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December Staff Picks: It’s Giving Games (opens in new tab)

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Discord’s December Staff Picks explores the games employees have been playing recently and the gifted titles that shaped their lives. The contributors highlight a mix of MMORPGs, JRPGs, cozy multiplayer games, card games, and narrative adventures, emphasizing how games create lasting connections with friends and family.

Scott’s Current Games

  • Scott, a member of Discord’s Quests team, recently introduced his husband to Final Fantasy XIV, a long-running personal obsession.
  • He is also playing:
    • Metaphor: ReFantazio, reflecting his enthusiasm for JRPGs and Atlus games.
    • Marvel Rivals, while trying to resist spending heavily on cosmetics.

Games That Changed Scott’s Life

  • Scott identifies NieR: Automata and Persona 5, gifted by his best friend in 2018, as his most meaningful gifts.
  • Persona 5 rekindled his interest in JRPGs and led him to explore more Atlus titles.
  • NieR: Automata stood out for its excellent gameplay, complex lore, tragic story, and emotional impact.

Emi’s Cozy Multiplayer Lineup

  • Emi has been playing relaxed, social games such as:
    • Kallax
    • WEBFISHING
    • Jigsaw Puzzle Dreams
  • She is also progressing through Yakuza Kiwami.
  • Many of these games serve as a backdrop for chatting with friends.
  • Emi has recently played Jackbox Party Pack 3 and Jackbox Party Pack 6 with friends and family, using voice chat to stay connected across different states.

Pokémon Blue and Family Memories

  • Emi’s most memorable gifted game is Pokémon Blue, which she and her brothers received alongside their Game Boys.
  • They spent time outdoors battling and trading Pokémon with link cables.
  • The game became an early foundation for shared gaming experiences with her family, a tradition that continues today.

Cody’s Current Games

  • Cody has shifted from Marvel SNAP to the daily routine of Pokémon TCG Pocket.
  • He appreciates being able to open packs quickly without committing to a full match.
  • When playing competitively, he relies heavily on Marowak EX.
  • He is also playing Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy and working through the wider Ace Attorney series.
  • The games’ exaggerated characters, unexpected twists, and bizarre humor have produced reactions ranging from laughter to shock.

Continuing Through Ace Attorney

  • Cody plans to play the remaining entries, including:
    • The Great Ace Attorney
    • Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
  • He estimates that he is nearly halfway through the full series.

The post presents gaming as more than entertainment: gifted games can inspire lifelong interests, while multiplayer and family games preserve relationships across time and distance.