I see Xbox and now the likes of SEGA are hyping the Game Awards.
Don’t like the Game Awards myself. Asking bias gaming fans to vote on their fav game makes no sense to me and Geoff Keighley seems too smug and loves himself.
Might have to watch it this year mind even though it’s on at GOD awful time in Ireland.
If you want no spoilers just don’t read anything here and watch it at a time that’s convenient for you. Or if you just want the best parts you can see that after a lot easier. I could watch live but no interest. I’ll maybe watch a couple trailers afterwards on articles on this site but that’s it. I’ve wasted too much time on the show in previous years
Xbox and Sega heads walk on stage at the same time with some paper, smile at the camera, sign the paper and announce Sega has acquired Xbox.
Xbox is then rebranded to Sega and the world is at peace.
Followed by a actually good Sonic game, CA making StarCraft, a Jet Set Radio game, House of the Dead, and a God of War style Golden Axe. Later Platinum games announce they’ve been acquired by Sega.
It makes sense that companies are hyping up announcements for the show because it’s the event that will have the most audience tbh. I think my only issue with the game awards is dealing with all of the advertisement and trying to suck up to hollywood, but I am a sucker for game trailers
Ok, so I’m flying out for the show soon, and I just needed to clear my mind, because to level with you, I’m scared fucking shitless of flying (I haven’t flown in just shy of a decade). But man, I wanna see the announcements (particularly Xbox) and root for Starfield and HFR (the GOTYs in my heart).
In any event, one fun way to clear your mind is to make predictions and make predictions I have this year. And I’ve pulled some stats from the past 5 years to guide my predictions.
Now, my math isn’t exact here, as Wikipedia is not the finest source for the exact announcements, but I don’t wanna parse 15 hours of show to confirm. I also double-count in some instances (Outer Worlds is 2k and Xbox, Fall Guys in 2020 is Epic and Devolver, Fast and Furious is Bamco and EA, etc.). PC Ports are considered updates.
So, with this in mind, here are my predictions for 2023:
New Game Announcements:
Given the comments by Max Hoberman, I think we could see Project Suerte from Xbox. Or, if Xbox is feeling extra bold, we get a new reveal from Bethesda who has never revealed a game at the TGAs.
ABK could be ready to announce a new Spyro project, but I’m 50/50 on this.
While statistically speaking, I shouldn’t include Sony, I will. I think a GoW:R Expandalone will be announced. Maybe Atreus based?
Nintendo is pretty good about bringing things. Perhaps an XC3 expandalone or the long-rumoured FE: Genealogy of the Holy War remake? Switch seems to be in wrap up phases, but I doubt they reveal anything Switch 2 here. The Switch is selling stronger than XB1/PS4 were in their late stages, so why risk that?
EA usually brings something. Is Hazelight ready for their next game? If so, it’d make a natural fit here.
Ubisoft is tougher. I have doubts they’re bringing something new this year.
2K/Private Division often brings something. I think it’s time 31st Union reveals the Competitive FPS they’ve been cooking and we see Moon Studios’ latest.
WB is hit or miss, but I suspect they’re in maintenance mode internally, focusing on live games and driving development on existing.
Embracer usually has 1 or 2 ready. I think the next Metro title and maybe even the next Tomb Raider would be fantastic fits.
I don’t think CDPR or From are ready to announce anything new.
I could see a new 3D Sonic announced here from SEGA. One is supposedly inbound for next year, and the Sonic fans make a vocal TGA-watching community. But with their announcement going out to the FGC, maybe a new Virtua Fighter trailer is more likely instead. Or… hear me out… both!
While Capcom is usually MIA with new stuff, there are reports of a new AAA before March next year. Is it MHW2 time?
Level Infinite is often a fixture here. I think we could see what Turtle Rock is up to.
I don’t think SE or Bamco will announce anything new myself.
I’ll get back to Riot.
Devolver and Annapurna will likely have a presence at the Day of the Devs show, not sure about main.
Epic Games is publishing GenDesign’s next. It seems long overdue a reveal.
Focus Home and Asobo may be ready to reveal their next title together (Plague Tale 3?)
Hoyoverse may have another surprise up their sleeves (crazy efficient).
I think we could see another smaller publisher snatch the Star Wars IP.
In terms of independents, the time may be right for reveals from Gravity Well, Yellow Brick Games, Archetype and more.
Game Update Announcements:
I think Xbox will probably bring something from Hellblade 2, and I could see Bethesda bring either the Starfield Expansion or if we’re super lucky, Indy.
ABK will likely bring an update on Warzone Mobile.
PlayStation will likely announce a PC port for one of their semi-recent games (My money’s on Horizon) and will likely bring DS2 for round 2.
The time seems right for EA to bring Dragon Age: Dreadwolf back with a gameplay reveal, and maybe shed some light on the new Skate?
Ubisoft doesn’t tend to update… ever, but with all the hype, maybe SW: Outlaws is worth a second look?
Remnant 2’s Second DLC could be announced here by Embracer, or an update on Homeworld 3, or both! Or perhaps Warhammer 20k Space Marine 2 or John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando get a second look with Focus.
While From rarely updates, the Shadow of Erdtree hype is real. Do we finally get a real taste?
Although it had a direct recently, I could still see Capcom splurge for a spot for Dragon’s Dogma 2.
Square Enix is very likely to showcase FFVII Rebirth, and the time seems right for a FFXVI PC announcement (and maybe even Xbox!?!?!)
SEGA-Atlus will likely play double-duty this year with updates on P3 Reload and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Tekken 8 will likely get another look and maybe a fighter announced from Bamco.
Level Infinite could show off another look at Nightingale as it preps for its early access launch.
I said I’d get back to Riot. While they don’t tend to update here, like, at all, the Valorant Console Port is a poorly kept secret. Maybe it’s time they lift the curtain on it!
Similarly, with Krafton, it may be time to shine a light on Project: Black Budget, the PUBG Extraction Shooter spinoff.
Epic Games is bringing the new Fortnite Modes to the show. And with AW2 set to have DLC, expect them to shine a (flash)light on it.
Nexon will likely show more on The Finals in the wake of a successful playtest.
Similarly, Banishers: Ghost of New Eden is likely to be seen again from Focus and DONTNOD.
Ark 2 is long overdue an update and Vin Diesel likes crashing these shows.
Genshin is an easy shout for an update.
Earthblade and Hades 2 made quite a splash last year. It’s not unreasonable to expect updates on both.
Finally, 33 Immortals may re-emerge. It’s the sort of high-concept Xbox-backed indie that pops up in shows like these.
Other Predictions (Music and Movies/TV):
Fallout and Halo just released their trailers, but I doubt Keighley would say no to Pablo Schreiber or Ella Purnell on stage to say hi and maybe show off a new clip. Provided SAG-AFTRA ratifies.
Speaking of Purnell, perhaps we get a quick taste of Arcane Season 2.
While Sonic 3 is unlikely to show up with the film JUST starting filming with actors (not previs), the Knuckles show is quite possible. Idris could come for both Knuckles and Cyberpunk.
The Borderlands Movie could finally reveal a trailer.
DMC and Tomb Raider animes may show.
TLOU Season 2 has yet to film, but Kaitlyn Dever could show up to be announced as our Abby. Especially since Open Roads is supposedly at Day of the Devs.
In terms of music, I would love to see a Hi-Fi Rush themed performance, especially with the game snubbed in GOTY, but who knows.
Imagine Dragons has played the show in the past. Maybe they bring their Starfield song with Inon Zur?
Poets of the Fall/The Old Gods of Asgard are a good guess to perform, either in the GOTY montage or on their own.
Wanna have a fucking awesome Hellblade 2 showing? Bring Melina Juergens on a plane from CCXP with Phil, dress her up as Senua, have her sing with Heilung, and show Hellblade 2 combat and a release date. Both music and gameplay!
A surprise musical performance is not exactly uncommon. Halsey, Sting, Eddie Vedder, Green Day. So… idk, let’s say we’ll see Nickelback. Why Nickelback? Because fuck you, Nickelback is awesome. Gonna be the most hype shit ever. My Spotify top artist two years in a row.
Speaking of, unexpected presenters are also a feature of the show, so I’m going to predict… Jordan Mechner and Steven Spielberg.
I’m thinking maybe Sega in partnership with Xbox announce a new handheld as they are talking about a new era.
Not expecting anything from Bethesda, they are not into sharing their spotlight so it’s either an Xbox event or their own CON event same for ABK. That leaves Xbox games studio. I’m thinking PD since it didn’t leave a strong impression the last time.
I mean the awards & Geoff can & should be criticized if one wishes while also acknowledging the show is a huge marketing opportunity that Xbox should use, anyone who calls for Xbox to boycott the show for the awards part are just taking it too far. Xbox been obviously strongly supportive of Geoff’s shows in recent years, even if the dude isn’t the biggest fan.
While I don’t disagree, the vast majority of critique I see betray a complete misunderstanding of how these awards work.
Or they’re focused on completely changing the awards into something else, which I don’t understand. If you want an industry award, then go check out DICE or GDCA. And if you want a gamer public award, then there’s Golden Joystick and probably others.
Granted, there are some critiques that don’t fall into either of these two categories, eligibility window being the big one, but most critics aren’t focused on that.