This year's Game Awards ceremony garnered a lot of justified criticism for the way it rushed winning developers off stage in favour of adverts, rambling conversations with Hideo Kojima, and celebrity cameos from the likes of Timothée Chalamet.
The Game Awards were more infuriating than usual in 2023 | Kaser Focus
09.12.2023 - 01:01 / venturebeat.com / Geoff Keighley
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At first blush, The Game Awards 2023 was not very different from previous events. Most of the complaints I could level at Geoff Keighley’s tenth show are ones I could make against the ninth, the eighth and so on. The show was overly focused on Hollywood actors over game-based performers. Kojima’s game reveal that wasn’t a game reveal went on for entirely too long. The orchestra practically jumped down the throats of any award recipient who said more than a cursory “Thank you” on the mic (Keighley even agrees with me on the last one).
In any other year, I’d be annoyed, but not upset. While I hate Keighley’s propensity to fawn over anyone from the film and TV industry who shows up at these events and I wish the actual awards were given more focus, I’m accept that this Just How It Is. But in 2023, that felt like even more of a kick in the teeth than it usually does. The Game Awards have always been commercial, but watching Keighley and company wallow in that aspect of the show while the actual industry that’s propping up the event is on fire put my hackles in the air.
Am I talking about the layoffs again? You bet I am. Even by the most conservative estimates, over 7,000 people lost their jobs in the games industry this year. I’m not saying I expected The Game Awards to pay direct tribute to them. Heck, I’m not even saying The Game Awards needed to be a downer. I would have settled for the bare minimum of just acknowledging how many people have been screwed over this year and some lip service to the fact that the show wouldn’t exist without their work.
Instead, what we got was a show where the people who were actually part of the games were played off the stage after 30 seconds while barely being allowed to express their gratitude. Some of the awards weren’t given on the stage at all. The Game Awards has always been a marketing gimmick disguised as a celebration, but the fact the disguise was so transparent on this year, of all times, makes more upsetting than ever. If 2023 has taught us anything, it’s that saying, “That’s Just How It Is” is no longer an adequate justification — if it ever was in the first place.
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gamingbolt.com
17.12.2023 / 13:53
The Game Awards 2023 Had Over 118 Million Live Viewers
The Game Awards have enjoyed consistent growth since the first showcase took place in December 2014, to the point where they have become an integral pillar for the community, especially in terms of new reveals and announcements by developers and publishers all around the world. This year’s showcase, like previous years’, was another one to exhibit continued growth for the event.
eurogamer.net
16.12.2023 / 20:51
The Game Awards 2023 has broken its own viewership record with 118m livestreams
The Game Awards 2023 has broken its own viewership record, clocking up around 118 million livestreams.
pushsquare.com
16.12.2023 / 15:17
Geoff Keighley Agrees Winners Weren't Given Enough Stage Time at The Game Awards | Push Square
The Game Awards has come and gone again, with 2023's show proving somewhat contentious, depending on who you ask. Something that became increasingly apparent as the show progressed was the pressure winners appeared to be under to wrap things up. Even Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke, who managed to snag Game of the Year with Baldur's Gate 3, appeared to be whisked off the stage after around 30 seconds, surprisingly spry in a suit of armour.
pushsquare.com
16.12.2023 / 15:16
Best PS5 Announcement at The Game Awards 2023, as Voted by You | Push Square
With The Game Awards 2023 now squarely in the rear view mirror, it's time to reflect on what was shown during Geoff Keighley's big end of year bash. Criticisms of the format and actual award presentations aside, the event did give us some significant game reveals.
rockpapershotgun.com
14.12.2023 / 14:52
In cutting off Baldur's Gate 3's GOTY speech, the Game Awards cut the show's only real mention of mass layoffs
Larian's CEO and founder Swen Vincke has shared the rough full text of his Game Awards 2023 acceptance speech for Baldur's Gate 3's Game of the Year trophy, after having his thoughts cut short by the event's crowded scheduling, which allotted more time to Kojima chitchat, trailers and celebrity cameos than the actual award-winners.
theverge.com
12.12.2023 / 17:27
Developers are wanting more than The Game Awards are delivering
Game developers have a problem with this year’s Game Awards.
eurogamer.net
11.12.2023 / 13:07
The Game Awards speeches were too short, Geoff Keighley admits
Following scrutiny from developers, The Game Awards founder and host Geoff Keighley has said he agrees the allotted speech time for each winner was too short this year.
venturebeat.com
09.12.2023 / 01:39
Don’t worry. The Game Awards shows cool games are coming in 2024 | The DeanBeat
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screenrant.com
08.12.2023 / 19:37
10 Biggest Moments From The Game Awards 2023 (Reveals, Trailers & Viral Moments)
2023 has been a phenomenal year for gaming, and this December's The Game Awards event offered one of the most exciting shows in recent memory. Along with crowning 2023's Game of the Year, host Geoff Keighley and his special guests also revealed a host of world-premier trailers, new games, and exciting news, all while recognizing the many incredible achievements made by the gaming industry throughout 2023.
gadgets.ndtv.com
08.12.2023 / 17:01
The Game Awards 2023: Hideo Kojima’s OD, Monster Hunter Wilds, Blade, More Announced
The Game Awards 2023 wrapped earlier today, marking an epic conclusion to this year's video game season and celebrating the best games released in the past year. The lengthy ceremony was once again hosted by Geoff Keighley, live from Los Angeles, with Baldur's Gate 3 taking home the coveted Game of the Year award. As usual, there were a few exciting new announcements, and while some expectations were crushed, there's still a bunch to look forward to. Standout reveals this year include a collaboration between Hideo Kojima and filmmaker Jordan Peele, a free DLC for God of War Ragnarök, yet another Skull and Bones release date, and more surprises.
thegamer.com
08.12.2023 / 14:17
Hideo Kojima And Gonzo Had As Much Time At The Game Awards As The Winners
Hideo Kojima and Gonzo from The Muppets had just as much time on-stage at The Game Awards as the award winners themselves, who were hurried off-stage with a teleprompter reading "please wrap it up".