Tuesday I am writing this is the 1000th day of russia's full scale invasion, and now we have blackouts happening again because recent drone and missile attacks have hit some of the energy infrastructure. If you haven't yet, you should watch the War Game documentary release recently by Microsoft about the game's development.

Jason Wojnar

Hiya cohorts! I've been around the UK for various medical reasons over the years, which has led me to places I'd never have otherwise considered visiting. Being forced to find the fun in areas I'd at first rather not have been, has sometimes led to nice surprises off the beaten path! Where was your most memorable place that you'd rather not have had to go to ahead of time, and what did you find there that was a pleasant reprieve?

Juniper Cain

When (not if) Balatro wins GOTY at the Game Awards, how should LocalThunk accept his award?

Graham Gilmore

H MixxMaxx, Why do the Game Awards happen before the year’s up? The Academy Awards don’t do that, right? Why not just wait till the year is over, have everything come out, and then rank it all shortly thereafter?

MarriottPlayer

Anyone in the crew had a chance to play Wayfinder 1.0 or Diceomancer?

Anthony Botz

Hello all, Why is it generally accepted to talk about spoilers if they are something that happens near the beginning of a game?

SlyCut

Do The Game Awards nominations and wins actually account for additional success in the video game space? You get nominated for/win an Oscar you're set for your next several projects. Games have a much longer turn around though, so speculate wildly, do TGA's have some sway in game development?

Fred Dinovo

I've recently picked up a bunch of new games for my Playdate. Mars after Midnight, Root Bear, and Touch Egg have been lots of silly fun. The crank makes for such a novel gaming mechanic. What is one of your favorite novel video game mechanics?

Michael Berry

Do you have any gaming related merch that you use frequently? My main bottle opener is shaped like the hammer from Shadow of War, and my Battlefield 1 hoody is my partner's favorite one to steal.

PhillyYeetSteak

What is your least favorite food to eat in front of other people?

SuperCerberus

If NPCs could leave reviews about players, what do you think your most-played game would say about you?

PixelPunchTV

Do you think you could tell, just by looking at a person, whether or not they go to the chiropractor? I'm always surprised when I find out...I've even recently started going for some lower back pain and I think it's actually helping.

Daniel Doran

Hey nimmnax what's the timber line? Best

Chandler

Hey all! Fellow Minnesotan here. Every time I play fallout 4 its world reminds me of Minnesota around this time of year. Is it crazy that we choose to live in a state that looks like a post apocalyptic wasteland 6 months out of the year?

Thomasen

Also, if anyone listening likes Hollow Knight and Sekiro, you absolutely need to play Nine Sols.

Kapsilon

Hi! Maybe not the ideal place for this question, but will there be MinnMax merch like t-shirts and hats to buy at the Nov 22nd Utepils brewing meetup?

Brady Johnson

I think I'm on the verge of becoming an actual Star Wars fan because of Andor, the newest game and Disney's theme parks. What piece of media or fandom or IP snuck into your heart/head way later than it probably did for everyone else?

Chris Pelley

Question and a betterquest goal for myself How do you decide what you want? Whether it be simple as food for lunch or a career ambition. What's something you do to help decide what you want out of life? A goal for myself lately is to try and develop my own internal desires and less focused on what might be conventional, convenient, or popular. I find myself plagued by indecision sometimes and this is part of my journey to learn more about myself and my own actual desires

Blunkers

Hi Minnmaxers, I jumped into my old save on Sonic Adventure 2 and fell back into the Chao Garden. It's such an in-depth addition that really extends the replayability of the base game. Are there any other games with additions like this that draw you back? Will Sonic Team ever make another one? Does Sega hate money? I feel like a mobile edition tied to the next Sonic game would be an easy win.

Benji D

Hey gang! I’ve listed a few randomly generated fake video game titles below. Decide if you’d green-light the game based solely on its name. Catholic Golf, Jr. Full Metal Hoedown Revolution Samurai Vocabulary Gang True Crime: Donkey Trainer Third-World Jet Ski Rescue Telekinetic Shotgun Restaurant Unpleasant WWE Conundrum Hardcore Platypus - The Resistance Amish Hair Salon Kids The Incredible Gun Preacher Lethal Llama in My Pocket High-Speed Shark Jam Irritating Go-Kart Ignition Hip-Hop Laser Syndrome Brain-Damaged Assault Fiasco

Grizzled Gaming

There's been a lot of chat about the TGA nominations and, in my circles, the lack of a 1000xRESIST nom. I was wondering what you guys make of the sometimes-basic nominations, especially in the indie and narrative departments. And also: how does MinnMax decide what to nominate?

John • Gaming In The Wild

Hey, y'all! I just finished Rise of the Golden Idol, during which I experience some frustrating-turned-gratifying experiences that were surprising and brilliant. What are ya'lls favorite examples of when you genuinely though a game was bugged or busted right up until something clicked and you went from distressed to impressed?

iambecomeseth

Howdy Minnmax and friends, If you could add one category of your choice to the game awards, what would it be?

Dill Pickles

Hey Ben and horts, I was looking at my steam account and found out you can see how much money you have spent on steam. For me I was at first shocked to see it’s been $5645.39 but then I realized my steam account is 16 years old so that breaks down to $352.84 a year or less than a dollar a day… which doesn’t seem bad. It got me thinking what’s the one thing you’d be most shocked you spent the most money on. I’m not talking about groceries or gas or rent/mortgage, but something you don’t think much about that’s probably cost you thousands or more over the years.

Admiral Ackbar's Snackbar

Hey Ben and the GOTY 2024s, Fire Escape have already released their GOTY debate/drunk yelling session. I have to admit I was shocked and appalled that they put it out so early. I went outside and yelled no. I was all like “No!” “No sir!” and “No ma’am!” Is what I yelled. My question is how early can you post a GOTY debate? Could you get away with posting it in October? Surely not in September!!??

Ryan Mcginnis

Let's play Synonym Stumper! I'm going to name a GOTY nomination from the history of the game awards, but with synonyms instead of it's real name. Round 1: Fireplacemineral (Hearthstone) Round 2: Outstanding Plumber Manufacturer (Super Mario Maker) Round 3: Little-Known the Fourth: The Kleptomaniac's Culmination (Uncharted 4: A Thief's End Round 4: Participant Anonymous's Combatzone (PUBG) Round 5: Freak Pursuer: Microcosm (Monster Hunter: World) Round 6: Incomparable Clap Kin: Conclusive (SSB Ultimate) Round 7: Creature Junction: Contemporary Vistas (AC: New Horizons

RickyWinterborn

What are your Top Game Names of 2024? Also, I'm going to make an unironic defense of Metaphor: ReFantazio. It's definitely nonsense salad, but it's odd "musical" quality has made it stuck in my head. How do you all say it? Meh-Tah-Fourrr Ree-Fan-TAH-ZEE-Ohh!

pork bun powered

Lots of talk this week about Game Awards surprises and snubs. Let’s play a game to see if anybody even remembers who won these things in the past. I’ll read a list of nominees from a Game Awards category from yesteryear, and you’ll try to guess who took home the award (correct answer starred): 2015 Best Narrative: Her Story* Life is Strange Tales from the Borderlands The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt Until Dawn 2016 Best Indie: Firewatch Hyper Light Drifter Inside* Stardew Valley The Witness Best Art Direction 2018: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey God of War Octopath Traveler Red Dead Redemption II Return of the Obra Dinn*

Aging_Poorly

I can't stop playing Shogun Showdown! I got a Steam Deck this year and it has revolutionized the way I play. When's the last time a piece of hardware changed the kinds of games you were playing? I took a hard turn from PS5 AAAs to Steam Deck Indies, and I'm having a blast playing more, smaller games.

Kapsilon

Hey Minnesotans (and non-Minnesotans too I guess), If there was only room for one puzzle game on this year's two tens, which game do you think would deserve that spot the most? I just want Sarah and Hailey to argue over the Rise of the Golden Idol vs. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. I have my bucket of popcorn ready at hand.

HaulingGas

1000xRESIST, 1000xRESIST, please everybody who hasn't played it yet, please try to find some time before the end of the year for it. Even seeing every optional conversation total play time should be about 15 hours (probably 12ish if you skip some stuff). It's absolutely my GoTY, and competing with Outer Wilds for my all time fav. Question for funsies: if you were a professional wrestler what music would play when you walk out? Would you choose the same song or something different for walking up to bat in baseball? What about if you had to pick something from a video game?

Sean Rubin

Hello everyone, a big question I've been thinking about recently is how many games I've finished (rolled credits on) in my entire life so I thought I'd ask you all the same. I think a rough estimate for me would be 500

Jump On Everything

Hey Cohorts! With the possible acquisition of Fromsoftware’s parent company by Sony being reported at Reuters, one of the my favorite studios that I really hoped stayed away from a major publisher has been swallowed up. What are some studios you’d hate to see end up at a AAA publisher?

Sam Hookom

Hey MinnMax, do you think we will ever see a “sports” game nominated for Game of the Year? What do you think it would take for the genre to take that step?

MrButtons

This one is for Hanson- As a fellow uncle who has young, 8 year old nephews, I was wondering the other day if they know the concept of a “Rogue-Like” or even “Rogue-Light” at their age. Do your nephews know what these are? They seem to only know Fortnite and Roblox. For the rest of the panel, what age did you first understand the term Rogue-Like/Light?

Neal McMahon

Ben, on last week's episode you said naming Shadow of Mordor's battle mechanic the nemesis system made the game 400x better. This is why I subscribe, you do the math for me.

Thors Thrown Throne

RIGHT?!

BEEFCAKE

Due to scheduling conflicts, Fire Escape Cast already held their end of year festivities. This put into my mind this question, if viewership and cohort availability were not factors, what is the best time of the year to hold best of year talks? Early like Fire Escape could potentially influence other lists, into the next year and maybe you get to pay more respect to games you missed from other lists? Maybe you are in the happy medium now?

Palo

The baby owlbear on bg3 anytime 😋

Cath

THANK YOU FOR SAYING THE TRUTH

Cath

With the passing of Akira Toriyama, how do you think they handle the art and design for Dragon Quest games going forward? Do they hire someone to imitate his style or start to go for something a little different?

Derek

As I couldn’t afford most of the new game this year, I can’t have strong opinions about the 2 tens. It makes me sad that the industry is going toward pricier and pricier and people who are low income can’t afford the games. But I also believe into paying fairly the creators. So.. do you have a solution that would lower the price down BUT not at the expense of the devs?

Cath

Ben Hanson famously hates actors, but when I was relistening to A Fire Inside Out, I heard him say that he is technically an Emmy-winning actor. Does Ben hate himself?

Channing Potatum

Personally I would've loved to see a nod to Takaya Kuroda as Kiryu in Japanese Infinite Wealth, or Stewart Clarke as the dubbed voice of Strohl from Metaphor.

Brandon Hay

Hello Minnimus Maximus! I love the Golden Idol series. However, these games make me feel...not the brightest. I needed to use the in-game hint system for the first game and brute-forced my way through many puzzles in both games. My question: is there a game where you brute-forced your way through a puzzle or looked up hints/solutions and regretted it afterward? If I spend ~20-30 minutes making no progress, I'm more likely to do this. But after, I feel like I diminished the overall experience. Love what you all do, excited for the charity stream this Saturday and the Two Tens discussion!

Jesse Eberenz

Hello friends both real and imaginary! Recently I’ve come to the conclusion that there are some games and franchises that I will just never play, despite my interest in them. Whether it’s time, finances, etc, I’ll just likely never get to play them myself. Is there a game or franchise you’ve been interested in but never gotten around to playing? Thanks for everything!

Infi

Hey, MinnMax! I'm trying not to fall into the discourse over The Game Awards nominations. Though it is a shame that even with the jury system they have, we don't see recognition for games like 1000xRESIST, Nine Sols, The Rise of the Golden Idol, and so many others. Award shows are meant to celebrate the games and the people who make them, something The Two Tens does incredibly well. What are some ways TGA and other events be improved to represent more amazing games each year?

Rikimaru

Why do the bugs on The Lion King looks so delicious?

BEEFCAKE

What fictional animal from a game would you want to have as a pet??

alive girl

I feel a tinge of guilt sometimes when I watch an entertaining but mediocre movie, yet haven’t seen classics like The Godfather, Jaws, and ET. Can you relate?

Travis in Fargo

Hey Max-a-Minions! I'm a city planner and the National Planning Conference was in your wonderful city of Minneapolis last year. I loved visiting, but when I returned to my small town in New England, I missed all of the food choices you guys had! What's an amenity you wish your city had, or what's something from your city you wish was found everywhere? Local quirks, big attractions, or everything in between!

Respect_Pizza

I've always had a pet peeve with the Best Performance category at The Game Awards, because of the ongoing lack of representation for performers from Japanese games, either in the original Japanese language or from the English dubs. This year we only have one nominee fitting that description, despite being a year dominated by Japanese games. Are there any standout performances that you would've liked to see nominated this year?

Brandon Hay

Dear Minnmaxers: A friend of yours has come into a small fortune and can now realize their lifelong dream of opening their own sandwich shop! They've asked you to put a signature sandwich on the menu carrying your name. What goes on it? Love you and all that you do.

Calvin Jones

I just used a leaf blower for the first time, and it was incredibly empowering. Have you had a similar experience, where something seemingly mundane made you feel powerful and cool?

Travis in Fargo

I'm pretty sure that's where Dan got married

BEEFCAKE

Are there any games you’ve played a ton, say, over 100 hours, that you’d say you actively hate?

Travis in Fargo

Hello, Do you all have a minimum benchmark when we say I've put a lot of hours into X game? Or how do you quantify your time commitment into a game. Like for me, 100 hours is a lot for any game, and that's my number even for long games like Rebirth, Death Stranding, etc.

Christian Jimenez

Why do people that dislike The Game Awards not watch or promote the GDC or DICE awards instead?

Victor Pham

Not a question but a shoutout to a game from this year I feel no-one's talked about. Crypt Custodian. Amazing indie made by one guy, Kyle Thompson (Sheepo, Islets). Game released the day of a surprise Nintendo Direct so it got swallowed by the news. It's a top down Metroidvania like Death's Door but with incredible movement, combat, and a touching story. Great bosses too. It's a top 3 for me this year. Cheers, Patrick G

Patrick G

Hello Cohorts! As a combination of a few things from #meme-max-zone in the Discord: Who would you trust most? A total stranger in an "AC" shirt that stands for: Ace Combat Animal Crossing Armored Core Asheron's Call Assassin's Creed Assetto Corsa Thanks, Nick from Monster Hunter Wilds... I mean Atlanta

Nick from Atlanta

Hi cohorts! What game has your favorite moment of game mechanics being tied directly to storytelling? I recently finished act 3 of tactical breach wizards and I was pleasantly surprised about how the game used the systems I had been interacting with for hours to convey the narrative.

Calltire

Which one is more likely to be possible? A great game without great music, without a great story or without great gameplay. What can a great game sacrifice and still be considered great?

Michel Billard

Honestly, I just wanna hear what yall think about Bluesky. I know Janet was testing it out during Ben's maternity leave, but it seems everyone's on it now. If you've been here since the invite code days, how does it feel different? How is it different from Twitter? Thanks guys! - Emmett from Atlanta, GA

Emmett Watkins Jr.

Howdy computer loving cohorts! When you're holding a controller do you just keep your index fingers on the bumpers/triggers or do you use your index fingers for bumpers, middle fingers for triggers? Also, terminology do we use bumpers/triggers or L1R1/L2R2? Am I nuts?!

Dr Gonzo

What 2024 game subverted expectations in a memorable way? These could be narrative twists, characters that didn’t behave how you thought they would, or surprising gameplay mechanics.

AnAttackCorgi

Which Nintendo character would make the best roommate and which one would be the worst?

Joe Alonzo

Hey MinnMax crew. We’ve had quite a few time intensive, hefty games this year and I’ve been thinking about level progression in RPG’s and what is satisfying. I quite like large portions of the late game to feel like a bit of a victory lap in an RPG, I like feeling kind of overpowered against most enemies after so many hours levelling up. But what about you all, do you prefer the challenge to scale or do you enjoy the victory lap or does it depend on the game? (Side note, please everyone play Lorelei and the Laser Eyes for the Two Ten’s debate this year! 😅)

Stevelution

How many times have you paid for Tetris? How many more times will you pay for Tetris?

Gabriel Narciso

Hey gang. I learned recently that there's a Taco Bell in Las Vegas you can book to have your wedding at. If you had to have your wedding at a fast food place / chain restaurant, where would you pick?

Lamb Dance

With Indiana Jones and the Great Circle missing the window for The Game Awards this year, do you think people will remember it when voting for Best Indie Game next year?

Tess

What crime would you like to solve?

CrabPalace

What celebrity are you best matched to box with, for it to be the closest fight possible?

Travis in Fargo

Has anyone kept up with Playdate releases? Any chance of a Playdate game making it onto someone’s personal GOTY list?

Travis in Fargo


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