At the 2024 Game Awards, Astro Bot clinched the prestigious Game of the Year award, overshadowing strong contenders like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Black Myth: Wukong, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. The vibrant and playful PlayStation platformer, developed by Team Asobi, celebrates iconic character designs from Sony’s gaming legacy. In a heartfelt acceptance speech, studio head Nicolas Doucet acknowledged the contributions of rival Nintendo while celebrating his team’s accomplishment. Alongside the top honor, Astro Bot also received accolades for Best Family Game, Best Action/Adventure, and Best Game Direction.
The indie title Balatro shined brightly as well, taking home three awards, including Best Mobile Game, proving that indie developers can compete with larger studios. The Japan-focused RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio also triumphed with three wins, highlighting the continued strength of Japanese game development. Black Myth: Wukong, which draws from Chinese mythology, received the Player’s Voice Award, a testament to its widespread fan support. Despite receiving seven nominations, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth only secured the award for Best Music, marking a disappointing night for the beloved franchise.
The event featured impressive performances, including Snoop Dogg presenting the Best Ongoing Game Award to Helldivers 2 while debuting a new song. The evening also included surprise appearances, such as Harrison Ford joining voice actor Troy Baker on stage.
Criticism of the Game Awards often revolves around its commercial aspects, with detractors noting that the event feels more like a marketing showcase than an awards ceremony. Despite these concerns, organizers noted that last year’s show saw a staggering 118 million livestream viewers. This year, the event introduced the Game Changers Award, recognizing efforts to support industry professionals facing layoffs. Amir Satvat, who won for his initiative assisting laid-off game developers, delivered a moving acceptance speech, emphasizing the importance of treating others well in the industry.
As the gaming community faces ongoing challenges, including a strike by video game actors over AI protections and working conditions, the event also sparked discussions on industry issues. Several controversies arose around nominations, particularly the inclusion of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree for Game of the Year, and the dominance of mobile games in the Player’s Choice category.
In summary, the 2024 Game Awards showcased the vibrant diversity of the gaming industry, from indie darlings to blockbuster titles, and highlighted the importance of community support and recognition amidst ongoing challenges. The uplifting moments of the night remind us that the gaming industry continues to evolve while nurturing creativity and talent.