The awards season is upon us, dear reader. Whether you are ready to watch The Indie Game Awards on December 18th or waiting for the BAFTAs or DICE Game Awards, the shows are about to begin, and I could not be more excited! The most anticipated and most watched game awards show is no doubt The Game Awards, hosted by the energetic and charismatic Geoff Keighley, and today, the nominations for every category have been revealed!
Now, The Game Awards has had its share of controversies over the years. Whether it’s the constant advertisements, awkward celebrity cameos, the Muppets (for the most part), or rushing developers off stage, Geoff has a lot to balance and failed in a lot of crucial areas. That is, until last year, when Geoff and co. were able to deliver on every single thing the internet was demanding from The Game Awards celebration.
It was truly a night to remember: introspective industry speeches, amazing game reveals, actually funny Muppet segments, and advertisements that were short enough not to get in the way of the experience. My only complaint was, sadly, the rapid-fire awards. I feel like every winner deserves their earned spotlight. But speaking of nominations and awards, with all of the categories having their nominations, who could be taking home those shiny trophies next month?
Who Could Be Winning The Game Awards in Each Category?
Obviously, as someone who does not watch Esports, I do not want to throw out predictions, as I am ignorant of the industry. However, to every nominee, your efforts and talent in the space are valued and should be awarded accordingly.
Now, to start with the first category prediction…
Best Content Creator:
This could be going to Kai Cenat. Seeing as he is very prominent in the gaming space, he made even more of a splash with his recent Dark Souls/Elden Ring streams last year.
Most Anticipated Game:
Obviously, it will be Grand Theft Auto 6 despite recent controversial news of inner turmoil at Rockstar Games.
Best Adaptation:
The one that seems to be the least controversial pick would be Until Dawn, but it may end up with The Last of Us: Season 2.
Best Multiplayer Game:
This could be a toss-up between Peak and Arc Raiders. My money is on Arc Raiders.
Best Sports / Racing Game:
Mario Kart World, no doubt, but Sonic Racing: Crossworlds could have a fighting chance!
Best Sim / Strategy:
Out of all of the nominees, I feel The Alters will be the winner. It had a mysterious air about it when it launched and was received very positively.
Best Family Game:
This is either going to go to Donkey Kong Bananza or Mario Kart World. My money is on Donkey Kong Bananza.
Best Fighting Game:
I do not play fighting games, so it is hard to pick a clear winner. But maybe, Virtua Fight 5 R.E.V.O World Stage?
Best RPG Game:
My money is on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, but it could very well go to The Outer Worlds 2.
Best Action / Adventure Game:
This could go to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, but might end up being Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Best Action Game:
I want to say it will be Doom: The Dark Ages, but Hades 2 could snatch it up!
Best VR / AR Game:
Similar to fighting games, VR is not my jam, but the most unique title in my eyes is The Midnight Walk.
Best Mobile Game:
I am very “in the know” for the mobile gaming space, so the clear winner is Umamusume: Pretty Derby (for Haru Urara!)
Best Debut Indie Game:
While the obvious pick is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, I think the recent hit Dispatch will win.
Best Community Support:
The obvious winner will no doubt be Helldivers 2.
Best Ongoing Game:
Despite Helldivers 2 being the better ongoing game on the list, Fortnite will win.
Games For Impact:
A lot of these games I did not have the pleasure to play, but I did experience South of Midnight and believe it should get the award.
Innovation in Accessibility:
This could be a toss-up between either Doom: The Dark Ages or South of Midnight.
Best Performance:
This is where Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will start to rake in the awards. I think it will be either Ben Starr or Jennifer English who gets this award, or maybe Charlie Cox.
Best Audio Design:
I believe Silent Hill f will take this award over the other nominees.
Best Score and Music:
Anybody who has played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will know its soundtrack is legendary and is an easy shoe-in.
Best Art Direction:
Again, anybody who has played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will know it is a glorious feast, mixing amazing art direction with next-level fidelity.
Best Narrative:
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 created one of the most intense and heartwrenching stories this year and is going to claim this one (sorry, Kojima.)
Best Game Direction:
If the category makes sense on paper, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a new era JRPG that doesn’t waste your time or any area or story moment from start to finish.
Game of the Year:
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is going to be the triumphant winner here. It is a game made by such a small team and achieved everything it set out to do on the first try from a debut game studio.
Obviously, anything can happen, but I think Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will “sweep” and there will be a lot of upset people on social media, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Then again, I could be 100% wrong about all of this and have egg on my face.
Regardless, The Game Awards this year is going to be exciting, I just hope Geoff Keighley can find a good balance for everything. His previous show is something hard to follow up on, but I believe he will surprise everyone on December 11th.
