STALKER 2 is an example of why the Game Awards should change its date

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For the past decade, The Game Awards have taken place every December, usually between December 3rd and December 10th. In theory, this is the ideal place for a ceremony like this, ending the year with a celebration of the games that have come out and a tease of what's to come over the next 12 months. But The Game Awards placement is not ideal for a certain group of games, a group that STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl belong now.




The Oscars, Grammys and even the gaming industry's own DICE Awards take place in the first few months of the year, allowing every movie, artist and game of the past year to be considered. The Game Awards do not follow this approach, and this results in a handful of games each year being left off the nomination list due to the voting panel not having enough time to play them, or due to them not making it into the Game Awards. predominantly windows. A case for the Game Awards to change its date has been growing for years, with Kotaku's Kenneth Shepard recently discussing what impact it likely had on Dragon Age: The Veilguard. And now, thanks in part to STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobylthat case is stronger than ever.

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STALKER 2 proves that historical Sci-Fi has a place in games

Much like its predecessors, STALKER 2 embraces a historical sci-fi setting, and it proves that this kind of background does indeed have a place in games.

The case for the Game Awards moving the date is getting stronger


Some great games have missed out on a game award over the years

Back in December 2021, Halo infinite meet Xbox and PC. While Halo infinite won the Player's Voice category at the 2021 Game Awards, it was not eligible for nominations in any other category, as the game had technically missed The Game Awards consideration, having been released just one day before the ceremony's December 9 air date. Fixed Halo infinite could have then been eligible for the 2022 Game Awards, it received no nominations, and basically got lost in the mix amidst the 2022 releases that Fire Ring, God of War Ragnarok, Overwatch 2and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

Marvel's Midnight Suns and Pentium were two more titles that missed their chance to take home a Game Award. Pentium was released on November 15 and Marvel's Midnight Suns launched on December 2nd, and both titles were arguably snubbed at the 2022 Game Awards. And much like Halo infinitethose titles were then forgotten when it came time to vote on the 2023 Game Awards nominees.


STALKER 2 is the latest case for why the Game Awards date should be moved

After an unprecedented development cycle, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is finally in players' hands, and while it's far from perfect, it's making a significant impact in the gaming world. Unfortunately, STALKER 2s release date means it missed out on its chance to be nominated at this year's Game Awards. In theory, STALKER 2 may still have its chance in the spotlight at next year's Game Awards, but with juggernauts like Monster Hunter Wilds, Grand Theft Auto 6, Borderlands 4and Ghost of Yotei all will be released in 2025, the probability is that it will be passed.

Asgard's Wrath 2
was released on December 15, 2023 and has been nominated for Best VR Game at this year's Game Awards. This makes it one of the rare examples of a game missing its year's consideration window and actually being nominated a year later.


December 2024 may have some games worthy of a Game of the Year nomination

But STALKER 2 isn't the only game this year likely to miss its chance due to the Game Awards' limited consideration window and next year's intense release schedule. Marvel Rivals and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will both be released in the coming weeks, and both have the potential to be forgotten by next year's Game Awards ceremony. Also December VR release as Skydance's Behemoth and Alien: Rogue Incursion may suffer a similar fate.

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