The Recreation Awards is set to unveil its list of nominees next week, with potential winners including DLC, expansions, and remakes alongside traditional game releases.
In the past year, The Game Awards sparked a minor controversy over its category for Greatest Ongoing Game. A slew of familiar names has appeared on the list, including Apex Legends and Final Fantasy XIV, with a notable surprise entrant in Cyberpunk 2077. The game’s unusual nature stemmed from its design as a single-player experience, with the introduction of Phantom Liberty in 2023 being just one aspect of a long development process that ultimately rendered the game playable over time. The Cyberpunk 2077 controversy raged on after its surprise win, sparking heated debates about its deservingness of the top honor. Nevertheless, the outcome was certainly an unconventional choice – and in anticipation of next week’s nominees reveal, The Game Awards has released a FAQ to clarify what exactly is eligible for consideration.
The FAQs clarify the eligibility of DLCs, growth packs, and remakes/remasters for awards by stating that The Recreation Awards aims to recognize outstanding artistic and technical achievement each year, without regard to the original release format or platform. The eligibility criteria for our awards stipulate that growth packs, new recreation seasons, DLCs, remakes, and remasters can be considered in all categories as long as the jury determines the newly created artistic and technical work is deserving of a nomination. The importance of elements echoing the fresh appeal of the content’s value must be taken into account.
What does this imply precisely? Properly, it actually suggests that Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree might receive the coveted Game of the Year nomination, an award it could well deservedly earn considering its immense scope. Despite being relatively subdued compared to last year’s impressive haul of major releases, this 12-month period has seen independent games steal the spotlight. As the nominees’ reveal approaches in mere days, anticipation builds; prepare yourself for a mix of surprising and potentially divisive selections.
