I'm not saying that every game that shows up on the lists is like that. But going into every list and knowing I am probably going to see The Walking Dead, Fez, Journey, FTL, and Mark of the Ninja because they are the bite sized games that got passed around the office is pretty boring. The discussions that take place for these awards rarely create meaningful back and forth. Instead these awards are consistently slotted with the same contestants and often end with the same small selection rising to the top each time because most of the staff played those games. There are even situations where it feels like the category was created specifically to shower one game with praise, and it is really an awkward experience to hear the cast fumble around pushing the winner they always had in mind to the finish line.
But sure, let's pat them on the back for playing the most approachable and popular strategy game of the year.