The Game Awards' Future Class program has been put on hold for 2025, with no new cohorts or programming planned, leading to disappointment and feelings of neglect among former honorees who feel the organization has not supported or communicated with them adequately.
The 27th annual DICE Awards celebrated game developers and their achievements, with Baldur's Gate 3 winning Game of the Year. Larian Studios used their acceptance speech to highlight the importance of building a community and creating fun games, taking a direct shot at Embracer Group's focus on maximizing shareholder value. The event also honored industry legends and provided a platform for developers to address industry challenges, emphasizing the human aspect of game development and the need for recognition.
Game developers are expressing their dissatisfaction with The Game Awards, claiming that the event has become more focused on revenue generation and celebrity appearances rather than celebrating game development. Developers criticized the limited time given to acceptance speeches and the prioritization of Hollywood actors over game developers. They also expressed disappointment in the lack of recognition for the industry's layoffs and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Israel and Palestine. The Game Awards, despite its high viewership and prestige, is being criticized for overshadowing the developers it is meant to honor.
The Game Awards 2023 received criticism for failing to give game developers the recognition they deserve. Winners were given only 30 seconds to give their acceptance speeches before being drowned out by music, and some awards were relegated to the pre-show. The show also prioritized Hollywood celebrities over game developers. The lack of acknowledgment for the industry's challenges, such as layoffs, was disappointing. Suggestions for improvement include dedicating separate days for awards and game announcements and giving winners more time to speak. Despite the shortcomings, congratulations were extended to the winners and gratitude was expressed to the hard-working developers who bring color to the gaming world.