How to Win Game of the Year at the Game Awards

TL;DR

To win Game of the Year, create a single-player, third-person action game with a mature narrative focused on a male protagonist and from an established IP. Release the game in the spring and ensure it's 20-40 hours long for better consideration by game journalists who vote on the awards.

Transcript

Oh, it's that time of the year, folks. The days are getting shorter, the air is getting colder, and little gamers around the world leave out their Doritos and Mountain Dew in the hopes that Gamer Santa, Geoff Keighley, will deliver us yet another unforgettable Game Awards, where all the biggest players in the gaming industry come together to share ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤐 Game Awards winners follow a specific formula of single-player, action games with mature themes and male protagonists from established IPs.
• 🏆 The influence of the advisory board and game journalists on the nominations and winners explains the trends in the Game of the Year awards.
• 😉 Release timing in spring, game length, and characters' relatability to the audience are crucial factors in winning a Game Award.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why are single-player, action-adventure games with mature male protagonists dominant in the Game Awards nominations and wins?

Game journalists on the advisory board prefer mature stories and characters they can identify with, influencing the trends towards specific genres and character types in winning games.

Q: How does the release date of a game impact its chances of winning Game of the Year?

Spring releases allow voters, who are busy adults with limited time, to fully experience and appreciate a game, contributing to its success in the awards.

Q: Why are established IPs favored in the Game Awards nominations, despite new IPs having a higher chance of winning?

Established IPs appeal to the familiarity of journalists and audiences, increasing the chances of being nominated, while new IPs stand out and have a better shot at winning due to freshness.

Q: How do real-life experiences and preferences of game journalists influence the trends in Game Awards winners?

Journalists' personal experiences, like parenthood and nostalgia for older games, shape their preferences for character-driven narratives and relatable protagonists, impacting the winning game criteria.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Game Awards have a specific formula for winning Game of the Year, focusing on single-player, action, mature male-led games from established IPs.

• Journalists on the advisory board influence the nominations and winners, shaping trends towards more mature, father-figure characters in the winning games.

• Release timing in spring and game length of around 20-40 hours also play significant roles in Game of the Year success.