The Game Awards 2024: All Nominations and Our Picks & Predictions

Ahead of the ceremony on December 12, 2024, The Game Awards has released its list of nominees across all categories for what’s arguably the most prestigious and well-known celebration of excellence in the medium of video games. While far from the only award ceremony that honors the gaming industry (with Golden Joystick, BAFTA, and the DICE Awards rounding out the more well-known ceremonies), The Game Awards is perhaps the most mainstream, drawing attention from across the entertainment world as one of the more significant annual events for interactive media. The Game Awards 2024 is set to be a special occasion, as this year marks the awards ceremony’s 10th anniversary. And, as usual, viewers can expect the show to be host to some incredible reveals and debut trailers highlighting the most exciting upcoming releases in gaming.

As we go through each of the categories and their nominees, we’ll give our best predictions as to who we think has the best chance to take home a win in each category. As with most years, this year’s ceremony is already fraught with controversy thanks to the inclusion of a major DLC expansion in several categories (the phenomenal Shadow of the Erdtree expansion for FromSoftware’s Elden Ring), as well as its inclusion of the lowest-rated game in the ceremony’s history across several categories with Black Myth: Wukong. In addition to our educated guess regarding who will win, myself and fellow writer/editor Jazz Stewart will be getting in on the fun by choosing our own personal picks for each category.

The Game Awards 2024 Nominees

Nominees for the 10th Game Awards ceremony were announced on Monday, November 18, 2024, with several of the highest-regarded games of the year well-represented across multiple categories. The ceremony itself will take place on December 12, 2024, and is sure to draw in a large audience, with last year’s ceremony drawing in an astounding 118 million viewers. There are 29 total categories at this year’s Game Awards, with Astro Bot, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and indie smash-hit Balatro racking up multiple nominations across several different categories.

Game of the Year

Recognizing a game that delivers the absolute best experience across all creative and technical fields.

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

Prediction

Given the history of which games have traditionally received The Game Awards’ highest honor, it’s a safe bet to call this year’s GOTY winner for Team Asobi’s Astro Bot. As both an excellent 3D platformer and a celebration of the history and legacy of the PlayStation, it’s hard to think of another title other than Astro Bot that has delivered such a concise and enjoyable experience this year.

Matt’s Pick

This year is one of the few instances in which I’ve played and thoroughly enjoyed each of The Game Awards’ Game of the Year nominees, making it a tough choice to pick just one. While I think that Astro Bot will go home with the award, my personal pick is for Metaphor: ReFantazio. Metaphor is both a bold evolution from the Persona formula and one of the best RPGs I’ve played in decades.

Jazz’s Pick

The Game of the Year category is stacked this year. I feel one could argue for every one of these entries to win the most coveted award at the show. I anticipate Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to win this award and it is also my pick. As great as the rest of the games are on this list, none of them quite reached the heights of Rebirth. It is truly a masterful reimagining of one of the best games ever.

Best Game Direction

Awarded for outstanding creative vision and innovation in game direction and design.

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

Prediction

Even though it might not win the Game of the Year award, there’s every chance that Hidetaka Miyazaki will walk away with the award for Best Game Direction thanks to the impeccable vision and execution of Elden Ring‘s one and only DLC expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree. In an era where most DLC expansion feel like content cut from a game to be sold to players at a later date, Shadow of the Erdtree is an experience that puts some full-length AAA releases to shame and adds significant new layers to the Elden Ring meta.

Matt’s Pick

I’m inclined to agree that Shadow of the Erdtree deserves the award for Best Game Direction, even if it doesn’t quite meet the criteria to be eligible for some of the other awards it’s been nominated for. Miyazaki has once again illustrated why he’s one of the most important game developers working today, and Shadow of the Erdtree only underscores the brilliance of Elden Ring by adding to the experience in meaningful ways.

Jazz’s Pick

I’m giving it to Metaphor: ReFantazio for Best Game Direction. Metaphor‘s style and presentation just feel so fresh even though it was built on top of the foundations from Shin Megami Tensei and Persona. As much as I wish it weren’t nominated I do believe that Shadow of the Erdtree will go home with something, and if Metaphor doesn’t win this category then most likely Erdtree will.

Best Narrative

For outstanding storytelling and narrative development in a game.

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

Prediction

This year’s Best Narrative category is stacked with some incredible games that each excels in their storytelling and character development. Still, it’s almost guaranteed that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will take home a win in this category for how it skillfully retells one of the most emotional arcs in video game storytelling for a modern audience.

Matt’s Pick

As much as I enjoyed Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and found myself feeling the full emotional weight of its story despite being intimately familiar with the original, my personal pick for the year’s Best Narrative award goes to Silent Hill 2. The original Silent Hill 2 features what’s arguably the best story of any survival horror game, and Bloober Team absolutely deserves recognition for it gracefully handled the remake.

Jazz’s Pick

This one is really hard to pick because, on one hand, Silent Hill 2 Remake‘s handling of the original story should be celebrated. It was so good, it made me want to go back and play the original trilogy. On the other hand, I don’t think I’ve played anything this year as beautiful as the Barrett and Dyne section in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. I believe Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has this category in the bag.

Best Art Direction

For outstanding creative and/or technical achievement in artistic design and animation.

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

Prediction

Art Direction is a tough category to call given how wildly The Game Awards committee has oscillated in years past. That said, it’s hard to deny Metaphor: ReFantazio as the most visually striking and artistically distinct game this year, and the attention paid to its Hieronymus Bosch-inspired art direction and eye-catching menus and UI is sure to resonate at The Game Awards.

Matt’s Pick

Any of the games on this year’s list of Best Art Direction nominees deserve to walk home with an award given how creative and stunning their visuals and art design are, but few games made me stop and say “wow” quite like Metaphor: ReFantazio. Aside from being one of the best-playing RPGs in years, Metaphor also happens to be the best-looking.

Jazz’s Pick

I agree with pretty much everything Matt’s said in regards to this category. Metaphor: ReFantazio might not be the best looking in terms of raw pixels and graphics but it definitely has the most interesting art direction which gives it the edge in my opinion. Both I and my roommates enjoy just standing on the deck of the gauntlet runner and watching the world go by like a real-life road trip.

Best Score and Music

For outstanding music, inclusive of score, original song and/or licensed soundtrack.

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

Prediction

Longtime Persona composer Shoji Meguro has already been nominated at The Grammys for his work on Persona 5, so it makes sense for him to walk home with the award for Best Score & Music for Metaphor: ReFantazio at The Game Awards. Meguro is quickly establishing himself as one of the best Japanese composers working today, and his contributions to Metaphor are part of what makes it such a memorable experience.

Matt’s Pick

While I love Akira Yamaoka’s reworking of his original Silent Hill 2 score in the excellent remake, there’s no denying that I’m still humming Metaphor: ReFantazio‘s battle theme in my head more than a month after spending 100 hours in the game. Metaphor: ReFantazio deserves the award for Best Music & Score in my book.

Jazz’s Pick

Another close category. In my opinion, Stellar Blade deserves to take this one home because of just how fresh it sounds. Studio Monaca, who also made the phenomenal music of the Nier franchise, lent their talents to Stellar Blade and ever since the soundtrack came to digital streaming services I haven’t stopped listening to it.

Best Audio Design

Recognizing the best in-game audio and sound design.

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

Prediction

Unlike the Best Music & Score category, Best Audio Design takes things like spatial audio and immersive audio into consideration, making this year’s race a stacked one with two lead contenders — Hellblade 2 and Silent Hill 2. With how integral audio design is to the experience, there’s every chance that Hellblade 2 will take home a win.

Matt’s Pick

While I don’t disagree with Hellblade 2 being deserving of the award, my personal pick here goes to Silent Hill 2. My initial playthrough of the title was through the PlayStation Portal device with headphones, which was such an immersive and terrifying experience thanks to some impeccable audio design.

Jazz’s Pick

Hellblade 2 probably has this category in the bag but my pick is also Silent Hill 2. Through its great use of atmospheric pings and silence, Silent Hill 2 finds a way to make every enemy encounter memorable and terrifying. Even if you play with the radio that alerts you to enemies, the game is still able to startle you through sound or lack thereof. It’s truly something special.

Best Performance

Awarded to an individual for voice-over acting, motion and/or performance capture.

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

Prediction

As is the case with most nominees in this category each year at The Game Awards, every actor deserves recognition for turning an incredible performance in their respective games. That said, it’s almost a surefire win for Briana White given how integral her performance as Aerith is to the emotional impact of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Matt’s Pick

Aerith has been a character near and dear to my heart since playing the original Final Fantasy VII in 1997, and Briana White’s ability to bring the character to life in the remake trilogy is nothing short of spectacular. For my money, Briana White is the obvious pick as the emotional linchpin of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Jazz’s Pick

You could fill this entire category with actors from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Everyone did a phenomenal job. I think Britt Baron, the voice of Tifa, should’ve been nominated in Briana’s stead, but I understand how impactful Aerith is to this part of the story and Briana did a phenomenal job. Briana has this one for sure.

Innovation In Accessibility

Recognizing software and/or hardware that is pushing the medium forward by adding features, technology and content to help games be played and enjoyed by an even wider audience.

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

Prediction

The Innovation In Accessibility category is an important one that recognizes games going the extra mile to offer increased options that open up their games to a wider audience of differently-abled players. Ubisoft has traditionally been a frontrunner in this area, making either of its games on the list (Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown or Star Wars Outlaws) the most likely pick for winner.

Matt’s Pick

Though I don’t typically need to rely on many accessibility options when playing games, I’m always finding myself impressed at the work Ubisoft puts into making its games more widely accessible via those options. As far as Metroidvanias go, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is one of the best in a long time, and it also happens to feature some groundbreaking tools for accessibility that should become standard for the genre, such as being able to screenshot important points on the map.

Jazz’s Pick

When I placed my vote on The Game Awards website, I ignored this category due to my lack of knowledge on the subject since I don’t usually need accessibility options when playing games. However, after some research, I’m happy to see just the leaps and strides the entire industry is making for games to be able to be enjoyed by all. The entire category deserves to win this award, as the amount of work these studious have put in deserves to be recognized.

Games For Impact

For a thought-provoking game with a pro-social meaning or message.

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

Prediction

The Games For Impact category is a relatively newer one at The Game Awards that has arguably its most impressive roster of nominees in its short history this year. Out of them, it’s hard to argue against Neva for winning thanks to its strong messaging regarding environmental conservation, parenthood, and emotional trauma.

Matt’s Pick

As much as I enjoyed the very esoteric and strange Indika and its messaging about religious dogma and mental health, few experiences in 2024 carry the same emotional impact as Neva. As both a standalone game and a game that communicates a message, Neva is easily the standout of the nominees in the Games For Impact category.

Jazz’s Pick

As someone who relates heavily to the themes of Indika, I want it to take this award home. However, Neva and Tales of Kenzera: Zau are probably some of the most important games to release in 2024. My vote is for Indika based on my personal ties to what it has to say.

Best Ongoing

Awarded to a game for outstanding development of ongoing content that evolves the player experience over time.

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

Prediction

Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XIV continues to be a favorite in this category, though it’s possible that The Game Awards’ judges might surprise everyone and pick a different title this year. Still, Final Fantasy XIV‘s thriving online community and continual updates make it almost a lock for the Best Ongoing Game award.

Matt’s Pick

To me, the Best Ongoing Game award should go to the title that continues to impress both existing and new players with a bevy of content as well as a thriving community that both retains player engagement and encourages and welcomes new players. Out of the games nominated, those criteria position Final Fantasy XIV as the obvious winner.

Jazz’s Pick

Final Fantasy XIV has had a slight dip in popularity after the release of its middling new expansion, but you can never count the developers of this MMO out, which is why it tends to dominate this category. This year the competition is a bit steep but all in all, Final Fantasy XIV will probably take this one home as well.

Best Community Support

Recognizing a game for outstanding community support, transparency and responsiveness, inclusive of social media activity and game updates/patches.

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

Prediction

It’s no secret that The Game Awards loves Baldur’s Gate 3, and the game’s continued prominence only helps ensure its chances of winning the Best Community Support award. The recent introduction and support of modding in Baldur’s Gate 3 has led to it having its highest player counts in a year.

Matt’s Pick

As much as Larian deserves all the praise (and more) for both its original and continued work on the incredible Baldur’s Gate 3, my personal pick for the Community Support award goes to Helldivers 2. Arrowhead Studios being able to turn the tides of the game’s negative feedback following the PSN account debacle helped to salvage one of the year’s most popular games.

Jazz’s Pick

At first, I wanted to say Helldivers 2 deserved this one but after Arrowhead’s rough handling of the PC release with PlayStation, I think Baldur’s Gate 3 has this one in the bag. Gamers will look back at Baldur’s Gate 3 decades from now as one of the best RPGs of all time because the developers supported it for multiple years after its release.

Best Independent Game

For outstanding creative and technical achievement in a game made outside the traditional publisher system.

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

Prediction

This year’s Best Independent Game category is a tough one to call given how universally acclaimed each nominee is. Neva and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes are the standout contenders in terms of narrative and atmosphere, while Animal Well and Balatro are two of the best games in their respective genres. The wildcard here is UFO 50, which is a virtual “compilation” of alternate-timeline classic games on an imaginary console. But with Balatro likely not winning the Game of the Year award, it makes sense for it to walk home with the win for Best Independent Game.

Matt’s Pick

My personal pick for Best Independent Game of 2024 didn’t even get a nomination (it’s Arco). But out of the nominees that did make the cut, I have to go with UFO 50 as the standout experience of the year. Every gaming genre is represented, and the list of creators who worked on the title is a “who’s who” of indie developers. It’s a near-flawless experience that makes you wish the UFO was a real console that existed in our timeline.

Jazz’s Pick

I think Animal Well has this category for sure. If not Animal Well, then Balatro for sure. Animal Well is such a fresh and interesting take on the Metroidvania formula, whereas Balatro is debatably the best roguelike ever thanks to its virtually infinite replayability. This is a stacked category though, and any of the nominees could take home the win.

Best Debut Indie Game

For the best debut game created by a new independent studio.

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

Prediction

Many of the titles nominated for the Best Debut Indie Game category are also represented in the Best Independent Game category, illustrating that 2024 was a banner year for developers working outside the traditional publisher system. As a debut effort, it’s hard to imagine any other game than Balatro walking with the award given its major cultural breakthrough.

Matt’s Pick

While I do love Balatro and think that it deserves all the recognition it’s gotten both before and after The Game Awards nominations, Manor Lords should get the award for Best Debut Indie Game. It’s an incredibly ambitious title from a solo developer that held Steam users firm in its grip for months, and it’s just an excellent city-building/sim game to boot.

Jazz’s Pick

I feel the same about this category as I did the last one. Animal Well or Balatro will take the award, and if I had to choose between the two, I think Animal Well would be the winner. In an idealistic scenario, both games could win a category they’re nominated for. But again, that is idealistic, as Balatro might sweep the indie categories.

Best Mobile Game

For the best game playable on a mobile device.

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

Prediction

Again, the likely choice here is that Balatro will walk with the award for Best Mobile Game. Balatro‘s arrival on mobile was a major moment for the game, seeing millions of downloads after already boasting impressive sales on PC.

Matt’s Pick

In what will likely be completely unsurprising to anyone who has played it, I have three different versions of Balatro across different devices should the need ever arise for me to dive into the excellent card game roguelike. The mobile version maintains all the integrity of the original Steam release and is a perfect productivity killer.

Jazz’s Pick

I think Balatro has this one as well only because the other entries in the category just haven’t had enough time to cook. Wuthering Waves is the most interesting Gacha game I’ve played in the last few years but it still has some things it needs to flesh out, and I’m sure it will do so over the next couple of years. The same could be said for Zenless Zone Zero as well.

Best VR/AR

For the best game experience playable in virtual or augmented reality, irrespective of platform.

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

Prediction

Regardless of some high-profile studio closures and the continued reported losses of Meta and the MetaQuest headset, 2024 was host to some incredible VR experiences. Out of the nominees for Best VR/AR Game, though, few can tout the same kind of immersive experience as Batman: Arkham Shadow, and it’s almost surely a lock for the award.

Matt’s Pick

As someone who doesn’t own a VR headset, I have to rely on the impressions of colleagues, friends, and family who do, and nearly all of them have a sole pick for the best VR game they’ve played this year — Batman: Arkham Shadow. For anyone who has ever wanted to immerse themselves into the role of the Caped Crusader, Arkham Shadow is apparently like a dream come true.

Jazz’s Pick

I also do not own a VR headset but I’ve heard nothing but good from fans of Arkham Shadow so I anticipate that one to win. Being Batman is a dream that many of us, myself included, have had at least once. If this VR title provides an immersive fresh take on Rocksteady’s Batman titles then it deserves every award under the sun.

Best Action Game

For the best game in the action genre focused primarily on combat.

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

Prediction

Given its surprise nomination for the Game of the Year category, there’s every chance that The Game Awards 2024 will give the honor of Best Action Game to Black Myth: Wukong. It also doesn’t hurt that the game is one of the best-selling titles of the year.

Matt’s Pick

As a dyed-in-the-wool fan of Soulslikes and character action games, both Black Myth: Wukong and Stellar Blade were two of my favorite action games this year. However, if I had to pick just one, I’d go with Black Myth: Wukong for its jaw-dropping visuals, fast-paced and satisfying combat, and incredibly interesting Eastern setting and mythology.

Jazz’s Pick

Stellar Blade by a long shot. Stellar Blade‘s flashy attacks and animations, accessible difficulty, AMAZING soundtrack, and level design give it the edge in this category for me. Also with the new boss rush mode added in by SHIFT UP, I find myself coming back to it the most out of the games in this category.

Best Action/Adventure

For the best action/adventure game, combining combat with traversal and puzzle solving.

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

Prediction

Each of the games nominated in this year’s Best Action/Adventure Game category are worthwhile experiences that just about every player can find something to love about, but Astro Bot is the clear frontrunner here. As mentioned previously, Astro Bot is both a top-notch 3D platformer and a love letter to the history of the PlayStation brand.

Matt’s Pick

I’d like to see Astro Bot win several awards this year, and as much as it’s undoubtedly one of my favorite titles from 2024, I don’t think it deserves the Best Action/Adventure Game award. Instead, I think that honor should go to the criminally underrated Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.

Jazz’s Pick

Astro Bot for the win! I anticipate The Legend of Zelda to take this category because of the franchise’s legendary status. However, Astro Bot is one of the best-reviewed games of the year so if it doesn’t win at least one category it’s nominated for, it’ll raise some eyebrows for sure.

Best RPG

For the best game designed with rich player character customization and progression, including massively multiplayer experiences.

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

Prediction

The obvious frontrunners for The Game Awards 2024’s Best RPG category are also two games nominated across multiple awards, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Metaphor: ReFantazio. While Final Fantasy VII Rebirth might have more mass appeal, there’s every chance that Metaphor: ReFantazio will clinch the win for the specific RPG category.

Matt’s Pick

Both my personal GOTY pick and my choice for the year’s best RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio deserve the win here. It’s a once-in-a-generation RPG that takes everything Katsura Hashino had done in his previous work and refines it into a near-perfect RPG experience on par with the legendary games of the 16 and 32-bit eras.

Jazz’s Pick

I’d give this one to Metaphor: ReFantazio. Even if I prefer Final Fantasy VII Rebirth I have to give this category to Metaphor because it is peak turn-based RPG goodness. As a fan of turn-based JRPGs there just aren’t many games doing it like Atlus.

Best Fighting

For the best game designed primarily around head-to-head combat.

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

Prediction

The clear winner here is Tekken 8, as it’s both the highest-rated and the most popular game in this category. While review aggregate scores and player engagement are just two of the factors that go into a title’s winning an award, Tekken 8 is also just an excellent iteration of one of the most legendary 3D fighting game series.

Matt’s Pick

Do I think that Tekken 8 will win this category and deserve it? Absolutely. Despite this, my personal pick for the Best Fighting Game of 2024 is the Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection. Capcom has been doing great work in preserving its legacy arcade titles, and having all the Marvel and Street Fighter crossovers under one umbrella is almost too good to be true.

Jazz’s Pick

As much as I love Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, I have to give this one to Tekken 8. Tekken 8 is for sure the best fighter of this generation and the only one that’s still holding my attention almost a year after its release.

Best Family

For the best game appropriate for family play, irrespective of genre or platform.

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

Prediction

As expected, the family game category is dominated by Nintendo’s first-party offerings from this year, but there’s a strong possibility that Sony and Team Asobi’s Astro Bot could take home a win. Despite The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom‘s high review scores, the title isn’t quite as family-friendly or geared toward group play as Astro Bot.

Matt’s Pick

Without a doubt, Astro Bot deserves to win this year’s Best Family Game category. Speaking from experience both with my own daughter and with my nieces and nephew, Astro Bot is a game that has nearly unlimited appeal across all age groups and is a fun experience that’s perfect for those with little to no gaming experience.

Jazz’s Pick

If Astro Bot wins this category, maybe it will light a fire underneath Nintendo to release the next 3D Mario title. While Astro Bot is my pick, again I believe Nintendo will win this category, it has 3 nominees after all.

Best Sim/Strategy

Best game focused on real-time or turn-based simulation or strategy gameplay, irrespective of platform.

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

Prediction

Given the wide variety of games in the category, it’s difficult to accurately predict a clear winner for the Best Sim/Strategy Game category. That said, there’s a strong case to be made for Manor Lords winning the award thanks to its prominence in the gaming zeitgeist around the time of its release.

Matt’s Pick

My personal pick for the best Strategy game of the year, and also what I would consider to be a dark horse contender for Game of the Year despite it not being nominated, is Unicorn Overlord. I’m a massive fan of games like Ogre Battle, Tactics Ogre, and Final Fantasy Tactics, and Unicorn Overlord mixes all those titles’ mechanics into a compelling experience with the trademark Vanillaware visuals.

Jazz’s Pick

Unicorn Overlord is one of the most underrated titles of the decade so it has my pick. However, I believe Manor Lords can potentially take it. Atlus is on an unprecedented run this year with all of its top-tier releases. It would make many people happy to see the developer win any of the categories its games have been nominated for this year.

Best Sports/Racing

For the best traditional and non-traditional sports and racing game.

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

Prediction

The Best Sports/Racing Game award is one that is slightly easier to predict thanks to the tendency of The Game Awards to pick games that are both critically well-received and popular among fans. Using those criteria, it’s almost a surety that WWE 2K24 will win.

Matt’s Pick

My pick for the best sports game of 2024 goes to EA Sports College Football 25, which for whatever reason, didn’t get nominated. In the absence of College Football being considered for the award, though, I think that the overwhelmingly positive fan response surrounding WWE 2K24 makes it deserving of a win.

Jazz’s Pick

This is another category where I’m not as knowledgeable. However, if I were to pull from things I’ve heard from friends and social media, I believe WWE 2K24 deserves the win. Not only have its fans been very vocal, but it is also the best-reviewed game in this category.

Best Multiplayer

For outstanding online multiplayer gameplay and design, including co-op and massively multiplayer experiences, irrespective of game genre or platform.

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

Prediction

Given the immense popularity of Helldivers 2 and its thriving ongoing community, it’s a safe bet to assume Arrowhead Studios’ popular sequel will walk home with the Best Multiplayer Game award. However, Tekken 8 could be a dark horse contender in this category, especially if it wins Best Fighting Game.

Matt’s Pick

This is a tough one for me, as I love the co-op multiplayer in both Helldivers 2 and Space Marine 2. If I had to pick one, though, I’d have to go with Helldivers 2, as I think its satirical tone and tendency for hilarity during missions make it one of the year’s best experiences to share with friends.

Jazz’s Pick

I’m going to go with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. It has been a long time since a Call of Duty game has come out and hooked me. Out of the other nominees in this category, I have put the most hours into Black Ops 6 these last few weeks.

Best Adaptation

Recognizing outstanding creative work that faithfully and authentically adapts a video game to another entertainment medium.

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

Prediction

Last year’s winner for Best Adaptation, HBO’s The Last of Us, also happened to get nominated for several awards at The Golden Globes and Emmys. Using that as a metric for predicting The Game Awards winner, Fallout stands to walk home with the Best Adaptation award thanks to its multiple Emmy nominations.

Matt’s Pick

I may be kicking myself that I haven’t sat down to watch Like a Dragon: Yakuza given my love for RGG’s legendary franchise, but what I did commit to watching this year was Fallout. As a longtime fan of the Fallout franchise, I feel that the Amazon series did an excellent job capturing the overall tone of the video games it’s based on and I can’t wait for Season 2.

Jazz’s Pick

Arcane and I don’t think it is close. As an adaption of its source material, Arcane is so good that it’s managing to pull people outside of the influence of League of Legends. Arcane might also legitimately be the best animated series of the modern era. Great characters, great music, great cinematography, and great pacing.

Most Anticipated Game

Recognizing an announced game that has demonstrably illustrated potential to push the gaming medium forward.

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

Prediction

Assuming that The Game Awards will pick a winner based on the sheer number of players looking forward to the games in the Most Anticipated Game award category, there’s no universe in which any game other than Grand Theft Auto VI wins.

Matt’s Pick

Knowing that Grand Theft Auto VI is the obvious winner aside, the game I’m personally most anticipating is a toss-up between Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Monster Hunter Wilds. And with Monster Hunter Wilds releasing in just a couple of months, that anticipation is quickly reaching a fever pitch.

Jazz’s Pick

Let’s be real, this is Grand Theft Auto VI‘s category, but I personally am more excited for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. I’m a new fan of the Metroid franchise but I have a roommate who has been waiting for this game since she was a little girl. Her excitement when Beyond was finally revealed was so contagious that you’d think I grew up with the games too.

Content Creator of the Year

For a streamer or content creator who has made an important and positive impact on the community in 2024.

• CaseOh
• IlloJuan
• Techno Gamerz
• Typical Gamer
• Usada Pekora

Prediction

The award for Best Content Creator describes itself as going to those creators who have a positive impact on the gaming community, and any of the nominees for the category at The Game Awards 2024 could be deserving of a win. That said, general consensus among players after the announcement of the nominations seems to indicate CaseOh being the clear frontrunner.

Matt’s Pick

I’m only slightly familiar with any of the content creators nominated at The Game Awards 2024, but the sentiment surrounding CaseOh seems to make him a clear frontrunner for the award. Personally, I’d have loved to see someone like SkillUp get nominated.

Jazz’s Pick

Unfortunately, I am an old man. The only nominee in this category I know about is CaseOh, but I’d argue he probably deserves it. It could just be the circles I am in online but he’s the only one that I’ve seen actively pushed by the algorithm.

Best Esports Game

For the game that has delivered the best overall esports experience to players (inclusive of tournaments, community support and content updates), irrespective of genre or platform.

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

Prediction

Of all the games nominated for Best Esports Game at The Game Awards 2024, the two most popular continue to be Counter-Strike 2 and League of Legends. Both titles essentially dominate all the Esports categories, making it a toss-up between which title is more likely to win.

Matt’s Pick

Even though most of its improvements over Counter-Strike GO are cosmetic, Counter-Strike 2 deserves a win as the Best Esports Game thanks to the pure adrenaline-pumping action it provides as a spectator, much less a player.

Jazz’s Pick

Counter-Strike 2 is my choice for this category because it feels like the world stopped when it was fully released. The changes it made to the meta set by Counter-Strike GO gave the genre a breath of fresh air in a way that games like Valorant just can’t.

Best Esports Athlete

The esports athlete judged to be the most outstanding for performance and conduct in 2024, irrespective of game.

• Neta “33” Shapira
• Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen
• Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon
• Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok
• Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
• Zheng “ZmjjKK” Yongkang

Prediction

The obvious front-runner for the Best Esports Athlete award is renowned League of Legends player Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok. Faker is fresh from an astounding victory, making him the leading choice for the award.

Matt’s Pick

I don’t typically follow Esports competitions outside of occasionally checking in on major fighting game tournaments like EVO, but Faker’s success at the League of Legends world championships seemed to catch the attention of more than just games media. That kind of exposure being brought to the sport deserves an award in and of itself.

Jazz’s Pick

With T1 winning their 5th world championship recently, it just seems like a no-brainer to give this category to the MVP of the world championship, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok. Faker is the best to ever do it when it comes to gaming.

Best Esports Team

Recognizing a specific esports team (not the full organization) judged the most outstanding for performance and conduct in 2024.

• BiliBili Gaming
• Gen.G
• NAVI
• T1
• Team Liquid

Prediction

Much like Faker being the obvious pick for Best Esports Athlete, the Best Esports Team award will almost certainly go to T1 for the team’s League of Legends victories.

Matt’s Pick

With three different League of Legends teams on the nominees list, I’d like to see a dark horse contender like NAVI take home the win for Best Esports Team. It also helps that they’re some of the best Counter-Strike 2 players in the world.

Jazz’s Pick

I’m going to double down on T1 with this category as well. Their run as world champions is unheard of, especially so when it comes to gaming. A lot of players and teams tend to age out of pro gaming but it seems like T1 is just getting better and better.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©The Game Awards 2024 poster.