The contenders for the highly anticipated Game Awards 2023 have been unveiled as per the report of BBC USA, with two standout titles, Baldur’s Gate 3 and Alan Wake 2, emerging as frontrunners with an impressive eight nominations each, including the coveted Game of the Year category. Often dubbed the “Oscars of gaming,” the awards ceremony is set to take place on December 7, promising fierce competition among this year’s critically acclaimed releases.
Key Nominations
Survival horror Alan Wake 2 and fantasy RPG Baldur’s Gate 3 will go head-to-head not only for Game of the Year but also in categories such as Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Music, and Best Performance. Other notable contenders for the Game of the Year title include PS5 exclusive Spider-Man 2, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Super Mario Bros Wonder, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Interestingly, Xbox exclusive Starfield secured a nomination in the Best RPG category despite its absence from other main categories.
Best Performance
The Best Performance category features a showdown between British actor Ben Starr’s role in Final Fantasy XVI and Idris Elba’s appearance in the Cyberpunk 2077 expansion Phantom Liberty, adding an extra layer of excitement to the awards ceremony.
Independent Games Recognition: Independent games are also in the spotlight, with puzzle adventure Cocoon and the unique fishing-meets-HP Lovecraft adventure Dredge both earning nominations for Best Debut and Best Indie Overall.
The Game Awards Experience
Founded by journalist Geoff Keighley in 2014, The Game Awards have evolved into a major event, attracting an estimated 103 million livestream viewers worldwide last year. Blending the elements of an awards show and a preview event, the ceremony is known for its balance of accolades and exclusive game announcements, though critics argue that it tends to lean more towards the latter. The event features 31 awards in various categories, including audio design, best independent game, and accessibility and innovation.
Fan Involvement
The winners are determined through a combination of votes from a panel of industry experts and a fan vote, where the audience’s input constitutes 10% of the final score.
Conclusion:
As anticipation builds for the Game Awards 2023, fans can expect an exciting night filled with celebrations, exclusive previews, and the recognition of outstanding achievements in the gaming industry. For a complete list of nominees, enthusiasts can visit The Game Awards website.
