Over the past decade, The Game Awards has solidified its place as the definitive annual celebration of video gaming excellence. Hosted and created by Geoff Keighley, the event dazzles with its star-studded presentations, exclusive game reveals, and, of course, the awards themselves. While the show’s spectacle often takes center stage, the intricate voting process behind the accolades deserves equal attention. Here’s an in-depth look at how nominees and winners are chosen for this premier gaming event.
The Rise of The Game Awards: A Decade of Celebrations
Since its inception in 2014, The Game Awards has grown exponentially in scope and prestige. What started with just 28 voting members has now expanded to include over 100 outlets and influencers globally. Representing more than 30 countries, this diverse jury underscores the event’s commitment to recognizing gaming excellence on a global scale.
Geoff Keighley’s vision for The Game Awards was to create an event that mirrored the grandeur of Hollywood awards shows while remaining deeply rooted in the gaming community. The result is a show that celebrates not only game developers but also fans, with new categories like Players’ Voice allowing for direct public participation.
Who Decides the Nominees and Winners?
The voting process begins with a media jury composed of prominent gaming publications and influencers. Each participating outlet submits an unranked list of five games per category based on collective staff input. The nominees are determined by tallying these ballots, with ties occasionally expanding the pool to six nominees.
Voting operates similarly, with one ballot allocated per outlet. In addition to the general jury, specialized juries handle categories like esports and accessibility. Unlike the Oscars or Emmys, where industry professionals vote, The Game Awards relies exclusively on media critics and influencers, making it akin to the Critics’ Choice or Golden Globes.
A Global Media Jury and Influencers: How the Voting Works
The media jury, a cornerstone of the process, was carefully curated for its expertise in critical evaluation. Each voting body ensures its submissions represent a balanced perspective, covering various genres and platforms. This meticulous system reinforces the credibility of The Game Awards as a celebration of creativity and innovation in gaming.
While the nominees are selected by a professional jury, the winners are decided through a combination of jury votes (90%) and fan voting (10%). This blended approach maintains the awards’ credibility while incorporating community input.
The Role of Public Votes in The Game Awards
Public votes play a limited but impactful role in the outcome. Fans can influence decisions by voting online, but their input is capped at 10% of the overall vote. This design ensures that the process doesn’t devolve into a popularity contest while still valuing community engagement.
One exception to this is the Players’ Voice category, introduced in 2019, where fans have complete control over the results through multiple voting rounds. This unique category serves as a direct line for player sentiment to shape the awards.
Transparency and Challenges in the Voting Process
Despite its robust framework, the voting process has areas of opacity. Unlike the Oscars, where accounting firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers manage vote tabulation, The Game Awards hasn’t disclosed who verifies the tens of thousands of votes received. Questions surrounding this aspect have gone unanswered, raising concerns about transparency as the event grows in prominence.
Geoff Keighley has acknowledged the complexity of public voting, noting potential pitfalls like social engineering and unfair biases against smaller titles. However, the team remains committed to refining the system to address such challenges.
Fan-Driven Categories: Players’ Voice and More
Fan participation in The Game Awards isn’t limited to voting. Over the years, categories like esports player and most anticipated game have invited fans to directly influence the results. The introduction of Players’ Voice marked a significant step toward democratizing the awards, allowing fans to champion their favorite games.
