The Game Awards 2024: Astro Bot wins Game of the Year
Astro Bot features a collection of iconic character designs from both the past and present of PlayStation.
Astro Bot has snagged the highest honor at the most prestigious awards event in the video game industry.
The adorable and vibrant PlayStation platformer outshone Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Black Myth: Wukong, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and Balatro to take home the title of Game of the Year at The Game Awards.
While receiving the award, Nicolas Doucet, the head of Team Asobi, took a moment to honor their competitor, Nintendo.
Astro Bot also won three additional awards: Best Family Game, Best Action/Adventure, and Best Game Direction.
Card Games, RPGs, And Ancient Chinese Myths
Outshining the competition: Indie phenomenon Balatro is proving to be a strong contender against major games.
The poker-themed indie sensation Balatro had a fantastic evening, taking home three honors, including the award for Best Mobile Game.
The role-playing game Metaphor: ReFantazio received three awards during a night that highlighted the impressive work of Japanese game creators.
Black Myth: Wukong, inspired by Chinese folklore, once again captured the hearts of fans, securing the Player's Voice Award in a public vote.
It was a letdown for Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth during the awards night, as it was nominated in seven different categories but ended up winning only the award for best music.
Melina Juergens, an artist from Ninja Theory, a studio located in Cambridge, UK, received the award for best performance for her portrayal of the main character in Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga.
Indiana Jones Encounters Himself
There aren't many occasions where you can experience the music of a full orchestra alongside Snoop Dogg.
The rapper made a visit to award the Best Ongoing Game honor to Helldivers 2 and also showcased a new track.
No major gaming event would be complete without a few unexpected celebrity guests.
Harrison Ford joined Troy Baker on stage; Baker is the voice actor portraying Indiana Jones in the latest video game inspired by the film franchise.
Naughty Dog Ventures Into Space
Naughty Dog, the studio behind The Last of Us, has announced its latest project, titled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
The Game Awards, which is often referred to as the "Oscars of gaming," frequently faces criticism for dedicating more time to commercials and game trailers than to actually presenting awards.
Last year, the organizers reported that the event garnered 118 million viewers for its livestream. These previews are a major attraction for gaming enthusiasts.
In recent times, larger publishing companies have preferred to share their most significant news during their own dedicated live events.
As anticipated, there were no updates regarding Grand Theft Auto 6 or Nintendo's upcoming console—both of which are highly awaited releases.
However, this opened up space for a completely new game from Naughty Dog, the PlayStation studio famous for popular titles like The Last of Us, Uncharted, and Crash Bandicoot.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet debuted with an eye-catching trailer set to the tune of "It's a Sin" by the Pet Shop Boys.
A follow-up to Capcom's Okami was announced, and Polish studio CD Projekt Red confirmed that they are working on The Witcher 4.
One frequent criticism of The Game Awards is that it frequently overlooks broader challenges facing the industry.
In light of the significant job cuts happening globally—a trend that's persisted into this year—critics of the 2023 event are urging that the award recipients be allotted more time on stage to voice their thoughts.
This year's event welcomed the launch of the Game Changers Award.
Amir Satvat, the victor and a director at Tencent Games in the US, initiated a personal initiative aimed at assisting game developers who have recently lost their jobs in finding new employment opportunities.
In a heartfelt acceptance speech, he shared, "As a child, my biggest dream was to be involved in the video game industry."
He expressed gratitude to his parents, explaining that they instilled in him the belief that his worth is determined by how he treats others.
Swen Vincke, the head of Larian Studios, received accolades for his comments while presenting the Game of the Year award. His studio's game, Baldur's Gate 3, had won the same award the previous year.
He focused on pursuing market share and criticized the pursuit of "random sales goals." He expressed regret over the "lost skill" of studios creating games that they genuinely want to enjoy themselves.
This year’s event occurred while video game performers were on strike, advocating for better protections against AI and improved working conditions.
The SAG-AFTRA union and the Game Workers of Southern California have revealed their intention to hand out flyers outside the Peacock Theatre, the site of this year's ceremony.
This year's debates have also featured the nomination of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree for Game of the Year.
Some fans contended that the expansion pack, which is an additional feature for the 2022 Game of the Year, Elden Ring, shouldn't have qualified.
Many people were frustrated when three out of the five nominations for the Player's Choice award—an accolade solely determined by fan votes—went to free-to-play mobile titles, such as Genshin Impact.
The remaining winners are determined by a group of industry specialists, along with a fan vote that contributes 10% to the overall score.
In total, there are 30 awards covering a diverse array of categories, such as audio design, best indie game, and achievements in accessibility and innovation.
You can find the complete list of winners on the Game Awards official site.
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