An avalanche of game announcements at The Game Awards 2024 showcased both returning franchises and innovative new titles.
The event, which celebrated the year’s best games, revealed major upcoming projects from prominent studios including Naughty Dog, Obsidian Entertainment, and CD Projekt Red.
New titles from established studios
Naughty Dog announced a new sci-fi game titled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The trailer features protagonist Jordan Munn, a bounty hunter played by Tati Gabrielle, embarking on a space adventure while navigating clunky, retro technology. Neil Druckmann, known for his work on The Last of Us, will direct this title. The narrative centers around Munn’s pursuit of a criminal syndicate called The Five Aces and her experiences on a hostile planet filled with robots. Kumail Nanjiani makes a cameo in the trailer as a mugshot.
Obsidian Entertainment revealed further details about The Outer Worlds 2 with a cheeky trailer promising more action and weaponry compared to the original. The gameplay exhibits comedic elements consistent with the first game while showcasing advanced weapon mechanics that include freezing enemies and unleashing explosive orbs.
CD Projekt Red showed a trailer for The Witcher 4, featuring Ciri as the protagonist. This announcement follows the studio’s earlier declaration in spring 2022 about starting development. The game is part of a broader Witcher franchise expansion, which includes additional titles in various stages of development.
Significant awards and nominations
Astro Bot captured the prestigious Game of the Year award at The Game Awards, along with three other categories, recognizing developer Team Asobi’s achievement. The platformer, which has been pivotal in showcasing PlayStation’s technology, competed against notable titles like Balatro and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the latter of which won for Best Music and Score. Other nominees like Black Myth: Wukong and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree also received accolades.
Indie title Balatro enjoyed success, winning several awards as the industry acknowledges the diverse creativity flourishing within the gaming space. Award significance was highlighted by the recognition of multiple categories, showcasing a competitive landscape.
Exciting reveals from new games
A teaser for Elden Ring Nightreign was unveiled, presenting a multiplayer cooperative spinoff that emphasizes action survival gameplay on an ever-changing map. This game aims to modify the existing gameplay structure from the original Elden Ring, offering a roguelike experience where players cooperate against a formidable “Nightlord.”
Split Fiction, from Hazelight Studios, signals the company’s ambition with a cooperative two-player adventure game, melding classic sci-fi and fantasy elements reminiscent of past hits. Meanwhile, Dying Light: The Beast is set for summer 2025, where players manage character Kyle Crane, who now possesses formidable powers yet must control them to protect others.
Franchise revivals and unexpected journeys
Saber Interactive announced Turok: Origins, reviving the classic shooter franchise with a shift to an over-the-shoulder perspective. This change aims to modernize gameplay while retaining the essence of the series.
Sega confirmed a new project, Virtua Fighter 6, marking the first numbered entry in nearly two decades. Details remain sparse, with the studio referring to it as a “New Virtua Fighter Project” at this stage.
The Borderlands 4 trailer debuted, signaling its return after five years. The footage showcases the franchise’s signature comedic style accompanied by high-octane gameplay, as Gearbox Software aims to recapture the original excitement of vault-hunting adventures.
Finally, Squid Game: Unleashed from Boss Fight and Netflix Games received attention with its announcement as a free-to-play experience. Scheduled for December 17, players will explore game mechanics that allow repeated gameplay, focusing on mastering the experience as they compete against others for leaderboard spots.
Featured image credit: The Game Awards
