game awards goty nominees 2024: Shadow of the Erdtree Game of the Year Nomination Sparks Controversy
The Game Awards unveiled its full list of nominees yesterday, but the spotlight was stolen by a contentious decision: the inclusion of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, a DLC expansion, in the coveted Game of the Year (GOTY) category. This unprecedented move has ignited widespread debate among gamers, with many questioning whether a DLC deserves to compete alongside full-fledged releases.
A Controversial First for DLCs
For the first time, The Game Awards declared that DLCs and expansion packs would be eligible for all categories, including GOTY. This change raised eyebrows even before the nominations were announced, but the inclusion of Shadow of the Erdtree brought the issue into sharp focus. The nomination has left fans divided, with critics arguing that a DLC cannot be fairly judged as a standalone game, given that it requires ownership of Elden Ring.
The backlash on social media has been swift and vocal. Many gamers expressed frustration, claiming that Shadow of the Erdtree has unfairly displaced deserving 2024 titles like Silent Hill 2, Helldivers 2, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Others questioned the consistency of the decision, pointing out that acclaimed expansions like Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine did not receive similar treatment in previous years.
Defending the DLC
On the other side of the debate, fans of Elden Ring—particularly on the game’s subreddit—rallied behind the nomination. They argue that Shadow of the Erdtree is so expansive and ambitious in scope that it feels like a standalone sequel. Some supporters believe that if FromSoftware and Bandai Namco had released it as a separate game, the criticism would have been far less intense.
However, even among fans, there’s a subset that agrees the nomination is problematic. They contend that, no matter how impressive the DLC might be, it should have been recognized in its appropriate category rather than competing for GOTY.
Accusations of Favoritism
The controversy also reignited claims that The Game Awards shows favoritism toward FromSoftware. While the studio has only won GOTY twice (Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in 2019 and Elden Ring in 2022), its strong presence at the awards in other categories has led to perceptions of bias. Many feel that the nomination of Shadow of the Erdtree—especially given Elden Ring’s prior win—underscores this trend.
Memes and Reactions
As expected, the internet turned the controversy into a meme-fest. Jokes about DLCs winning GOTY and mock predictions of Elden Ring sweeping future awards have flooded social media. Some gamers humorously suggested other expansions, like Skyrim’s Dragonborn, should retroactively win GOTY awards too.
Looking Ahead to December 12
The decision to nominate Shadow of the Erdtree for GOTY has undeniably stirred the gaming community, and its inclusion has sparked discussions about how expansions should be evaluated in the context of industry awards. Whether this DLC wins or not, it has already made history and not without controversy.
Gamers won’t have to wait long to see how it all unfolds. The Game Awards airs live on December 12, 2024, at 9:30 PM GMT-3, where the winner of Game of the Year will finally be revealed. For now, the debate over Shadow of the Erdtree continues, casting a shadow of its own over the event.
