5 announcements that surprised everyone at The Game Awards 2024

The Game Awards 2024 was packed with surprising announcements. From unexpected sequels to bold new projects, the event delivered some unforgettable moments. Fans were treated to everything, including returning characters and thrilling new adventures, setting the stage for a game-changing year ahead.

This article lists five announcements that surprised everyone at The Game Awards 2024.

Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the writer's opinions

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Top surprising announcements from The Game Awards 2024

1) Astro Bot dominates with Game of the Year 2024

Astro bot wins the game of the year award (Image via TGA)

Astro Bot's massive night at The Game Awards 2024 took everyone by surprise as the title scooped up the prestigious Game of the Year award, alongside Best Family Game, Best Game Direction, and Best Action Adventure.

Team Asobi’s studio head, Nicolas Doucet, took to the stage to thank his team and PlayStation for their support, even giving a nostalgic nod to Nintendo and PS history.

The competition was fierce, with other nominees like Black Myth Wukong, Balatro and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, but Astro Bot's charm and innovation captured the judges' hearts.

Also check out: All major announcements at The Game Awards 2024: Witcher 4, Elden Ring co-op title, and more

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2) The Witcher 4 unveiled with Ciri as Protagonist

CD Projekt surprised fans with a stunning debut trailer for The Witcher 4, confirming the return of Ciri as the protagonist. The cinematic teaser, powered by Unreal Engine 5, showed Ciri’s transformation into a professional monster slayer, setting the stage for a dark-fantasy adventure.

Although many expected Geralt to return, the studio’s decision to focus on Ciri marks a bold new direction for the saga, and fans can expect this open-world RPG to push the limits of storytelling and immersion.

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3) Elden Ring: Nightreign shakes up the franchise

Bandai Namco and FromSoftware surprised fans with the reveal of Elden Ring: Nightreign, a new co-op multiplayer survival game set in the Lands Between.

Featuring dungeon exploration, epic boss battles, and a dynamic world that changes nightly, players will face off against terrifying bosses. A major surprise was the appearance of Dark Souls' Nameless King, marking the first crossover between the two franchises.

With eight unique character builds and roguelike elements, Nightreign promises a thrilling new experience for fans of Elden Ring. It will be out on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC sometime in 2025.

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4) Virtua Fighter returns with a bang

A still from Virtua Fighter (Image via TGA | SEGA)

After years of silence, Virtua Fighter made its grand return at The Game Awards 2024. Developed by the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (best known for the Yakuza series), this is the first mainline Virtua Fighter entry since 2006.

The announcement came with a trailer showcasing the game’s signature 3D fighting mechanics.

With the studio’s expertise and the franchise's legacy of technical depth, Virtua Fighter is poised to make a serious impact when it launches.

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5) Naughty Dog’s unveils their new project ' Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet'

A still from Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet (Image via Naughty Dog)

At The Game Awards 2024, Naughty Dog and Sony Interactive Entertainment unveiled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a new PS5 exclusive set in the far-off future. This title is directed by Neil Druckmann and stars Jordan A. Mun, a stranded bounty hunter on the mysterious Sempiria planet.

With character-driven drama, as well as an epic soundtrack from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Intergalactic promises to be a groundbreaking experience, pushing the gameplay ambitions at Naughty Dog. It is set to launch in late 2026.

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