You probably remember the drama. It was December 12, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and the air was thick with that specific brand of "gamer" tension. Geoff Keighley walked out, looking as polished as ever—though some people couldn't get over his uncanny "MetaHuman" avatar in Fortnite—and launched into a show that would eventually shatter records with 154 million livestreams.
But let’s be honest. The Game Awards 2024 wasn't just about the trophies. It was about the weird, slightly uncomfortable friction between what critics love and what the internet screams about.
The Astro Bot Victory and the DLC Elephant in the Room
When Astro Bot took home the Game of the Year (GOTY) trophy, it felt like a win for "joy." Team Asobi basically made a love letter to 30 years of PlayStation history. It was polished. It was fun. It didn't have a single microtransaction in sight. Honestly, in a year where the industry felt a bit heavy with layoffs and corporate reshuffling, a cute robot jumping through colorful levels was exactly what the doctor ordered.
But we have to talk about the controversy.
Shadow of the Erdtree.
Before the show even started, the internet was in a full-blown meltdown because The Game Awards changed the rules to allow DLCs and expansions in the GOTY category. It was unprecedented. People were rightfully annoyed. "How can an expansion for a game that already won in 2022 win again?" was the common refrain. While Shadow of the Erdtree is massive—easily 40+ hours of content that puts most full games to shame—its nomination felt like it crowded out games like Silent Hill 2 or Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.
Ultimately, Astro Bot won, but the "DLC eligibility" debate has permanently changed how we view these awards.
The Winners That Actually Mattered
Beyond the big one, the night was a sweep for a few specific titles. If you haven't played Balatro yet, what are you doing? This poker-themed roguelike, made by a solo developer known as LocalThunk, walked away with Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie, and Best Mobile Game. It was a massive night for the "little guy."
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A Quick Look at the Heavy Hitters:
- Astro Bot: 4 wins (GOTY, Best Game Direction, Best Action/Adventure, Best Family Game).
- Metaphor: ReFantazio: 3 wins (Best Narrative, Best RPG, Best Art Direction). Studio Zero really proved they can step out of the Persona shadow.
- Balatro: 3 wins. A literal card game dominated the conversation.
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Took home Best Score and Music. Honestly, was anyone else even in the running for that? Naoki Hamaguchi’s team deserved every bit of it.
- Black Myth: Wukong: Won Best Action Game and the Player's Voice award. The latter proves that the massive Chinese player base has a louder voice than ever before.
Why 2024 Felt Different
The show was three hours and twelve minutes of pure chaos. We had Harrison Ford showing up, Snoop Dogg making an appearance, and a strangely touching moment where the new "Game Changer" award was given to Amir Satvat. Satvat has been a literal lifesaver for the industry, helping thousands of laid-off workers find new jobs pro-bono. It was a rare moment of genuine humanity in a show that often feels like a giant commercial.
Speaking of commercials, the announcements were heavy.
FROMSOFTWARE didn't give us Bloodborne (shocker), but they did reveal Elden Ring: Nightreign. It’s a co-op focused roguelike-ish title that absolutely nobody saw coming. We also got a first look at The Witcher IV, Borderlands 4, and a new project from Hazelight called Split Fiction. If you liked It Takes Two, you’re basically going to lose your mind over the "split-screen" reality-warping mechanics they teased.
The "E-E-A-T" Reality Check: Is the Show Rigged?
Whenever The Game Awards 2024 comes up, people point to the voting split: 90% jury (critics/media) and 10% fan vote. This is why Black Myth: Wukong won the Player’s Voice but lost the main GOTY.
Critics value "innovation" and "polish," while fans value "impact" and "the feeling of a cultural moment." There is no right answer here. Acknowledging that Astro Bot is a masterpiece of design doesn't mean Wukong wasn't the most important game of the year for millions of people. Both things can be true.
The industry is also dealing with a massive "sequel fatigue" problem. Look at the nominees: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (part 2 of a remake), Elden Ring DLC, and Astro Bot (a sequel to a tech demo). Even Metaphor is effectively a spiritual successor to Persona. The only truly "new" feeling thing in the top tier was Balatro, and that’s a game about playing cards.
What You Should Do Now
If you want to understand why these games won, you sort of have to play them. Don't just watch the trailers.
- Play Balatro. It’s cheap, it runs on a potato, and it will ruin your sleep schedule.
- Check out Metaphor: ReFantazio. If you think JRPGs are just "leveling up," the political narrative in this game will change your mind.
- Watch the Game Changer highlights. Look up Amir Satvat’s work. It’s a great reminder that the people making your favorite games are often going through a lot of professional turmoil right now.
The 2024 show might be over, but the shift it caused in how we define a "game" versus an "expansion" is just beginning. We'll be arguing about the Shadow of the Erdtree rule for years.