The Game Awards Makes Important Clarification About Potential Nominees

As audiences excitedly await the official announcement of the nominees for The Game Awards 2024, the event has added an important note to its FAQ page clarifying which types of games and content are eligible to be nominated across categories. The Game Awards has faced controversy in the past due to viewers holding differing understandings about what makes a title eligible for nomination, and this new clarification seeks to officially settle the matter.

Scheduled to broadcast on December 12, The Game Awards 2024 will offer a number of accolades for video games that have impressed critics and audiences alike. Many will be tuning in to see which title takes home the illustrious Game of the Year nomination, among a slew of other big awards, and audiences can now have a better understanding of which releases will be eligible thanks to an important statement from The Game Awards.

Looking to settle any debate around whether certain games can be nominated, The Game Awards has added a section to its FAQ and Rules page about eligibility. According to the official site, “expansion packs, new game seasons, DLCs, remakes and remasters are eligible in all categories,” though a title must still be nominated by jury vote. It is further asserted that “the newness of the content” and “creative and technical work,” among other factors, are taken into consideration “irrespective of the format of [the] content’s release.” This means releases like Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC and the remake of Silent Hill 2 would be eligible in all categories, including Game of the Year.

Remakes, DLCs, and Expansion Packs Are Eligible At The Game Awards

While many support the inclusion of DLCs and remakes at The Game Awards, others have voiced disapproval of the move. Some believe that it could open a floodgate of remasters drowning out new ideas, with games from indie studios at the mercy of a potential surplus of AAA re-launches. On the other hand, a number of fans feel that outstanding releases, regardless of format, deserve recognition. Whether this eligibility clause will have any significant impact on The Game Awards 2024 remains to be seen, leaving audiences in suspense until the nominees are officially announced on November 18.

The Game Awards has served as a major celebration for the video game industry for years, with veteran names and promising start-ups finding equal footing with nominations across categories. After the record-setting viewership for The Game Awards 2023, critics and players alike are gearing up for another exciting iteration of The Game Awards, with many keen on finding out which games, DLCs, remakes, and more may make the winning cut.