The Game Awards has officially returned for its 2023 installment, ushering in the annual celebration of video game excellence, where industry professionals and fans come together. This marks the 10th edition of the event hosted by Geoff Keighley, which is held in high esteem by developers around the globe. A total of 31 categories will recognize outstanding games from various genres. The ceremony is set to include major announcements and trailers for upcoming titles, complemented by a full-scale orchestral performance conducted by the renowned composer Lorne Balfe. With fewer leaks this year, excitement levels are elevated as gamers eagerly await significant reveals.
This year, the show is expected to run for approximately three hours, although attendees should note that Valve will not be distributing free Steam Decks at regular intervals as in previous years. Instead, a sweepstake will grant 100 lucky participants from North America, Europe, and selected Asian regions a chance to win a Steam Deck OLED (1TB model) once the show commences. Changes to nominations are minimal this year, although Keighley has announced that developers will no longer use the ‘World Premiere’ card for announcements, opting to label all trailers or first looks as ‘great game content’ instead.
In light of recent events involving stage crashers disrupting the show, security measures have been heightened. There were notable incidents during The Game Awards 2022 when Elden Ring won Game of the Year and another occurrence at the Summer Game Fest earlier this year. Details on the enhanced security protocols have not been elaborated on by Keighley.
The Game Awards 2023: Date and Time
The Game Awards 2023 is scheduled to commence on Thursday, December 7, at 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET. In India, this translates to early morning on December 8 at 6 AM IST, with an expected conclusion by 9:30 AM, presenting a challenging time for local viewers to engage with the prominent gaming event. The initial 30 minutes will feature a pre-show hosted by Sydnee Goodman, designed to highlight smaller developers and discuss expectations for the main event.
For those interested in just the primary presentation, it will be available starting at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET in the US and 6:30 AM in India.
The Game Awards 2023: How to Watch
The award ceremony will take place live at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles before an audience, with a concurrent livestream available. The event can be accessed for free via its official Twitch and YouTube channels, alongside other major platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook Live, Steam, TikTok Live, and Instagram Live. Additionally, various gaming livestreamers will co-stream the event and offer their reactions. In India, options include streaming the event live on platforms such as Disney+ Hotstar, MX Player, Voot, JioTV, and Loco, with a Hindi-language feed available on YouTube Gaming.
Those who cannot watch live will find a video on demand (VOD) available shortly after the event concludes, along with 4K uploads of trailers and key moments on the official YouTube channel.
What to Expect from The Game Awards 2023
The Game Awards attracts viewers eager to discover upcoming titles and temper their expectations. Larian Studios is set to announce the release date for Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox, which is still slated for this month. Initial challenges with implementing split-screen co-op on Xbox Series S caused delays, and it will be revealing whether the studio maintained content parity or made adjustments. Additionally, exclusive Xbox reveals are anticipated, sparking speculation about possible updates on Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.
Meanwhile, SEGA has begun contacting fighting game content creators with the phrase ‘New Era New Energy,’ hinting at exciting developments. Supermassive Games is working with Behaviour Interactive on a single-player title set in the Dead by Daylight universe. In the horror genre, The Outlast Trials developer Red Barrels has an ‘important broadcast’ planned. Epic Games is preparing to showcase a trailer for Rocket Racing, a new car racing mode in Fortnite that incorporates mechanics reminiscent of Rocket League, with an expected free release on December 8.
Xbox players, we hear you’re looking for more news on Baldur’s Gate 3. The game is on track for a December release.
We’ll see you at The Game Awards for the World Premiere™ of the exact release date.— Larian Studios (@larianstudios) November 15, 2023
The Game Awards’ official Twitter account hinted at a possible announcement from Hideo Kojima before the tweet was deleted, likely teasing a trailer for Death Stranding 2. Kojima, the game’s director, is expected to make an appearance, having arrived in Los Angeles earlier this week. Fans are also anticipating a trailer and release date for the highly awaited Elden Ring DLC, ‘Shadow of the Erdtree,’ which was initially announced last year. Although the expansion’s release was anticipated for early 2024, recent interviews indicate that it may be delayed while promising new content.
Reports suggest Arkane Studios will unveil its next project at The Game Awards, likely Dishonored 3, with details surfacing from the recent Microsoft vs. US FTC court proceedings. There is also potential for glimpses of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the unannounced Mass Effect game, Tekken 8, Hades 2, among other titles.
The Game Awards 2023 Presenters
Fans of Alan Wake 2 will be treated to a special performance by Poets of the Fall, who will take the stage as their in-game alter ego, Old Gods of Asgard. As always, Keighley has a penchant for the Muppets, and The Great Gonzo is slated to be among the presenters.
The Game Awards 2023 Nominees
This year’s Game Awards feature 31 categories, with Baldur’s Gate 3 and Alan Wake 2 leading the pack with eight nominations each, both vying for the illustrious Game of the Year title. Other nominees in contention for GOTY include The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Resident Evil 4 remake, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Keighley has adhered to a six-nomination cap despite the stellar quality of games released this year. The Best Adaptation category boasts strong contenders, including HBO’s The Last of Us and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The nomination list has sparked discussions surrounding the classification of ‘independent games,’ particularly noting the inclusion of Dave the Diver as a nominee for Best Independent Game. Despite its pixelated aesthetic, the game is developed by Mintrocket, which is owned by a large South Korean publisher, Nexon, thus raising questions about its indie status. Responding to these inquiries during a live Q&A, Keighley acknowledged the ambiguity surrounding the term ‘indie,’ explaining that it can vary based on factors such as budget, funding sources, team size, and the independent spirit of the game itself.
