Newsletter Update - Holiday 2024

Update on 1UP Vault and myself

So, you may have noticed that my output has been weak since October this year. Well, let’s say life has been kicking me in the ass lately. I wanted to provide some updates and plans regarding 1UP Vault as we prepare for the new year.

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Life Update

It’s been a pretty rough two-plus months. First, my family and I had to deal with Hurricane Milton, the most dangerous storm that hit my home in the Tampa Bay area in Florida. After that, the stress, massive disappointment, and fear of the outcome of the 2024 election put a damper on my holiday plans and sent me into a mental funk. When I was starting to pull myself out of that mental hell, a pipe in the bottom of my house burst. Not only did I not have water for three weeks, but my wife and I had to commute an hour plus to and from my mom’s house as we waited forever to get the HOA to agree to pay and fix the issue. Along with all that, I’ve been catching up on Astro Bot and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, plus trying to watch Christmas movies and, of course, taking care of my daughter. So yeah, it’s been rough.

Right now, I see a light at the end of the tunnel. We have a long way to go to get the house back in shape. The floor is almost completely torn out, and we must start installing new flooring. My wife and I are contemplating selling the house after everything is done, as we have been outgrowing the house, and we like the idea of a new start. Everything is not back to normal, but it's getting there, and I’m ready to kick things up as the new year comes in. I have a lot of goals for 2025, including focusing on what I can focus on for myself and my family.

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I Got a Podcast!

If you haven’t heard, my brother and I have a live stream on YouTube on Friday nights, usually about 9 p.m. It’s not technically a gaming podcast, it’s pretty much about two hours of both of us hanging out and talking movies and gaming. My brother is a legitimate movie critic and cinephile, and I bring in the gaming talk. We also talk about sports and other subjects when we can. The idea is pretty much just two hours of talking and hanging out, and yes, it’s rated R. This is a good way to expand what I do and hopefully get more people to know about 1UP Vault. If you can’t do the live stream, we have a podcast you can listen to. It’s called The Reel Lounge. My brother and I are twins, so we have the same voice. That being said, we try to make it evident in our dialogue when someone else is talking, and there’s probably an audio quality difference that can help out as well. As for other ways to spread 1UP Vault, I have other ideas and plans for 2025, so stay tuned.

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Looking Back at 2024

So, unlike 2023 I will not have my awards. Instead, I’ll be releasing a series of articles looking back at favorite games, moments, characters, news stories, and more to celebrate 2024 in gaming. These articles will dominate my January, so there’s a chance my Strachey’s List and History of Gaming articles won’t appear. I also hope to get several reviews of the games I’m playing right now.

Another subject is how I look at video game awards. I’m not just going to track The Game Awards anymore. I’m planning to compile most of the award shows and places people tend to forget and try to give them as much shine as Geoff’s show gets.

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The Games I’m Playing and Planning to Play

I’m switching between Astro Bot and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Both games have been good for my mental health, so unsurprisingly, these two are my current top contenders for my favorite game of the year. I’ve also dabbled with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and plan to go all in once the other two are done. So far, I love the graphics, attention to detail, respect for the source material, and the plot already hooks me. My only gripe in my first couple hours is the combat and stealth, which I’m mixed on, but it seems like it will be one hell of an experience.

I’ve also downloaded Infinity Nikki because I’ve heard good things, and it seems like a game I could play with my daughter. Last but not least, I’ve finally decided to play the classic title Okami. I have only heard great things, yet I’ve never played it. I’m trying to play more games I missed out on, so I took advantage of the sale and grabbed it. Hopefully, it’ll be my main January game.

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On to a New Year and Happy Holidays!

I’m pretty upfront with people that I’m not looking forward to 2025 as an American unhappy with where the government is heading, but I know in the end, I can only control what I can control. One of the interesting things is that next year will be a banger for gamers. Sure, the news will be a dumpster fire, but at least we will have what I believe will be a hell of a year in gaming to get me through it. I hope, pray, and will work to ensure that 2025 is the best year yet for 1UP Vault. So, as we enter a new year, I hope you have a Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays!