Summary
- GDCA 2024 nominees include Black Myth: Wukong, Animal Well, and Astro Bot.
- Award ceremony on March 19, 2025, to recognize excellence in the video game industry.
- GDCA winners are voted by developers; the Audience Award is open to the public until Feb 14.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the 25th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA) has unveiled an impressive roster of games set to make waves in 2024. Among this year’s finalists are some real standouts, including Black Myth: Wukong, Animal Well, and Astro Bot: Rescue Mission – titles I can’t wait to explore!
On March 19, 2025, the GDCA (Game Developers Choice Awards) honors outstanding achievements in video game storytelling, technology, and design. This event will unfold at San Francisco’s Moscone Convention Center, providing a unique viewpoint on the year’s finest titles by considering both the creators’ and players’ viewpoints.
On their official site, it’s stated that “The Game Developers Choice Awards are the top honors given by peers within the digital gaming industry. Every year, these awards highlight and honor the ingenuity, artistic skill, and technical prowess demonstrated by outstanding developers and games from the past year.
Astro Bot and Black Myth: Wukong Lead GDCA Nominations
Game Science’s Black Myth: Wukong and Team ASOBI’s Astro Bot are both receiving seven nominations apiece, including Game of the Year. The inspiration for Black Myth comes from the Journey to the West, which contributes to its intriguing soulslike combat system that has garnered appreciation from a dedicated fan base. On the other hand, Astro Bot is being lauded for its nostalgic and vivid design, impressive hardware integrations, stunning visuals, and innovative gameplay.
Billy Basso’s independent hit, Animal Well, is earning recognition with five nominations. This innovative game stands out in areas such as Best Art Direction and Best Design due to its unique blend of minimalist design and Metroidvania-inspired puzzle-solving mechanics.
Other GDCA Contenders
Among other potential Game of the Year nominees are Balatro, Helldivers 2, Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2, and Metaphor: ReFantazio. These games stand out for their polished gameplay features, innovative technology, and engaging storylines that have left players spellbound.
Besides the main attractions, additional creative properties like UFO 50 are part of the Innovation Award. Meanwhile, Animal Well and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II found a place in the Best Audio category. Anticipated games such as The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom received honorable mentions.
In contrast to many other awards, the nominees for the GDCA are chosen by the International Choice Awards Network (ICAN) and are exclusively decided by developers. Yet, anyone who is keen to take part can influence the outcome via the Audience Award, which allows you to cast your vote among the finalists before Friday, February 14, at 11:59PM Pacific Time.
Cast your vote right away! The victors will be unveiled at the March 19 awards ceremony, which will stream live on the GDC Twitch Channel.
Best Audio
- Animal Well (Billy Basso / Bigmode)
- Astro Bot (Team ASOBI / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix)
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (Ninja Theory / Xbox Game Studios)
Honorable Mentions: Balatro, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Neva, Silent Hill 2
Best Debut
- 1000xRESIST (Sunset Visitor / Fellow Traveller)
- Animal Well (Billy Basso / Bigmode)
- Balatro (LocalThunk / Playstack)
- Pacific Drive (Ironwood Studios / Kepler Interactive)
- Tiny Glade (Pounce Light)
Honorable Mentions: Manor Lords, Mullet Madjack, The Plucky Squire, Tiny Glade
Best Design
- Animal Well (Billy Basso / Bigmode)
- Astro Bot (Team ASOBI / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Balatro (LocalThunk / Playstack)
- Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
- Lorelai and the Laser Eyes (Simogo / Annapurna Interactive)
Notable Mentions Include: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Helldivers 2, Satisfactory, The Legend of Zelda: Whispers of Wisdom, UFO 50 (alternatively, UFO Fifty)
Innovation Award
- Animal Well (Billy Basso / Bigmode)
- Astro Bot (Team ASOBI / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Balatro (LocalThunk / Playstack)
- Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
- UFO 50 (Mossmouth)
Notable Recognitions: Helldivers 2, Lorelei with the Beam Eyes, Thank Heaven for Your Arrival!, The Cheerful Knight, Mini Forest Haven.
Best Narrative
- 1000xRESIST (Sunset Visitor / Fellow Traveller)
- Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio / SEGA)
- Metaphor: ReFantazio (ATLUS / SEGA / Studio Zero)
- Mouthwashing (Wrong Organ / Critical Reflex)
Notable Mentions Include:
1. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
2. Frostpunk 2
3. Life is Strange: Double Exposure
4. Neva
5. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
These are the highly anticipated sequels and spin-offs that have caught our attention.
Best Technology
- Astro Bot (Team ASOBI / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
- Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead Game Studios / PlayStation Publishing LLC)
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (Ninja Theory / Xbox Game Studios)
- Tiny Glade (Pounce Light)
Distinguished Recognition:
– Pets Incredible (for Animal Well)
– Black Ops VI (for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6)
– The Veilguard Chronicles (for Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
– Satisfactory Production (for Satisfactory)
– Tekken VIII (for Tekken 8)
Best Visual Art
- Animal Well (Billy Basso / Bigmode)
- Astro Bot (Team ASOBI / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
- Metaphor: ReFantazio (ATLUS / SEGA / Studio Zero)
- Neva (Nomada Studio / Devolver Digital)
Acknowledgements: Balatro, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and Tiny Glade – Ultros
I would like to give a shout-out to these outstanding games: Balatro, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and Tiny Glade – Ultros.
Or:
In recognition of their exceptional qualities, I would like to highlight the following games: Balatro, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and Tiny Glade – Ultros.
Social Impact
- 1000xRESIST (Sunset Visitor / Fellow Traveller)
- Astro Bot (Team ASOBI / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Frostpunk 2 (11 bit studios)
- Life is Strange: Double Exposure (Deck Nine Games / Square Enix)
- Neva (Nomada Studio / Devolver Digital)
1. Closer the Distance (similar to “Bringing Things Closer”)
2. Distant Bloom (similar to “Blooming from a Distance” or “A Distant Blossom”)
3. Dragon Age: The Veilguard (similar to “Dragon Age: Guardians of the Veil” or “Dragon Age: Veiled Protectors”)
4. Tales of Kenzera: Zau (similar to “Kenzera Chronicles: The Land of Zau” or “Zau: Tales from Kenzera”)
Game of the Year
- Astro Bot (Team ASOBI / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Balatro (LocalThunk / Playstack)
- Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix)
- Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead Game Studios / PlayStation Publishing LLC)
- Metaphor: ReFantazio (ATLUS / SEGA / Studio Zero)
Honorable Mentions: Animal Well, Helldivers 2, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Satisfactory, UFO 50
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2025-01-29 03:12