The Best, Worst, and Most WTF Moments of The Game Awards 2024

The last two years have featured some phenomenal games, but the people that make them have had a rough time. Since 2021, over 34,000 people have been laid off in the industry, and this year, the Game Awards finally acknowledged them in a meaningful way.

Geoff Keighley, an infamously apolitical figure in the industry who tries to avoid taking a stance as much as possible, surprised everyone this year. “When we created the TGA in 2014, I wanted to celebrate the people who devote their lives to entertaining and sometimes comforting or affecting us through video games,” he began. Addressing the layoffs directly, he acknowledged the show’s previous failings, and said, “honestly as a show we kind of struggle with how to address these topics in a constructive way.”

Gaming industry stalwart Amir Satvat then gave a heartfelt speech while accepting the Game Changer Award for the work he’s done helping developers who faced layoffs find work again. “I can’t help but say that I love video games with all my heart,” Satvat said, holding back tears. “To all game makers everywhere: you are seen and treasured and our community will always be there to help you.”

This showed that Keighley has taken the criticisms of past shows to heart and changed TGA for the better. As well as this speech, all other award winners were given their time to talk and thank people without music trying to drown them out, the sketches were actually funny and self-deprecating, emulating the Oscars more closely than ever before, and security had been noticeably improved, with guards blocking the front of the stage from any would-be opportunists.

The Game Awards still isn’t a perfect show, but it’s improved greatly, and this year’s iteration has set the stage for great things to come in the future.