The family-friendly sci-fi adventure Astro Bot was crowned 2024’s Game of the Year on Thursday at The Game Awards, often regarded as the Oscars of the gaming world. The platformer, which follows the adventures of a small space robot, also won accolades for “Best Family Game,” “Best Game Direction,” and “Best Action/Adventure Game.”
A Hit from Team Asobi
Developed by Sony’s 65-person Japanese studio, Team Asobi, Astro Bot has sold over 1.5 million copies. Speaking at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Team Asobi’s French chief Nicolas Doucet highlighted the studio’s user-first approach. “It was just about the kids,” Doucet said, noting the privilege of being potentially the first game many children experience.
The Game Awards have grown into gaming’s most prestigious event, reflecting the medium’s mainstream success. Last year’s ceremony drew 118 million global livestreams, vastly outpacing the 2023 Academy Awards’ 19 million viewers.
Other Big Winners
Medieval fantasy RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio, created by Japanese studio Atlus and published by Sega, took home awards for “Best Role-Playing Game” and “Best Narrative.” Meanwhile, the poker-based Balatro claimed “Best Mobile Game” and “Best Independent Game.”
Star-Studded Event
The eleventh edition of The Game Awards featured appearances by major celebrities, including actor Harrison Ford and rapper Snoop Dogg, who performed a track from his latest album, Missionary.
Exciting New Game Announcements
Several new games were unveiled during the ceremony. Naughty Dog, known for The Last of Us, announced its upcoming title Intergalactic. Josef Fares, the founder of Hazelight Studios, revealed Split Fiction, a sci-fi and fantasy game following his studio’s prior success with It Takes Two, which won Game of the Year in 2021 and sold over 20 million copies.
Acknowledging Industry Challenges
Host Geoff Keighley addressed the gaming industry’s recent struggles, pointing to widespread layoffs. “Over the last three years, we’ve lost more than 34,000 jobs,” Keighley said. “This has consequences. You can’t make great games without great people.”
