Surprises, Tears, and Astro Bot: Highlights From The 2024 Game Awards

If you’ve been keeping up with the world of video games, you know The Game Awards has basically become the Oscars of gaming. Some years it’s a slick show that gets everyone hyped, and other times it’s a bit of a mess. But this year? The 2024 edition hit a pretty nice sweet spot. It still had the flashy reveals and celebrity cameos, but it also felt more human, more honest, and, yeah, just better all around.

Astro Bot’s Big Night

The star of the show was Astro Bot, snagging four awards including the big prize: Game of the Year. It was a total crowd-pleaser—fun, accessible, and packed with nods to gaming history. During the acceptance speech, Studio Director Nicolas Doucet got a bit emotional and thanked a certain “gray box and the game packed in with it,” clearly referencing the old-school Nintendo days. Imagine paying tribute to a direct competitor at an awards ceremony—that’s some classy energy right there.

‍

Indies Making Waves

Not everything was about big-budget giants. Balatro, a poker-style indie darling, scooped up three awards: Best Debut Indie, Best Independent Game, and Best Mobile Game. That’s pretty wild for a solo developer’s project. The acceptance speech didn’t just pat itself on the back, though. The team shouted out other indie standouts (like that pixel western Arco) reminding everyone the gaming landscape is a lot bigger than massive franchises.

Addressing The Industry’s Tough Year

For once, the show didn’t gloss over the rough patches. Layoffs have rocked the industry in 2024, and this time The Game Awards addressed it head-on. Host Geoff Keighley actually talked about the struggles facing developers and introduced a “Gamechanger Award.” It went to Amir Satvat, who’s been helping laid-off devs find work. His emotional speech—nearly in tears—was a refreshing break from the usual glitz. The show finally acknowledged that these games don’t come from robots; they come from real people who’ve had a rough year.

Big Surprises And Reveals

The show would be nothing without its big reveals. This time, the announcements landed with some real impact. We got a fresh look at The Witcher 4, a bombshell reveal of Elden Ring: Nightreign (a surprising co-op spin on the famously solo experience), and the two-player adventure Split Fiction from the team behind It Takes Two. But the biggest shock came from Naughty Dog. After a stretch of remakes and expansions, they dropped a trailer for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a totally new retro-sci-fi project. Seeing them step away from their comfort zone and dive into something completely fresh? That’s some next-level excitement.

‍

Celebrity Cameos That Actually Worked

We’ve had some awkward celebrity moments at past shows, but this year nailed it. Hollywood legend Harrison Ford made a surprise appearance, popping up to hype the Indiana Jones game featuring voice actor Troy Baker. Ford’s charm, his off-script joking, even messing with the teleprompter, had the crowd eating it up. For once, a star cameo didn’t feel forced—it felt like a fun little gift dropped right into the show.

Esports Still Left In The Dust

Not everything was fixed this year, though. Esports categories were still given the quick, dismissive treatment. The awards for Best Esports Game, Athlete, and Team got rattled off before the main show really kicked into gear. Given how huge esports is, and how passionate its fans are, it felt like a missed chance. Maybe next year they’ll find a better way to spotlight this massive part of gaming.

‍

‍

Nostalgia And Strange Directions

There were plenty of nods to the past. Old franchises like Onimusha, Turok, and Virtua Fighter got teased again, sending older fans into full nostalgia mode. Even Pac-Man got a bizarre new spin in Shadow Labyrinth, a Metroidvania-style take on the classic arcade hero. Seriously, who saw that coming? It’s kind of wild, but it shows that devs aren’t afraid to shake things up and try something completely out of left field.

Some Sideshows That Raised Eyebrows

Not every announcement struck gold. Catly, a cat-themed game from a mysterious studio, had people scratching their heads. Its trailer gave off weird, uncanny vibes, and internet sleuths are already wondering if AI was involved. Gamers are getting pretty good at sniffing out red flags, and Catly left a lot of unanswered questions. One not-so-great reveal in a four-hour show isn’t the end of the world, but it definitely stood out as awkward.

Elden Ring Expanding Into Co-Op

We have to give a special nod to Elden Ring: Nightreign. FromSoftware is known for tough, solitary journeys where you fight massive bosses alone. Now, they’re going co-op—three players working together to survive deadly nights. It’s a bold twist for a studio that’s been content making you go it alone for years. Adding multiplayer elements to a beloved world is risky, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s them.

The Show Grows Up—A Bit

After last year’s rushed speeches, overbearing ads, and lack of empathy, The Game Awards 2024 felt like a step in the right direction. This time, winners got to talk without the orchestra trying to drown them out. There were heartfelt acknowledgments of tough industry times, and even the Muppets (Statler and Waldorf) poked fun at the event’s length in a way that felt charming rather than cringe.

It’s not a perfect show, sure. There’s still room to improve, especially with esports coverage and tightening the pacing. But this year felt like The Game Awards finally found some balance. It didn’t just push trailers and hype—it took time to celebrate the people behind the games and the players who love them.

In an industry often defined by rapid change, controversies, and creative burnout, the 2024 Game Awards managed to feel like a more genuine celebration of gaming culture. Here’s hoping they keep that energy going next year.