In case you missed it, the nominees for the highly anticipated 10th annual Game Awards, set to air on December 12, have finally been announced. This event holds great significance in the gaming world, as it showcases the best of the best. Some games were predictably nominated in multiple categories, such as Astro Bot with seven nominations and Metaphor: ReFantazio with six. However, there were also some delightful surprises, like the indie darling Balatro being nominated for the show's top award. But after all these years, the timing of the award show continues to confound many, especially when it unintentionally sabotages games that are eligible for nomination but release too close to the cut-off date to get a proper shot at consideration. Yes, we're specifically talking about BioWare's Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Unraveling the Timing Conundrum of the Game Awards

Nominees and Predictable Front-runners

The announcement of the nominees brought forth a mix of familiar faces and unexpected contenders. Astro Bot and Metaphor: ReFantazio, with their extensive nominations, clearly stood out among the crowd. These games have managed to capture the attention of both critics and gamers alike, earning them a prominent place in the nomination list. It's interesting to see how some games become the frontrunners, while others manage to surprise us with their nominations.However, the presence of these front-runners also highlights the competitive nature of the gaming industry. Games need to constantly strive to deliver exceptional experiences to stand a chance at being nominated and winning awards. It's a testament to the hard work and creativity of the developers behind these games.

The Impact of Timing on Game Eligibility

For context, any game that was publicly available by November 22 (a date that was still several days away when nominations were announced on Monday) was eligible for nomination this year. According to staffers at jury outlets Kotaku has spoken to, ballots were due on November 12. This creates a challenging situation for games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which can take up to 60 hours to complete and launched less than two weeks before ballots were due.The lack of distance between the eligibility cut-off and the due date of votes means that timing becomes a crucial factor in determining whether a game even gets on the ballot. Games that launch close to the show itself are at a significant disadvantage, as voters don't have enough time to play and evaluate them properly. This is especially true for epic games like Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, which launched much earlier and had more time to gain recognition.On the other hand, some games benefit from their brevity and are able to make a mark even with limited playtime. Astro Bot, for example, managed to secure multiple nominations despite its relatively shorter gameplay. This shows that different games have different strategies when it comes to getting nominated.

Comparing with Other Award Shows

Let's take a look at the Grammys, one of the biggest awards ceremonies in the music industry. The 2025 Grammys will recognize music released from September 16, 2023 to August 30, 2024. Nominations weren't even announced until November 8, providing a significant amount of time for considering what should be nominated. This contrasts with the Game Awards, where the eligibility window ends within a hair's breadth of when the ballots are due.Other video game award shows, like the BAFTA Games Awards, also follow a similar approach by putting months of distance between the window of eligibility and the date of the actual show. This allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of games and gives them a fair chance to be recognized.The question remains: why does the Game Awards do things this way? We reached out to the show for comment and didn't receive an answer in time for publication. However, it's likely that the show's focus on being an ad for games rather than a celebration of them plays a role. December is a strategic time for publishers to want their games to be adorned with accolades as people are making their Christmas lists.But if the show were to consider how its structure undermines games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, it could potentially make for a better, more representative event. The lack of a meaningful gap between the eligibility cut-off and when ballots are due affects not only games like The Veilguard but also other deserving titles.

The Consequences for Games

The timing issue has significant consequences for games that are affected by it. Games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, which launched today, November 20, was technically eligible but had a limited chance of getting nominated due to the limited time available for jurors to play it. This is a shame, as it means that some truly great games might not get the recognition they deserve.On the other hand, games like Spider-Man 2 manage to make their way into multiple categories despite releasing late in the window. This shows that certain factors, such as being a huge, first-party IP and having a relatively shorter gameplay time, can give a game an advantage.However, for games like The Veilguard, launching at a time so disadvantageous means that it only gets one nomination in Accessibility, chosen by a specialist panel. This is a clear indication of how the timing issue can limit a game's potential for recognition.In conclusion, the timing and eligibility issues surrounding the Game Awards have a significant impact on the games that are nominated and recognized. It's important for the show to consider these issues and find a way to create a more fair and representative event. Only then can the Game Awards truly celebrate the best of the best in the gaming industry.