Overview
- Kotaku, citing two sources, reports that a three-minute slot at the 2025 show costs over $1 million and a 60‑second trailer can reach $450,000, figures not confirmed by organizers.
- Some placements are reportedly free through earned editorial selections, with Geoff Keighley curating surprises and occasional picks that do not carry a fee.
- Compared with Esquire’s 2024 Summer Game Fest figures, the reported Game Awards rates are higher than the prior $250,000 for a minute and $550,000 for two and a half minutes.
- Studios nominated for awards are said to receive two complimentary tickets, with additional seats purchased at about $300 each, as illustrated by Sandfall Interactive buying extras for its team.
- A freelance writer on a nominated game described difficulty obtaining reserved developer tickets after nominations, and the United Videogame Workers‑CWA staged an online protest parody criticizing industry practices.