Saturday Side Quest - Should You Care About The Game Awards?

Where has faith and fandom intersected this week?

This week brought about the 10th Annual The Game Awards (yes, the double ‘the’ is correct). For the 5th consecutive year, Checkpoint Church hosted a viewing of the stream. It’s become one of the highlights of my year, as well as a sort of Wayfinder in the miasma that is planting a church. Few things stay the same, but some things never change—all that jazz.

This is the family of game director Josef Fares, who won Game of the Year for It Takes Two several years ago. He is deeply ingrained in gaming culture. Moments like these are why I watch the Game Awards (and why you might should, too).

As I was watching the award show, I reflected on the audience of folks gathered in the theatre. And those gathered in our stream watching along with us. And the many, many others watching the streams of others.

Gaming culture is a bizarre creature. On one hand, it’s one of the largest forms of entertainment that exists. On the other hand, when I go home to my family, they have no clue how big of a deal it is to see a new game from Fumito Ueda.

I have a tough time convincing those outside of my very specific circle of influence of the incredible culture that I’m engrossed with.

So, the question struck me: should you care? Should preachers who are subscribed to this Substack care at all about The Game Awards?