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This was originally intended to be a discord message, and I refuse to change the wording to imply otherwise, sorry.
(Or: A Second Blog Today? Say it ain't so!)
(Or: A Second Blog Today? Say it ain't so!)
I enjoy The Game Awardsbut I admit they have a variety of problems. In particular, they fail to acknowledge certain categories of games (such as puzzle games) or have too many commercial incentives for some to stomach. Both of these issues are affected by the following two things: category fraud (such as DLC being nominated for DLC or games with large dev teams getting nominated for best indie game) and actual, literal commercials. I will be the first to admit to these problems: the show needs a few more categories while at the same time removing a few (best adaptation / the esport ones can fuck off). Additionally, while last years show gave more time to the winners, not everyone got to speak. That could be improved. Finally, the use of celebrity guests as award presenter is a sad attempt to legitimize an award show that is already widely viewed and covers the biggest medium of entertainment there is . Simu Liu or Harrison Ford don't need to show up, just people connected to the game industry or at the very least people who cover it (reporters or realistically content creators.) Get mouse in there you cowards.
As for the trailers (or if you want to be cynical about it, ads), they are what make the show what they are. They are why people tune in. They're fun god damn it! Is it sad that I'm defending this? Of course! You are more than welcome to not enjoy that aspect of the show. It does make it more commercial than some would like. But Video Games are still in a space (and I argue this won't ever fundamentally change) where the most popular, most expensive games to make need to be easily accessible, and thus sacrifice artistic decisions for financial gain. I'm sure many of the people who develop Call of Duty, for example, wish it stopped being the worlds least interesting Military Shooter / Fortnite clone (since it has similar collaborations for skins now). But if it was not like that, if the next game deviated too much, it would not sell as well. I don't give a shit about that, but you know who does? The shareholders. Spare a thought for the poor Microsoft executives who might not be able to buy another yacht.
AAA games are very expensive (it is likely that one of the last COD games cost 700 Million USD), so while the above is an extreme example, it goes to show how most AAA games being made are going to focus on a broad audience. This contributes to their success, and, when combined with having large marketing budgets (I literally saw a giant ass billboard for COD yesterday that was on several buildings), showcases why AAA games are likely to remain commercial in nature.
The average person, or even the average game awards juror, can only play so many games. They will mostly play the big releases (either actually popular or assumed to be before release, in which case marketing will obviously plays a large part). They will mostly nominate the big releases. This is all to say that the game awards primarily focus on AAA games outside of the "indie" categories and are thus much more commercial then other shows in other mediums, where releases that deviate more from the norm can find a wider success.
None of this is something that you don't all already know. I'm just reiterating it because
I cannot stop myself from yapping
To back up my central point
Which is this: Video Games, as they stand, while not being inheritly more commercial, are in practice in comparison to other mediums, at least when it comes to the games most likely to win. Part of this is a necessity for marketing. The TGAs fill a good niche for that, especially with the death of E3. Thus the trailers fit (and like I said are entertaining if you allow them to be). I enjoy them and think they're justified. That's it lol
Finally: Other award shows exist, u-uu. And you can watch them! Do you, unspecified reader since this isn't targeted at a specific person? Didn't think so! And I don't either (but I would like to improve on this and will this awards season). The trailers are the reason TGAs are the most popular.
Awards only mean something if you let them. If you don't like the TGAs (and again thats cool and based), allow them to flow free from your mind. Do not give Geoff what he wants. Because if you dislike them, complain about them, get upset at their results, but only acknowledge them, you are part of the "problem."
(Or: I Blew This Out of Proportion, Didn't I?)
(Or: I Blew This Out of Proportion, Didn't I?)
Originally Published on November 17th, 2025
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