The biggest night in gaming is upon us once again! The Game Awards 2024 are streaming today, Thursday, December 12th, 2024. The show starts streaming at 4:30pm Pacific (7:30pm Eastern) and can be viewed through various platforms including The Game Awards channels below.
And along with the annual show comes my tradition of predicting the winners. Skipping the Esports and Content Creator categories, because I do not follow any of those. After the predictions there will be a couple of hopeful announcement predictions as well.
Here are the Gamewrote predictions for The Game Awards 2024.
Most Anticipated Game
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Ghost of Yotei
Grand Theft Auto VI (Prediction)
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Monster Hunter Wilds
Best Adaptation
Arcane
Fallout (Prediction)
Knuckles
Like a Dragon: Yakuza
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
Best Multiplayer
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Predication)
Helldivers 2
Super Mario Party Jamboree
Tekken 8
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Best Sports/Racing
F1 2024
EA Sports FC 25 (Prediction)
NBA 2K25
Top Spin 2K25
WWE 2K24
Best Sim/Strategy
Age of Mythology: Retold
Frostpunk 2
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Manor Lords (Prediction)
Unicorn Overlord
Best Family
Astro Bot (Prediction)
Princess Peach: Showtime!
Super Mario Party Jamboree
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
The Plucky Squire
Best Fighting
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
Multiversus
Tekken 8 (Prediction)
Best RPG
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Metaphor: Refantazio (Prediction)
Best Action/Adventure
Astro Bot
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Silent Hill 2 (Prediction)
Star Wars Outlaws
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Best Action Game
Black Myth: Wukong
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Helldivers 2 (Prediction)
Stellar Blade
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Best VR/AR
Arizona Sunshine Remake
Asgard’s Wrath 2
Batman: Arkham Shadow (Prediction)
Metal: Hellsinger VR
Metro Awakening
Best Mobile Game
AFK Journey
Balatro (Prediction)
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
Wuthering Waves
Zenless Zone Zero
Best Debut Indie Game
Animal Well
Balatro (Prediction)
Manor Lords
Pacific Drive
The Plucky Squire
Best Independent Game
Animal Well
Balatro (Prediction)
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Neva
UFO 50
Best Community Support
Baldur’s Gate 3
Final Fantasy XIV
Fortnite
Helldivers 2
No Man’s Sky (Prediction)
Best Ongoing
Destiny 2
Diablo IV (Prediction)
Final Fantasy XIV
Fortnite
Helldivers 2
Best For Impact
Indika
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
Closer the Distance (Prediction)
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Life is Strange: Double Exposure
Neva
Innovation in Accessibility
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Diablo IV
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Star Wars Outlaws (Prediction)
Best Performance
Briana White, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Hannah Telle, Life is Strange: Double Exposure
Humberly Gonzalez, Star Wars Outlaws
Luke Roberts, Silent Hill 2
Melina Juergens, Senuas’s Saga: Hellblade II (Prediction)
Best Audio Design
Astro Bot (Prediction)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Silent Hill 2
Best Score and Music
Astro Bot
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth (Prediction)
Metaphor: Refantazio
Silent Hill 2
Stellar Blade
Best Art Direction
Astro Bot
Black Myth: Wukong
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree (Prediction)
Metaphor: Refantazio
Neva
Best Narrative
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Metaphor: Refantazio (Prediction)
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Silent Hill 2
Best Game Direction
Astro Bot
Balatro
Black Myth: Wukong
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree (Prediction)
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Metaphor: Refantazio
Game of the Year
Astro Bot
Balatro
Black Myth: Wukong
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Metaphor: Refantazio (Prediction)
Now for a couple hopeful predictions on some announcements for this years show.
The most obvious one that everyone is likely hoping for would be anything Grand Theft Auto 6, this isn’t very likely, but who wouldn’t want to see more of the game. But Rockstar really doesn’t need to do anything to sell this game, it will be the biggest release of all time whenever it releases, especially as we get further into this console generation. There will be so many XBOX Series X/S and so many PS5s out there that this game will be massive.
More likely prediction would be the trailer for The Last of Us season 2, Geoff has a good relationship with Neil Druckmann it seems and this is the biggest event that they can likely tie the trailer to, there is not show running right now on HBO/Max that has a reliable audience like a Game of Thrones to tie a trailer to. The Game Awards seems like the best bang for their buck on impact releasing the long awaited trailer for season 2 of the hit show.
Along with the probable appearance of Neil Druckmann for The Last of Us season 2, there will hopefully also be the one more thing…The new IP from Naughty Dog. I would hope this comes as suggested at the end of the show, which would free up another big announcement earlier in the show. Another very, very longshot, the Uncharted whatever it is next from a non Naughty Dog Studio. I put this likelihood and virtually zero, but wishful thinking here.
From XBOX it would be great to see something Halo, but their rebranding wasn’t that long ago, so it doesn’t seem likely. However XBOX did have that incredible XBOX Games Showcase back in the summer, so perhaps a follow up on the new Gears title or Perfect Dark would land well here.
It would also be very likely we see whatever Kojima is working on with XBOX as well as a showing from Death Stranding 2, these would presumably come at different points of the show being that they are from competing brands obviously. But we know Geoff loves himself some Hideo Kojima, and there will likely be no shortage of his presence at this years show.
We know that we are getting Borderlands 4 at the show, I have been waiting for the series to feel right since the second game. Hopefully this new one will looks more fast paced, smooth, and show off the variations of the new/returning vault hunters. The original was a really unique look and feel and the sequel pushed it a bit further and had some great character classes, hope the new one is a true return to form.
And as always a few evergreen wishful thinking ideas, the return of Jet Motto or Motorstorm would be a welcome return. Or finally dusting off Syphon Filter for the modern era or more reasonable relaunching Resistance or any number of the long dormant IP from PlayStation. Or in the XBOX camp the long hoped return of Banjo-Kazooie or Conker’s Bad Fur Day, not as familiar with what IP they are sitting on, but be bold people.
But no matter what games win at this year’s show and what gets announced, we should all be happy we get this night every year. And we should all be thankful of the work Geoff Keighley does throughout the year to give the industry events like this and Summer Games Fest.
Comment here, follow @Gamewrote on Twitter, Threads, and Instagram to interact more, and lastly please share the content if you enjoyed reading it yourself.
Hi! Zach here, the founder and owner and writer and whatever else of Gamewrote. Some of you, not too many, but some may know me from my brief stint with PlayStation at San Diego Studio when I had the great fortune to work as an Online Community Specialist on their Games As A Service titles, Drawn To Death, GUNS UP!, and Kill Strain. Although rather brief, it provided some incredible incite into the industry and certainly made me realize the immense work and teamwork it takes to make videogames come to be. Now, however without further ado…
What is Gamewrote
Gamewrote can likely be best described as a passion project, a slow burn to keep myself engaged in writing about the industry I love the most. Being born in the 80s was perfect timing for someone who would grow to be a fan of videogames. With Atari and Intellivision already available, getting to grow up with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Mario Bros all the way to current day with the potential of the PlayStation 5 or the streaming convenience of an XBOX Series S. There truly is no entertainment medium that can compare to videogames, sure you can get lost in the story of a good book, see the action unfold in your favorite comic, see and feel the emotion of a great or thrilling movie. But videogames is the most in depth medium, it allows you to fully immerse yourself into it. Just look at a series like Grand Theft Auto from where it started with the original GTA to GTA:V (And soon GTA6!), the quality and scope of a game like that is unparalleled in other forms of media.
Main: Grand Theft Auto V’s trio, Insert: Grand Theft Auto PS1
No, Really…What is Gamewrote?
If you’ve made it to this point or if you’ve seen any previous content from here or elsewhere you might wonder, “Is there a meaning to GameWrote?”. And that’s a great question and…there is! The first part is rather obvious, Game comes from videogames. During my very fortunate couple years in the industry, I met tons of amazing people both in terms of my coworkers and peers in the industry. Along with meeting countless numbers of fellow fans of the industry at conventions, meetups, and other events during my time. Gaming is a truly unique, incredibly bonding form of entertainment, generating a great range of emotions, unique experiences, and captivating journeys.
And the Wrote portion comes from the written word obviously, but also from my favorite live theatre show Hamilton: An American Musical. Throughout the show there is a prevailing theme of Alexander Hamilton having a seemingly nonstop obsession with writing with “I wrote my way out” being a key line in the song “Hurricane”. Hamilton uses his writing to pull himself out of poverty, out of scandal or perhaps further into it, and as a way to help shape the founding of the United States of America. Now I’m certainly not in such a dire situation as poverty or scandal, but for myself it’s the hope that my writing can lead to leaving a regular job and making a living from game content. Full disclosure though I’m not holding my breath for this, but one can dream.
Why is Gamewrote
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, it’s a way to keep myself engaged and keep some creativity flowing. This will hopefully lead to some constructive, mostly positive dialogue among fellow gaming friends online as well. And if somehow it leads me to be able to make money or potentially earn a living back in that industry even better.
When is Gamewrote
Currently the goal is to write at least one post per month, with the hope of getting to twice a month, then weekly, and one day time and life permitting to be able to cover industry related occurrences up to speed in as close to real time as possible. Also on occasion there will be some live tweeting of events such as The Game Awards or if a particular company does a showcase or press conference or insert what they call it here. Currently while there are plenty of things lined up to write/post about there is no certain or guarantied cadence for updates, although getting to a more consistent timed schedule would be the ideal goal in time.
Where is Gamewrote
First and foremost right here at http://www.Gamewrote.com, additionally on social media @Gamewrote on both Twitter and Instagram. Periodically gameplay footage can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@zat_thomas, recently played through Spider-Man: Miles Morales in preparation for Spider-Man 2 and uploaded that playthrough. And lastly if you want to send a Friend Request on PSN SD-Zach, don’t use that account as a primary, but eventually there could be some Twitch streaming and possibly some game with the community sessions. If there is something you enjoy on the page, please share with your friends, co-workers, peers, etc. any support goes a long ways.
Comment here and please follow @GameWrote on Twitter and Instagram to interact more with me.
While time has not permitted me to post nearly as much as I would like on here for quite some time, figured it would be a nice quick post to predict The Game Awards 2022. With the show airing Thursday, December 8th, now is the perfect time to throw out predictions on a majority of the categories and add a few predictions or more possible a few wishlist items for the show. First up, here are the categories, nominations, and my predicted winner for them, I skipped a handful of categories that I have no interest in, but most are covered below. Mind you these are not necessarily what I feel should win for the categories but what I think will win, Horizon and As Dusk Falls would win much more if it was what I felt should win.
And the nominees are…
Game Of The Year: Predicted Winner: Elden Ring
A Plague Tale: Requiem
Elden Ring
God Of War Ragnarok
Horizon Forbidden West
Stray
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Best Game Direction: Predicted Winner: God Of War Ragnarok
Elden Ring
God Of War Ragnarok
Horizon Forbidden West
Immortality
Stray
Best Narrative: Predicted Winner: God Of War Ragnarok
A Plague Tale: Requiem
Elden Ring
God Of War Ragnarok
Horizon Forbidden West
Immortality
Best Art Direction: Predicted Winner: Horizon Forbidden West
Elden Ring
God Of War Ragnarok
Horizon Forbidden West
Scorn
Stray
Best Score and Music: Predicted Winner: God Of War Ragnarok
A Plague Tale: Requiem
Elden Ring
God Of War Ragnarok
Metal: Hellsinger
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Best Audio Design: Predicted Winner: Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Elden Ring
God Of War Ragnarok
Gran Turismo 7
Horizon Forbidden West
Best Performance: Predicted Winner: God Of War Ragnarok, Christopher Judge
Horizon Forbidden West, Ashly Burch
A Plague Tale: Requiem, Charlotte McBurney
God Of War Ragnarok, Christopher Judge
Immortality, Manon Gage
God Of War Ragnarok, Sunny Suljic
Games For Impact: Predicted Winner: As Dusk Falls
A Memoir Blue
As Dusk Falls
Citizen Sleeper
Endling-Extinction Is Forever
Hindsight
I Was A Teenage Exocolonist
Best Ongoing: Predicted Winner: Fortnite
Apex Legends
Destiny 2
Final Fantasy XIV
Fortnite
Genshin Impact
Best Indie: Predicted Winner: Stray
Cult Of The Lamb
Neon White
Sifu
Stray
Tunic
Best Mobile Game: Predicted Winner: Marvel Snap
Apex Legends Mobile
Diablo Immortal
Genshin Impact
Marvel Snap
Tower Of Fantasy
Best Action Game: Predicted Winner: Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Bayonetta 3
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Neon White
Sifu
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Best Action/Adventure: Predicted Winner: Horizon Forbidden West
A Plague Tale: Requiem
God Of War Ragnarok
Horizon Forbidden West
Stray
Tunic
Best Role Playing: Predicted Winner: Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Elden Ring
Live A Live
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Triangle Strategy
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Best Fighting: Predicted Winner: Sifu
DNF Duel
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R
The King Of Fighters XV
Multiversus
Sifu
Best Family: Predicted Winner: Splatoon 3
Kirby And The Forgotten Land
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope
Nintendo Switch Sports
Splatoon 3
Best Sim/Strategy: Predicted Winner: Victoria 3
Dune: Spice Wars
Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope
Total War: Warhammer III
Two Point Campus
Victoria 3
Best Sports/Racing: Predicted Winner: NBA 2K23
F1 22
FIFA 23
NBA 2K23
Gran Turismo 7
Olliolli World
Best Multiplayer: Predicted Winner: Overwatch 2
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Multiversus
Overwatch 2
Splatoon 3
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Best Indie Debut:Predicted Winner: Tunic
Neon White
Norco
Stray
Tunic
Vampire Survivors
Most Anticipated Game: Predicted Winner: The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Final Fantasy XVI
Hogwarts Legacy
Resident Evil 4
Starfield
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Now with that covered here are a few predictions, then a few wishlist items.
Predictions
Fairly good look at whatever the next/new Silent Hill game is
Game set in the Knives Out movie setting, maybe it’s a Tell Tale style game, or perhaps a point and click game
New Kojima game, probably XBOX exclusive
Gameplay trailer for Spiderman sequel
Trailer for Wolverine game, probably not gameplay
Grounded update maybe a bit of a roadmap
Ghosts Of Tsushima sequel teaser
The Legend Of Zelda trailer
At least one new Marvel Studio property announced
Assassins Creed update
BioShock update
Wishlist
Next Elders Scrolls title teaser with tentative release window
Sunset Overdrive for PS5 and announcement of sequel
The Last Of Us multiplayer game release date, beta info, and trailer
Infamous remake or potentially a new title from a different PS Studio
Animal Crossing Update, DLC, something for the game/series
Syphon Filter is back!!! Alright this won’t happen, but I can always dream
I genuinely feel like this year’s show will be a lot bigger on the announcements and reveals, the past few years were rough with all the reasonable Covid issues, studios overhauling workloads and schedules to adapt to work from home and remote/hybrid roles. But it feels like the industry is turning the corner over the past few months and we will finally start to see the new/next generation take off. These first few years have been underwhelming to a large degree and next year should be the shift needed to push the next gen consoles to feel like there is actual separation from the PS4/XBOXone generation.
The Game Awards will be streaming Live on Thursday, December 8th at 4:30PM PST. Links below should put you through to the Twitch or YouTube stream from The Game Awards, and there are some prizes to be earned through watching on Twitch, check out @thegameawards on Twitter for details on that. And follow @GameWrote on Twitter (https://twitter.com/GameWrote) for some likely live tweeting on announcements.
GameWrote 