Man, 2024 was a weird year for games. Honestly, if you told me back in January that a tiny indie game about poker would be standing toe-to-toe with Final Fantasy, I probably would’ve laughed. But that’s exactly where we ended up. The current nominations for the game awards 2024 represent one of the most chaotic, diverse, and genuinely controversial lineups we’ve seen in years. Whether you're a die-hard FromSoftware fan or someone who just likes jumping around as a little robot, this year’s list had something that probably made you cheer—or throw your controller in frustration.
The Big Fight: Who Actually Made the Cut?
The "Big Six." That’s what people are calling the Game of the Year (GOTY) nominees. It's a heavy list. You’ve got the technical marvel of Astro Bot and the massive scale of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Then there’s Metaphor: ReFantazio, which basically proved Atlus can do no wrong when it comes to style.
But then it gets interesting.
Black Myth: Wukong broke records. It wasn’t just a game; it was a cultural phenomenon. And Balatro? It’s just a deck-builder. Yet, it’s so addictive it basically ruined the productivity of half the gaming world for three months straight.
The Shadow of the DLC
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.
Basically, the organizers changed the rules right before the announcement. They decided that DLCs and expansions are now eligible for the top prize. People went nuts. You had one side saying, "It’s 40 hours of content, it’s better than most full games!" and the other side arguing, "It’s an expansion, it’s literally called downloadable content, it shouldn't take a spot from a standalone release."
It’s a tough one. If you look at the quality, it’s hard to deny FromSoftware’s mastery. But it definitely felt like a "wait, is this allowed?" moment for a lot of folks.
Breaking Down the Categories
It wasn't just about the top trophy. The current nominations for the game awards 2024 covered a massive range of genres.
Best Narrative was a total bloodbath. You had Final Fantasy VII Rebirth going up against Silent Hill 2 and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. Honestly, Hellblade II is more of a psychological experience than a "game" in the traditional sense, but that audio design? Terrifyingly good. It’s no surprise Melina Juergens got a nod for her performance as Senua again.
Then there’s the Indie Scene.
- Animal Well — A surreal, non-linear platformer that feels like a fever dream.
- Neva — From the makers of Gris, so you know it’s going to make you cry.
- The Plucky Squire — Mixing 2D and 3D in a way that’s just... charming.
The fact that Balatro managed to jump from "Best Indie" all the way up to "Game of the Year" is a huge deal. It shows the jury is actually looking at what people are playing, not just the games with the biggest marketing budgets.
The Snubs and the Surprises
Every year, some developer gets "robbed." That’s just how it goes. This year, people were looking for Dragon’s Dogma 2 in the top spot. It got an RPG nomination, sure, but it missed the GOTY list.
And what about Helldivers 2?
It dominated the conversation for the first half of the year. It’s nominated for Best Ongoing Game and Best Multiplayer, which makes sense. But for a while there, it felt like it might actually sneak into the big category. It didn't. Maybe the server issues at launch or the Sony account controversy left a bit of a sour taste? Who knows.
Most Anticipated: The GTA 6 Factor
Look, we all know Grand Theft Auto VI is going to win this every year until it actually comes out. It’s the law of the land. But seeing Ghost of Yōtei and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on that list gives me a little hope for 2025 and 2026. We’re finally seeing the "true" next-gen games starting to peek their heads out.
Why These Nominations Matter More Than Usual
The industry is in a weird spot. Layoffs are everywhere. Studios are closing. In the middle of all that, the current nominations for the game awards 2024 feel like a reminder of why we care about this hobby.
When you see a game like Astro Bot—which is essentially a love letter to 30 years of PlayStation history—getting seven nominations, it feels good. It’s a game that is just... fun. No battle passes, no "live service" grind, just pure joy.
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On the flip side, Black Myth: Wukong winning the "Player's Voice" (which is 100% fan-voted) shows a massive shift. The global market is changing. China isn't just a place where games are played; it’s now a place where world-class games are made.
Actionable Steps for the "Post-Awards" Season
If you’re looking at this list and realizing you missed a few gems, here is how you should catch up:
- Play Balatro first. It’s cheap, it runs on a potato, and you can play it in 15-minute bursts. Just don't blame me when it's 3 AM and you're trying to figure out "Flush Five" builds.
- Check the "Games for Impact" category. These games usually fly under the radar but offer the most unique stories. Neva is a great starting point if you want something visual and emotional.
- Wait for the Sales. Almost every game on the nomination list goes on sale immediately after the ceremony. Use the "Wishlist" feature on Steam or the PS Store to get notified.
- Watch the Trailers. If you aren't a "gamer" but love tech, the trailers for The Witcher 4 and Naughty Dog’s new project are basically tech demos for what your TV can do.
The current nominations for the game awards 2024 weren't perfect. No list ever is. But they gave us a snapshot of an industry that is trying to figure out its identity—juggling massive sequels, risky indies, and the ever-blurring line of what counts as a "new" game. Whether you agree with the picks or not, you've got to admit: it was a hell of a year for playing.