Rock Paper Shotgun's weekend gaming column presents a lighthearted glimpse into what the publication's writers plan to play when they're not covering industry events. The piece opens with reflections on the exhaustion that follows major gaming announcements like Summer Game Fest, where announcements cascade throughout the day. The writer acknowledges the fatigue of covering these events but maintains respect for the spectacle, noting that while marketing hype surrounds many reveals, dismissing everything outright would be unfair cynicism.
The column draws contrast between the current weekend's recovery and past ordeals. The author recalls working night shifts covering E3 at PCGamesN, where the accumulated exhaustion led to oversleeping on the final train ride home, missing their station entirely and getting ejected at the wrong stop.
This piece captures a recurring industry practice where gaming journalists and outlets share their personal gaming plans during downtime. It serves dual purposes. first, it humanizes the often-frantic coverage cycle by showing writers' actual play habits rather than just their professional output. second, it generates engagement by inviting readers to share what they're playing, building community around shared gaming experiences.
The tone balances professional observation with personal weariness. Rather than pushing readers toward specific new releases, the column takes a more reflective approach about work-life balance in gaming media. The Summer Game Fest reference anchors this to real industry timing, while the E3 anecdote adds authentic personality that resonates with anyone who's experienced burnout in demanding jobs.
For outlets like Rock Paper Shotgun, these columns maintain audience connection during heavy coverage periods. They break monotony of news cycles and review schedules with genuine, tired humor that gaming audiences appreciate.