The nominations for The Game Awards 2024 have sparked significant controversy, particularly regarding the inclusion of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree as a Game of the Year nominee. The discussion primarily stems from the expanded eligibility criteria that now allow remakes, remasters, and DLCs to compete alongside full games. This shift in policy has led to debates across social media and the gaming community.
Updated Eligibility Criteria for The Game of the Year Awards
The Game Awards updated its eligibility criteria on its official website, stating that the awards aim to recognize exceptional creative and technical work, regardless of the format of release. This includes DLCs, expansion packs, remakes, and remasters. The policy emphasizes that the jury will evaluate factors such as the originality of the content and its value to determine eligibility for nominations. This change stirred heated conversations, with many interpreting the move as an acknowledgment of the evolving quality of DLCs and expansions. Critics argue that such additions to the eligibility pool blur the lines between standalone games and supplementary content.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree’s Impact
The inclusion of Shadow of the Erdtree as a Game of the Year nominee reignited debates about whether DLCs should compete with full-price titles. Critics argue that its nomination implies favoritism, with some believing the DLC is a frontrunner for the award. Others highlight its extensive content, including a 40-hour campaign and unique systems, as justification for its inclusion. Many proponents of this decision argue that expansions like Phantom Liberty for Cyberpunk 2077 and Shadow of the Erdtree deliver experiences on par with standalone games. These expansions often showcase technical and creative achievements that rival or surpass many new releases.
Remakes & Remasters (Game of the Year Criteria)
The debate extends beyond DLCs, touching on the broader question of whether remakes and remasters should qualify for awards traditionally reserved for new games. For example, remakes like Resident Evil 4 and Silent Hill 2 represent significant creative and technical efforts, often reimagining the original titles. Critics question whether these works, despite their quality, should share the same category as entirely new games. In short, the controversy reflects the gaming industry’s increasing focus on repacking past successes. Titles like The Last of Us Remastered sparked similar debates in earlier years, with opinions divided on whether remasters contribute sufficiently new material to warrant accolades as standalone projects.
A Divisive Yet Evolving Industry Standard
The Game Awards’ decision to broaden its eligibility criteria underscores a shift in how the gaming industry values creative work, irrespective of format. While the inclusion of DLCs and remakes in major categories remains contentious, it highlights the evolving quality and scope of these additions. Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree reflects the broader challenges in defining fairness in award recognition. Whether these changes enhance the prestige of The Game Awards or dilute its categories remains an ongoing discussion in the gaming community.
Also, the debate around The Game Awards 2024 highlights the shifting standards in how the industry recognizes excellence. Expansions like Shadow of the Erdtree challenge traditional notions of what constitutes a “full” game. Critics question whether these expansive DLCs deserve the same recognition as brand-new titles. Some believe these expansions are as substantial as standalone releases, with Shadow of the Erdtree offering 40 hours of content and its own systems. Supporters argue that these major updates show a high level of creative and technical work, deserving of recognition. However, others feel the inclusion of DLCs could water down the prestige of awards like Game of the Year.
