The Game Awards 2024 is generating buzz, as it approaches with an impressive shortlist. Astro Bot and Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth have emerged as the frontrunners, each garnering a remarkable seven nominations. Hosted by the well-known Geoff Keighley, this illustrious event is touted by some as “the Oscars of gaming,” while others dismiss it as merely an advertisement extravaganza. Despite divergent opinions, it stands as the most-watched ceremony dedicated to celebrating video gaming achievements in the industry.
Taking place on December 12, 2024, the awards have attained a significant milestone in the gaming community, with estimates suggesting that over 118 million viewers watched the live stream in the previous year. A notable aspect of the awards ceremony is the voting method; a panel including 130 games journalism outlets alongside content creators votes for the winners, in conjunction with fan votes contributing to the final tallies. Last year’s awards witnessed RPG Baldur’s Gate 3 as a strong favorite for Game of the Year, but the current year seems to present a less competitive landscape with fewer top-tier releases, making predictions for this year particularly challenging.
Astro Bot, representing a celebration of PlayStation’s rich 30-year history, has charmed both critics and audiences alike since its release alongside the PS5’s DualSense controller. Its innovative 3D platforming has proven to be a technical marvel for the gaming console, seamlessly blending impressive physics effects with a nostalgic yet vibrant atmosphere. This title is also competing in various categories, including Best Game Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Audio Design, Best Action/Adventure Game, and Best Family Game.
Balatro, a unique creation from the solo developer known as LocalThunk, has won the hearts of gamers this year. This card game, whose name derives from Latin—meaning “jester”—is praised for its innovative mechanics that revolve around modifying poker rules through 150 joker cards. If Balatro wins the Game of the Year, it will make history as the first indie title in the 10-year history of the Game Awards to clinch the top prize without the financial backing of a major publisher. LocalThunk, maintaining a veil of secrecy around his true identity, has not provided much public commentary or interviews, resulting in uncertainty about whether he will attend the awards.
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, the second installment of a trilogy reimagining the classic PlayStation game, also stands strong in the awards race. This game ramped up the excitement with vast side activities and numerous mini-games, although some players criticized its graphical performance and storytelling adjustments. Nevertheless, its nomination as “most anticipated” during last year’s Game Awards adds to its potential edge this year. Notably, Briana White, who voices Aerith in the English version, is also nominated for Best Performance.
Metaphor: ReFantazio, developed by the team behind the acclaimed Persona 5, shifts focus from a contemporary anime high school setting to a medieval fantasy environment. It has captured attention for its profound storytelling and engagement with analytics on relevant issues like racism and political matters, also recording impressive sales figures immediately upon its launch.
In contrast, Black Myth: Wukong draws inspiration from the classic Chinese literary work, Journey to the West. Despite mixed critical receptions, its successful sales in both China and Western markets demonstrate its broad appeal. Critics have highlighted its combat mechanics and graphics, while still questioning its inclusion in the Game of the Year nominations.
Lastly, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, which follows the critically acclaimed original title Elden Ring, adds more depth to the discourse around award eligibility. As downloadable content rather than a standalone release, its nomination prompts conversation within the community about the fairness of such inclusions in the Game of the Year category.
As anticipation builds for the Game Awards, numerous other titles and studios are in the mix, including evidence of excellence from Xbox exclusive Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga, nominated in several categories. Independent title Animal Well, despite not landing a Game of the Year nomination, showcases the diversity that the gaming landscape presents this year. Fans can explore the complete list of nominations on The Game Awards’ official website and join in for what promises to be an exciting ceremony.
