The Reality Behind Video Game Awards Events

As The Game Awards approach, the gaming community is abuzz with excitement and criticism. With my experience in organizing over 50 video game awards, including the Best Places To Work Awards and the Games Media Awards, I have gained a unique insight into the inner workings of these events. Despite my involvement, I must admit that I do not have a strong affinity for awards ceremonies. As a spectator, I often find them to be overly long, and as an organizer, I have witnessed firsthand the disappointment that can come with not winning. The judging process is often a point of contention, with many arguing that it is too subjective or biased towards certain games or genres. In fact, I have spoken to a senior games executive who is highly critical of the BAFTAs, citing their subjective nature and lack of player representation. However, the populist approach, where winners are determined by fan votes, also has its drawbacks. For instance, the Golden Joystick Awards have been known to favor popular franchises over more niche titles. To mitigate these issues, some awards have adopted a hybrid approach, combining the expertise of industry professionals with the input of fans. Nevertheless, even this approach is not foolproof, and the potential for bias and subjective decision-making remains. Ultimately, there is no perfect awards system, and each has its own set of flaws and limitations. Rather than viewing awards as the definitive measure of a game's quality, it is essential to recognize them for what they are: a celebration of the gaming industry and its talented developers. The Game Awards, in particular, serve as a platform for announcing new games and showcasing upcoming releases, making it an exciting event for gamers and industry professionals alike. While it is natural to criticize the judging process or category selections, it is crucial to remember that awards events are not perfect and should be viewed as a form of entertainment rather than a definitive judgment on the gaming industry. By accepting their limitations and flaws, we can appreciate awards events for what they are: a celebration of the gaming community and its many talented creators.