In 2024, the gaming world will once again focus on The Game Awards (TGA), resembling a brilliant gaming feast that illuminates the industry's path forward, while the integration of AI and blockchain technology adds a unique touch.
Since Jeff Giesli founded TGA in 2014, it has gradually grown from an early game award selection into an industry benchmark, evolving from an award event held by a related television station in 2003. After undergoing transformations, its influence has seen exponential growth, with over 83 million live viewers in 2020, serving as a crucial link between global players and the industry.
At 1 AM on November 19, 2024, the TGA official website and social media platforms will timely announce the nominations for the annual awards, instantly igniting a wave of excitement in the gaming community. Works such as (Black Myth: Wukong), (Cosmic Robot), and (Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth) have been nominated for Game of the Year, sparking intense discussions among players. Among them, the DLC 'Golden Tree Shadow' for (Elden Ring) has sparked controversy, prompting players to analyze the selection criteria in depth. The jury consists of representatives from 28 globally renowned media outlets and channels, including Famitsu, IGN, and Rooster Teeth, who professionally filter nominations, while some esports awards are determined by player votes, perfectly balancing professionalism and public participation.
At the same time, the updated selection rules on the TGA official website have become a hot topic, stating that any game-related content, regardless of form, can participate in the selection as long as it contains new ideas and technological achievements. This reform, although controversial, has opened new avenues for diversified development in gaming, especially creating possibilities for the emergence of AI+Web3 games.
In the fierce competition for awards, (Cosmic Robot) has made a spectacular advance, winning the title of Game of the Year. This 3D action platform game, carefully crafted by Team ASOBI under Sony PlayStation Studios, was exclusively released on PlayStation 5 on September 6. It features innovative gameplay that cleverly merges RPG-like elements with open-world exploration; stunning visuals and impactful sound effects showcase a sci-fi futurism style; captivating narratives and a rich variety of missions create a highly immersive experience; and with excellent market feedback, it has achieved high scores and sales, also winning multiple awards like Best Family Game, Best Game Direction, and Best Action Adventure Game, making it one of the undisputed biggest winners.
The domestic AAA game (Black Myth: Wukong) also shines brightly, winning the Best Action Game and Player's Voice awards. Game Science leverages the 'Unreal Engine 5' and spatial computing technology to vividly showcase Chinese artistic style. The smooth combat system combined with innovative Journey to the West narrative has not only sparked a nationwide craze domestically but has also established a firm footing on the international stage, becoming a bright business card for Chinese culture export and setting a model for integrating traditional games with emerging technologies.
In addition, (Tekken 8) dominates the Best Fighting Game award with its superb fighting mechanics, while (League of Legends) once again claims the Best Esports Game award, continuing to solidify its leading position in the industry.
It is worth noting that behind TGA 2024, Web3 and blockchain gaming are quietly rising. From the perspective of technological innovation, blockchain technology provides a solid guarantee for the digital asset rights confirmation in games. Players have unique ownership records of virtual items, characters, and other assets in the game, which are immutable and traceable. For example, some emerging blockchain games allow players to truly own the rare equipment they have worked hard for, and even across platforms, the value and ownership of these assets remain clear and distinct, which is fundamentally different from traditional games where players only have usage rights.
In terms of expanding game types and themes, games driven by the Web3 concept are exploring new gameplay. Some games have constructed a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) model, where players are no longer just passive recipients of game content but can participate in game development decisions, rule-making, and even revenue distribution. For instance, in a blockchain-based sandbox game, the player community votes to decide the development direction of new game scenes, jointly promoting the continuous evolution of the game world. This deep sense of participation greatly stimulates players' enthusiasm and brings new vitality to the gaming industry.
For game developers, (Black Myth: Wukong) points the way to combine traditional cultural heritage with emerging technologies, prompting developers to explore using Web3 technology to expand cultural dissemination channels, such as creating digital collectibles through blockchain to record classic scenes and characters in the game, allowing players worldwide to appreciate the charm of Chinese culture in a new way.
At the same time, Web3 and blockchain technology help gaming companies stand out in market competition. On one hand, they attract player groups seeking novel experiences and asset control, quickly expanding market share; on the other hand, they shape brand images with unique technological advantages, attracting top talents to join in and explore new frontiers in game development together. Publishers and platforms are also keenly capturing this trend, adjusting their strategies to increase support for games with Web3 characteristics, such as providing dedicated blockchain technology access services and holding exclusive promotional events for blockchain games, ensuring that these innovative games gain sufficient exposure and a good operating environment in the market.
TGA 2024 is not only a grand recognition of the gaming achievements of the past year but also an important milestone for the gaming industry stepping into a new era of integration of Web3 and blockchain, witnessing glorious pasts and guiding innovative journeys, allowing global players and developers to look forward with hope, hand in hand towards a new future of infinite possibilities in gaming.