The Game Awards 2024, celebrating its 10th anniversary, aims to honor the most outstanding achievements in the world of gaming this year. The event, hosted by Geoff Keighley, will take place today, December 12, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. As anticipation grows, we offer an overview of the nominees in various categories and predictions for potential winners.

GAME OF THE YEAR

Nominees:

• Astro Bot
• Balatro
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Metaphor: ReFantazio

Prediction: Among this year's nominees, the main contender for Game of the Year could be Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Despite many players being surprised by the DLC's nomination, Shadow of the Erdtree is truly a standalone expansion, larger than the main game and packed with content.

BEST DIRECTORSHIP

Nominees:

• Astro Bot
• Balatro
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Metaphor: ReFantazio

Prediction: The striking artistic approach, good gameplay, and masterful adaptation of Chinese mythology make the game a strong contender in the category. The game's success is also evidenced by the large number of concurrent players.

BEST NARRATIVE

Nominees:

• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
• Silent Hill 2

Prediction: The remake-sequel of Silent Hill 2 delivered the well-known yet iconic story of James Sunderland's self-punishment with updated graphics, visuals, and improved gameplay. Most importantly, the game offers a highly captivating narrative deserving of much attention.

BEST VISUAL DESIGN

Nominees:

• Astro Bot
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
• Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Neva

Prediction: Detailed textures, good animation, and an engaging art style make the game a strong candidate for this nomination.

BEST SOUNDTRACK AND MUSIC

Nominees:

• Astro Bot
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Silent Hill 2
• Stellar Blade

Prediction: The symphonic soundtrack combining classical melodies with new compositions creates an unforgettable atmosphere. However, Silent Hill 2 also has a strong chance due to Akira Yamaoka's soundtracks.

BEST AUDIO DESIGN

Nominees:

• Astro Bot
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
• Silent Hill 2

Prediction: An innovative approach to audio design considering the protagonist's psychological state and the use of 3D audio.

BEST PERFORMANCE

Nominees:

• Briana White (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth)
• Hannah Telle (Life is Strange: Double Exposure)
• Humberly González (Star Wars Outlaws)
• Luke Roberts (Silent Hill 2)
• Melina Juergens (Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II)

Prediction: Melina Juergens' performance is emotionally rich, deep, and convincing, setting new standards in video game acting.

INNOVATIONS IN ACCESSIBILITY

Nominees:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Diablo IV
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
• Star Wars Outlaws

Prediction: A significant focus on inclusive features that make the game accessible to a broad audience of players.

GAMES FOR IMPACT

Nominees:

• Closer the Distance
• Indika
• Neva
• Life is Strange: Double Exposure
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
• Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Prediction: The game masterfully explores complex themes of mental health, affecting players emotionally and culturally.

BEST ONGOING GAME

Nominees:

• Destiny 2
• Diablo IV
• Final Fantasy XIV
• Fortnite
• Helldivers 2

Prediction: Continuous support, new expansions, and a dedicated community ensure the game's stable popularity.

BEST COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Nominees:

• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Final Fantasy XIV
• Fortnite
• Helldivers 2
• No Man’s Sky

Prediction: Openness to feedback and rapid implementation of changes as requested by players.

BEST INDIE GAME

Nominees:

• Animal Well
• Balatro
• Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
• Neva
• UFO 50

Prediction: Visual charm and emotional storytelling make this indie game a unique experience for players.

BEST DEBUT INDIE GAME

Nominees:

• Animal Well
• Balatro
• Manor Lords
• Pacific Drive
• The Plucky Squire

Prediction: Innovative gameplay with transitions between 2D and 3D perspectives creates a memorable experience.

BEST MOBILE GAME

Nominees:

• AFK Journey
• Balatro
• Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
• Wuthering Waves
• Zenless Zone Zero

Prediction: High-quality graphics and gameplay focused on dynamic battles.

BEST VR/AR GAME

Nominees:

• Arizona Sunshine Remake
• Asgard’s Wrath 2
• Batman: Arkham Shadow
• Metal: Hellsinger VR
• Metro: Awakening

Prediction: The epic scale and deep gameplay put this game ahead of competitors in the VR/AR category.

BEST ACTION GAME

Nominees:

• Black Myth: Wukong
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Helldivers 2
• Stellar Blade
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Prediction: Engaging combat mechanics and an innovative presentation of classic folklore make this game the best candidate. However, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 also shows good performance post-release, making it a strong alternative winner.

BEST ACTION/ADVENTURE

Nominees:

• Astro Bot
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
• Silent Hill 2
• Star Wars Outlaws
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Prediction: A highly competitive category as each game boasts intriguing design, music, and gameplay. Astrobot, Silent Hill 2, and Echoes of Wisdom have a set of good puzzles, and Astro Bot is expected to take the win.

BEST RPG

Nominees:

• Dragon's Dogma 2
• Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
• Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Metaphor: ReFantazio

Prediction: Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree—an expansion to one of the best modern RPGs—promises even more epicness, player choice, and plenty of content and an intriguing storyline.

BEST FIGHTING GAME

Nominees:

• Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
• Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
• Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
• MultiVersus 
• Tekken 8

Prediction: Improved graphics, a deep combat system, and a dedicated fan base make Tekken 8 a favorite among other candidates.

BEST FAMILY GAME

Nominees:

• Astro Bot
• Princess Peach: Showtime!
• Super Mario Party Jamboree
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• The Plucky Squire

Prediction: The game stands out for its originality and innovative elements, where players switch between 2D and 3D worlds. This approach captivates both children and adults, making it the perfect combination for a family gaming experience.

BEST SIM/STRATEGY

Nominees:

• Age of Mythology: Retold
• Frostpunk 2
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
• Manor Lords
• Unicorn Overlord

Prediction: The success of the first installment and the deep strategic gameplay with moral dilemmas give the game a significant advantage. It already has a loyal fan base eagerly awaiting the sequel.

BEST SPORTS/RACING GAME

Nominees:

• F1 24
• EA Sports FC 25
• NBA 2K25
• Top Spin 2K25
• WWE 2K24

Prediction: The F1 series is known for its realism, attention to detail, and support from motorsport fans. It continues to raise the bar for games in its genre.

BEST MULTIPLAYER GAME

Nominees:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Helldivers 2
• Super Mario Party Jamboree
• Tekken 8
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Prediction: The game stands out with its cooperative gameplay and dynamic combat systems. Helldivers 2 is gaining popularity among team-based games thanks to its deep mechanics and humor.

BEST ADAPTATION

Nominees:

• Arcane
• Fallout
• Knuckles
• Lick a Dragon: Yakuza
• Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft

Prediction: The Netflix series received tremendously positive reviews for its graphics, script, and connection to the League of Legends universe. Arcane remains a benchmark for adaptations.

MOST ANTICIPATED GAME

Nominees:

• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yōtei
• Grand Theft Auto VI
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
• Monster Hunter Wilds

Prediction: After nearly a decade of anticipation, Rockstar is preparing one of the most ambitious games in history. The high level of hype, numerous rumors, and trust in the studio make GTA VI an undeniable favorite.

CONTENT CREATOR OF THE YEAR

Nominees:

• CaseOh
• IlloJuan
• Techno Gamerz
• TypicalGamer
• Usada Pekora

Prediction: IlloJuan's charisma and creative content creation approach, along with active interaction with the audience, helped him gain tremendous popularity this year.

BEST ESPORTS GAME

Nominees:

• Counter-Strike 2
• DOTA 2
• League of Legends
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
• Valorant

Prediction: The update to the iconic game has introduced numerous improvements while preserving its core essence. Its impact on esports remains undeniable.

BEST ESPORTS ATHLETE

Nominees:

• 33 - Neta Shapira
• Aleksib - Aleksi Virolainen
• Chovy - Jeong Ji-hoon
• Faker - Lee Sang-hyeok
• ZyWoO - Mathieu Herbaut
• ZmjjKk - Zheng Yongkang

Prediction: A legend of League of Legends remains at the peak of their career. Their contribution to esports and relentless pursuit of victories make them a fan favorite.

BEST ESPORTS TEAM

Nominees:

• Bilibili Gaming (League of Legends)
• Gen.G (League of Legends)
• NAVI (Counter-Strike)
• T1 (League of Legends)
• Team Liquid (DOTA 2)

Prediction: The Gen.G team showcases a high level of gameplay and consistency on the international stage, making them a favorite for this nomination.

PLAYERS' VOICE

• Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
• Genshin Impact (Hoyoverse)
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (From Software)
• Wuthering Waves (Kuro Games)
• Zenless Zone Zero (Hoyoverse)

Prediction: It is most anticipated that Genshin Impact will win this nomination as players often vote en masse for this game to receive free Primogems (in-game currency).