No matter how you look at The Game Awards, the ceremony in 2024 was with the best of them. There were more winners than last year allowed, and there were plenty of races that were too tight to open the envelope. The statements were consistent and included some offense, some heavy hitters, and some heavy hitters. It's even tried to address the show's problems, though often with company-approved Muppet jabs that sound less like an apology and more like turning to bad press.
And yet, there I important changes this year. The winners were given more time to make their speeches, although many of the awards were passed without much grace. Swen Vincke, presenting the Game of the Year, went longer this year than last year when Baldur's Gate 3 actually won, and used that time effectively – both took a shot at 'the inappropriate behavior of the team last year, but also to ask the studio to allow the game to be born in creativity and art, not the demographic market or the preservation of the audience. But most importantly, there was Amir Satvat.
Game Changers need to be valued every year
When the ceremony stopped for VT in Satvat, who was given the first Game Changer award for his work helping the devil find new opportunities, I admit I rolled my eyes. It seems that The Game Awards used it to replace Future Class, which celebrated the diverse range of talented people in the game and represented diversity through the power of collective bargaining (in dasa wrote an open letter to Keighley asking him to address the issues inside and outside the game, including a request to mention Palestine in the show, which was ignored). One person, chosen to be non-controversial and keep the message of the game, seems to be a compromise.
The Game Awards didn't give me the benefit of the doubt. When the uplifting video started, I was depressed. For viewers who weren't smart enough to watch, this might have been a fair trade for Future Class, or they might not have drawn that link at all and simply thought Satvat was a cool guy. But my first thought is that this new award, Game Changer, is a way to get the better praise of the Future Class with a greater ability to check candidates for thorn disruptors, and make them to stand alone and not with the voice of the people.
This attitude was not helped by the fact that, at the beginning of the show, The Game Awards featured a former triple-A developer of the indie mobile platform with TreesPlease Games. A motivational speech about changing the environment has turned into a pseudo-marketing for Longleaf Valley, an uninspired puzzle game. I'm sure the company is doing a good job, and environmental causes are obviously important right now on our planet, but this game seems to be below the level of creativity. and artistic value that The Game Awards should highlight. I thought Game Changer was a great moment for the show, made to seem like it was saying something without actually saying anything. Then Satvat came up on the platform.
Amir Satvat's speech should be about the game award
I was surprised that he was even on stage. If the award was Class Future, there were videos for two of the most famous names that made the cut, then the rest of the names were buried in the link on The Game Awards website. However, in a show filled with long trailers and blockbusters, and with more time devoted to game-based award winners, the show still allowed him to speak at length, and it became the highlight of the party.
He didn't say anything about destroying the land. Vincke's dismissal of the principle of first interest is far sharper. But it's raw, emotional. He cried. He spoke from the heart. That's what an award show is all about. You love me, you really love me! It's great that Okami is back, Intergalactic looks great, of course the title of The Witcher 4. But at its core, The Game Awards is an awards show, and I'd like to see more of the human element there. behind the scenes.
“I love video games with all my heart,” Satvat said. “To all game developers everywhere, you are found and valued and our community will always be there to help you.” He thanked his parents, and cried. Usually, the few people chosen to speak at The Game Awards are big name devs used to the spotlight, and speak like promoters. The indie devs (which are rare) and the players (who have a single award) are where the recognition and emotions come from. Satvat delivered the much-needed dose of anxious appreciation. That's what award shows are for.
Satvat's speech reminded me of my favorite speech at The Game Awards, when That Dragon, Cancer won in 2016 for Games for Impact. To underline my point about the ceremony losing its identity, it is no longer an award given the opportunity to speak, although it is often a diverse category with the most interesting stories behind it. That Dragon, Cancer's tearful speech was given by creator Ryan Green, whose wife Amy wrote the game, and praised their young son whose death from cancer was something they would remember. How many times like this have we lost over the years to hearing that the GrubHubTGA code gets you a free Coke with a medium pizza?
Few people will talk about Satvat's speech afterwards. Not as cool a moment as Elden Ring's collaboration. But such a time Moa The Game Awards. It might not have gotten 100 million viewers, it might not have gotten the headlines, it might not have made the show a profitable behemoth. But all of this is built on the backs of people doing things we love. The 2024 show seemed to understand that more than usual, and that's what I'll remember.
The Game Awards
Founded by Geoff Keighley, The Game Awards is a video game event focused on celebrating the best titles of the year, with an emphasis on announcements and promos for upcoming releases.
