
Update []: Elden Ring expansion Shadow of the Erdtree being nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024 has really rubbed people the wrong way. Yesterday, we reported on the backlash across social media — with most of the criticism aimed squarely at The Game Awards host and organiser Geoff Keighley.
We thought the whole thing would die down overnight, but negativity's still out in full force. Case in point: Kinda Funny Games' Greg Miller dared to speak out on the nomination, arguing that DLC is a game, and "if it's that good, it should be honoured".
The obvious counterargument here — that many onlookers have made — is that it should probably be honoured in its own DLC category, instead of taking up a spot on the big Game of the Year list.
Indeed, the poll we've been hosting at the bottom of this very article has received over 1,000 votes at the time of writing. We ask if DLC should ever be nominated for Game of the Year, and the vast majority of readers — a whopping 83% — have replied with "no, of course not".
Add that to the aforementioned social media backlash, and it's becoming abundantly clear that most gamers don't agree with the nomination on a fundamental level. Granted, we're not expecting Shadow of the Erdtree to actually win the ultimate award at Geoff's December shindig, but it's still going to go down as one of the most controversial picks in the event's history.
Original Story: In case you missed it, Elden Ring expansion Shadow of the Erdtree has been officially nominated for Game of the Year at next month's The Game Awards 2024. And guess what? The DLC's inclusion has sparked a substantial backlash across social media, Reddit, and even the comments sections of sites just like Push Square.
The Game Awards host and organiser Geoff Keighley is taking the criticism face-on via X, where he's asking people for their thoughts on the nominees and what the "biggest surprise" is. The replies are exactly what you'd expect, with some of the more popular posts garnering just as much engagement as Geoff's own conversation starter.
The overwhelming argument is that DLC simply shouldn't be up for an award like Game of the Year — with an emphasis on Game.
But it gets worse. Suspicions were raised over the weekend, when an update to The Game Awards' official website revealed that DLC can indeed be nominated for Game of the Year. The timing of this update immediately led to concerns regarding the whole process.
Lo and behold, just days after the update, Shadow of the Erdree is nominated for the ultimate prize — as if Geoff and the gang had anticipated the potential backlash.
Now, it should be noted that this particular Game of the Year award is decided by critics. And, according to The Game Awards' website, DLC has always been eligible for Game of the Year — if it garners enough support from said critics.
So, it's assumed that Shadow of the Erdtree is simply that well-regarded by gaming publications; its quality apparently warrants a place alongside the likes of Astro Bot, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Black Myth: Wukong, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and Balatro.
To be fair, the expansion commands a thoroughly impressive score of 94 on Metacritic — but many would argue that's not the point (ourselves included, for what it's worth).
But what do you make of all this? Do you take The Game Awards seriously to begin with? Should DLC ever be considered for Game of the Year? Feel free to rant in the comments section below.
Should DLC ever be considered for Game of the Year? (2,104 votes)
- Yes, I don't see why not
- No, of course not
[source x.com]
Comments 120
In my opinion, if you can’t play a DLC without owning the original base game, then it should never be in the conversation for “game” of the year.
stellar blade, yakuza, silent hill should have been there instead
Why wasnt Space Marine 2 nominated? Thats my GOTY for sure.
Have always liked Geoff and game awards but hope this is last year for both.
It should be allowed to be in the conversation, but the critics need better taste. Because this isn't a dry year, Stellar Blade, Silent Hill, Space Marine 2, etc. deserve the spot
I don't care.
It is a made up award by a self appointed arbiter of the industry and its creative merit who also just happens to make a tonne of cash off it.
If he wants to put DLC in the list it is entirely up to him and the rest of his business buddies.
If you don't like it then just stop paying it any attention.
Leaving out games like Stellar Blade to include this was just wrong.
Why do I think from this carry on that SoE was (maybe still is) going to win!
Helldivers 2 not being nominated is crazy!
DLCs should have their own category because it doesnt really fit into the ongoing category either. Remakes should also have a separare category, even if its made from the ground up. GOTY should be new games, sequels only.
Also, my personal GOTY is Stellar Blade and Im not upset its not nominated but I hope it wins something, especially music.
It depends on the DLC to me. Shadow of the Erdtree takes 25 hours to finish and 51 to do everything, Astro Bot takes 12 to finish and about 17 to do everything. This DLC is more substantial than a full priced game. It's like The Witcher 3 Blood & Wine too - bigger, longer and better than most non-DLC games. It seems weird to ignore them because of a term that doesn't really sum up what it covers - e.g. Blood & Wine is DLC, so is a bikini in DoA, so is some BGM for DQXI. So with that term we're covering an expansion to game, a skin, and some music - all DLC.
My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined. Stellar Blade's exclusion is what radicalises me
Should have just made a "best DLC" category if Jeff wanted Elden Ring to be nominated again.
My vote still goes to FFVII Rebirth but games like Stellar Blade, Space Marine and Silent Hill 2 Remake were robbed.
Probably also unrelated but another questionable move they did was nominating multiversus again for fighting game of the year, even though Geoff stated that he wouldn't nominate it again.
Though I guess between this and jujutsu kaisen, better to go for the former.
Rightfully deserved criticism. It's GAME of the year, not whatever of the year. Plus Elden Ring has already the spotlight.
Best DLC award would solve all of this.
People getting annoyed at Geoff over this of all things is the funny part.
Shadow of the Erdtree, despite only being an extension, is of more substance than many other games mentioned here. In the past, when time periods between two releases were shorter and this kind of DLC was not technically feasible, SotE would have been its own game. Same with Phantom Liberty. MW3 meanwhile is a prime example for a stand-aolne game which is more like a full-price DLC with LESS substance than SotE and PL.
So: Allowing MW3 while blocking SotE and PL?
Infinite Wealth and Helldivers II losing a potential nomination over DLC is pure nonsense.
At this rate, who even cares about TGA anymore.
Isn’t there a better game award show out there?
If DLC and Expansions has always been able to be nominated for GOTY just from Critics choice, Blood and Wine ( a 92 meta score and 9.3 user score) should have been nominated as GOTY too back then.
That fact that Erdtree stole another potential GOTY award from a full-game like Infinite Wealth shouldn't give this guy a pass.
Changing the rule at the 11th hour just to include Erdtree is really disingenuous and highly biased. Stop watching it and stop engaging it, stop giving this clown a platform.
I agreed DLC shouldn't be GotY but i'm not mad at Mr Doritos since this is his event. As the producer / host, he can create whatever rules that he thinks will garner more views despite people disagreed with his decisions.
But again, i never take TGA seriously and only watch it for world premier trailer and funny moments like Kratos making joke of COD or some random kid crashing the stage.
For a more serious gaming award, i only check BAFTA and Playstation Partner Awards where the rules is mainly based on sales except fans favorite category.
Game Awards Show is not for gamers, more for creators and definitely advertisers. I don't care.
I personally feel like a great game got robbed a nomination here. Whatever title would have taken that sixth spot, I think it's a shame they'll now never get it.
Don't get me wrong, I respect and appreciate Erdtree. It deserves acclaim — but perhaps part of a Best DLC or Best Expansion category instead.
@QiaraIris i think blood and wine won best rpg at some year. Maybe 2016?
I love how people actually thought Geoff was a good guy. He has alwasy been a leech just trying to make money and a name for himself on the backs of others. If the developers had any class they would remove themselves from the awards. I wonder who he'll kick off stage this year during a speech. I'm sure Kojima will be there for no reason and get plenty of spotlight.
How in the flipping heck is Silent Hill 2 not even on the list here. The amount of work that went into that game — sound, haptics, etc. — is worthy of nomination.
I’ve never watched a game awards and now I’m for sure never going to. Credibility is non-existent.
As others are saying, why can’t DLC just be in its own category for best dlc?!
My biggest problem with this is it just takes away a chance for an actual NEW game to be nominated. I always thought the point of these award shows was to celebrate games released in that particular year.
Elden Ring is great. It won GOTY. It already got its flowers then. Shadow of the Erdtree is just more of that same game. Still great but still Elden Ring.
Make a "Best DLC" category if you must but this just has no place in GOTY 2024 talks. Period.
Edit: But then I remember this is the award show that nominated Sifu (no shade, great game) for best fighting game so why should we be surprised? 😂
To add to it, I feel as if a previous winner should not be nominated again. Elden Ring already won GoTY once.
IDK how much credibility TGA had in the first place, but they will forfeit all remaining credibility if they award GOTY to Elden Ring's DLC.
Also I agree they should just make a separate award for DLC of the year.
As soon as I saw the press release the day before I knew that they were trying to prep us for Elden Rings Erdtree DLC to be nominated for game of the year. I personally feel that dlc should not qualify, remasters shouldn’t qualify either. I do think remakes should qualify, this would also help fix the whole remake/remaster issues. There were discussions last year or the year before about how Cyberpunk was in the live service category for its Liberty City DLC which was absurd. Them constantly having to release updates to fix the game doesn’t qualify for a live service. While I know that there are more prestigious award events for games and developers out there, the game awards can try to be more relevant.
Why not just choose by popularity and sales? VBucks and Shark Cards can be GOTY every year forever and ever!
Hell no it shouldn’t have been nominated and it only further shows that The Game Awards is a joke of a show
Rightfully so its getting flak. Elden Ring was considered at last year’s awards and won. DLC is not and should never be considered for GOTY. You cannot play it without first owning the base game and that base game will have been considered.
Pretty ridiculous decision and it cheapens these awards even further.
Edit: it won 2022, not 2023.
Uh final fantasy 14 shadowbringers was not allowed a nomination so I call ***** on there claim 😌
He's just sn engagement farmer at this point, of course dlc shouldn't be included, just give it it's own section.
How can something be GOTY when it's barrier to entry is buying it's base game and then having to play that for 20 odd hours first?
DLC??? Really?
What's next?...Fix and Patch of the Year?
Yeah, who cares, dlc was as big as most games nowadays.
Feels weird to have DLC up for GOTY, regardless of the scope or quality. Elden Ring is one of the best games of all time, so Erdtree providing an additional 50+ hours of new content is worthy of celebration… but this doesn’t seem like the right way to do it.
There’s millions of GoTY awards with so many companies offering one.
I don’t think dlc should be there at all.
Also don’t think black myth should be there. Yes it sold a lot, it’s not a bad game, but it’s also not up there with the very best imo.
I'm on the fence with this. I looooooved Shadow of the Erdtree. But it was NOT as good as the base game. Also, a DLC as GotY just feels weird. DLC of the year easily, but that doesn't roll of the tongue very well.
@PsBoxSwitchOwner yeah I really loved that game even got the plat but it’s inclusion shocked me just as much as Elden Ring DLC.
How hard would it have been to make a DLC expansion category? If there aren’t enough good ones for one year, make it a biannual award. Boom, bam, done. Makes everyone happy
I’ll be honest, I don’t like the nomination. I was personally disappointed in Erdtree as it didn’t rekindle my feelings for Elden Ring and as a result, I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much. But…. It is the highest reviewed DLC of all time, so I’m not mad. Realistically, I don’t feel there were six valid GotY entries this year. I know many will disagree with me on that, but that’s my opinion.
I always look at GotY as "new game releases of the year" which DLC and Expansions don't fall under that. They're just that, expanding the content of a game that's already released.
Witcher 3's Blood and Wine DLC should've been nominated the year it released then.
A 7/10 dlc of a 7/10 game. So I'm not impressed. It fixed a few issues, added a lot more issues, it was poorly balanced, the world was emptier than the base game which was already empty. The bosses were mixed to good, final boss sucked. new weapons were lackluster, open world bosses are still repeats!!! and ***** the GIANTS.
The funniest part is all the people who think TGA's actually mean anything. 😅 It's a shallow event with no real integrity or substance beyond the occasional bit of spectacle and some game reveals (the whole thing is mostly a glorified sponsorship platform for a few industry egos).
But for what it's worth, I agree with the consensus that DLC doesn't belong in a game of the year category, FromSoftware cultists be damned. DLC should have it's own category, and there are many other games that better deserve this GOTY spot.
Totally stupid. I’m sure it’s great, but Elden Ring has had its moment already, and DLC for game of the year? Nah... Personally I’d rather see Stellar Blade on there, or Silent Hill 2, or Echoes of Wisdom, or sh*t, how about some love for the incredible Animal Well ?!?!
@Major_Player “Best console stability update” right around the corner next!
Well if I needed any less reason to not be interested in Elden Ring, it would definitely be this. Seriously, this is a joke, like all award shows…
Honestly with all the hype and everyone around Stellar Blade, that SHOULD be GOTY. I finally got it yesterday, it’s taking a bit for me to warm up to it. I of course don’t care about awards, but this is ridiculous. Even Silent Hill 2 remake should be in the running since everyone seemed to love that one.
The real snub this year is Unicorn Overlord.
Just make a separate category ffs. Might even force developers to make worth-wild dlc for story ads ons.
Meh. They can do whatever they want.
I see the logic in nominating a standalone DLC, even if I wouldn't necessarily do it myself. Regardless, not my show to run; they can nominate Super Mario Run for 2024 GotY for all I care.
@Neverwild The last year for Geoff? I think that sounded more ominous than you meant it too.
I understand them wanting to celebrate/honor DLC, which can help drive the quality of DLC up across the industry. However, highlighting DLC content in its own major category seems more appropriate. Then again, DLC can enhance the experience of a game and have an impact beyond just the new story content. I see what they were going for on a number of fronts, but I’d still rather there be a new category introduced (Best DLC or Expansion).
C'mon guys. Of course Geoff only decided remasters are eligible so he can give GOTY to SHADOWS OF THE DAMNED HELLA REMASTERED. Magnifico, Geoff and TGA!!!
It’s fine. I feel like it should depend on the dlc. Shadow was pretty much a whole new game for the amount of hours got out of it. Phantom liberty 100% should have taken it last year.
@Ashina agreed 👍
The Game Awards sucks ass, just a reminder.....
...and the award for Best Car of the Year goes to
...
....
BMW Custom Window Tint !!! Congratulations!!!
@Wario_Waha But it literally is not separate. You have to already own (and have played a significant amount of) Elden Ring before you can play Erdtree.
The category is Game of the Year; Erdtree is an add-on for a game. In other words, it isn't a full game in its own right. It shouldn't be eligible.
I think DLC should have its own category, where Erdtree would likely take the award, but it feels out of place among full games. It doesn't matter how good it is.
@Quintumply I don't mind. If it's good enough, it's good enough imo. If they suddenly released it as a standalone £35, which they could, would people feel the same? When the gameplay you actually play would be identical? It's more a content delivery method than anything else. We are judging the gameplay right, not the delivery method? 'Game' of the Year is just the short title, the descriptions says what is included, and it includes expansions.
But I don't feel too strongly, whereas others seem genuinely mad. lol. At the end of the day all drama like this is good publicity for TGAs. Like 'Indies' v 'Independent' last year... either way Geoff wins.
@colonelkilgore Think this took it's spot
@Wario_Waha You need a copy of Elden Ring to play it, so no it isn't "separate".
Theres a difference between a dlc and an expansion. Should expansions be elligable? Blood and Wine, Phantom Liberty, Shadow of the Erdtree? New mechanics, new areas, new storylines. They could release these as sequels almost. The issue is just that they don't get a standalone release. So . . . in some cases . . . yeah. Why not?
It's so stupid. But then so are the game awards generally.
Just have an Expansion/DLC award. Having a non-standalone DLC win game of the year is stupid. You could kinda argue it for a standalone one since it's its own thing. But additional content to an existing game is just that. If DLC is okay then why didn't Phantom Liberty get a nod? What about Blood & Wine? What about Shadowbringers or Endwalker from Final Fantasy XIV?
Not into it.
@Rezium I read it the exact same way lol.
Blink there times if you're in danger, Geoff.
I'm in agreement, as much as I loved playing SotE it cannot be considered a separate entity as it's reliant on owning and having played a lot of Elden Ring. Give it it's own DLC category and it wins hands down, but would anyone say the Valhalla expansion from God of War: Ragnarok should be eligible for entry? It's technically got an even lower bar for entry considering it was also a free addition. No, because it's an add-on, not something that can be experienced as its own entity.
Like others have said, have a DLC or expansion award.
Should have a dlc category.
@DonJorginho Exactly! If it was a standalone maybe. But requiring the base game? absolutely not. Stellar blade deserves that spot way more.
I've said it elsewhere but imagine thinking SoTE wasn't a game, what is it then? A Banana Split?
@QiaraIris Guess what won best RPG in 2016? That's right Blood and Wine! But I guess that doesn't matter.
You say it's obvious it won't win. But you don't know for sure. I remember nobody expected sekiro to win and it did. Just being elden ring will get it a win.
I really don't see what the problem is...
A videogame expansion is by definition a video game. Shadow of the Erdtree is also very good, in a year of good games but nothing that really pops out like Baldur's Gate 3.
Also, if you need validation in your gaming choices by a marketing show like the game awards, you are not playing for the right reasons. I am absolutely baffled by the fact that anyone likes Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. I think it's a cringy and weebo mess of a game that no self respecting adult should be playing. But if that wins Game of the year because people enjoy it more power to them! But at the end of the day it really doesn't impact player enjoyment at all.
I'm not sure what relevance TGA has, beyond keeping a roof over Dorito Pope's head tbh. It's a relic of the past, much like E3.
With the rise of digital platforms, player based game awards make more sense. Well advertised in platform, with an extended voting period. A hard requirement that you own and have put x number of hours into the game before being eligible for voting.
Assuming the nomination pools are large, it'll aid game discovery and the ultimate winner will reflect the sentiments of the platforms users.
@Medic_alert I also don't care, but all awards are "made up" awards
what ever Greg millers opinion is you know the opposite is correct
"Vast majority of gamers" reads to me like a much broader statement requiring much stronger evidence than "more than 1,000 votes" mentioned in the article.
@BigJoze yeah but there's made up by some guy who saw the chance to make some cash and then there is the industry itself celebrating its achievements over the last year
@Wario_Waha I understand your point, but whether it constitutes its own separate experience or not, it's still just part of a whole. If it was truly standalone that would be different.
I think the best solution would be a Best DLC or Best Additional Content category where stuff like Erdtree can be celebrated, and Best Game/Game of the Year can remain for full games. The way it is right now simply doesn't make sense to me.
@DonJorginho Shut the thread down. This is it. This is the entire argument.
If a full/"base" game is required to play, then it's not a game. It is DLC and should be judged as such. Is a Helldiver Warbond or Fortnite Battlepass eligible by their logic?
Games should be judged against games. DLC should be judged against DLC, so make a category for it.
If they want them to compete head on, then make some sort of "Best Gaming Experience" category and let them go head to head that way. But by default - and definition - DLC is NOT a game. Therefore it shouldn't be eligible for GOTY. Period.
Then you should change the event name. It’s Game of the year,not DLC of the year lol.
I've been calling the Game Awards a sham from the beginning. It always was a show for narcissists to circle-jerk.
I can't believe people are actually dumb enough to use Blood and Wine winning best RPG as a comparison.
Expansions and DLCs are always eligible for best game design, best narrative, best audio, etc, those are not the issues.
The issue specifically here is adding a DLC into GAME OF THE YEAR category where historically they are not eligible to be included. Until they changed it this year - at the 11th hour to boot - just to include SotE. That's what scummy about it.
And no, you shouldn't be cheering this practice so that it "raise the bar of future DLCs and expansions". Game of the Year award should always be reserved for a new complete game that raise the bar for that particular year. Not an expansion of the game released in another year. That's like saying "it's ok your initial game is a broken mess as long as you churn out 9/10 DLC to be considered in GOTY nomination". If they want to celebrate expansions, make a separate category.
I don't think I can't simplify this even further.
I know it's a hot take, but I thought Shadow of the Erdtree was trash, and I loved Elden Ring so much that I platinumed both the PS5 & PS4 versions within 3 months of release. I freaking loved me some Elden Ring. But the DLC I found boring, felt like I was forcing myself to play it, and gave up after a dozen hours or so.
The worst part about SOTE being nominated for GOTY isn't even the nomination itself, but more so the fact that its taking up a slot that an actual new game could of potentially had in its stead.
Personally I would have liked to see Dragon's Dogma 2 get that sixth slot. But now its relegated to the best RPG category where its up against, what do you know, SHADOW OF THE ERDTREE. What a surprise.
Such a shame that actual 2024 releases are getting snubbed by games that came out 2 years ago
Contents content. I think this is great news. I mean there is almost certainly more of a difference in budget and scope between Astro Bot and rebirth than there is Erd Tree and Black Myth so what's the problem? And if there is should indies be excluded from goty lists too? Just seems like a technicality at best, something people have taken to moan about again.
@Tchunga Shadow of the erd tree came out this year though, not two years ago, and has beaten Dragons Dogma 2 (and almost all the other noms) in every way (reviews scores, sales etc).
Of course it's fine to prefer Dragon Dogma 2, but Erd Tree has had the bigger impact and realistically should be in contention for the best game content of the year over other 'full' games.
I am not really an apologist, but I am more of a devil's advocate when it comes to some controversies within the gaming sphere, but I cannot abide by this decision. It's stupid and an obvious bribe to have Miyazaki show up for the awards this year. Guaranteed Turd Tree will now win, no point watching.
The award is "Game of the year" not "Paid DLC expansion of the year".
Shadow Of The Erdtree is not a standalone game, it's paid DLC you can't play without already owning and playing Elden Ring.
It's dumb that it's up for GOTY. Why not just make a separate award for best DLC of the year or something?
@Nf157 My point wasnt really that DD2 should have been nominated over SOTE. It was that it COULD have been nominated over it. There are plenty of other games that are deserving of that slot over SOTE. Silent Hill 2, Stellar Blade, Animal Well, Space Marine 2, ect. This year isn't exactly short on high quality releases to pick from
SOTE didn't release 2 years ago but Elden Ring did, which is needed to play SOTE. You see the problem? If SOTE had been a standalone game I'd be completely on board with what you're saying. But an extension of a pre existing game isn't a game in and of itself
As much as I love Erdtree and From Software's games, this is wrong. It shows a clear bias for a friend. If there's a From Software exclusive reveal for Geoffrey in the near future, things will look very suspect. It also seems odd to include it as it looks like a given to win now. Why include it if it's not going to win?
DLC is CONTENT. It’s not a game. It’s content for a game. Game of the Year should be reserved for a game and its released content during that year.
People let your voices be heard don't vote on the DLC.
@Nf157 It's DLC so no it should not be even be considered as a GOTY. Make it a seperate thing DLCOTY.
@Wario_Waha Yeah no it's not a seperate game you can't play it without Elden Ring. You even say it yourself it's nonsense it's not even a standalone DLC.
@DonJorginho that says it all. If I bought Erdtree today I could not even play it. I need to buy an almost 3 year old game first.
It would be like a film re-releasing with an additional 35% run time being nominated for the Academy Award. Nope. That idea Would be laughed at.
@Mintie Thats a failure on their part and you ask what it is it's DLC.
This is why we need REAL game awards with rules that aren't changed every year.
@Tchunga I don't really see the problem unfortunately.
Contents content, If a dlc out does 'full' games then there really shouldn't be a problem in it winning awards over them.
@McBurn nothing wrong with adapting and refining rules, the opposite would be remaining rigid and stuck in their ways.
@Flaming_Kaiser not much of an arguement there 😅
@Nf157: Didn't suggest that. The way it's now it's "adapting" way too often and for the wrong - mostly financial - reasons.
@McBurn I mean the 'wrong' reasons is definitely subjective.
The big companies coukd easily get around this by releasing all major DLC as standalone, just as maybe a slightly higher cost, say £30-£40. They coukd still have the DLC purchasable as an add on at lesser cost. The only real argument against it (which tbh is the only argument needed) is that you can't play the DLC without owning the main gane. In terms of quality, and even length, you Shadow is easily up there with the top releases
i bet half the people who are upset won't even watch the award show anyways. so why would they even care?
"DLC, expansion packs, remakes, remasters, and even new seasons of existing games are eligible for Game of the Year".
In that case, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection certainly should be among that got snubbed.
This is just money talking. This industry wants to be taken seriously as art form, but the game awards is run by a playboy that do what he pleases.
It’s larger and more detailed than many full games so why not. It’s not FROMSOFT’s fault that other developers phone it in and don’t try.
@Medic_alert I think that people are missing the point... the games are selected by the "panel" ... not Geoff. The "panel" is made up of game journalists (and friends). It would appear that they voted pretty strongly for ER-DLC to be included... because they have little to no understanding of what gamers want represented, and it would seem don't care. Elden Ring is amazing, Shadow of the Erd Tree is more of the same amazing. Becuase it's more of the same game.
The "panel" (and the Game Awards) do NOT represent you (or me)... at best there's a 10% influence - which I suspect is much less. This is about a very small group of people telling everyone else, what a game really is. The outlets are shown on their website - but they don't say how many votes they each get... because this isn't a real awards show. This is the Geoff and Friends show.
@Nf157 it's not "The Content Awards"... it's also not "Content of the Year Award".
@Oz_Who_Dat_Dare I use Geoff as the metaphorical dog to kick because it is his baby.
Ultimately I guess none of us really knows what the full process is but having a panel makes sense - it deflects some blame away from any one individual.
I think games journalism has long since failed to represent gamers. They often overlook things that matter and while getting wound up about things gamers rarely if ever care about.
They have certainly become way too forgiving in regards to the release state of AAA games and in my view should be far harsher in general.
@Medic_alert I hear you... and as I said... the problem with "TGA" is that there is zero transparency other than it's Geoff's show as to why or how things work. He can put up "panellist" icons...some of which literally don't exist any more (or are about to cease to exist)... but this doesn't actually mean anything. It's also a bit of a c*rcle j**k in terms of who he annoints to represent the industry.
I think Geoff think's that being a bombastic character means that he can represent the gaming community. I think with every year, it's clear he represents only himself and the revenue that he pulls in from advertisers. He may genuinely think he's doing the right thing... but he continually doesn't, in case it affects his bottom line. And I suspect the Elden Ring DLC was as much about stirring up "conversation" as it was a real thing. Because the thing Geoff hates most of all is not being talked about. Especially when there is no "Elden Ring" mega event... he's re-creating it (whether it was voted for his buddies or not).
And that's the last I will talk about him or his 'show'. I had dropped a comment that if they did this, I would boycott the show. I'll actually go one better... I will boycott even the reactions to the show. To quote Tarantino "f'**ing with your cash is the only thing you kid's seem to understand"... I would suggest others that want to voice their frustration avoid venting on comments, and vote with your (not going to) clicks. If he really cared about TGA... he wouldn't be seen near it... let alone insist on hosting it.
Edit - and yes... I DO appreciate that me boycotting the show won't make a lick of difference. It will to me however.
One last comment - let's review some of the panellists in Geoff's C-J show (and I am cherry-picking those that don't make sense to me personally amongst the actual gaming-centric sites that are included):
US
Entertainment Weekly
LA Times
New York Times
Pride (yes... it's what you think)
The Atlantic
NPR
Rolling Stone
Touch Arcade (a mobile games site... which is fair enough... except it's shutting down)
Jeff Gerstmann... yes... literally a one person podcast
Variety
UK
Discussing Film
The Mirror
The Guardian
Canada
CBC
Mobile Syrup (a tech review company that possibly leans towards mobile and PC?...)
Chile
FayerWayer (a generic tech zine)
Colombia
Volk (a youtube channel - no offence to YT channels)... at least it's a gaming channel.
Yes - these are only about 10-15% of the "international panellists"....but that's a pretty big chunk given who else is represnting gaming....
Indonesia.... fours sites... compared to three for China, Canada, Australia and Malaysia ... and the entirety of the Middle East, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand... Japan gets a wopping 5 spots (not sure if that's being preferential or not,... considering...Spain gets 6 spots...Brazil gets 8 spots). They even give a spot to Benelux... an economic region covering parts of Belgium / Netherlands / Luxenbourg... even though Belgium is otherwise represented... weirdly the Netherlands aren't at all). There are other countries represented in some form... but who selected these panellists and why?
What do each of these spots actually mean?
By contrast... 24 "panellists" spots from the US... and 17 "accessibility" panellists (this isn't a go at accessibility which is important, but more how does this fit in with general voting... or are they only voting on the accessibility category... which would be super patronising).
Are these each worth 1 vote... or can each have multiple votes? Is this literally 130-ish people that Geoff knows and 'trusts' to be good sorts. If it's more than 130-ish people ... how many? The website suggests each outlet get's one collective vote. How is each outlet's vote counted? Majority/representational? Who selects who can vote from each organisation? These are a fairly significant component of the "international" representation that defines not only who should be nominated... but who should be voted for. FFS... does anyone think this isn't a c**cle j**k?
Edit: by the way... all the non-gaming media outlets incuded are all lightly to heavily left-leaning. Even as someone that supports left-leaning politics, this seems to reflect more Geoff's views than anything that should be the basis of an awards show jury.
Oh.. in case it wasn't implict.... PushSquare is NOT on that list of 'gaming representatives'.
@Oz_Who_Dat_Dare 'video game' is a broad term. Typically means something you play digitally, which an expansion counts as.
Hmmm, probably not. Though it's probably the best thing I played, though on the other hand, Dragons Dogma 2 is the only full price game I've even got at full price this year, nothing much else appealed to me for £70. Stellar Blade and Rise, I would like, but not for £70.
I've only played through the DLC once, probably missed a lot of cool stuff, but I've been playing Soulsbournes since DS1 and it's the best DLC by quite a huge margin. I didn't think anything would top The Old Hunters tbh.
Cyberpunk Liberty City won “Best Ongoing Game” so that seems a more appropriate category for this too. Also, certainly all the other awards would make sense for Shadow of the Erdtree to be eligible for, like best music, best design, or whatever. But “Game of the Year” seems a stretch. Would be akin to the Oscar for Best Picture going to just the extra 30 minutes of content added to the Director’s Cut of a movie that came out 2 years ago. 😅 Okay, maybe not exactly, but similar enough.
Elden ring had its chance, give another game a shot this year.
Geoff Keighley is a blight on the videogame industry. The guys the literal definition of a parasite. I won't be watching the game awards and I will be blocking all future notifications about TGA from my news feed.
@Nf157 It takes away the coverage of newer games as well just make it is own category.
@NinjaWaddleDee I can't agree more.
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...