The Game Awards 2024: Winners, Highlights, and Surprises
The Game Awards 2024 took center stage on December 12th, celebrating the best in gaming and delivering world premieres, electrifying performances, and even a few surprises along the way. Widely regarded as gaming’s equivalent of the Oscars, the ceremony stretched from its 8 PM ET kickoff to a climactic reveal of the Game of the Year close to midnight.
If you missed the event or want a quick recap, here’s a breakdown of the night’s major winners and standout moments.
Game of the Year
The most coveted award of the night went to Astro Bot (Team Asobi/SIE), edging out stiff competition from Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Black Myth: Wukong. Team Asobi’s innovative design and beloved mascot charmed players and critics alike, making this a well-deserved win.
Notable Winners
Best Game Direction
- Astro Bot (Team Asobi/SIE) claimed its second major win of the night, cementing its place as a leader in creative and technical excellence.
Best Ongoing Game
- Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead Game Studios/SIE) toppled heavyweights like Destiny 2, Diablo IV, and Fortnite, showcasing its loyal community and engaging content updates.
Best Narrative
- Metaphor: ReFantazio (Studio Zero/Atlus/Sega) stood out with its rich storytelling, beating fan favorites like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Silent Hill 2.
Best Independent Game
- Balatro (LocalThunk/Playstack) took home the award, proving that indie games continue to deliver unique and memorable experiences.
Best VR/AR Game
- Batman: Arkham Shadow (Camouflaj/Oculus Studios) brought the Dark Knight to immersive new heights, winning over VR enthusiasts.
Best Action Game
- Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science), with its jaw-dropping visuals and intense gameplay, emerged victorious in this highly competitive category.
Most Anticipated Game
- Unsurprisingly, the title went to Grand Theft Auto VI (Rockstar Games). Fans are eagerly awaiting Rockstar’s next juggernaut.
Unexpected Highlights
- Tekken 8 (Bandai Namco) earned the title of Best Fighting Game, reaffirming its status as a genre-defining series.
- Fallout (Bethesda/Amazon MGM Studios) surprised fans by winning Best Adaptation, beating out heavy hitters like Arcane and Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft.
- Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) cemented his legacy in esports by winning Best Esports Athlete, while T1 claimed the award for Best Esports Team.
Standout Moments
- Hideo Kojima’s Annual Spotlight:
- Fans eagerly anticipated Kojima’s appearance, which featured a teaser for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, leaving the audience buzzing with excitement.
- Musical Performances:
- The Game Awards delivered high-energy performances, including an orchestral medley of this year’s nominees for Best Score and Music.
- World Premieres:
- Major trailers for Grand Theft Auto VI, Star Wars Outlaws, and Dragon’s Dogma 2 dominated social media discussions.
What This Means for Gaming
The Game Awards 2024 highlighted the diverse and evolving gaming landscape. From beloved franchises to groundbreaking indie projects, the night celebrated creativity, innovation, and the community that fuels the industry. As we look forward to 2025, the anticipation for upcoming titles like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Ghost of Yōtei continues to grow.
Full Winners List
For the complete list of winners across all categories, check out the official Game Awards website or stay tuned for our detailed breakdowns.
What were your favorite moments from The Game Awards 2024? Did the winners align with your expectations? Share your thoughts below!
