Game Awards Voters Criticize Inclusion of Elden Ring DLC in Game of the Year Category

The Game Awards 2024: Elden Ring DLC Nominated for Game of the Year

The recent announcement of the six finalists for the prestigious Game of the Year award at The Game Awards 2024 has sparked a significant debate among gaming enthusiasts. Among the nominees is Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, prompting some fans to question its eligibility for this esteemed award.

Elden Ring’s Remarkable Journey

In 2022, Elden Ring captured the title of Game of the Year, thanks to its groundbreaking gameplay and captivating story. Developed by FromSoftware, the game has enjoyed immense commercial success, selling over 25 million copies before the release of its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion in June 2023. This remarkable achievement has positioned Elden Ring among the top 50 best-selling video games of all time. Our review awarded the DLC a perfect five out of five stars, praising it for delivering a compelling conclusion to its narrative.

The Nominee Controversy

This year’s nominees comprise Astro Bot, Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Metaphor: Refantazio. The inclusion of the expansion DLC raises questions about whether it merits a place in the Game of the Year category.

Insights from Industry Figures

Wario 64 recently addressed the eligibility criteria on social media, stating on November 16 that expansions, DLCs, and remakes could be nominated if they display significant creative and technical innovation.

In contrast, popular Twitch streamer Lirik voiced his concern, suggesting that “DLC/Remakes should be separated from categories like GOTY – isn’t this obvious?”

DLC/Remakes should be separated from categories like GOTY – isn’t this obvious? https://t.co/5pAOTOwRJt

— Lirik (@LIRIK)
November 16, 2024

Quality vs. Eligibility

While there is a consensus among fans regarding the quality of Shadow of the Erdtree, the nomination itself has sparked skepticism. Content creator Night Sky remarked that the situation seems like an attempt to award Elden Ring the Game of the Year title a second time, without due process.

I don’t think a single person alive with any credibility is questioning the quality of Shadow of the Erdtree, but this really does feel like an excuse to give Elden Ring GOTY twice.

— Night Sky (@NightSkyPrince_)
November 18, 2024

A Closer Look at Shadow of the Erdtree

Let’s delve into what Shadow of the Erdtree brings to the gaming table. The DLC offers players a rich narrative experience, with the main story spanning approximately 15-20 hours. Meanwhile, completionists might invest 40-50 hours to explore everything it has to offer. Notably, the expansion introduces 55 new bosses and expands the map by an estimated 40%, effectively adding the size of two new regions.

Implications for Future Nominations

This nomination sets a significant precedent for future awards, leading to dissatisfaction among fans who feel titles like HellDivers 2, Silent Hill 2, Tekken 8, and Animal Well deserved recognition as well. Furthermore, pertinent questions arise about whether expansions from popular titles like Diablo IV and Destiny 2 might have qualified for nominations as well.

Anticipation for The Game Awards

Fans eagerly await the outcome of The Game Awards, scheduled for December 12 at 7:30 p.m. EST. As excitement builds, the gaming community will be keen to see who ultimately receives the acclaimed Game of the Year title.

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