The Game Awards 2024 is just around the corner, and there’s a lot of talks surrounding the world about the potential winners. With a staggering array of games vying for recognition, it’s an opportunity to consider how these titles stack up against each other through the lens of critical acclaim- this time, through Metacritic scores.
The awards ceremony promises a mix of prestige and excitement, with 30 awards expected to be distributed. Typically, winners emerge from a blend of jury votes (weighted at 90%) and public fan voting (10%). However, this year, we’re flipping the script and examining which games would take home the gold if Metacritic’s icy metrics were the judge.
In this spirit, CPG has compiled a list of potential winners based solely on their Metacritic scores. It’s a fun exercise that illuminates how public sentiment and critical reception can diverge dramatically.
The Game Awards 2024 Winners (as per Metacritic scores)
- Game of the Year – Astro Bot
- Best Independent Game – UFO 50
- Best Debut Indie Game – Balatro
- Best Action Game – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Best Action / Adventure Game – Astro Bot
- Best RPG – Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
- Best Fighting Game – Tekken 8
- Best Family Game – Astro Bot
- Best Sim / plan Game – Unicorn Overlord
- Best Sports / Racing Game – WWE 2K24
- Best Multiplayer Game – Tekken 8
- Best Mobile Game – Balatro
- Best VR / AR Game – Asgard’s Wrath 2
- Best Narrative – Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Best Art Direction – Astro Bot
- Best Adaptation – Arcane
The live stream from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles is scheduled for Thursday, December 12, starting at 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (December 13 at 12:30 AM GMT). Make a note!
The organizers have promised more than just awards, they expect world premieres and musical performances conducted by Lorne Balfe with The Game Awards Orchestra. It’s shaping up to be quite an evening!
This year’s nominees highlight critically acclaimed titles and a diverse range of genres catering to various player preferences. However, there’s always room for debate. Will fan favorites align with critics’ picks? Only time will tell. This unique perspective adds another layer to our understanding of what makes an award-winning game in today’s landscape: a blend of creativity, execution, and sometimes just plain luck.
