The Game Awards 2023, the annual celebration of the best in video games, took place on December 7, 2023 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The show featured live performances, world premieres, and special guests from the gaming industry and beyond. The event was streamed live on various platforms, reaching millions of viewers around the world.
One of the biggest winners of the night was God of War Ragnarok, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 reboot of the iconic action-adventure franchise. The game, developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, won five awards, including Game of the Year, Best Action/Adventure Game, Best Art Direction, Best Audio Design, and Best Performance by Christopher Judge as Kratos. The game also received nominations for Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, and Best Score and Music.
God of War Ragnarok continues the story of Kratos, the former Greek god of war, and his son Atreus, as they journey through the realms of Norse mythology. The game features stunning visuals, immersive sound, and dynamic combat, as well as a deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships. The game is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2024 for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
Vampire Survivors Takes Home Two BAFTAs
Another surprise winner of the night was Vampire Survivors, a roguelike survival horror game developed by a small indie team from Romania. The game, which was released in October 2023 for PC and Nintendo Switch, won two awards, namely Best Game and Best Game Design. The game also received nominations for Best Debut Game, Best Original Property, and Best Multiplayer Game.
Vampire Survivors is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a deadly virus has turned most of the population into bloodthirsty vampires. The game challenges players to scavenge for resources, craft weapons, and fight for their lives against hordes of undead and other survivors. The game features procedurally generated levels, permadeath, and online co-op mode, as well as a dark and atmospheric art style.
Other Notable Winners and Nominees
Among the other winners of the night were Elden Ring, the upcoming fantasy action role-playing game from FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin, which won Best RPG and Best Original Property; Tunic, the charming adventure game starring a fox in a green tunic, which won Best Artistic Achievement and Best Debut Game; and Final Fantasy 14 Online, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game from Square Enix, which won Best Evolving Game.
Some of the other nominees that received recognition were A Plague Tale: Requiem, the sequel to the critically acclaimed stealth adventure game; Horizon Forbidden West, the sequel to the open-world action game featuring robotic dinosaurs; Stray, the game where players control a cat in a cyberpunk city; and Immortality, the game where players explore the life and death of a famous actress.
The full list of winners and nominees can be found on the official website of The Game Awards.