Aftermath of The Game Awards
The Game Awards have concluded, leaving a trail of discussions and criticisms in their wake. The event has been particularly criticized for the brief time allocated to developers’ acceptance speeches compared to the seemingly unlimited time given to celebrities. This disparity has sparked a backlash from the game development community.
Lmao the prompter
— Dave Oshry @DaveOshry.TWITTER (@DaveOshry)
December 8, 2023
Developers expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, with many feeling that the event prioritized celebrity appearances over honoring the actual game makers. The issue was highlighted when developers were prompted to “Please wrap it up” after just 30 seconds during their acceptance speeches, while celebrities enjoyed much longer segments on stage.
If I won game of the year and was dedicating the award to a member of my team who had died during development and saw the words “Please wrap it up” I’d be fucking pissed #TheGameAwards
— Javier Abegazo @javierabegazo.TWITTER (@javierabegazo)
December 8, 2023
The situation was made worse when the prompt to conclude speeches was displayed during a particularly sensitive moment, as a developer was discussing team members who had passed away. This incident has led to further scrutiny of the event’s handling of its honorees.
Industry Reactions to The Game Awards
Several game developers took to Twitter to voice their criticisms of The Game Awards, particularly regarding the handling of acceptance speeches and the extensive focus on celebrity segments. Below is a list of developers and their comments:
This year’s The Game Awards is an embarrassing indictment of a segment of the industry desperate for validation via star power with little respect for the devs it’s supposedly honoring.
— Josh Sawyer @jesawyer.TWITTER (@jesawyer)
December 8, 2023
That felt wrong, genuinely.
— Rami Ismail @tha_rami.TWITTER (@tha_rami)
December 8, 2023
love doing prolonged unfunny bits rather than listening to game devs talk about their work.
— Cat Manning @catacalypto.TWITTER (@catacalypto)
December 8, 2023
great how the game awards are treating the award winners like they’re an inconvenience getting in the way of all the paid ads.
— Jessica Harvey @oysterFAKE.TWITTER (@oysterFAKE)
December 8, 2023
What am I doing with my time here on Earth
— Antonio Freyre @merlino_games.TWITTER (@merlino_games)
December 8, 2023
The developers’ comments highlight a shared sentiment of frustration and disappointment with how The Game Awards prioritized entertainment over the recognition of game developers’ hard work and achievements.
Contrasting Priorities at The Game Awards
The Game Awards has consistently presented itself as a dual-natured event, torn between being a marketing platform and a celebration of video game artistry. This dichotomy has led to a conflict of interests that was particularly evident in the latest iteration of the awards.
| Marketing Event | Celebration of Artistry |
|---|---|
| Focus on upcoming releases and announcements | Recognition of creative achievements in gaming |
| Extended segments for industry executives and celebrities | Shortened acceptance speeches for game developers |
| Emphasis on entertainment and spectacle | Need for genuine acknowledgment of developers’ work |
The event’s marketing aspect often overshadows the celebration of game development, leading to dissatisfaction among those in the industry. As highlighted by VGU.TV’s Emmett Watkins Jr., the dominance of marketing diminishes the likelihood of heartfelt moments, such as the acceptance speech for That Dragon, Cancer, which are essential for a true celebration of the medium.
Considering Alternatives to The Game Awards
The recent backlash against The Game Awards has sparked a conversation about the need for a reevaluation of how the industry celebrates its achievements. The suggestion has been made that perhaps awards shows should be distinct from marketing events, allowing each to serve its purpose without compromising the other.
For the industry to truly honor the artistry and craft of video games, it may need to consider alternatives to The Game Awards. Such alternatives could provide a platform that focuses solely on the developers and their creative endeavors, ensuring that their contributions are not overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of celebrity appearances and marketing spectacles.
In conclusion, the industry at large is being called to reflect on what it can offer as an alternative to The Game Awards, with the aim of creating an event that genuinely respects and celebrates the hard work and innovation of game developers.
