The podcast discusses the new Steam Deck OLED and its lighter weight. They explore the importance of OLED displays for handheld gaming devices. They mention gadgets from Hong Kong and a water bottle with Bluetooth capabilities. They delve into the cultural industry's complicity in the genocide in Palestine and the controversy surrounding political statements. They discuss the game 'Thirsty Suitors' and its engaging story. They talk about playing 'The Witness' and the challenges of 'Knights of the Old Republic'. They explore the concept of luck in video games and staying motivated while job hunting. They emphasize maintaining a professional online presence.
02:21:35
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Quick takeaways
Video games cannot be separated from politics, and individuals within the industry are pressured to take a stand on important political issues.
The gaming industry faces challenges in addressing political issues, as seen with the controversy surrounding Meg Janth's statement at the Golden Joysticks.
The upcoming Game Awards is anticipated to address pressing issues, and Jeff Keighley's response will set the tone for how political matters are handled.
The gaming industry is expected to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, recognizing the humanitarian crisis and navigating the discourse with empathy and commitment to human rights.
Deep dives
Meg Janth withdraws from presenting at Golden Joysticks in solidarity with Palestine
Meg Janth, a narrative designer, announced that she would not be presenting an award at the Golden Joysticks as planned due to her intention to make a statement regarding the situation in Gaza and Israel's bombing campaign. She argued that as part of the cultural industry, video games cannot be separated from politics, citing the ongoing genocide in Palestine and the complicity of governments. She highlighted the importance of stories in games and the need to speak out for humanitarian reasons. The organizers of the Golden Joysticks did not reconsider their position, leading Meg Janth to withdraw her involvement.
The challenge of addressing political issues in the gaming industry
The incident involving Meg Janth at the Golden Joysticks highlights the challenge of addressing political issues in the gaming industry. The organizers chose not to allow her statement calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, considering it politically inappropriate. This reflects a historical pattern of hesitancy and controversy around discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its humanitarian implications. However, with a changing landscape and a growing sense of social responsibility, more individuals and events within the industry are being pressured to take a stand on important political issues, even during celebratory moments like awards shows.
Expectations for the upcoming Game Awards and Jeff Keighley's role
Looking ahead to the upcoming Game Awards, there is anticipation around Jeff Keighley, the host and face of the event, to address pressing issues such as the situation in Gaza, industry layoffs, and other relevant topics. While there is pressure for presenters and recipients to speak up during the event, it is also recognized that the responsibility should not solely fall on them. Keighley's response and actions leading up to the Game Awards will set the tone for how the event handles political issues and whether or not it meets the expectations of its audience.
The complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and navigating discourse
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has historically been a sensitive and complex issue, has seen a shift in public opinion and a more widespread understanding of the humanitarian crisis. As narratives change and more people recognize the need for a ceasefire, there is a growing expectation for platforms and events within the gaming industry to address the issue. However, navigating this discourse requires careful consideration due to the history of bad faith arguments and the risk of inadvertently stigmatizing or generalizing certain communities. It is essential to approach the topic with empathy, understanding, and an unwavering commitment to human rights.
Advice for staying motivated and job hunting
Getting laid off can be tough, but staying motivated is important. Take time to process your emotions, but also use this as an opportunity for growth and new possibilities. Stay active, maintain a routine, and set small goals to stay productive. Freelance writing should not affect your unemployment benefits as long as you report your earnings accurately. Look beyond LinkedIn for job opportunities, explore different job boards, networking events, and industry-specific websites. As for the meme, be mindful of the frequency and context of sharing it to avoid annoying others. And while we currently don't have any open positions for anime writers, keep an eye on our website for future opportunities.
Navigating Unemployment and Freelancing
The podcast episode discusses the challenges of unemployment and freelancing. The speaker shares their experiences of being laid off and the different aspects of precarity that come with freelancing. They emphasize the importance of looking for opportunities outside of traditional career paths and being open to exploring new trades or industries. Additionally, they highlight the significance of having a supportive partner in navigating the financial and emotional uncertainties of job loss. They also suggest reaching out to social circles for job leads and advice, while also maintaining a professional online presence.
Strategies for Job Searching and Financial Planning
The podcast episode provides advice on job searching and financial planning during periods of unemployment. The speakers recommend taking time off to emotionally process the layoff and gather support from friends and family. They emphasize the importance of crafting a positive professional image online and leveraging social connections for job opportunities. The speakers also suggest considering gig work or part-time jobs to make ends meet, while also allocating dedicated time to job searching. They stress the significance of setting realistic goals and taking breaks to avoid burnout during the job search process.
With the holidays nearly upon us, Janet Garcia rejoins the Remap crew—yes, including Rob!—to chat about Patrick’s time with the new Steam Deck OLED, what to make of the video game industry’s response (or lack thereof) to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, and more. We’re playing plenty of video games, too, including Thirsty Suitors, The Talos Principle 2, WarioWare: Move It!, and…The Knights of the Old Republic? Finally, The Question Bucket has us weigh in on recent layoffs from a different angle: how to handle the sudden disruption that is losing your job.
Discussed: Steam Deck OLED 1:27, Meg Jayanth Dropped from Golden Joysticks 37:30, Thirsty Suitors 1:02:22, Talos Principle 2 1:21:22, WarioWare Move It 1:35:13, KOTOR 1 1:43:05, The Question Bucket 1:53:33, Outro and Announcements 2:15:32
