Solidarity with the people of Palestine

Content warning: genocide, torture.

In the months since Acclaimed Video Games' statement on Palestine, the situation for the people of Gaza has deteriorated even further. My news feed over the last few months has been a constant stream of the most horrific crimes imaginable: mass graves have been discovered in the ruins of two of Gaza’s hospitals containing evidence of executions, live burials, and torture; Gaza’s population is being intentionally staved to death by the blocking or destruction of essential humanitarian aid; Israeli whistleblowers have sounded the alarm about torture camps for captured Palestinians; aid workers, journalists, and medical staff have been intentionally targeted by Israeli forces; and, the IDF has now begun a brutal offensive in Rafah, home to more than one million internally displaced Palestinian civilians. This is a clear genocide, perpetrated by the Israeli state, with unflinching support from the US and other Western powers. Acclaimed Video Games stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine, and with the countless movements around the globe fighting for peace.

To those who still support Israel: Go away. You are not welcome here.

"Why don't you have copies of the actual lists on Acclaimed Video Games?"

I have considered it, and I believe it would be in my interest to have them on display. I would get more views, and it would also make any data entry errors more visible (and therefore more likely to be corrected). However, there are two reasons why I don't: The first is that I don't want to take views away from the websites and magazines that originally published them. They did the work putting the lists together, so they deserve to have them viewed on their platforms. The second reason is that I could only show the lists as as set of rankings, and I think that cheapens them. Publications deserve the opportunity to explain how and why their lists were made, as well as why each game was selected. These elements of the lists are important, but I could not host them here. So, for now, I will just provide links.

Things to look forward to this year

Now that the bulk of the 2023 end of year lists out of the way, what's next for Acclaimed Video Games? Will we sit and twiddle out thumbs until the end of year lists for 2024 start to come in? Ha! Of course not! Here are some of the improvements that we're currently working on, and which should be implemented in the next couple of months:

• The list expanding to 1000 games.
• An improved filter system that allows custom release year ranges, and for multiple platforms and genres to be selected.
• An greatly expanded genre list, with Horror, Open World, Stealth, and Survival finally being added (among others).
• The addition of the first platform exclusive lists.

Watch this space.

Please read Acclaimed Video Games' statement on Palestine

For those who did not realise, the Palestinian flag in the header links to a statement from Acclaimed Video Games on the situation in Palestine. Users are encouraged to read this statement, if they have not done so already. The page also contains links to additional resources that provide historical context, and cover the present situation in more detail. And, one video looks at the situation from the perspective of the games industry. This list of resources has grown since the statement was published, and may continue to do so.

If anyone is wondering what they can do to help, there are two things that will help in the short term. The first is pressuring your government to demand a ceasefire, and the other is to donate to the UNRWA, which is currently the main provider of aid to Palestinian refugees in Gaza. Acclaimed Video Games cannot donate as it is not monetised in any way, but I have made a small personal donation. Long term, only an end to the Israeli occupation can bring lasting peace.

IGN workers are unionising! Please sign their petition

Acclaimed Video Games can only be as good as its source data, and that source data is created by workers at publications like IGN. These workers deserve fair working conditions, and you can help by supporting their union. Sign their petition and read their mission statement here.