The Game Awards 2024 was an unforgettable night celebrating the best of gaming over the past year, future blockbusters, and the talented people behind them. With countless reveals, trailers, awards, and surprises, it was almost overwhelming to keep up with everything. Here’s a complete recap to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

Naughty Dog’s Bold New Frontier: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

Naughty Dog unveiled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a space-faring adventure led by Neil Druckmann. This marks a departure from The Last of Us as the studio ventures into science fiction. Featuring music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the game introduces Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter stranded on the mysterious planet Sempiria. Tati Gabrielle takes the lead role, supported by a star-studded cast including Kumail Nanjiani. With themes of survival and exploration, Intergalactic promises to kick off an exciting new franchise.

Capcom’s Stunning Reveals: Okami 2 and the Return of Onimusha

Capcom thrilled fans with two major announcements. First, Okami 2, developed by Hideki Kamiya’s new studio, was revealed through a teaser accompanied by live orchestral music. Meanwhile, the long-awaited return of Onimusha was confirmed for 2026, reigniting nostalgia for the beloved franchise.

The Witcher 4: Ciri Takes the Spotlight

CD Projekt Red officially announced The Witcher 4 with a visually stunning six-minute trailer. This entry shifts the focus to Ciri as the protagonist in a single-player, open-world action RPG. While a release date remains elusive, the game’s foundation in Unreal Engine 5 sets high expectations.

Elden Ring Nightreign: Co-Op Adventures in the Lands Between

FromSoftware introduced Elden Ring Nightreign, a standalone co-op spin-off arriving in 2025. Players can team up with two friends to explore a dynamic, condensed version of Limgrave, filled with randomized challenges for each session.

Game of the Year: Astro Bot Triumphs

Astro Bot claimed the top prize, edging out competitors like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Black Myth Wukong. In addition to Game of the Year, it won three other awards, solidifying its place in gaming history.

Special Recognition: Amir Satvat Wins Game Changers Award

The inaugural Game Changers Award went to Amir Satvat for his dedication to helping laid-off developers find employment. His impactful contributions were a highlight of the evening.

New Projects and Sequels

• Mafia: The Old Country: A narrative-driven prequel set in 1900s Sicily, coming Summer 2025.
• Dispatch: A dialogue-rich game featuring a star-studded cast, including Aaron Paul and Laura Bailey.
• Split Fiction: Hazelight Studios’ new split-screen co-op adventure blending sci-fi and fantasy.
• The Outer Worlds 2: A fresh gameplay trailer confirmed a 2025 release.

Iconic Returns

• The Last of Us Part II is coming to PC on April 3, 2025.
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will debut on PC on January 23, 2025, with enhancements.
• Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a 2D side-scroller, launches in Summer 2025.
• Turok: Origins, a co-op dinosaur-hunting game, reinvents the franchise.

Surprises and Expansions

• Sega announced a comeback for Virtua Fighter with more details to follow.
• Sonic Racing CrossWorlds teased a new racing adventure.
• Sloclap (Sifu) revealed Rematch, an online multiplayer soccer game.
• Expansions for Palworld (Feybreak, December 2024) and Dave the Diver (In the Jungle, late 2025) added to the excitement.

Experimental and Artistic Endeavors

• Fumito Ueda showcased Project Robot, blending mech exploration with emotional storytelling.
• Shadow Labyrinth transformed Pac-Man into a Metroidvania, set for a 2025 release.
• Warren Spector introduced Thick as Thieves, a multiplayer homage to the classic Thief.

This year’s event set the stage for an exhilarating future in gaming, delivering surprises and long-awaited announcements that have players buzzing with anticipation.

A credible insider has dismissed a recent rumor suggesting that South of Midnight will receive an early 2025 release date announcement at The Game Awards 2024. While this doesn’t rule out the possibility of the game making an appearance at the event, it seems the exact release date for this anticipated Xbox Game Pass title may be saved for a later occasion.

South of Midnight and Xbox Game Pass: Building Momentum for 2025

Xbox Game Pass has had a stellar run in late 2024 with major releases such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Heading into 2025, the service’s momentum is set to continue with day-one titles like Avowed, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, Atomfall, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and Eternal Strands. While The Game Awards 2024 may bolster this list with new announcements, South of Midnight likely won’t confirm its release date at the event.

Developed by Compulsion Games, South of Midnight is a single-player action-adventure game set to launch in 2025 as a day-one Xbox Game Pass title. Despite its confirmed 2025 release window, the specific launch date remains unknown. A rumor from Game Pass insider eXtas1s suggested that a March 2025 release date would be revealed at The Game Awards 2024. However, this claim was refuted by Microsoft insider Jez Corden, who responded with a simple "No" on Twitter to a post discussing the rumor.

South of Midnight at The Game Awards 2024?

Jez Corden’s response seems to only debunk the announcement of a specific release date for South of Midnight at The Game Awards. It doesn’t eliminate the possibility of a new trailer or other promotional content for the game. Fans speculating about a release date reveal might instead look forward to an Xbox Developer Direct in January 2025. Xbox has held Developer Direct presentations in January for the past two years, showcasing upcoming first-party titles and day-one Game Pass releases. This could be the likeliest venue for an announcement.

Will South of Midnight Launch in Early 2025?

If the rumored March 2025 release date for South of Midnight turns out to be accurate, it might align with the January Developer Direct announcement. A late 2025 release seems less likely, as many publishers reportedly aim to avoid launching near GTA 6, which is anticipated for fall 2025. For now, fans of South of Midnight will have to wait for more updates, but the game's inclusion in Xbox Game Pass ensures it will be a significant addition to the platform's growing library of exclusive titles.

What’s Next for South of Midnight?

While The Game Awards 2024 may not provide the release date reveal some fans were hoping for, there’s still plenty of excitement surrounding the game. Whether it’s showcased at a future Xbox event or another platform, South of Midnight continues to be one of the most highly anticipated titles for 2025.

Renowned game creator Hideo Kojima, known for his work on Metal Gear and Death Stranding, has been confirmed as a presenter at The Game Awards 2024, hosted by Geoff Keighley. The show will take place on December 12 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. While fans eagerly anticipate news about Death Stranding 2, which Kojima is currently developing, speculation is rife that the highly anticipated sequel might make an appearance during the event.

Celebrating a Decade of The Game Awards

This year marks the 10th anniversary of The Game Awards, heightening expectations for major announcements and surprises. Fans and developers alike will tune in for the show’s numerous award categories, including Best Family Game, Best Multiplayer Game, and Best Art Direction. However, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on the Game of the Year award, with nominees including:

• Astro Bot
• Balatro
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Metaphor: ReFantazio

Kojima and Keighley: A Storied Partnership

Kojima’s appearance at The Game Awards is unsurprising, given his long-standing friendship with host Geoff Keighley. In a post on Twitter, Keighley noted that Kojima has been a part of the event since its inception in 2014, making it only fitting for him to join the celebration of its 10th anniversary. This year, Kojima will not only attend as a fan but also present one of the show’s many awards.

Will We See More of Death Stranding 2?

While there is no official confirmation, fans are hopeful that Kojima’s presence could bring another glimpse of Death Stranding 2. The sequel, first teased by star Norman Reedus in 2022, received its official reveal during The Game Awards 2022, with subsequent trailers offering deeper insights into the game. Given that the franchise has a history with the event, many expect a new trailer or update to debut this year.

However, fans should temper their expectations for a release date announcement. During the Tokyo Game Show 2024, Kojima confirmed that while the release date for Death Stranding 2 has been finalized, it won’t be revealed until 2025. He cited "unforeseen circumstances" as the reason for the delay but reassured fans that the information would come next year.

What to Expect at The Game Awards 2024

With Kojima's attendance and the show's 10th-anniversary celebration, The Game Awards 2024 promises to be a memorable event for gaming enthusiasts. Whether or not Death Stranding 2 takes the stage, fans can look forward to an evening filled with exciting announcements, spectacular reveals, and a celebration of the best in gaming over the past year.

As gamers eagerly await the official announcement of the nominees for The Game Awards 2024, the event organizers have updated the FAQ section to clarify which types of games and content are eligible for nomination. This move aims to address past controversies, where differing opinions on eligibility led to confusion among viewers.

Set to air on December 12, The Game Awards 2024 will recognize video games that have captivated both critics and players. While many are focused on which title will claim the prestigious Game of the Year award, this new clarification sheds light on what types of releases can contend for various accolades. According to the update, "expansion packs, new game seasons, DLCs, remakes, and remasters are eligible in all categories," provided they are nominated by the jury. The organizers emphasize that factors such as "the newness of the content" and "creative and technical work" are considered, regardless of the format of the release. This means that notable releases like Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC and the Silent Hill 2 remake can compete even in the coveted Game of the Year category.

Remakes, DLCs, and Expansion Packs Find Their Place at The Game Awards

The inclusion of DLCs, remakes, and expansion packs has sparked mixed reactions. While some fans welcome the recognition of exceptional content, others worry that the decision might overshadow original ideas, especially from indie developers, by favoring high-profile AAA re-releases. Despite this divide, many argue that outstanding work deserves acknowledgment, irrespective of its format. Whether this expanded eligibility will influence The Game Awards 2024 in a significant way remains to be seen. The official list of nominees will be revealed on November 18, keeping fans in suspense.

The Game Awards has long been a cornerstone celebration of the gaming industry, showcasing both veteran developers and emerging talents. Following the record-breaking viewership of The Game Awards 2023, excitement is building for this year’s event. Gamers and critics alike are eager to discover which titles, expansions, and remakes will rise to the top in this highly anticipated showcase.