Team Asobi’s Astro Bot took the marquee Game of the Year prize at the 11th Game Awards, which were handed out Thursday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Astro Bot also garnered wins for Best Family Game, Best Director, and Best Action Adventure.
Other winners included Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which won Best Score and Music. Black Myth: Wukong snagged a win for Best Action Game, Balatro for Best debut Indie and Best RPG, while Best Narrative went to metaphor: ReFantazio.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Astro Bot came into the ceremony with a leading seven nominations apiece. Baldur’s Gate 3 and alan wake 2 dominated last year’s Game Awards, with Alan Wake scoring three wins and Baldur’s Gate taking six, including Game of the Year.
In celebration of the ceremony’s 10-year anniversary, the tech-based awards show did not skimp on star power nor surprises. Naughty Dog made a surprise announcement for an upcoming dystopian space adventure game,Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet starring Tati Gabrielle. Actor Aaron Paul and voice actor and performer Laura Bailey announced an upcoming animated action RPG called Dispatch that features a major ensemble comprised of Jeffrey Wright, JackSepticEye, Alanah Pearce, and more. Netflix also showed an exclusive sneak peek of their upcoming online party royale game Squid Game: Unleashed.
star presenters included actor Harrison Ford, teaming up with video game actor and performer Troy baker and Bethesda director Todd Howard to celebrate the recently released Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, as well as presenting Best Performance. Other stars also featured Ella Purnell (Fallout), Isabela Merced (The Last of Us), Shannon woodard (Westworld). The show also included special live performances by Snoop Dogg,Twenty One Pilots,Royal & the Serpent,and d4vd. The Game Awards Orchestra, conducted by BAFTA and Emmy-nominated composer Lorne Balfe, performed scores from the year’s Game of the Year nominees and more.
For the third year, The Game Awards 2024 honored the most innovative, game-inspired projects across entertainment in the Best Adaptation category, with Amazon MGM Studios’ Fallout taking home the award this year.
Hear are the winners of the 2024 Game Awards:
Game of the Year
Astro Bot (Team Asobi/SIE)
Best Game Direction
Astro Bot (Team Asobi/SIE)
Best Narrative
Metaphor: ReFantazio (Studio Zero/Atlus/Sega)
Best Art Direction
Metaphor: ReFantazio (Studio Zero/Atlus/Sega)
Best Score and Music
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix)
Best Audio Design
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 (Ninja Theory/Xbox Game Studios)
Best Performance
Melina Juergens, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
Innovation in Accessibility
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (Ubisoft Montpellier/Ubisoft)
Games for Impact
Neva (Nomada Studio/Devolver)
Best Ongoing Game
Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead Game Studios/SIE)
Best Community Support
Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian)
Best Self-reliant Game
Balatro (LocalThunk/Playstack)
Best Debut Indie Game
Balatro (LocalThunk/Playstack)
Best Mobile Game
Balatro (LocalThunk/Playstack)
Best VR/AR game
batman: Arkham Shadow (Camouflaj/Oculus Studios)
Best Action Game
Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
Best Action/Adventure Game
Astro Bot (Team Asobi/SIE)
Best RPG
Metaphor: ReFantazio (Studio Zero/Atlus/Sega)
Best Fighting Game
Tekken 8 (Bandai Namco)
Best Family Game
Astro Bot (Team Asobi/SIE)
Best Sim/strategy Game
Frostpunk 2 (11 Bit Studios)
best sports/Racing Game
EA Sports FC 25 (EA Vancouver/EA Romania/EA Sports)
Best Multiplayer Game
Helldivers 2 (Arrow Game studios/SIE)
Best Adaptation
Fallout (Bethesda/Kilter Films/Amazon MGM Studios)
most Anticipated Game
Grand Theft Auto VI (Rockstar Games)
Content Creator of the Year
CaseOh
Best Esports Game
League of Legends (Riot Games)
Best Esports Athlete
Faker – Lee Sang-hyeok
Best esports Team
T1 (League of Legends)
Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
How has celebrity involvement in gaming awards influenced public perception of the gaming industry?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Gaming Expert
time.news Editor: welcome, everyone, to this exciting discussion following the 11th Game Awards! We’re here with [ExpertS Name], a well-versed gaming analyst and critic, to delve into the highlights and key takeaways from this year’s event. thank you for joining us,[expert’s Name]!
Expert: It’s a pleasure to be here! Exciting times in the gaming world,especially after such a impressive awards ceremony.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! The big winner of the night was Astro Bot, claiming the coveted Game of the Year award.What do you think set it apart from the competition?
Expert: Astro Bot has always been a fan favorite, thanks to its innovative gameplay and charming design. Winning not just Game of the Year but also Best Family Game, Best Director, and Best Action Adventure confirms its widespread appeal. It successfully blends nostalgia with modern mechanics, engaging both new players and longtime fans of the genre.
Time.news Editor: It seems the competition was fierce this year too, with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Baldur’s Gate 3 each having strong nominations. How do you compare the narrative and artistic direction of these games to Astro Bot’s?
Expert: Each game brings something unique to the table. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth redefines storytelling in gaming, showcasing a rich narrative tapestry combined with stunning visuals, which earned it Best Score and Music. Simultaneously occurring,Baldur’s Gate 3’s narrative depth and extensive character progress also set a high bar. However, Astro Bot’s immersive world and interactive design create a different type of experience—one that’s more about pure fun and exploration.
Time.news Editor: Captivating perspective! I also noticed that metaphor: ReFantazio won both Best Narrative and Best Art Direction. What trends do you see driving the success of such narrative-focused titles?
Expert: The resurgence of narrative-driven games reflects a growing appreciation for storytelling in gaming. Gamers are looking for deeper emotional connections and immersive worlds that provide more than just gameplay mechanics. Games like metaphor: ReFantazio showcase how art direction and narrative can go hand in hand to create a captivating experience. It’s a trend that’s likely to grow, especially as technology advances and allows for more intricate storytelling.
Time.news Editor: Now,beyond awards,the event showcased some exciting announcements,including a new title from Naughty Dog and a sneak peek into Netflix’s online game. How significant are these reveals for the gaming community?
Expert: They are incredibly impactful.Events like these build anticipation within the gaming community and keep players engaged. Naughty Dog’s new dystopian adventure, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and Netflix’s commitment to expanding gaming demonstrate the industry’s innovation and potential. These announcements can drive conversations and even influence future game development—a win for both gamers and developers.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of star power, the involvement of celebrities at the awards made quite an impression. How do you think this affects the mainstream perception of gaming?
Expert: Celebrity involvement considerably elevates the profile of gaming in popular culture. When major figures like Harrison Ford and Snoop Dogg participate, it helps bridge the gap between customary entertainment and gaming. this collaboration reinforces the idea that video games are not just a niche hobby but a major aspect of modern entertainment.
Time.news Editor: Indeed! Before we wrap up, what are your predictions for the future of the gaming industry following these awards?
Expert: I believe we will continue to see a blending of genres and innovative gameplay experiences. With technology evolving,experiences will become more immersive,and storytelling will be prioritized. The industry is on an exciting trajectory, and as new platforms and technologies emerge, I expect more inclusivity and diversity in storytelling and gameplay mechanics.
Time.news Editor: Those are insightful predictions,[Expert’s Name]. Thank you for sharing your expertise today! It’s thrilling to envision what lies ahead for the gaming community after such a landmark event.
Expert: Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to discuss our passions. Here’s to a bright future in gaming!