At the 2024 Game Awards, the beloved platformer Astro Bot emerged victorious, clinching the coveted Game of the Year title. This colorful game, which features iconic character designs from PlayStation’s extensive history, managed to outperform notable competitors such as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Black Myth: Wukong, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Nicolas Doucet, the head of Team Asobi, accepted the award and took a moment to recognize Nintendo, highlighting a spirit of camaraderie within the gaming community. In addition to Game of the Year, Astro Bot also secured three other awards, including Best Family Game, Best Action/Adventure, and Best Game Direction.
Indie title Balatro also had a noteworthy night, taking home three awards, including Best Mobile Game. The role-playing game Metaphor: ReFantazio celebrated similar success, while Black Myth: Wukong claimed the Player’s Voice Award, determined through fan votes. While Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth faced disappointment, winning only the Best Music prize despite seven nominations, Melina Juergens from Ninja Theory won Best Performance for her portrayal in Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga.
The event featured memorable moments, such as rapper Snoop Dogg presenting the Best Ongoing Game Award and performing a new single. Harrison Ford graced the stage alongside voice actor Troy Baker, who portrays Indiana Jones in the latest game based on the classic film series.
Despite criticism about the show prioritizing trailers over awards, the Game Awards continue to attract immense viewership; last year saw 118 million livestream attendees. This year, however, attention shifted to the newly introduced Game Changers Award, given to Amir Satvat of Tencent Games, who initiated a project to assist recently laid-off game developers. His heartfelt acceptance speech emphasized the importance of treating others well in the industry.
The ceremony took place amid a backdrop of ongoing video game actors’ strikes concerning AI regulations and workplace conditions. Controversies also arose from the eligibility of expansions in award categories and the predominance of mobile games in fan-voted awards.
In conclusion, the 2024 Game Awards celebrated not only the outstanding titles and performances in gaming but also brought attention to critical industry challenges. Events like these play a significant role in fostering a sense of community and encouraging positive dialogues regarding the future of video games, making it a promising time for the industry.
This year’s awards serve as a reminder of the potential for growth and innovation within the gaming world while recognizing the efforts of those striving for change and inclusivity.