Overview

is the most prestigious award in the video game industry. It is awarded annually to the game that has been deemed to be the best overall game of the year by a jury of industry experts. The award was first presented in 2003, and has been won by some of the most iconic games in history, including The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and God of War.

History

was created in 2003 by Geoff Keighley, a Canadian video game journalist. The award was originally known as the Spike Video Game Awards, but was renamed to The Game Awards in 2014.

The award is voted on by a jury of industry experts, including game developers, journalists, and industry analysts. The jury is divided into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania. Each region has a panel of five jurors who vote on the games that they believe are the best of the year.

The top five games from each region are then submitted to a global jury, which votes on the overall winner. The global jury is made up of 25 jurors, including some of the most respected names in the video game industry.

Winners

The following is a list of the winners of the Game Award for Game of the Year:

Year	Winner
2003	Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
2004	Half-Life 2
2005	Resident Evil 4
2006	Gears of War
2007	BioShock
2008	Fallout 3
2009	Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
2010	Red Dead Redemption
2011	The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
2012	The Walking Dead
2013	The Last of Us
2014	Dragon Age: Inquisition
2015	The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
2016	Overwatch
2017	The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
2018	God of War
2019	Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
2020	The Last of Us Part II
2021	It Takes Two
2022	Elden Ring

Impact

is one of the most prestigious awards in the video game industry. Winning the award can have a significant impact on a game’s sales and popularity. It can also help to raise the profile of the game’s developer and publisher.

In addition to its impact on the video game industry, the Game Award for Game of the Year can also have a broader cultural impact. The award can help to raise awareness of video games as an art form and can encourage people to explore new and different types of games.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who is eligible to win the Game Award for Game of the Year?

A: Any video game that has been released in the calendar year is eligible to win the Game Award for Game of the Year.

Q: How is the Game Award for Game of the Year voted on?

A: is voted on by a jury of industry experts, including game developers, journalists, and industry analysts.

Q: What is the impact of winning the Game Award for Game of the Year?

A: Winning the Game Award for Game of the Year can have a significant impact on a game’s sales and popularity. It can also help to raise the profile of the game’s developer and publisher.

Q: What are some of the most iconic games to have won the Game Award for Game of the Year?

A: Some of the most iconic games to have won the Game Award for Game of the Year include The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and God of War.

References

Downloadable Content (DLC)

DLC is additional content for a video game that is released after the initial release. DLC can include new levels, characters, story, and gameplay features. DLC is typically released digitally through the game’s online store. There are two main types of DLC: paid and free. Paid DLC is typically released shortly after the initial release of the game, while free DLC is often released later in the game’s lifespan. DLC can be a valuable way to extend the lifespan of a game and provide players with new content to enjoy.

Geoff Keighley

Geoff Keighley is a renowned Canadian video game journalist, host, and producer. He is best known for his role as the creator and host of The Game Awards, an annual event celebrating the video game industry.

Keighley began his career in the early 2000s as a journalist for GameSpot and 1UP.com. In 2003, he launched the first live video game awards show called the "VGA Awards." This eventually evolved into The Game Awards, which he has hosted every year since 2014.

Over the years, Keighley has interviewed countless video game developers, hosted events at major gaming conventions, and produced documentaries about the industry. He is considered one of the most influential figures in video game media and has been recognized for his contributions to the field.

Host of The Game Awards

Since its inception in 2014, The Game Awards have been hosted by renowned figure Geoff Keighley. Keighley is a Canadian video game journalist, producer, and host who has made significant contributions to the gaming industry. He is the founder and host of The Game Awards, which has become one of the most prestigious events in the gaming calendar, celebrating excellence in video game development and recognizing the achievements of industry professionals.

Timeline of The Game Awards

2014: The first Game Awards ceremony is held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
2015: The ceremony moves to Los Angeles, California.
2016: The Game Awards introduces new categories, including Best VR/AR Game and Best eSports Player.
2017: The ceremony is broadcast live on Twitch and features a performance by Imagine Dragons.
2018: The Game Awards expands to two nights, with the first night featuring the main awards show and the second night showcasing upcoming games.
2019: The ceremony is held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and features a performance by Billie Eilish.
2020: The ceremony is held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: The ceremony returns to an in-person format at the Microsoft Theater.
2022: The Game Awards is held at the Microsoft Theater and features a performance by Lorne Balfe.

Categories of The Game Awards

The Game Awards recognize excellence in video game development and celebrate the industry’s achievements. The categories include:

Game of the Year
Best Game Direction
Best Narrative
Best Art Direction
Best Score and Music
Best Audio Design
Best Performance
Best Multiplayer
Best Ongoing
Best Mobile Game
Best Independent Game
Games for Impact

The Game Awards on Social Media

The Game Awards has a significant presence on social media platforms, allowing for extensive fan engagement and real-time updates. The official Twitter account (@thegameawards) boasts over 2.5 million followers, providing live updates, announcements, and exclusive content related to the event. The hashtag #TheGameAwards is widely used on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, fostering a vibrant online community among fans and industry professionals. Social media also serves as a channel for nominees and award winners to express their gratitude and connect with their supporters.

Best Game of the Year Award

The Best Game of the Year Award is a prestigious award given to the game that is considered to be the best overall of the year. It is typically awarded by a panel of experts in the gaming industry, and is often considered to be the most important award in the industry. The award is typically given to games that are not only critically acclaimed, but also commercially successful. Some of the most famous winners of the Best Game of the Year Award include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Red Dead Redemption 2.

Best Multiplayer Game Award

The Best Multiplayer Game Award recognizes outstanding achievements in multiplayer gaming. It honors games that provide exceptional online experiences, foster community engagement, and deliver compelling and immersive gameplay for multiple players. Games are judged based on a variety of criteria, including innovation, technical execution, accessibility, player retention, and overall impact on the multiplayer gaming landscape.

Best Role-Playing Game Award

The Best Role-Playing Game Award recognizes outstanding achievements in role-playing video games. It rewards games that offer immersive storylines, engaging characters, and a high degree of player agency. The award considers factors such as game mechanics, narrative quality, character development, and overall gameplay experience.

Best Action Game Award

The Best Action Game Award recognizes exceptional games that exemplify the genre’s core elements of fast-paced combat, exhilarating gameplay, and immersive environments. Awarded to games that masterfully balance adrenaline-pumping action with skill-based gameplay and captivating storytelling, this accolade celebrates the thrill-inducing experiences that define the action genre.

Best Adventure Game Award

This award recognizes the game with the most engaging and captivating storyline, puzzles, and world design. It celebrates games that immerse players in unforgettable experiences, challenge their minds, and create lasting memories. The Best Adventure Game Award acknowledges developers who push the boundaries of storytelling and gameplay, creating unique and compelling narratives that resonate with players long after the credits roll.

Best Strategy Game Award

The Best Strategy Game Award recognizes the top strategy games that provide immersive gameplay, tactical challenges, and strategic decision-making. These games offer a unique blend of strategy, resource management, and problem-solving, requiring players to think critically and adapt to ever-changing scenarios. The award considers factors such as gameplay depth, AI quality, innovation, and replayability to identify the most exceptional strategy games that captivate and challenge players.

Best Sports Game Award

The Best Sports Game Award recognizes the best video game that simulates a real-world sport. Games are evaluated based on factors such as gameplay, graphics, AI, and overall presentation. Some of the most notable winners of the Best Sports Game Award include:

FIFA 23 (2022)
Madden NFL 23 (2022)
MLB The Show 22 (2022)
NBA 2K23 (2022)
NHL 23 (2022)

The Best Sports Game Award is one of the most prestigious awards in the video game industry. It is a testament to the skill and innovation of the developers who create these immersive and entertaining experiences.

Best Racing Game Award

Recognizes outstanding achievements in racing video games, highlighting titles that deliver an immersive and thrilling racing experience.

Awards are typically given based on factors such as gameplay mechanics, graphics, sound design, and overall user experience. The award acknowledges racing games that push the boundaries of the genre, providing players with a realistic and engaging racing simulation.

Best Fighting Game Award

The Best Fighting Game Award is an annual award that recognizes the best fighting game released in the past year. The award is presented by a variety of organizations, including the Game Developers Conference, The Game Awards, and IGN.

The criteria for winning the Best Fighting Game Award varies from organization to organization, but typically includes factors such as gameplay, graphics, sound design, and online multiplayer. In recent years, the award has been won by a variety of games, including:

2021: Guilty Gear Strive
2020: Street Fighter V: Champion Edition
2019: Mortal Kombat 11
2018: Dragon Ball FighterZ
2017: Tekken 7

The Best Fighting Game Award is a prestigious award that recognizes the best that the fighting game genre has to offer. Winning the award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the developers who create these games.