2024 Game Awards: A Night of Celebration and Big Reveals
The 2024 Game Awards have concluded, with a standout performance from a tiny robot protagonist. Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and hosted by industry luminary Geoff Keighley, the event celebrated a decade of honoring excellence in gaming. The ceremony featured 29 categories, with the coveted Game of the Year title awarded to Astro Bot by Team Asobi. Other nominees included Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Metaphor: ReFantazio.
A Night of Surprises and New Announcements
The 10th-anniversary show did not disappoint, delivering major reveals for games slated for 2025 and beyond. Highlights included the announcement of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a new franchise from Naughty Dog, a sequel to Okami, Hazelight Studios’ Split Fiction, and a teaser for Borderlands 4. Other revelations included a first look at Mafia: The Old Country, the mobile game Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, The Witcher IV, and Elden Ring Nightreign, expected in 2025.
Amir Satvat Receives the First-Ever Gamechanger Award
Tencent’s Amir Satvat was honored with the inaugural Gamechanger award for his contributions to helping game developers affected by 2024’s widespread layoffs. During his heartfelt speech, Satvat addressed the staggering loss of 34,000 industry jobs, emphasizing that "great games require great people."
The Players' Voice and Industry Challenges
The Players’ Voice award, chosen through online voting, went to Black Myth: Wukong. Meanwhile, the event occurred amid the SAG-AFTRA strike against video game publishers, with unresolved disputes over generative AI usage highlighting industry tensions.
Major Winners and Notable Categories
Here’s a brief summary of key winners from the 2024 Game Awards:
Game of the Year: Astro Bot (Team Asobi/SIE)
Best Narrative: Metaphor: ReFantazio (Studio Zero/Atlus/Sega)
Best Art Direction: Metaphor: ReFantazio (Studio Zero/Atlus/Sega)
Best Score and Music: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix)
Best Performance: Melina Juergens, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Best RPG: Metaphor: ReFantazio
Most Anticipated Game: Grand Theft Auto VI (Rockstar Games)
A Decade of Gaming Excellence
The 2024 Game Awards celebrated the evolution of gaming while highlighting ongoing challenges. With a decade of achievements behind it, the event continues to inspire anticipation for the future of the gaming industry.
