The Game Awards 2024 Delivers Its Most Polished Show Yet

This year’s ceremony balanced emotional speeches, major game reveals, and improved focus on creators, while still grappling with its commercial roots.

• The 2024 Game Awards addressed past criticism by allowing winners more time for speeches and introducing a new Game Changer award honoring impactful contributions to the gaming industry.
• The show featured standout moments, including a heartfelt speech by Larian Studios’ CEO Swen Vincke and a moving tribute to Amir Satvat for his work supporting laid-off developers.
• Major game announcements included cinematic trailers for The Witcher IV, an Elden Ring multiplayer spin-off, and new projects from renowned creators like Fumito Ueda and Hideki Kamiya.
• While lavish production, celebrity appearances, and musical performances added spectacle, some segments were criticized as unnecessary distractions from the core focus on games and creators.
• Despite progress, the ceremony still sidelined several awards, such as Innovation in Accessibility, and dedicated much of its runtime to advertisements and trailers rather than the awards themselves.

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