“Astro Bot,” from Japanese developer Team Asobi, swept the accolades at The Game Awards, even claiming game of the year, on Thursday evening, beating out big-name titles like the “Elden Ring” DLC expansion and “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.”
The platformer made for the PlayStation 5 also won awards for best game direction, best action/adventure game and best family game.
A handful of new games were also announced at the awards, including a new sci-fi project from Neil Druckmann and Naughty Dog, the studio that created the critically acclaimed “The Last of Us” and “Uncharted,” both of which have big budget TV and film adaptations, respectively. “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet” follows a bounty hunter stranded on a distant planet and is being made for the PS5.
A new multiplayer co-op spin-off of the hit game “Elden Ring,” a fantasy game from Japanese developer From Software made in collaboration with George R. R. Martin of “Game of Thrones” fame, was also announced.
Polish developer CD Projekt Red confirmed “The Witcher 4” was in development, and dropped a trailer, while a sequel to Capcom’s “Okami” was also announced.
Celebrity guests took the stage on Thursday evening as well. Harrison Ford showed up to promote the new Indiana Jones game, alongside voice actor Troy Baker, and actress Ella Purnell, who starred in two hit video game-inspired TV shows — “Fallout” and “Arcane” — took the stage too.
The awards took place as video game performers, members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, have been on strike since July over disagreements with game industry giants over AI reproductions of their likeness.
More than two dozen awards were handed out, in categories ranging from best accessibility innovation to best adaptation.
LIST OF THE GAME AWARDS 2024 WINNERS
Game of the Year: Astro Bot
Best Game Direction: Astro Bot
Best Narrative: Metaphor: ReFantanzio
Best Art Direction: Metaphor: ReFantazio
Best Score and Music: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Best Audio Design: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
Best Performance: Melina Juergens, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
Innovation in Accessibility: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Best Ongoing Game: Helldivers 2
Best Community Support: Baldur’s Gate 3
Best Independent Game: Balatro
Best Debut Indie Game: Balatro
Best Mobile Game: Balatro
Best VR/AR Game: Batman: Arkham Shadow
Best Action Game: Black Myth: Wukong
Best Action/Adventure Game: Astro Bot
Best RPG: Metaphor: ReFantazio
Best Fighting Game: Tekken 8
Best Family Game: Astro Bot
Best Sim/Strategy Game: Frostpunk 2
Best Sports/Racing Game: EA Sports FC 25
Best Multiplayer Game: Helldivers 2
Most Anticipated Game: Grand Theft Auto 6
Content Creator of the Year: CaseOh
Best Esports Game: League of Legends
Best Esports Athlete: Faker — Lee Sang-hyeok
Best Esports Team: T1 (League of Legends)
Player’s Voice: Black Myth: Wukong
