The Game Awards – The Complete List

November 25, 2024 3

The Game Awards just dropped its 2024 Game of the Year nominees, and this year’s lineup is wild. In a totally unexpected twist, we’re looking at one of the most unpredictable races in the show’s 10-year history! No clear frontrunner here, folks.

The six Game of the Year contenders are locked and loaded. We’ve got some jaw-dropping surprises, like the epic comeback of Black Myth: Wukong, and—hold your fire—Dragon Age: The Veilguard barely scraping by with a near shutout (what?!). And on the indie side, Balatro is making some serious noise, showing that smaller studios are coming for the crown.

But the action’s just getting started. Voting is open now, and you’ve got until December 11th to cast your vote. Plus, the jury’s busy picking winners in categories like Best Mobile Game and Best Debut Indie Game—there’s a lot more to unpack here than just GOTY.

Mark your calendars, gamers. The Game Awards are going down on December 12th, and you won’t want to miss it. Get ready to vote, watch, and maybe even argue about it all night long!

Even better get voting now: https://www.thegameawards.com/nominees

Game of the Year Nominees:
The Game of the Year category is all about honoring the game that’s delivered the absolute best experience across every creative and technical field. It’s the pinnacle of gaming greatness—and this year’s contenders are stacked!

Here’s the full list:

Astro Bot
Balatro
Black Myth: Wukong
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Metaphor: ReFantazio

The competition is fierce, but which one will take home the crown? Predictions are already flying, but only time will tell!

Best Game Direction:
This category recognizes the visionary leadership behind the scenes, and the nominees are bringing some serious talent to the table. The nominees are:

Astro Bot
Balatro
Black Myth: Wukong
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Metaphor: ReFantazio

Best Ongoing Game:
Games that just keep on giving—whether through updates, expansions, or keeping the player base engaged year after year. Here are the top nominees:

Destiny 2
Diablo 4
Final Fantasy 14
Fortnite
Helldivers 2

It’s going to be a tough fight to see who will claim the Best Ongoing Game title this year!

With these powerhouse nominees, this year’s Game Awards is shaping up to be one for the history books! Can’t wait to see who takes home the gold!

Best Art Direction:
The Best Art Direction category celebrates games with stunning visual worlds and artistic design that leave us in awe. The nominees for this year’s award are:

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

These games are pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible in terms of art, atmosphere, and pure visual storytelling. Which one will reign supreme?

Best Mobile Game:
The competition is heating up for the mobile gaming crown, with this year’s nominees offering something for every kind of player. Here’s who’s in the running:

AFK Journey
Balatro
Wuthering Waves
Zenless Zone Zero
Pokémon TCG Pocket

Mobile games are stepping up their game, and these nominees are setting the bar high for what’s possible on the go.

Best Narrative:
A compelling story is what keeps us coming back to a game, and this year’s nominees are bringing some of the best narratives to the table. The contenders are:

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
Silent Hill 2

These games have storytelling down to an art form. Which one will claim the title for weaving the best tale?

Best Performance:
The Best Performance category honors the actors who breathe life into these incredible characters. It’s time to give credit to the voices that make these games unforgettable. The nominees are:

Briana White – Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Hannah Telle – Life is Strange: Double Exposure
Humberly Gonzalez – Star Wars Outlaws
Luke Roberts – Silent Hill 2
Melina Juergens – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Each of these performances brought their respective characters to life, leaving us captivated by every line and every moment. Who will walk away with the win?

Best Score & Music:
When it comes to setting the mood, these games have crushed it with unforgettable soundtracks. The nominees for Best Score & Music are:

Astro Bot
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Silent Hill 2
Stellar Blade

These scores range from symphonic masterpieces to atmospheric soundscapes that leave a lasting impression. Which one will be crowned the best?

Best Audio:
The Best Audio category is all about immersive sound design—whether it’s explosive action or subtle atmospheric details. The nominees are:

Astro Bot
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
Silent Hill 2

These games have audio that makes the world come alive, from dynamic soundscapes to every footstep echoing in your ears.

Best Adaptation:
From game to screen, these nominees have successfully made the leap, bringing beloved franchises into new mediums. The nominees for Best Adaptation are:

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

Whether it’s a Netflix series or a major movie adaptation, these shows have nailed the transition from game to screen.

Best Multiplayer:
This year’s Best Multiplayer nominees are all about the games that bring us together, whether it’s on the battlefield or the couch. The nominees are:

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

Get ready to squad up—these games have multiplayer modes that keep you coming back for more.

Best Independent Game:
Indie devs continue to amaze us with creative brilliance, and this year’s Best Independent Game nominees are no exception:

Animal Well
Balatro
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Neva
UFO 50

These indie gems prove that big ideas don’t always need a big budget. Which one will capture the imagination of players around the world?

Debut Indie Game:
First-time indie devs are bringing fresh ideas to the table, and these five debut games have caught the eyes of critics and players alike:

Animal Well
Balatro
Manor Lords
Pacific Drive
The Plucky Squire

It’s an exciting time for indie games—who will win the hearts of gamers as the next big thing?

Most Anticipated Game:
Gamers have been waiting, and the hype is real. These titles have sparked the most excitement heading into 2024:

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Ghost of Yotei
Grand Theft Auto 6
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Monster Hunter Wilds

The countdown is on for these highly anticipated releases. Which one will finally live up to the insane expectations?

Best Role-Playing Game:
Role-playing games give us the chance to escape into new worlds, and these nominees are doing it best:

Dragon’s Dogma 2
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Metaphor: ReFantazio

From open-world adventures to epic character-driven stories, these RPGs are setting the bar high.

Games for Impact:
Games can change the world, and these nominees are using their platform to raise awareness, tell powerful stories, or provoke thought:

Closer the Distance
Indika
Neva
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
Tales of Kenzera: Zau

These games are about more than just gameplay—they’re about making an impact.

Content Creator:
Content creators continue to shape gaming culture, and this year’s nominees have made waves with their streams, videos, and community interactions:

CaseOh
Illojuan
Techno Gamers
TypicalGamer
Usada Pekora

Who has been bringing the best content to the gaming world this year?

Best Action/Adventure:
These games combine heart-pounding action with deep exploration, offering the perfect mix of gameplay:

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

Action and adventure collide in these exciting, story-driven games.

Best Action:
Non-stop action at its finest! The Best Action nominees are packed with intense combat, daring missions, and pure adrenaline:

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

Prepare for some seriously high-octane gameplay.

Best Fighting:
For the button mashers and combo masters, these fighting games are bringing the heat:

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero
Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection
Multiversus
Tekken 8

Whether you’re throwing punches or throwing down some epic moves, these fighting games are the ones to watch.

Innovation in Accessibility:
Accessibility is key to making games playable for everyone, and these titles have made incredible strides:

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Diablo 4
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Star Wars Outlaws

These games are leading the way in making gaming accessible to all.

Best Community Support:
A strong community can make or break a game, and these titles have fostered some of the most dedicated, engaged player bases: