Game Awards 2024: Astro Bot Wins Game of the Year

The Game Awards 2024 was an exciting event for video game fans, and the highlight of the night was Astro Bot, a charming little robot who won the prestigious title of Game of the Year. Astro Bot is a delightful platformer that brings together some of the most beloved character designs from PlayStation's history. The character is depicted as a cartoon robot dressed in leather armor, wielding an axe, and sporting a fake beard to resemble Kratos, the iconic hero from the God of War series. This year, Astro Bot triumphed over other strong contenders, including Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Black Myth: Wukong, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and the indie hit Balatro, to claim the top honor at The Game Awards. Nicolas Doucet, the studio head of Team Asobi, accepted the award and took a moment to acknowledge the contributions of rival Nintendo, showcasing the spirit of camaraderie in the gaming community. In addition to Game of the Year, Astro Bot also secured three other awards, including Best Family Game, Best Action/Adventure, and Best Game Direction, highlighting its widespread appeal and the quality of its design. Another standout of the night was Balatro, an indie card game that has been making waves in the gaming world. Balatro won three awards, including Best Mobile Game, proving that indie games can compete with larger titles. The role-playing game Metaphor: ReFantazio also had a successful night, winning three awards, which reflects the strength of Japanese game developers in the industry. Black Myth: Wukong, inspired by Chinese mythology, won the Player's Voice Award, which is determined by fan votes, further demonstrating its popularity among gamers. On the other hand, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth had a disappointing evening, as it was nominated in seven categories but only managed to win the award for Best Music. Melina Juergens, from Ninja Theory, won the Best Performance award for her role in a game, showcasing the talent present in the industry. The Game Awards is not just about recognizing the best games; it also features live performances from well-known artists. This year, Snoop Dogg made a surprise appearance to present the Best Ongoing Game Award to Helldivers 2 and even performed a new song, adding a touch of excitement to the evening. Harrison Ford, the legendary actor, also graced the stage to discuss a new game based on his famous film series, further elevating the event's star power. Naughty Dog, the studio behind The Last of Us, unveiled their new project titled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which generated a lot of buzz among fans. The Game Awards, often referred to as the Oscars of gaming, has faced criticism for focusing more on commercials and trailers than on the actual awards. However, last year, the event attracted an impressive 118 million livestream viewers, indicating that fans are eager to see new game previews. While there were no major announcements regarding Grand Theft Auto 6 or Nintendo's upcoming console, Naughty Dog's reveal of their new game was a highlight of the night. This year, the event also introduced the Game Changers Award, which recognizes individuals who make a positive impact in the gaming industry. Amir Satvat, the winner of this award, established a personal project to assist recently laid-off game developers in finding new job opportunities. In his heartfelt acceptance speech, he expressed gratitude to his parents for instilling in him the values of kindness and respect for others. The event was not without its controversies, including the nomination of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree for Game of the Year, which sparked debate among fans about its eligibility. The winners of the awards are determined by a panel of industry experts, with a fan vote contributing to 10% of the final score. In total, there are 30 awards across various categories, including audio design, best independent game, and innovation in accessibility. For those interested, the complete list of winners can be found on the BBC Newsbeat website.