The many opinions and choices of the Game Awards

Hello everyone to what will be another one off similar in vain to one of the very first blogs on this page of mine. If you can recall back all the way to late February / Early March, I made a lengthy blog piece where I went through every category and give my thoughts on what I feel will be the winners for every award at this years Oscars and surprisingly I di get quite a lot of it accurate and some that were close and some I was well off but it was all in the fun of the guessing game. Well now I thought why not do it again for every award show I would find of interest and my initial 2nd one was going to be the Emmy's but that will be next after this one as it is not till late January as today I am going to be present my initial thoughts on what I think will be the winners for each category at the upcoming Game Awards show that is hosted every year by the host with the most of Geoff Keighley. Now I am only going to delve into the categories that focus on the games and the only one I will not go too in depth much on is with the E-sports ones as I really don't delve too much into that area but I may give a quick random stab at it in just one section. I also won't be delving into any of the problems and issues of this award show as they really don't have much of an issue that I am aware of besides how they began (but you can find other people discussing that on other great videos) so I will not be thanking any awards and honouring them to any renowned rabbi Bill Clinton (a little joke based on a dumb thing that happened last year). I will however make a small piece near the end of some of the announcements of what we could expect soon in terms of games or adaptions as a bonus instead. So with all of that out of the way, let us get into the predictions of what I feel are the winners of the Game Awards 2023 or expected winners.

Do Creators with the most

So as I mentioned in the case that I do not know too much in the the whole e-sports I wanted to at least do a short quick fire discussion on one of them and that is with the Creator of the Year as at least in some form I can at least give some prediction for that.

So for the creator of the year we have the nominations of this:

Iron Mouse,

People make Games

Quackity

Spreen

Sypherpk

Now all of these have various forms and the only one in this I feel may have a bit of a concern is with Quackity as being a part of the Dream Minecraft server (and given the whole ordeal with Dream right now it may affect them). I do not know too much on all of them but I feel the most logical is the people make games one as they provide an entertainment in video game journalism and provide a story in their Youtube and Twitch Streams. I am sure if I knew more I give a better take on them but I think he sounds like the most logical

Choice: People Make Games

Now with that out of the way we will get into the actual game stuff and start off with what we are most looking forward game to come out of next year.

The Game of choice for next year

so next year we have quite a variety of games to look forward and be excited for from some of the expected Sony first party titles, to Nintendo eventually unveiling all they'll bring (including their new console) but these 5 games have stood out over the rest as the most anticipated (though I would say they could've added one other title related to a big nominee this year or even a new remake) but the nominees are:

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Hades II

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Star Wars Outlaws

Tekken 8

So we have the choice of a 2nd part to a much bigger remake, a sequel to an Indie Darling, a new entry in the Yakuza series, an all new open world Star Wars Games and the next entry in a long running Fighting game. Now the one I feel that may have more of the popular vote over all of them is the FF7 Rebirth as many were hotly anticipating the first remake part back a few years ago and it has been the case that many are waiting for the continuation of the game so this may win it. As for my own thoughts I feel that to me there is 2 that appeal to me and that is either that new Star Wars game as an open world GTA style Star Wars game playing as a smuggler sounds very enticing to me and the footage I saw back in June looked incredible and the Other I would say is Hades as the first one was so so good and I think they'll knock it out of the park with its predecessor. I felt that they should've added in the new Wolverine game from Insomniac as many loved Spider-Man 2 and made most sense as an anticipated game as well and the other is the remake to Paper Mario the Thousand Year Door,  although I do not know how much of that would count for a nomination (then again FF was a remake) but thats my own little nitpick to this sections

Most Likey: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

My choice: Hades II or Star Wars Outlaws

The Game, The Series, The Motion Picture the Video Game

Of course one of the things that has been a major focus from recent memory has been the adaptations of Video games into movies and tv shows and this year we got quite the repertoire of choices to choose from with the only one seeming to be missing out on one was a certain gang from a pizzeria. (Also you can check out what I thought of all of them in my hour long history video in the link in my description so check that out). The nominees for this one are:

CastleVania Nocturne (Netflix)

The Last of Us (HBO)

Gran Turismo (Sony)

The Super Mario Bros Movie (Illumination)
Twisted Metal (Peacock)

Now all of these have their positives but it has to be said this one is a no brainer as the one that will surely be the big winner has to be with The Last of Us as it was such a faithful and fantastic show that I will be giving its own video review to of the series sometime soon. If this one was not in the options, my runner up had to go to Mario as it was such a fun time at the movies (and you can check that review down below too).

Adaptation Choice: The Last Of Us

Games Should Be accessible to everyone

Now with many games are open to be much more accessible to everyone and there is many ways that some games go out of their way to provide that sense of being helpful for some that may find it difficult to play and these have helped with shaping easier accessibility to all. These nominees include:

Diablo IV

Forza Motorsport

Hi-Fi Rush

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Mortal Kombat 1

Street Fighter 6

Now many of them have had some sense of progressive accessible features for everyone from audio, visual and other forms that help everyone be able to access games themselves. Now one that has seen a major advantage of accessibility has been from Street Fighter 6 for helping bring people into the fighting game Genre with helping those with commands who may have difficulty with hand eye coordination with poor eyesight and I think it can help with being up to the level of equal competition and more positive approach for the future

Accessibility choice: Street Fighter 6

Great to play with Friends (if you have them)

Now it is a case that Multiplayer can be a varying concept for some people as it can appeal with different types and styles for people from wanting to go on an adventure or do battle as a team or to simply duke it out and fight against one another, there is always something for everyone to choose from and the nominees are definitely something to choose from, with them being:

Baldur's Gate 3

Diablo IV

Party Animals

Street Fighter VI

Super Mario Bros Wonder

Now there is quite the variety and in all case from some that feel the most entertaining to play or experience with friends I think that the 2 that stand out most is Baldurs gate and Mario Wonder for their own unique way. While close personally to me I would say the one to just edge it over the top would have to be to Baldur's Gate as being a massive D&D quest it only makes sense to go big or go home.

Multiplayer Choice: Baldur's Gate 3

Multiplayer choice (my opinion): BG3 or Mario Wonder

Why Participate in Sports when you can play them at home

Now for a section of something that I would not really delve too much in the genre of stuff with the section of sports and Racing (mainly more the sport, racing I would delve more into). In the form of the nominees for this section are as follows:

F1 23

EA Sports FC 24

Forza Motorsport

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbo Charged

The Crew Motorfest

Now I know one of the biggest game that gets released every year that always ends up in the top gaming charts for most of the end of the year, however I feel it gets affected as it is similar every year with minimal change and would not be the biggest game worldwide. Now personally I would say the one that will probably get the bigger win has to go to the newest entry in the Forza series as it looks the newest, the sleekest and plays the best and I think given the racing games have a more wider appeal and think this one will be the strongest contender with the other racers a strong follow up.

Sports / Racing choice: Forza Motorsport (2023)

These games require a strategy

Now some games may have a simple objective of go in, F**k stuff up and get out and can either act like it is just straight in guns blazing and job done, but in this situation, these nominees will have you plan it out in figuring out the best way to go about it or put you in the simulation of it all playing out and experience it from their perspective more. These Nominees are:

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-boot camp

Cities Skylines II

Company of Heroes 3

Fire Emblem Engage

Pikmin 4

Now for some of these games they may not be the most known and with 2 of them being based on War, I feel both of them may be a bit too questionable to win with whats going on in 2 countries to the east. Personally I am thinking that a game that hasn't had a new game in the series since the mid 2010s but a numbered one in the series for a decade and from its mass appeal, I think being a small spaceman finding your missing crew with tiny flora aliens and alien dog exploring a world like our own on a miniature scale may just about appeal to a lot more people.

SIM /Strategy choice: Pikmin 4

Fun for the Whole Family

Now it is sometimes known a lot more that gaming is more for a lot more serious and intense in a lot of ways but it is often forgotten that their is always a category for those looking for a little bit of fun with your family and friends and these game nominees help to bring that fun to all ages:

Disney Illusion Island

Party Animals

Pikmin 4

Sonic Superstars

Super Mario Bros Wonder

 Now many of them have their appeal from a fun fighting game, going fast, exploring alien worlds and odd islands with classic characters, but one I feel that has been the stand out overall has to be from the famous Plumber himself in his new wonderous adventure and bringing new life to the world of the 2D side scroller. It is quite a tough competition but I think Mario just about jumps away from the competition as a contender winner

Family Choice: Super Mario Bros Wonder

This calls for a fight

Now sometimes when life gets crazy and you have some rage you want to get out of your system that one of the best ways to get it out without causing damage or injury to anyone is always with a good fighting game and some of the choices this year seems to hit the mark with providing some great competition in the ring, the tournament or wherever you find yourself duking it out and with whoever as well too. The nominees for this one are:

God Of Rock

Mortal Kombat 1

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

Pocket Bravery

Street Fighter 6

Now all of them do sound like some very interesting fighting games to play and experience in some way shape or form and to put it down to opinion from more popular and my predictions I say the two are the ones that have the age old battle since their inceptions in the 90s and that is with Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1. Going off the case of more appeal and popularity from reception I think that SF will just about take it as it has seen a massive improvement over its disappointing 5th entry. Mortal Kombat would be a close 2nd as it may have had a chance but due to some disappointing microtransactions and a really rough launch state for one of their ports, it probably knocked them down a peg or 2 but would be the closest to a runner up

Fighting choice: Street Fighter 6

Fighting Choice (mine): Street Fighter 6 or Mortal Kombat 1

Time to become immersed (costume optional)

Now many of the games in this category I do see a lot having a mix of variety on how they tackle the approach of a Role Playing game or RPG. Many have different approaches like some would be based on another property, some have the elements of turn based, some may have that sense of a simulation letting you live out a life of some aspect you want to experience and many other forms and these 5 all have something to give to provide a unique RPG experience:

Baldur's Gate 3

Final Fantasy XVI

Lies of P

Seas of Stars

Starfield

Now all have their different approach to feeling different or inspired by something with a unique twist, like mentioned that BG is a D&D campaign, Starfield is an immersive RPG sim letting you explore the vast galaxies, Lies of P is a Bloodborne type game mixed with the classic Italian folklore tale of the wooden boy who told lies, FF being a continuing tale of that epic saga that has appealed to the masses for decades and many more. Now personally I can see all of these as a winner and with my gut saying that BG will take this win for its major popularity, I can see that as my own choice and maybe from FF or Lies of P being the runner ups or the challenge but it has to be said when it comes to the meaning of RPG, it has to be the D&D.

RPG Choice: Baldur's Gate 3

Runner ups: Lies of P, Final Fantasy XVI

Who's up for an adventure?

Now some of these games also come in the form of being provided many of us with that sense of adventure and it can offer a variety of choice from vast planets, superheroes, exploring the world to your own accord to surviving a crazy world, these nominees all provided a unique form of adventure:

Alan Wake 2

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Resident Evil 4 Remake

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Now many of these games all have a different look and feel to them all and personally I would give it to each and every one of them an award in this category, but if there is one that I have been so in depth of throughout the others for the moment (the first 2 I will be giving more time to soo but have given a fair bit of focus on and it has been excellent), I have to give that sense of freedom to Tears of the Kingdom as a follow up to the launch game of the Nintendo Switch and being 6 years later and adding all new features, new things to explore solve and create from your own accord from the gathering of materials in the land of Hyrule (and after 6 months am still finding so many things in the game) I think Hyrule may deserve this award overall but all the others are definitely a close 2nd.

Action Adventure choice: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Its time for action

But sometimes, maybe that sense of adventure seems a little over daunting and you would much rather get to handling a weapon or shooting something and get that feel of the rush then it may be more of the simple action games that will be less exploring to your own accord in vast world to lets blow it up and let the blood fly. Now the nominees for this category are:

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Dead Island 2

Ghostrunner 2

Hi-Fi Rush

Remnant 2

Now all of the choices in this one have their unique approach to the topic of Action and while I see one of them being a game that was seen for a while as being a game that existed at one point before it disappeared for years before it finally came out this year, I think that its real competition and top choices are going to either Hi-fi Rush or Armored Core 6. Now that is my own choice that may provide that rush of action and keep you moving fast and quick and it will be interesting to see how this turns out

Action Choice: Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon or Hi-Fi Rush

Time to leave our world for a virtual world

Now if you have noticed a lot lately in the last decade, the concept of Virtual Reality has really taken off to a whole degree and many publishers and companies have been finding ways to bring you that step closer to being one with the world or game and some of these game choices here may provide some of the best of the best of the visuals look to it all:

Gran Turismo 7

Vertigo 2

Horizon Call of the Mountain

Resident Evil VIIIage VR Mode

The Light Brigade

Now I will say straight away the concept of having the VR experience of the giant vampire lady stepping on you in VR is a strong concept, it is mainly just a mode to a game that has been out for some time now. And while there is another game on this list that technically came out a year ago but given that the games do have support with VR from the PSVR 2 I would still consider that one, but to me I think it may be given to the launch game with that software which is of course Call of the Mountain as it seems like quite the immersive experience to see that dystopian world of mechanical Animals up close and personal and seeing that sounds very cool to me

VR Choice: Horizon Call of the Mountain

Runner up: Gran Turismo 7

You Guys do have phones?

Another genre that has a divide amongst the community that has seen a rise in engagement in from games on the phone (I mean take what Apple thinks is the future on their Iphone 15 Pro's) and many of these games have their sense of appeal to different audiences and niches and the choices are as follows:

Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis

Honkai: Star Rail

Hello Kitty Island Adventure

Monster Hunter Now

Terra Nil

Now all of these games have their fans and their audiences but if there is one that has the most of appeal of making the biggest win of them all it has to be the game developed by the people behind one of the biggest games in the world of Genshin Impact and that is the Honkai: Star Rail. All the other still do have a chance as well but I feel this may be the one that just takes the top spot but by a hair

Mobile Choice: Honkai: Star Rail

Games that help bring a community together

Now it is a point that some games may start off as a pipe dream that either launch to a major success or in the case of some in a bit of a disarray, but if there is one thing that can stay strong throughout all of that, it can be the community that comes with it and helps to find a way to fix its problems or stick with the game and help make it the best their is from the assistance to developers and other communities and these games show that appeal:

Baldur's Gate 3

CyberPunk 2077

Destiny 2

Final Fantasy XIV

No Man's Sky

Now all of these games have had some sort of development length and 4 out of 5 of them have had some issues back when they launch but overtime from updates, feedback, expansions and many more they have come back and have a massive fanbase behind them. Now I know the likes of Baldur's gate launch to great success, mass appeal and massive community but there is a part of me that doesn't want to just give it to them and call it a day as I feel it has to be said that or FF may take it as something that defied all logic and came back as a massive success with 2077 rounding out the top 3.

Community choice: Baldur's Gate 3 or Final Fantasy XIV

The Little Game that could

Now similar to the likes of the last category, there have been games that overtime have seen it be given updates and fixes and new content long past its launch when many other companies may just make a game and be done with it but for these nominees, they have been provided with many pieces of new content that it can provide something new and engaging long past its release:

Apex Legends

Cyberpunk 2077

Final Fantasy XIV

Fortnite

Genshin Impact

Now most of these would have the frequent new updates with new content and cosmetic and stuff (though some may overdo it and lose what made it feel interesting (looking at you Fortnite, even though I barely played the game)) I think that the one that really went the extra mile and content that actually fixed it is Cyberpunk as the most recent expansion of Phantom Liberty provided an all new narrative, new endings to the original and quality of life fixes that had made a game that was hyped, disappointed at launch and then turned it around in the end. If to give a follow up for its mass appeal I would say Genshin and then knowing many people returned to Fortnite recently as they went back to appeal to many by bringing back the old map, that probably takes 3rd.

Ongoing choice: CyberPunk 2077

Runner Up: Genshin Impact

The start of your game creating career

Now it can be seen that some may start their career in game creation with the big boy studios, but a lot more now in the present may try and prove they have what it takes to join those ranks or fly solo with their own unique take of a game and some of these games would be the introduction into their new world of Game development:

Cocoon (Geometric Interactive)

Dredge (Black Salt Games)

Pizza Tower (Tour de Pizza)

Venba (Visai Games)

Viewfinder (Sad Owl Studios)

Now all of these games have in one way or another appeared across the web this year in some form of popularity and have provided a new way of theory's, made people feel something or mesmerize with their talents and the one that sticks out the most to me has to be with Viewfinder as it is such a unique and fantastic concept of using images and items to look through and then be suddenly projected right in front of them to continue on the journey is so fun and unique and really blew me away in how creative it is in playing and execution and I think a lot of people should check out these games themselves and find something new for you to enjoy.

Debut Indie Choice: Viewfinder

The Big Boys of Indie

Relating back to the last nominee post, this one will follow from the debut indie to the creation of studios and creators going on to make even more new titles in their own form and building the base of an indie game based on the more smaller budget. The nominees for this category are as follows:

Cocoon (Geometric interactive)

Dave the Diver (Mintrocket)

Dredge (Black Salt Games)

Sea of Stars (Sabotage studio)

Viewfinder (Sad Owl Studios)

Now one or 2 of these games have gotten themselves into both Indie categories and have some strong chance as the others. I know one of the most popular in this group is with Dave the Diver but I did hear some controversy with its studio as it is a billion dollar company making it that it could affect its chances of a win. Viewfinder I would choose for this again but I think it is best for the win in debut Indie but it could snag both. The only other one on this list that has the potential and from hearing great praise is with the Sea of Stars an indie RPG game that could rival other big AAA games on its own accord. It seems like quite the challenge but I think it may come down to those 3 in particular.

Indie choice : Sea of Stars

Runner Up: Viewfinder or Dave the Diver

Games that can leave quite the impact

Now some games may give you that sense of enjoyment and then their is others that can provide so much more deeper meanings to it all from personal tales, experiences and concepts told from a perspective that can feel real or relatable to others. The nominees for this section include:

A space for the Unbound

Chants of Sennaar

Goodbye Volcano High

Tchia

Terra Nil

Venba

Each of these games have their own approach to a game from cultures, experiences we have experienced growing up and much more, but the one that has quite the major impact that could make people think twice would be from the game of Terra Nil, where we are the antagonist and the goal is to help tacking the major issue of climate change and some of these games can leave an impact that can make a difference overtime.

Impact Choice: Terra Nil

Quite the captivating performance

of course with many big games from the past year there are those games that have a narrative needing someone to perform as the characters to really get people invested in the characters journey and these 6 performers have all provided something special to their roles that really make it stand out in their games with their nominations:

Ben Starr (Clive Rosfield, Final Fantasy XVI)

Cameron Monaghan (Cal Kestis, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor)

Ildris Elba (Solomon Reed, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty)

Melanie Liburd, Saga Anderson, Alan Wake II)

Neil Newbon (Astarion, Baldur's Gate 3)

Yuri Lowenthal (Peter Parker, Marvel's Spider-Man 2)

All of these performances have provided something unique and well established in their established games and while I have seen the strong performance of Yuri in Spider-Man, Melanie in Alan Wake II and Ildris Elba in Phantom Liberty, The one I have seen stand out above the rest is Newbon's performance as Astarion in BG3 who really made the NPC come alive and become quite a very popular character overall.

Performance choice: Neil Newbon (Astarion, Baldurs Gate 3) 

Quite the very clear Audio to immerse ourselves in

Now you can have your visuals and your performers but sometimes the use of some of the design from Audio in a game for weapons, environments, vocal tones and everything under the sun can make or break a game and these nominees really brought that mass appeal of the audio design to great success:

Alan Wake II

Dead Space Remake

Hi-Fi Rush

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Resident evil 4 remake

Now while some of them may have the subtle pieces like the sound of web swinging or weapons and punching, the ones that have the most broad appeal to it all would be how it is done in the basis of horror can really make or break the unsettling immersion and while Dead Space help to make the corridors of the Spacecraft that much more eerie, I think it is a toss up of the infected Spanish town in RE4 or the The Dark Place of Alan Wake II as the strongest contenders of this category and will be hard to decide which one is better.

Audio Design choice: Alan Wake II or Resident Evil 4 remake

Music to tap your thumbs and feet to

But its not the only audio of focus as we of course got to talk about the other major aspect of it all and that is in the form of the music for the games and each of these nominees really help capture the essence of their games and provide something to listen to while playing in those game worlds:

Alan Wake II (Petri Alanko)

Baldur's Gate 3 (Borislav Slavov)

Final Fantasy XVI (Masayoshi Soken)

Hi-Fi Rush (Shuichi Kobori)

The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Sound team)

Now all of these have some fantastic music and if I had to give my own personal choice it would have to go to Tears of the Kingdom for some of the most peaceful, life like and appealing tones of music as you explore this vast Hyrule. The one other on this list that has the mix of original but also the licensed songs that has stood out to many others is from Hi-Fi Rush and has appealed to many that may not have played the game but have heard the music. The other all have some strong soundtracks and scores but those 2 are the definite standouts to me personally.

Music Choice: Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom or Hi-Fi Rush

Like looking at art in a museum

Now every game can look and feel the same but then when it comes to the direction in its artistic approach, it can have its appeal and make the game much more inviting and appealing to the masses and these nominees provided something new or appealing in the art direction:

Alan Wake II

Hi-Fi Rush

Lies of P

Super Mario Bros Wonder

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Now all of them have a distinct aesthetic from Alan Wake being a twisted dark reality of our own, Lies of P mixing a gothic Victorian era world with a blend of some Grimm Fairy tale aesthetic, Tears of the kingdom returning to the aesthetic of Breath of the Wild while also redefining it to give it that much stronger glow, and Hi-fi Rush having that colourful comic book aesthetic (with a slight fell and vibe to Jet Set Radio). But the one to me that feels like they really went all in on the concept and aspects to the Art has to be with Wonder as it brought some new life and appeal to the Super Mario Bros series that was seeing a bit of a stale taste to many from the New series as well as providing some new colourful and engaging environments on its own and with the magic of the Wonder Flower that I feel may help provide such creativity and Wonder to the world of the favourite Plumber

Art Direction choice: Super Mario Bros Wonder

Nothing like a good story to entice you to play

Now on the aesthetic of adding all of those previous pieces of audio, art, and performances, some of them would combine to bring with them some of the most engaging approach of a narrative to come out on any form to keep the audience engaged from beginning to end and these nominees have shown that:

Alan Wake II

Baldur's Gate 3

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Final Fantasy XVI

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

All of them have provided something excellent in terms of narrative where Cyberpunk has even changed some of the outcome to the original game with this expansion. To me personally its a 3 way tie with Spider-Man 2 having a very engaging narrative of saving the city of New York from the vast rogues Gallery, Alan Wake for continuing the story after 13 long years and Final Fantasy for connecting to every version of the series and all of them play out in some engaging ways that appeal to everyone.

Narrative Choice: Alan Wake II or Spider-Man 2 or Final Fantasy XVI

Pointing the game in the right direction

Now like other Projects in media, they always need direction to help it make complete sense in where the story goes or how the story plays out and each of these nominees have something unique and fun to connect it all together from beginning to end:

Alan Wake II

Baldur's Gate 3

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Super Mario Bros Wonder

The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom

Now all of them have something different in their direction and some will do it a lot different to others. Mario Wonder would be the most straightfoward of going from start to the end of the levels on a set path but the unique turns from the Wonder Flower can change the output. Alan Wake may also have that but I think their is a new unique approach of switching between Alan and Saga to see the story from 2 perspectives that come together in the end. And while Spider-Man has that feeling as well of controlling Peter or Miles at any time and exploring the city to your own accord, I feel it is just shy of the approach from Tears of the Kingdom that have so much variety of choice that you could chart your own path of choice in BG3 and TOTK where it could be you can follow the main plot or go explore to your own hearts desire and feels exciting and engaging to see it all and I feel they tackled it strongly with this approach in their direction

Direction choice: Baldur's Gate 3 or Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom

The Game of the Year

And now we have reached the final one, the biggest award of the Night and that is of course the Game of the Year. These 6 games were chosen from its appeal from critics and audiences as being the very best over the last 12 months and have set themselves as the must have games of this year in many categories. The nominees for this year are:

Alan Wake II (Remedy)

Baldur's Gate 3 (Larian Studios)

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (Insomniac Games)

Resident Evil 4 Remake (Capcom)

Super Mario Bros Wonder (Nintendo)

The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom

Now all 6 of these games have some sense of being here, although the one that many see as being a bit of a debated choice is the RE4 Remake given it is a game released over 20 years ago, but I will give it a pass as it does have some new updated approach to the game not seen in the original or update ports besides this. Now I have pondered on this topic for the last few days since the nominees were unveiled and it always comes down to 2 games I feel may win this award and they both have a fantasy setting with it being a tie between Baldur's Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom with both being the most highly anticipated games of the year (and also the case of Breath of the Wild winning the same title 6 years ago) but it could be a sudden surprise and another game wins it but we will have to see on the night, but those 2 are my top choices

Game of the Year Choice: Baldur's Gate 3 or The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom

Bonus: The predicted ideas of what to be unveiled

And before I end this whole opinion piece I felt I will give one more in the prediction of some of the trailers or announcements to come out from this event, some seem likely and maybe one or 2 are hopeful thinking of happening but I will go through and give as much of a prediction as I can.

So for the ones I feel are likely for this event. The biggest one will have to be the confirmed release of the trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI as we were confirmed back in November to be getting it in tying with the 25th anniversary of Rockstar Games and it seems like the most logical place to announce it all. Another one that was confirmed is from Larian Studios announcing the release date for the upcoming Xbox Series port of Baldur's Gate 3. Now some I will say that have the liklihood of getting shown would be the first official trailer for Amazon Prime's Fallout series, given the show is out in April to at least get the first bit of footage out there. Another one that may have some appearance would be a new trailer for Insomniacs Wolverine Game with a release for next year or from them to announce DLC for Spider-Man 2 with Daredevil or Wolverine involved. The last one I feel that seems likely to be revealed would be a new trailer for the sequel to Death Stranding as it is likely Mr Hideo Kojima will appear in some capacity. I would also be surprised if we get a new release date announcement for Ubisoft's Skull and Bones and DLC release date for Elden Ring but it is all have to find out soon enough.

as for stretched speculation, one that I always hope for is with a proper on sequel to Alien Isolation. I remember a few years ago there was leaked info about Alien Blackout at the 2018 event that turned out to be a FNAF clone with Alien mixed into it and it is a case many want a proper sequel but because of one channel that gave it a poor score and then will constantly promote the game seems like a bit of a mixed cause. Another one that I would hope gets some form of a reveal as well would be a return with a release window for Beyond Good and Evil 2 as that has been very quiet since about 2018 / 2019 and I feel deserves to make a comeback. the last 4 I really doubt and am stretching to see it being unveiled but we get the announcement of a new Spyro game similar to the likes of Crash 4 Its about time, the conclusion of the Epic Mickey trilogy or a port of the first 2 to new consoles, a new Rayman game (either a proper sequel to Rayman Legends or a Rayman 4) and the last being either a reveal of Naughty Dog's next game or even a confirmation of a Last of Us Part 3 or the Factions release date. Now all of these are just speculation and will love to know what you think will be unveiled in the comments below.

Concluding thoughts

As I bring this piece to an end it is important to know that while many of these opinions of what I feel may win are my own opinion, it is important to remember that even if a game doesn't win the award it is a great achievement to show they made some thing truly fantastic that they get themselves to award nominations and show that true love care and teamwork and time can prove that anything can turn into a great success overtime and should be a inspirational piece for everyone. 

So I am sure I will do a follow up to this in the next Weird Mind News Room after the event and I may do it live on the night if I am not up for the crack of dawn the next day for work but I am sure I will be tuning in to see all their is for the game awards this year.

I hope that you enjoyed my thoughts on all of the Game Awards and let me know down below your thoughts on what will be revealed at the event as well as your own predictions of winners in the comments below and as always I hope you all stay being wonderful people and have a great day everyday doing many great things :) and I shall see you all in the next piece

Signing off

Sam H