The 2024 Game Awards have officially commenced, showcasing the brightest talents and innovations in the gaming industry. Taking place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the event kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET and is available for streaming on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch.
Hosted by prominent figure Geoff Keighley, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the awards show, featuring 29 competitive categories including the highly coveted Game of the Year. Nominees for this honor include titles like “Astro Bot,” “Balatro,” “Black Myth: Wukong,” and “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth,” among others.
Attendees and viewers can expect several surprises, including exciting announcements about upcoming games slated for release in 2025 and later. Notable reveals early in the night included the trailer for “The Witcher 4” and FromSoftware’s announcement of “Elden Ring Nightreign,” anticipated in 2025.
The excitement surrounding the Game Awards occurs alongside a significant backdrop: a strike by the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA against major video game publishers. The ongoing negotiations stem from the expiration of their previous contract, with key issues such as the use of generative AI coming into play.
As the event unfolds, the winners will be announced in real-time, bringing rewards to a diverse range of games and creators.
In the categories for recognition, the nominees for Game of the Year include:
– **Astro Bot** (Team Asobi/SIE)
– **Balatro** (LocalThunk/Playstack)
– **Black Myth: Wukong** (Game Science)
– **Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree** (FromSoftware/Bandai Namco)
– **Final Fantasy VII Rebirth** (Square Enix)
– **Metaphor: ReFantazio** (Studio Zero/Atlus/Sega)
The event not only honors previous outstanding works but also provides a glimpse into the future of gaming, fostering a sense of community and excitement for fans worldwide. The Game Awards serves as a testament to how far the gaming industry has come over the last decade, combining creativity, technical prowess, and storytelling in an ever-evolving medium.
With various celebrated titles in contention and fresh upcoming releases being teased, the gaming community stands at a thrilling intersection of past achievements and future possibilities.