The Back Log, vol. 65 - Farewell for 2024! (Patreon)

Let's do this one last time...

...for this year at least! The Lowkii studios have closed down for the Christmas break, and celebrations have been had for another fantastic year for the company and Back Pocket. You can see a bunch (but not all) of the wonderful souls who've worked with us across Lowkii projects all year in the photo above, taken at our company Christmas party earlier this week. And a very cool bridge in the background - I'm told it's famous or something. Before you ask, though - yes, that is Josh and Ruby really there, and this photo 100% was not taken before the two of them arrived. Don't even try and challenge me on it.

But in all sincerity, thanks to every one of you that watched our content this year. While the team works on a myriad of different jobs across the year, Back Pocket exists as a labour of love and joy, and of course, can only happen thanks to the magniificent support you all provide on Patreon. We literally couldn't do it without you. Particularly in such a volatile games and media landscape at the moment, every dollar of support from you is invaluable in keeping something that we all love afloat. And we'd love to see more and more people signing up in 2025! If you happen to see a family member or friend over the break who you think may be interested in what we do, show them an episode - we'd love to have them join the community and onboard into the new year. But to the many, many of you who have continued to already spend those hard earned dollars on us across the years and into 2024, we appreciate every single dollar of it. We don't take it for granted, and hope to continue to bring you content that you love and that is worthy of such support.

It was another year of change (they almost always are) - PocketBuds said farewell after a truly stupendous run, while Playbacks made a (mostly) regular return to the channel! It was our second year of getting weekly guests on the show, and we experimented with our weekly Thursday show with the occasional community game nights, and our long-awaited Horror and Dr. Who specials. We doubled down on regular Monday night livestreams, something we've dabbled with in the past but wanted to make a more permanent fixture of our week. Heading into next year, you'll see some of these experiments solidified into more regular places within our calendar, and as always, we're keen to freshen up the format in 2025. And don't forget, we've got an anniversary/celebration/Patreon drive stream coming some time early in the year too - so expect to hear about those plans in the not-too-distant future (once we're all back from our holiday break, of course).

There's plenty to reminisce about, and I could keep going on and on, but for the sake of the rest of this newsletter, I will not. But I will, once again, say that this community is genuinely so special to me, and it is an honor and a privilege to 'manage' it. I use the quotes not because I consider the job trivial, but purely because you all are so lovely that more often than not, resolving any issue amongst community members is able to be done with ease and maturity amongst all parties. And of course, I can't forget to thank the fantastic mod team I have behind me, who keep me honest, and do so much work to make my job easier. I literally do not think we could sing their praises enough.

Alright - we've got a bunch more to get through in this one before I sign off for the year, so without further ado...

PREVIOUSLY ON BACK POCKET

Back Pocket Tonight: The Return of Alexei
Our favourite film buff, Alexei Toliopoulos, decided to come back and talk video games with us again, despite knowing about only the shitty movie tie-in ones (note: mostly a joke). And due to his comedic nature, we thought what better way to start off the show than with the most serious news topic we've done in a while, regarding gaming's lack of inclusion in Australia's youth social media ban. Later in the show, we engaged in a bit of Ranky Panky about video game adaptations, and used our words in some Very Good Gameplay of Use Your Words! But of course, there was What We've Been Playing too, featuring Pete's early preview of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Star Wars Outlaws, Squeakross: Home Squeak Home and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II & Ranky Panky w/Alexei Toliopoulos | Back Pocket Tonight

The Post Show feat. Alexei Tolipolous (5 Dec 2024) (link to locked post)

Back Pocket Tonight: 2024 Christmas Special
And in our final episode of the year, it was time for a big old wrap up - of many things, not just the digital presents aplenty that we gave away throughout the show. There were montages, some Christmas themed Very Good Gameplay, the results of our yearly Pocket League and lots and lots of game chat. Too many to list, in fact. It wasn't just What We've Been Playing, but also What We Will Be Playing, both over the break and in 2025. So, instead of listing them all out here, go watch it! It's perfect Christmas eve viewing, in my opinion.

Indiana Jones, Path of Exile 2, Infinity Nikki + IT'S CHRISTMAS! | Back Pocket Tonight

Playback
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - Finding The Kid Who Vanished | Playback

Game Night
Mouthwashing | Game Night

Indiana Jones and Gus and the Great Circle! - Exploring Sukhothai | Game Night

Socials
Game Plan - Dec 2

Ruby's Betrayal

Indy Is So Faithful to the Films

Game Plan - Dec 9

Indy and The Pipe Segments

Game Plan - Dec 16

2024 Blooper Reel - Social Cut

COMING TO BACK POCKET THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Of course, with this being the last Back Log of the year, instead of talking about the week to come, I'm gonna give you a beefy huge schedule of what's coming out over the break - it's quite a lot! I'll try to come back and add links to the ones that are out when I remember 😊

17 December: Best Gaming Visuals of 2024
19 December: Best Gaming Narrative of 2024
24 December: Worst Game of 2024
26 December: Best Game of 2024
31 December: Full 2024 Blooper Reel
2 January: Playback - Our 2024 Game of the Year!
7 January: Playback - Cabin Factory
9 January: Pocket Pals: S4E1
16 January: Pocket Pals: S4E2

---

Well, that's a wrap for me and Back Logs for this year! Thanks for hanging out and reading them across the year - this was my first full year of doing them, and I hope to continue that well into the future. I've had multiple compliments from people in recent months stating that they read every Back Log and/or it's one of their favourite things that comes out from us. That has honestly floored me a little and made me very proud of this (often) silly, and very much not little, newsletter. I know I've had a bit of trouble getting them out weekly in recent times, but I appreciate you all bearing with me as life throws out its many unexpected challenges.

I hope you all have a restful, and gaming-filled, holiday period! I personally have plans to finish the Dragon Age series, having slowly made my way through the first three games over recent months. And because I don't have enough huge single-player RPGs in my life, maybe I'll get started on Metaphor too. Or just play more TFT, my latest addiction (and a bad one, folks). Anyway, whatever your gaming choice over the break, I hope it brings you joy and smiles aplenty. See you all next year!

• Blair 💖