Helldivers 2 has released a major update called "Omen of Tyranny" during The Game Awards, introducing a new enemy faction, the Illuminate, along with new maps, vehicles, and weapons. The update is available now on Steam and PlayStation 5, allowing players to continue their mission of liberating colonized planets from alien threats.
Borderlands 4 was officially revealed at The Game Awards 2024, with Gearbox Software showcasing a new trailer that includes gameplay and a cinematic bridging the story from Borderlands 3. The game is set for a 2025 release on consoles and PC. To celebrate the reveal, Gearbox's Randy Pitchford shared a mega SHiFT code offering various in-game keys for Borderlands titles. Despite a lack of leaks, fans are excited about the new installment in the looter-shooter franchise.
Day Of The Devs: The Game Awards Edition showcased 19 indie games, including titles from well-known developers like Panic and TinyBuild, as well as newcomers like Alpha Channel. Highlights include "Faraway," a constellation-building game, "Ultimate Sheep Raccoon," a multiplayer racing game, and "Sleight Of Hand," a stealth-action deckbuilder. The event featured a variety of genres, from platformers like "Demon Tides" to unique experiences like "PBJ – The Musical," offering a diverse range of gaming experiences.
The Day of the Devs The Game Awards Edition 2024 showcased 19 indie games, with only one confirmed for the Nintendo Switch: inKONBINI, a game about running a Japanese convenience store. Many other titles, such as Faraway and Ultimate Sheep Racoon, are expected to eventually come to the Switch or its successor, with most games currently confirmed for PC or other platforms. The event highlighted a diverse range of games, from puzzle and platformers to unique concepts like a sandwich-based musical.
Borderlands 4 is set to be officially revealed at The Game Awards, featuring extensive in-game footage and a new cinematic that bridges the story between Borderlands 3 and the upcoming game. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has teased the trailer, which will include familiar characters and potentially offer insights into the game's lore. The game is expected to release after April next year, avoiding a clash with GTA 6.
Bandai Namco has announced a 'Winter Update' for Tekken 8, featuring photo mode improvements and new customization slots, along with a new Fight Pass for the game's 30th anniversary. Season 2, set to launch next year, will introduce new DLC characters, including a likely appearance by Anna, and will bring balance adjustments and new moves for all characters. The final Season 1 DLC character will be revealed at The Game Awards.
The Game Awards Vote in Fortnite has returned with new nominees for 2024, allowing players to vote for their favorite creator-made island until December 11. The event features a digitized presenter, Geoff Keighley, as a MetaHuman, and includes a new Arena mode for players to battle and earn in-game currency. Ten islands are nominated for Island of the Year, and players can vote by visiting the island using the code 0853-1358-8532. Winners will be announced on December 12.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the latest installment from BioWare, faced a significant snub at The Game Awards, receiving only a nomination for Accessibility despite positive reviews and a decent Metacritic score. This is a setback for BioWare, which is trying to recover from past disappointments like Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem. The lack of major nominations, coupled with EA's silence on sales figures, suggests the game hasn't resonated widely, raising concerns about BioWare's future projects.
The Game Awards has announced that downloadable content (DLC), expansions, remakes, and remasters will be eligible for all award categories, including Game of the Year. This decision aims to recognize the best creative and technical work annually, regardless of the content's release format. The jury will consider factors like the newness and value of the content when making nominations. The 10th anniversary of The Game Awards will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and streamed live, following a record-breaking 2023 event with 118 million livestreams.
Epic Games is offering Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy' game for free download until January 11, 2024. The game, which won "Best Narrative" at The Game Awards, features engaging character banter, a comic book storyline, and an 80s soundtrack. To claim the game, users must have an account on the Epic Game Store and download it during the one-week window when it's available. Epic Games regularly releases free games every Thursday, and users can keep up with these offers by checking the Epic Games website or following their social media accounts.
The article humorously predicts the winners of The Game Awards in 2025, with a focus on a few select titles. "Monster Hunter Wilds" is anticipated to win Best RPG, "Big Walk" for Games for Impact, "Pony Island 2: Panda Circus" for Best Content Creator, and "Usual June" for Best Independent Game, though it's suggested it might be snubbed. "Mouse" is expected to win Best Art Direction and Best Shooter, while "Crimson Desert" is predicted to be notably snubbed. "Grand Theft Auto VI" is humorously expected to sweep the awards across multiple categories, reflecting high expectations and industry buzz around the title.
The gaming industry in 2023 faced several controversies, including the backlash against "Hogwarts Legacy" due to J.K. Rowling's views, discomfort over "Unrecord's" realistic graphics resembling police bodycam footage, the revival of "Six Days in Fallujah" sparking debate over its portrayal of war, Unity's unpopular new pricing model, and The Game Awards' insensitivity towards winners and political issues. Additionally, the hyped game "The Day Before" flopped, leading to its developer's closure and the game's removal from Steam. AI's rise in game development sparked concerns over job security, and the industry experienced significant layoffs despite a boom in gaming, highlighting the precarious nature of the sector and the potential need for unionization to protect workers.
Jack Black, the voice of Bowser in the upcoming Mario Movie, performed the movie's love ballad 'Peaches' live at The Game Awards 10-Year Concert, dressed in the full king of the Koopas garb. Accompanied by a full orchestra, Black's rocking vocals had the crowd singing along. He also performed Tenacious D's hit song 'VIDEO GAMES' with Kyle Gass. The song's official music video has millions of views and is eligible for an Oscar nomination next year.