Every December, The Game Awards airs to recognize the creative and technical excellence we see every day in the video game industry. Tonight’s show brought together a diverse group of game developers, players, and notable names from popular culture to celebrate gaming’s position as the most immersive and inspiring form of entertainment. Hosted by Geoff Keighley and featuring guest presenters like Simu Liu, Giancarlo Esposito, Ming-Na Wen, Reggie Fils-Aime, Keanu Reeves, Carrie Ann Moss, and many others, the show was truly a celebration of all things gaming.
It’s been a banner year for games, as developers across the world helped to usher in a new generation of gaming with some truly excellent experiences. We congratulate every developer that was nominated and won this year. Xbox was fortunate to be nominated across nine categories, including Game of the Year, Best Sim/Strategy Game, Best Action/Adventure Game, Best Sports/Racing Game, and more. We’re also incredibly grateful to have Halo Infinite win the Player Voice award, and Forza Horizon 5 win the Best Audio Design, Best Sports/Racing Game, and Best Accessibility awards.
Here’s a complete list of our nominees:
- Game of the Year: Psychonauts 2
- Best Game Direction: Psychonauts 2
- Best Art Direction: Psychonauts 2
- Best Narrative: Psychonauts 2
- Best Action/Adventure: Psychonauts 2
- Best Audio Design: Forza Horizon 5 [WINNER]
- Innovation in Accessibility: Forza Horizon 5 [WINNER]
- Best Sports/Racing Game: Forza Horizon 5 [WINNER]
- Best Sim/Strategy Game: Age of Empires IV [WINNER]
- Best Sim/Strategy Game: Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Player Voice: Halo Infinite [WINNER]
We were also excited to share some news on some of the games and experiences coming to Xbox and other platforms, including:
Ninja Theory Unveils the First Gameplay Reveal Trailer for Senua’s Sacrifice: Hellblade II
Two years ago at The Game Awards, Ninja Theory announced Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, a new chapter in the award-winning franchise. Today, they are back with the first gameplay reveal, captured in-game by the development team.
A Closer Look at the Future of Entertainment in the First Full Trailer for Halo
Fans have gotten a brief look at Master Chief in the upcoming Halo TV series, but tonight we shared the first full trailer of the upcoming show that details the epic 26th-century conflict between humanity and the Covenant. Halo will weave deeply drawn personal stories with action, adventure and a richly imagined vision of the future. Starring Pablo Schreiber, Natascha McElhone, Charlotte Murphy, and Jen Taylor, Halo will premiere on Paramount+ in early 2022.
Amicia and Hugo Return in A Plague Tale: Requiem
In a gripping new trailer, Asobo Studio and Focus Entertainment revealed the first gameplay of A Plague Tale: Requiem, the sequel to critically-acclaimed and award-winning A Plague Tale: Innocence. In this new trailer, as Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem “Requiem” sets the tone, witness the first glimpses of Amicia and Hugo’s epic adventure in a brutal, breathtaking world twisted by supernatural forces. After escaping their devastated homeland following the events of A Plague Tale: Innocence, Amicia and Hugo travel far south, to new regions and vibrant cities. There, they attempt to start a new life and control Hugo’s curse.
Survive in the Wake of Catastrophe with a New Trailer for Somerville
Announced at the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase in June, Jumpship’s debut title will immerse players in a hand-crafted narrative set across a vivid and rural landscape. Set in the wake of a catastrophe and grounded in the intimate repercussions of large-scale conflict, players will navigate through perilous terrain as they unravel the mysteries of Earth’s visitors. Somerville is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and with Xbox Game Pass in 2022.
Marcus Fenix and Kait Diaz Drop into Fortnite
Legendary hero of the Pendulum and Locust Wars, Marcus Fenix enters a new battle, bringing with him Outsider-turned-Gear Kait Diaz. Both are dropping on the Fortnite Island as the latest members of the Gaming Legends Series. In addition to the piece of back bling they’ll each bring with them (Marcus has the Sonic Resonator and Kait has Reyna’s Pendant), you’ll be able to grab three different pickaxes (Breaker Mace, Thumper, and Butcher Cleaver), a Skiff Glider, a new emote, and a new spray. What’s more, from December 9 at 9 AM ET to December 17 at 9 AM ET, you can complete Delta-One Quests to unlock the Crimson Omen Spray!
Four New Titles Launching with Xbox Game Pass on Day One
Xbox Game Pass offers fans a number of great benefits, one of which is being able to play brand-new games the day that they launch. We’re excited to announce that four new titles will be launching into Xbox Game Pass on day one. Even better, they’ll be available on Console, PC, and Cloud (Beta). Sniper Elite 5 gives you the power to take down your targets without getting your hands dirty and you can watch the full Sniper Elite 5 trailer reveal at the ID@Xbox Gathering Showcase on Twitch at 12:45 PM PST tomorrow, December 10. Pigeon Simulator allows you to play as the world’s most notorious birds and help them in their quests for revenge, love, and world domination, and while Trek to Yomi puts you in the shoes of the young swordsman Hiroki, who is sworn to protect his town and the people he loves against all threats. Finally, we’re excited to share that our friends at Hugecalf Studios will be unveiling a new game in the near future that will be coming day one to Game Pass. These titles join the already packed lineup of day one games like Total War: Warhammer III, Redfall, A Plague Tale: Requiem, and more. Keep an eye out for more Xbox Game Pass news!
Learn More About Our Nominees
Psychonauts 2
Razputin “Raz” Aquato, trained acrobat and powerful young psychic, has realized his lifelong dream of joining the international psychic espionage organization known as the Psychonauts! But these psychic super spies are in trouble. Combining quirky missions and mysterious conspiracies, Psychonauts 2 is a platform-adventure game with cinematic style and tons of customizable psychic powers. Psychonauts 2 serves up danger, excitement and laughs in equal measure as players guide Raz on a journey through the minds of friends and foes on a quest to defeat a murderous psychic villain.
Forza Horizon 5
Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars. Lead breathtaking expeditions across Mexico with its striking contrast and beauty as you discover living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons, and a towering snow-capped volcano – the highest point ever in a Horizon game.
Age of Empires IV
One of the most beloved real-time strategy games returns to glory with Age of Empires IV, putting you at the center of epic historical battles that shaped the world. Featuring both familiar and innovative new ways to expand your empire in vast landscapes with stunning 4K visual fidelity, Age of Empires IV brings an evolved real-time strategy game to a new generation.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and accurate aircraft in the next generation of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Test your piloting skills against the challenges of night flying, real-time atmospheric simulation, and live weather in a dynamic and living world. Create your flight plan to anywhere on the planet. The world is at your fingertips.
For more from The Game Awards, check out our announcement of The Matrix Awakens: An Unreal Engine 5 Experience, a new look at Dying Light 2, and the reveal of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.
Related:
A Plague Tale: Requiem – First Gameplay Revealed with a Gripping Trailer
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Revealed with an Epic Trailer
Power Your Dreams with Xbox Series X, Available Holiday 2020
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