The Game Awards Have Finally Found Their Formula.
After a complicated event in 2023 marked by double standards, The Game Awards has finally found a way to make its diverse format work.
Over the past decade, The Game Awards has tried to find the perfect formula for its ceremony. Geoff Keighley’s annual gala has sought to mix a traditional awards event, similar to the Oscars, with an E3-style press conference. Historically, this has led to mixed results, with last year being a particularly low point, where winners were rushed off the stage to make way for a series of game trailers. Leaving the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles last year, I feared this might be the beginning of the end. However, this time the experience was very different. Keighley managed what could be his best show since becoming the go-to event organizer in the gaming industry, featuring uninterrupted speeches, dazzling musical performances, and shocking game reveals.
The atmosphere of uncertainty leading up to the event was noticeable, as there were anticipated pain points. Some were expected, such as the predictable list of nominees, which left out several titles in categories like Best Mobile Game and Best Sports Game. Other, more ingrained issues manifested in the Player’s Choice competition, where three of the five finalists were free gacha titles. This context raised some concern about the integrity of the awards and whether Keighley considered that relevant.
A significant change was the quiet elimination of the Future Class awards, which previously honored inspiring individuals in the gaming industry. The lack of this category generated unease, especially after previous winners urged Keighley to address the conflict between Israel and Palestine at last year’s ceremony. The removal of this award seemed a strategy to avoid controversy.
Despite these concerns, this year’s ceremony felt like a course correction. Lasting nearly four hours, more time was given to winners to share their speeches. The dreaded “wrap it up” signal did not appear at any moment, allowing heartfelt speeches from creators, such as those from Astro Bot and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, to become touching moments. Keighley appeared to heed previous criticisms, allowing the event to come closer to what a true awards gala should be.
However, there are still areas for improvement. While more time was dedicated to creators, the event continued to present many winners in quick rounds between trailers. Dissatisfaction over the lack of recognition for certain major awards, which were presented in the pre-ceremony, remains a persistent complaint.
This year’s production also shone, with a focus on spectacle. The musical performances, which included a moving rendition of a theme from Civilization VII and a performance by Twenty One Pilots, brought energy to the event, although some celebrity interventions, like Snoop Dogg’s, felt more like distractions than meaningful contributions.
At the heart of the event remains the presentation of new game reveals, and this year, the selection of trailers met expectations. From the thriller of The Witcher IV to a multiplayer spinoff of Elden Ring, the announcements were diverse and surprising, aiming for a better balance between commercial performances and exciting announcements compared to the previous year.
Although criticisms of The Game Awards continue, especially regarding the disconnect between industry speeches and commercial announcements, there is a growing recognition of what the event truly represents. Essentially, it isn't the Oscars of video games, but rather a celebration of the year in gaming, a social space that also seeks to create memorable moments. This year’s show seems to have found a better structure, though there’s still work to be done to truly honor those who create video games.
