The Game Award for Game of the Year

The Game Awards has stood as a powerhouse in the realm of gaming awards since its inception. While there are alternative events, The Game Awards consistently generates unparalleled anticipation and enthusiasm. This is particularly evident in their Game of the Year category, which has been a focal point since 2014. Nine games have clinched the prestigious Game of the Year Award, and the tenth recipient will be announced at The Game Awards 2023 ceremony on December 7, 2023.

What is The Game Award?

Each year, The Game Awards bestows an esteemed accolade upon outstanding contributions in the video game realm. This annual ceremony, inaugurated in 2014, aims to illuminate both creative and technical brilliance within the global gaming industry. The apex of recognition at this event is encapsulated in The Game Award for Game of the Year, reserved for the game that excels across diverse creative and technical dimensions.

As the ceremony's grand finale, this award has been given to nine games thus far. That includes notable companies like FromSoftware, Electronic Arts, and Sony Interactive Entertainment lifting the title with the most recent winner being Elden Ring.

Beyond the coveted Game of the Year, The Game Awards has various other categories including Best Action Game, Best RPG, Best Art Direction, Best Score/Music, and more. The grand spectacle unfolds at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, globally streamed to unite gamers and industry aficionados in a celebration of the pinnacle achievements in video games.

How does The Game Award decide the game of the year?

Deciding The Game Award for Game of the Year involves a collaborative decision-making process, blending insights from both a jury and the general public. The initial phase sees over 100 video game publications and websites curate a list of six nominees for this esteemed award. The eventual victors are chosen through a voting mechanism that engages both the jury and the public, employing platforms such as Discord, Facebook, and Twitter for public participation.

This voting framework operates as a synthesis, with the jury's input carrying a substantial 90% weight, while the remaining 10% is influenced by public sentiment. While The Game Awards ceremony spans various categories, the pinnacle is undoubtedly the Game of the Year award—a symbol of distinction bestowed upon the game that seamlessly weaves excellence across creative and technical domains.

To be eligible, games must grace the gaming landscape before a designated November date preceding the ceremony. The unveiling of winners across all categories, including the coveted Game of the Year, unfolds in real-time during the globally streamed ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, captivating audiences of gamers and industry insiders worldwide.

The Game Award for Game of the Year over the years

In the gaming realm, The Game Awards debuted in 2014 and has since become an annual spectacle that anoints one exceptional title as the Game of the Year. In the years since, nine winners have emerged from a pool of 60 nominees, with fans and critics alike wondering who comes next.

Thus, as a result, The Game Awards has solidified its status as a heavyweight in the gaming award show scene—arguably the most prominent. While other ceremonies exist, The Game Awards consistently stand out, drawing unparalleled anticipation and excitement.