The long-awaited day of the Game of the Year 2024 awards has finally arrived. The wait was finally over as fans and industry leaders gathered to celebrate gaming excellence of 2024. Amid discussions and debates, the ceremony showcased a blend of nostalgia, groundbreaking titles, and surprising moments.

Conversations backstage revealed intriguing perspectives. Some attendees expressed frustration over the acquisition of smaller companies by larger corporations, with humorous jabs exchanged. For instance, Kokawa’s situation highlighted the challenges smaller studios face when forced to choose between competing giants. Others noted the dominance of gacha games among the top five Player’s Choice entries, with four Chinese-developed games in the spotlight, three of which were gacha titles. Among them, only “Black Myth: Wukong” stood out as a non-gacha contender, capturing attention as the sole traditional game in the lineup.

Hazelight Studios’ New Game Leak: Split Fiction

Eurogamer’s report highlights the first leak from the Game of the Year Awards 2024, involving Hazelight Studios. Billbil-kun of Dealabs revealed that Hazelight’s upcoming game, reportedly titled Split Fiction, will release on March 6, 2025. The game will launch on PC and unspecified consoles, which likely include the PS5, Xbox Series X, and Series S. Hazelight, known for It Takes Two and A Way Out, might continue its focus on cooperative gameplay in this new IP.

Earlier this year, Hazelight’s founder, Josef Fares, teased the project with a cryptic social media post. Fans expect a trailer for Split Fiction at the Game Awards, reinforcing Hazelight’s reputation for innovative and engaging titles. This announcement adds significant anticipation for what promises to be a memorable event

Key Winners and Announcements

The evening began with the award for Best Fighting Game, which went to Tekken 8. Many anticipated this win, especially given the lack of enthusiasm for other nominees like MultiVersus. The Players’ Choice award stirred further discussions, with a strong showing from “Black Myth: Wukong,” solidifying its status as a frontrunner.

Other notable winners included League of Legends, which secured Best Esports Game, despite the polarized opinions surrounding it. Legendary player Faker’s in-game commemorative skin became a topic of debate, particularly due to its $500 price tag.

Innovation and Accessibility went to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. While applauded, the win felt bittersweet due to layoffs affecting the development team. Similarly, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission claimed Best Family Game, finally earning recognition against stiff competition from Nintendo.

Game of the Year  2024 Special Appearances and Mentions

The ceremony featured appearances from iconic figures, including Ken Kutaragi, the father of PlayStation, celebrating the console’s 30th anniversary. This milestone prompted reflections on gaming history, with lighthearted exchanges between industry giants Nintendo and Sony.

The event also highlighted upcoming titles and expansions. Fans cheered for the return of Ninja Gaiden in a revamped 2D format and awaited the first glimpses of The Witcher 4. Meanwhile, Elden Ring’s next installment, The Life of the Night Lord, teased its ambitious scope, blurring lines between expansions and standalone releases.

Unexpected moments kept the audience engaged, such as Clive from Final Fantasy XVI joining Tekken 8. Obsidian’s announcement of The Outer Worlds 2 also excited fans, as the studio continues to expand its portfolio with unique IPs.

Finally, Black Myth: Wukong took home Game of the Year 2024, a testament to its innovative gameplay and captivating story. The win set a high standard for the industry, showcasing the increasing global influence of Chinese game developers.