Ahead of his Golden Joystick win for Best Lead Performer, Ben Starr was asked about whether or not 2023 was the best year for games. Considering how many five-star games spawned from this year, in both the blockbuster and indie space, it’s no surprise to see Starr agree that this was an “astonishing year for the video games that have been made, but not necessarily for the industry that it reflects.”

“Honestly, are we going to get serious?” the actor asks in the interview clip below. “It’s not a great year for video games in so far as all of the layoffs - it’s not great for that, and that needs to be spoken about at an event like this. Maybe there is something missing because a lot of people who made those games are no longer working at those companies and I think that also has to be respected.”

Is 2023 the best - or worst - year for games? “Honestly, are we going to get serious?”