The Game Awards, which took place in Los Angeles on Thursday, December 7, marked the end of a challenging year for the gaming industry. The event celebrated the best interactive entertainment released in 2023 and highlighted the battles in seven of the hottest categories.
One of the most anticipated awards of the night was the game of the year. This year, the category was dominated by sequels, including Alan Wake 2, Baldur's Gate 3, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Resident Evil 4, Super Mario Bros Wonder, and Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom. However, it was Baldur's Gate 3, a fantasy epic released for PC and PlayStation 5 earlier in the year, that took home the top honor. Developed by Belgian studio Larian, Baldur's Gate 3 impressed reviewers with its vast world and immersive storytelling, inspired by the classic tabletop board game Dungeons And Dragons. The game stood out for its ability to allow players to shape the direction of the story through their choices.
Larian had a successful night at the awards, winning a total of six awards, including best multiplayer and role-playing game. Their main rival, Alan Wake 2 from Finnish studio Remedy, also had a strong showing, winning best narrative, game direction, and art direction. The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom and Super Mario Bros Wonder, both developed by Nintendo, were recognized as the best action/adventure game and best family game, respectively. Other winners included Xbox's Forza Horizon racing franchise and the long-running Final Fantasy series.
However, the Game Awards faced criticism for its heavy focus on trailers and advertisements for new games. Hosted by Geoff Keighley, the show included several exciting announcements, such as a collaboration between game creator Hideo Kojima and Hollywood director Jordan Peele. The show also revealed that actor Matthew McConaughey would be the lead in the upcoming sci-fi action game Exodus. Trailers for new installments in popular game franchises like Prince Of Persia and Monster Hunter were also showcased.
Despite the exciting announcements, some viewers felt that the show failed to address the challenges faced by the gaming industry throughout the year. Several major developers, including Epic Games, Naughty Dog, Crystal Dynamics, and CD Projekt Red, had to lay off thousands of employees. The show was also criticized for not giving winners enough time for acceptance speeches and for not inviting all winners on stage.
The Game Awards was streamed on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, reaching a vast audience. Last year's show was watched by 103 million people. As the gaming industry reflects on the challenges and successes of 2023, the Game Awards provided a platform to celebrate the best games of the year and showcase exciting upcoming releases.
themes: Los Angeles Nintendo The Game Awards Twitch USA Xbox PlayStation
