The Game Awards 2024 proved once again why it’s considered gaming’s biggest night. Held on December 12, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the event delivered a mix of well-deserved victories, surprise announcements, and jaw-dropping trailers that had the gaming community buzzing for days.
Sony’s charming platformer Astro Bot walked away with the night’s biggest honor, claiming Game of the Year among other accolades. But the real showstoppers were the game reveals, including CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher 4, Naughty Dog’s sci-fi adventure Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and FromSoftware’s unexpected Elden Ring spinoff.
Astro Bot Takes the Crown
Team Asobi’s Astro Bot dominated the awards ceremony, securing four wins including the coveted Game of the Year trophy. Studio Director Nicolas Doucet gave an emotional acceptance speech, emphasizing how they designed the game with children in mind and celebrated PlayStation’s 30-year legacy. The platformer beat out strong competition from Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Beyond Game of the Year, Astro Bot also won Best Family Game and Best Action/Adventure Game, proving that creativity and heart can still triumph in an industry often dominated by massive AAA blockbusters. The game’s innovative gameplay and nostalgic celebration of PlayStation history resonated with both critics and players alike.
The Witcher 4 Opens with a Bang
CD Projekt Red kicked off the show with the reveal everyone was waiting for. The Witcher 4 trailer introduced a new protagonist and showcased the stunning visuals fans have come to expect from the franchise. While details remain scarce and the game likely won’t release until the late 2020s, the announcement alone was enough to send social media into a frenzy.
The cinematic trailer gave us our first glimpse at what appears to be a darker, more mature entry in the series. CD Projekt Red has been working on this project for years, and the early footage suggests they’re pulling out all the stops to deliver an experience worthy of the franchise’s legacy.
Naughty Dog Goes Intergalactic
In a showstopping finale, Naughty Dog revealed its first new franchise since The Last of Us. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet takes the studio in a completely different direction, featuring bounty hunter Jordan A. Wardana in a sci-fi setting thousands of years in the future. The cinematic trailer showcased the studio’s signature attention to detail and storytelling prowess.
Currently in development exclusively for PlayStation 5, Intergalactic marks a bold departure from Naughty Dog’s recent post-apocalyptic ventures. The reveal generated mixed reactions online, with some praising the fresh direction while others debated the protagonist’s design and aesthetic choices. Regardless, it’s clear Naughty Dog is swinging for the fences with this new IP.
Other Major Award Winners
While Astro Bot claimed the top prize, several other games had memorable nights. Metaphor: ReFantazio from Studio Zero and Atlus took home three awards, including Best Narrative and Best Art Direction. The indie darling Balatro, created by solo developer LocalThunk, won Best Indie Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Mobile Game with its unique poker-inspired mechanics.
Black Myth: Wukong secured Best Action Game, showcasing how the Chinese-developed title captured global attention. Tekken 8 won Best Fighting Game, while Frostpunk 2 claimed Best Sim/Strategy Game. Batman: Arkham Shadow took the VR/AR category, and Neva won Games for Impact, highlighting meaningful storytelling.
Game Reveals That Stole the Show
Beyond the awards themselves, The Game Awards has become synonymous with big announcements. FromSoftware surprised everyone by revealing Elden Ring: Nightreign, a standalone co-op action game set in the Elden Ring universe. Scheduled for release in 2025, this three-day survival experience features eight unique warriors called Night Crossers battling against the Eight Great Threats.
Other notable reveals included a new Okami sequel from Capcom, bringing back the beloved franchise after years of dormancy. Classic series like Onimusha, Ninja Gaiden, and Virtua Fighter also announced their returns, proving that nostalgia remains a powerful force in gaming. The show featured over a dozen world premieres, keeping viewers glued to their screens throughout the three-hour broadcast.
Star Power and Performances
The 2024 ceremony brought Hollywood glamour with appearances from Harrison Ford and featured musical performances that elevated the production value. The Game Awards Orchestra, conducted by Lorne Balfe, performed stirring renditions of themes from nominated games. Twenty One Pilots headlined with music from Arcane: Season 2, while Snoop Dogg, d4vd, and Royal & the Serpent also took the stage.
The event achieved record-breaking viewership across multiple digital platforms, demonstrating gaming’s continued growth as a mainstream entertainment medium. The show’s tenth anniversary was celebrated with style, even featuring appearances by Muppets characters Statler and Waldorf, who provided comedic commentary throughout the evening.
FAQs
What game won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024?
Astro Bot from Team Asobi and Sony Interactive Entertainment won Game of the Year, beating out nominees including Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Metaphor: ReFantazio.
What was the biggest game announcement at The Game Awards 2024?
The biggest announcements included The Witcher 4 from CD Projekt Red, Naughty Dog’s new IP Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and FromSoftware’s Elden Ring: Nightreign. Each reveal generated massive excitement across the gaming community.
When will Elden Ring Nightreign be released?
Elden Ring: Nightreign is scheduled for release in 2025. It’s a standalone co-op action game that takes place in the Elden Ring universe, featuring three-day survival gameplay and eight unique playable characters.
How many awards did Astro Bot win?
Astro Bot won four awards total at The Game Awards 2024, including Game of the Year, Best Family Game, and Best Action/Adventure Game, making it the night’s biggest winner.
What is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet about?
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is Naughty Dog’s new sci-fi franchise set thousands of years in the future. Players will take on the role of bounty hunter Jordan A. Wardana in what appears to be an action-adventure game exclusively for PlayStation 5.
Which indie game won at The Game Awards 2024?
Balatro, developed by solo creator LocalThunk, won multiple awards including Best Indie Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Mobile Game. The poker-inspired card game became one of the year’s breakout indie success stories.
Where can I watch The Game Awards?
The Game Awards streams live across multiple platforms including YouTube, Twitch, and various social media channels. The 2024 show achieved record-breaking viewership, and past ceremonies remain available for viewing online.
Looking Ahead
The Game Awards 2024 set a high bar for gaming’s premier awards show. From Astro Bot’s triumphant sweep to the parade of blockbuster announcements, the event reminded us why gaming continues to captivate millions worldwide. With titles like The Witcher 4, Intergalactic, and Elden Ring: Nightreign on the horizon, the future of gaming looks brighter than ever. The show’s record viewership and star-studded lineup proved that video games have firmly established themselves as a dominant force in entertainment culture, rivaling film and television in scope and spectacle.