Save Point: January 2023
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- 31 January 2023
It’s hard to believe that the first month of a new year is done already.
It feels like only a few days ago that I looked back over my gaming and blogging progress during 2022. Certain results came as no surprise, such as The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) being my most-played game and point-and-clicks retaining their place as my preferred genre.
However, there were some interesting findings and these led me to creating a set of goals for 2023. The work towards these is going well so far. Pete and I made a return to Twitch and have started streaming regularly once more, albeit less than we did before. I’ve started running again and will soon be signing up for the ASICS London 10K in July. And some community events will be making a return this year – more about that later.
Things are looking positive. While I’m still nowhere near becoming a Python expert, I’ve now completed the training sessions for my Data Fellowship apprenticeship and am looking towards the future. I’m not due to finish completely until the late spring so I’m not going anywhere just yet, but I know many people look for new careers in January so perhaps one of these ‘best’ jobs in video games will be the ticket.
I made the decision to try and maintain a more positive mindset in November and it feels like it’s paying off. All the negativity of the past few years, watching people tear each other down online and engage in a competition to see who could shout the loudest – it had made me tired and jaded, and I didn’t want to be like that any longer. I’m aiming to show my support for as many people as possible during 2023 by being the best ally I can, and this focus has influenced what has happened this month.
Progress report
| Total published: | 9 |
| Most viewed: | Games I like that my husband doesn’t |
| Most liked: | Save Point: goals for 2023 |
| Most discussed: | Your next career: the ‘best’ jobs in video games |
| My favourite: | The series I love, but haven’t finished |
Game of the month
While first-person adventure Time Loop: Sink Again Beach had a great central mechanic, it’s hard for me not to pick The Longest Journey for this month’s award. Although it’s a game that’s over 20 years old which I’ve played several times already, I still haven’t finished the series despite it being on my favourites list. This reason for this is a weird one: I’m sad the story will be over once I complete the final instalment. After a little push from a friend however, I’m now determined to finally finish it in 2023.
Event of the month
January is a very quiet month for gaming events and I’ve no news to report on this front. However, a recent trip to the Science Museum Lates event is worth a mention. This was the venue for a small meetup arranged as part of the community projects I’ve been doing alongside my apprenticeship, and it was lovely to meet so many new people from different cohorts. I’d highly recommend a visit if you’re able to make it after work one day – we’re already planning a new meetup there very soon.
Photo of the month
The photograph opposite is of my denim jacket. Over the past few years, I’ve gotten into the habit of adding pins to this as a way of collecting memories and I’ll try to find a badge to represent every new experience. A voodoo Guybrush was added in December after a thoughtful Christmas gift from Ellen from Ace Asunder. Then while drafting a post and searching the internet for links to places where the pins I have can be purchased, I came across a badge for my ESO obsession on the Insert Coin website. I couldn’t resist.
Plans for next month
There’s a lot happening next month so let’s kick off this section by talking about the charity event. From Friday, 17 to Sunday, 26 February 2023, you’ll be able to catch us on Twitch every day for ten days as part of GameBlast23 while we show our support for SpecialEffect. The schedule for our streams was revealed last week and I’m so pleased that I managed to sneak Placid Plastic Duck Simulator on there. Pete isn’t so keen however, and you can read his ‘review’ in my list of games I like that he doesn’t.
Remember I said above that several community events will be making a return this year? I’m excited to announce that #LoveYourBacklog will be making a return. Instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day, I’ll be encouraging everyone in the community to show their love for their ever-growing library of video games. Keep your eyes peeled for a post tomorrow morning about how you can get involved, the questions being asked this time around and how this all feeds into the upcoming #MaybeInMarch.
The Steam Next Fest is due to take place later in the month. While I’ll be diving into the demos and no doubt adding a few more titles to my crazy wishlist, my round-up post will be delayed until around a week after the end date of 13 February 2023 due to the charity event and apprenticeship work. In terms of gaming, I’m aiming to finish The Longest Journey so I can move on to sequel Dreamfall: The Longest Journey – and I’m sure there’ll be a few more hours spent in ESO in between too.
Now over to you guys: what have you been up to lately, and what have you got planned for the coming month? I hope the start of 2023 has been a good one for you.
charlesfwh
2 months agoBusy month! Been great seeing you two back streaming again on Twitch. Still never made it to a museum late night opening, they do look fun just the idea of staying up in town after work is daunting lol perils of getting old!
Kim
2 months agoWe’re looking at going back to the next one on 29 March, if you’re interested… 😀
charlesfwh
2 months agoOhh sounds fun 🙂 I thought they were only on a Thursday? Well maybe back in the days before the c virus…
Kim
2 months agoLooks like it’s Wednesdays now. Someone told me they were every month, but there doesn’t appear to be on in February.