The Game Awards 2023 live report and bingo

Ooh but that’s not all for Final Fantasy fans. We’re hearing a Scottish accent and is that Cloud’s sword?

It’s an Apex Legends crossover event. Weird.

“Limits are made to be broken,” Keighley says, sneaking an awful marketing slogan in.

Grim… says: Honestly, Square can make 100 of these Final Fantasy 7 remake chapters and I’ll sling my wallet at them every single time.

You and many others!

spookyxelectric says: First Berserker Khazan looked very early 360 “please buy us, Japan.”

It did, didn’t it? I couldn’t quite bring myself to write about it. But it also sort of looks fun?

Dont Nod’s new game Lost Records announced

Now it’s the new game from Life is Strange maker Dont Nod. A group of teens and some found footage, maybe? 27 years later, the same teens are back. Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, coming late 2024.

Abubakar Salim is on stage now – he from Assassin’s Creed. He says he remembers watching The Game Awards when he was younger, like it was a childhood thing. Christ, Abu – way to make us feel old!

He’s talking about losing his father and processing his grief, bless him – he’s clearly a bit emotional about it. Four years ago it prompted him to take a risk. He’s going to show the game his studio has been making.

It’s a game for his “old man”, as he puts it.

Supported by Ridley Scott and Critical Role, this game.

We’re seeing an African-ispired fantasy – a platform game that is directly about a man losing his fateher it seems. It looks colourful and energetic.

Zau: Tales of Kenzera – 23rd April 2024.

We’re back with Sydnee on stage now. It’s last year’s Games for Impact award winner from the As Dusk Falls team, Carolina Marshall. As Dusk Falls was great – I really liked that. It’s coming to PlayStation in March next year.

She’s going to be presenting the Games for Impact award this year. Oh hang on, that’s another woman on the stage!

Some absolute bangers in this list. Let’s see who it is… It’s T’Chia! Donlan will be chuffed!

spookyxelectric says: Hallelujah it’s raining men!

Haha!

andyturner says: The crowd went mild. After that Kill The Justice League trailer. A few years ago when it first got announced, the room went wild.

Yeah the tide has turned on this one. It’ll be interesting to see what reaction it gets when it comes out.

How many of you play Warframe, incidentally? It continues to look incredible.

This update, Whispers in the Wall, is coming next week – 13th December.

Two more women on the stage!

Warframe update now, and one of the people from Digital Extremes on the stage has the most increible spiked rings on over red gloves. Love that.

This looks like Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad, which Ed went to see the other day, so look for his ipressions soon.

2nd February 2024 for this.

Kami says: Not just you Runcle, it’s lagging hard

It’s slow in the backend too. Sorry about this! We are going to raise it with tech in the morning – in the later morning.

35antonio says: If they play that fucking violin

Haha!

We’re now seeing a new Jurassic Park game by the looks of things, which is aping almost exactly the sequence from the original film with the raptors in the kitchen. We’re following an unfamilliar character though – a young woman.

I wonder if she’s supposed to represent us. Maybe it’s a VR experience of some kind?

Ah, no, it’s a first-person, cinematic game. It’s Jurassic Park: Survival. So, some kind of survival horror then I suppose? And we were getting a glimpse at the threats.

Kojima and Peele are praising each other on stage. You’re the best, no you’re the best – that kind of thing. Peele says Kojima’s new game is terrigfying.

“What I can say right now is it’s not just Jordan – I have other collaborators…” He can’t say who they are yet, but he refers to them as The Avengers.

Telling that Kojima walked through a very PT-like door, maybe?

Hideo Kojima is on stage now. Look at that incredible Kojima Productions brooch he has on. Talk about bling.

Sophia Lillis, Hunter Schafer were the actors whose names I missed in the trailer.

“I always like to challenge groundbreaking things.” It sounds like he’s working with Xbox Game Studios, on their cloud technology. “And it is a game, don’t get me wrong, but it is at the same time a movie and a new form of media.”

Is that the Luniz music the orchestra is playing?

Holy shit! Jordan Peele! “Please welcome Jordan Peele to the Kojima-verse,” says Geoff.

“What’s up? How’s it going?” says Peele. Apparently he’s a huge fan of Kojima’s games, but then he would say that.

Kojima working with Jordan Peele on new horror game OD

It’s Hideo Kojima time! BINGO!

We’re seeing a feminine character recounting tongue-twisters. The facial animation is incredible. This is how the game’s cast is being announced.

OD, the game is called.

Totally switched off there. I saw a bunch of content creators getting scared. It’s The Outlast Trials, coming 5th March. Looks creepy.

What a strange nicotine advert that was!

More awards! And Best Action Game goes to Armored Core 6. Then we’re straight into Best Art Direction, which goes to Alan Wake 2. That’s two for Alan Wake 2 now. Best VR/AR goes to REsident Evil Village. Best Mobile Game goes to Honkai: Star Rail.

Phew.

Evidently they weren’t the very popular awards.

Now we’re seeing a feudal Japan-set game, I think, with samurai on rooftops and fighting boss fights. It looks like Ghost of Tsushima but not quite as nice? Don’t be mean, Bertie.

It’s Rise of the Ronin and I think it’s from Team Ninja.

It’s coming out 22nd March 2024.

New Mana game announced

We’re now seeing a world we haven’t seen in a while. It’s Secret of Mana, but new! It’s a new Mana game! Visions of Mana it’s called. The adventure begins in 2024, whatever that means.

Supermassive Dead by Daylight crossover announced

I love me a Supermassive game and their party-horror vibe they bring. This looks like a trailer for a new one. A group of teens exploring dark tunnels and cursed areas: check.

Oh it’s a Dead by Daylight game! A single-player experience called The Casting of Frank Stone.

Sega remaking Golden Axe, Jet Set Radio, Streets of Rage and more

Sydnee is back! And it’s another world premiere.

Oh! We had another woman on stage there too, didn’t we. Not that, as 35antonio says, they let her speak much.

This is some classic lifestyle ad trailer for… A load of old games remade? Was that Golden Axe? Was that Jet Set Radio? Shinobi! Streets of Rage! This must be Sega’s big announce!

It’s Best Debut Indie Game award time. Who’s it going to be, who’s it going to be?

Cocoon! What a game. Of course, Annapurna published it so is it really indie? Oh stop it Bertie. What an awkward acceptance speech.

Lifeis2D (He/Him) says: Oh no, someone with personality. Run, Geoff!

Teehee – giggle!

This is actually quite funny. Gonzo is dressed like Geoff, frankly he looks like Geoff, and he’s parroting what Geoff is saying. Hes effortless.

And YES, Herr! This does count as an old actor on stage bingo!

Runcle says: Its the same every year. Some very interesting looking Indies, few usuals that seem to be coming out every year, and one or two big announcements. Over 3 hours.

There is usually the big sag in the middle. Let’s see.

Oh here comes Gonzo from the Muppets…

HerrProduk says: I stay up for this stuff because in a world of on demand event TV is far and few between. Its basically just this and Eurovision for me these days.

What a combo – Eurovision and TGAs!

themightyant says: Gotta admit there has been more unique looking games that I was expecting. Another one to add to the list. Love Ori, Moon has my attention.

Quite! Look out for a bit more information on the site later this morning.

Ori dev reveals new action RPG No Rest for the Wicked

A smalller project now from Private Division and Moon Studios, the creators of Ori.

Wow, this looks great. It looks like an action RPG in a pirate’s nightmare of a world.

No Rest for the Wicked, it’s called. We’ll learn more 1st March.

Grim… says: Another lady on stage!

Bingo bingo! It’s Ikumi Nakamura who was full of energy last year, and she’s radiating it again. She’s here to reveal her game that apparently doesn’t have a publisher yet. It’s some kind of urban-mythical adventure called Kemuri. The CGI trailer was nice, but what does the game look like?

andyturner says: I love how the “hurry up” music makes the speeches sound so profound

Haha – yes!

Best Narrative goes to Alan Wake 2

Best Narrative award now and it is Alan Wake 2! I thought that would go to Baldur’s Gate 3. Sam Lake goes up to receive the award. He’s very handsome isn’t he.

He’s thanking the rest of the narrative team at Remedy, and the actors who worked on the game, and the directors involved with it. And the song makers – because they are here to perform of course.

Well done Remedy!

It’s a dark and atmospheric new trailer for Hellblade 2. The game looks as good as we think it will – that face tech looks icredible. But when is it coming out?

Boo, just a 2024 date for Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga.

There was also another woman on the stage – bingo alert!

Give us a Hellblade 2 date you cowards!

HerrProduk says: Does this count as an orchestra?

Haha yeah sure!

Melina Jurgens is on the stage now – a former Best Performance winner for Hellblade. She’s introduing a music spot for Heilung, who are playing a piece from the upcoming game Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga.

It’s all appropriately folky and Scandinavian flavoured.

Not a bad start so far, eh? What do you think?

This is the new Prince of Persia we’re seeing now – The Lost Crown. It’s coming 18th January.

We’re on a bit of a montage. Now we’re seeing the Lego update in Fortnite, which Tom went to see this week in New York. Expect his thoughts as soon as we can publish them.

Untitled Goose Game dev reveals new game

Now we’re going over to Australia to a small dev. It’s the creators of Untitled Goose Game!

We’re seeing shots of a jungle and we’re hearing animals. Now we’ve zoomed out to see some… ants? Are they ants? It’s hard to tell – they’re very low-fi. But they’re walking on hind legs and talking like humans. They sound like plucky Australians.

Now they’re jumping into a kind of toy world. This is… strange. But it all seems fundamentally multiplayer in how you come across other people.

It’s Called Big Walk, it’s by House House, and it’s coming 2025.

God of War Ragnarok DLC surprise drops next week

Another world premiere and it’s PlaySTation Studios now. A chair in the water and… KRATOS!

It’s Sony Santa Monica, it’s God of War: Ragnarok – Valhalla. And it’s coming 12th December 2023. Apparently it’s got Roguelike elements in. And it’s free.

Does Matthew count as an old actor? I don’t think so. This sci-fi game is giving off Returnal vibes. We’re seeing an astronaut called Max who it seems gets stranded in space alone. She goes through a jump-gate and lives a whole live in what seems like moments. This is all CGI – it’s hard to get a sense of what the game actually is.

Ah, now we’re seeing gameplay! Mass Effect vibes, Destiny vibes. It looks colourful. But also a bit slow?

No release date.

Holy shit Matthew Mcconaughey is here – they had to pick the person with the hardest name to spell, right?

He’s here to premiere a video game that he’s “a part of”. He’s going to be voicing a character in the game and he says “I will have a unique relationship with every character”.

It sounds a bit like Gravity in how time moves differently in the game than it does for other people. Here’s our first ever look at Exodus by Arctight.

themightyant says: Spot the heavies! Geoff trying to make sure your Bingo #1 fails

I know right!

A shot of Larian leader Swen Vincke in the audience there, who is WEARING THE ARMOUR!

Neil is looking wonderful tonight in a kimono and flowing shirt and trousers. He is keeping it super-brief. He’s thanking the community and he’s getting a little teary-eyed. He’s referencing the people who said that Baldur’s Gate 3 helped them get through whatever they’re getting through. Go Neil!

Best Performance goes to Neil Newbon

He’s milking that joke about the length of his speech.

And the award goes to Neil Newbon!

Haha – he’s parodying himself! The orchestra is playing over him as if he’s about to waffle off on a huge speech again. “I’m gonna stick to the script! No eight minute speech like last year. But fun fact – my speech was actually longer than this year’s Call of Duty campaign.”

Sick burn, Judge! Sick burn.

My money is on Neil Newbon for Astarion for this award. Let’s see.

Aonuma is here from Nintendo – Mr Zelda! Mark Cerny from Sony is here, the person behind the latest PlayStation. Melina Jurgens from Hellblade is here. Capcom is here. It’s a stacked audience.

Now we’re going to the Best Performance award. Christopher Judge is here to award it oh god.

Geoff Keighley waits half an hour to take to the stage

I can’t believe there was a pre-show before the show. I thought we were getting through it. But now here’s Geoff delivering an opening speech. Is he going to mention something political?

That was World of Goo 2 by the way.

We’re now seeing a new RPG from the makers of Persona 3, 4 and 5. It looks like Persona – it’s got the same aesthetic. But the setting is older. It’s hard to get much of a sense of the setting and story – we’re seeing such a wide array of footage from it. But it does look sprawling and ecclectic and pretty good, actually.

Metaphor: Re Fantazio, the game is called. It’s coming to PC and Xbox next year.

PolygonClassicist says: Really wanted PMG to win that too. The Disco Elysium doc alone was incredible work.

Indeed. Still scratching my head about the decision. Still, PMG doesn’t have the awkward moment of having to accept the award and be a part of the awards, now. Some consolation?

Okay so Sydnee is here to do the pre-show, it sounds like.

Another world premiere 15 years in the making. Is this World of Goo?!

Another – bingo! – world premiere now. A team-up between two other nominated games apparently. Is that Dave the Diver and… Dredge?

It is! And it’s coming 15th December.

Jason says: Watching the host i kind of missed this E3 style cringe she just needs a bad dance and slip an expletive in to make it feel complete

She’s doing really well, isn’t she? Very confident and no cringe so far, as far as I can tell.

Somapix says: Is that… a follow up to Thumper!?

It seems like it – yep!

We’re seeing a kind of rhythm game now, it looks like. It’s bizarre – it actually reminds me a lot of Flow. But this one is called Thrasher, and it’s coming in 2024.

Thrasher is from the same artist/composer as Thumper.

Dead Cells dev’s new game Windblown revealed

Windblown now, from the creators of Dead Cells. There’s the sumptuous isometric gameplay, and co-op with up to two others it looks like. I’m getting strong Bastion vibes from it.

If this trailer is indicative of the actual experience of playing it, with all of these anime-style interludes, then it will be gorgeous. It’s hard to tell, though. Still, lovely art direction all the same.

It’s coming to PC early access in 2024.

andyturner says: I feel so old. All those silly names

Haha yes. A few eSports awards are being handed out in a row now. I think the fact the show is not dwelling on them speaks volumes.

We’re going to see a game called Harmonium: The Musical by The Odd Gentleman now. It’s billed as an accessible music journey, and it’s built fundamentally with sign language in mind. There’s also sound for people with hearing. Nice idea. It’s coming to Game Pass and Netflix.

I get the feeling Netflix is a big sponsor tonight.

Grim… says: Three ladies on stage!

Bingo bingo bingo! I’m really impressed he’s stayed off camera so far.

A few games flashing by now, Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR in there. Ian will be pleased.

Forza Motorsport picks up the award for best accessibility. It is brilliant, and this whole category is brilliant, as the people accepting the awards say. The change has been incredible.

Rogueywon says: Is this the Korean MMO on the bingo board?

More or less – well remembered! I will need some reminding.

Well, that was quite a start, eh! It’s often the pacing of these things that leaves a lot to be desired, though. Let’s hope it can keep the momentum up.

It is unusual – and quite refreshing – not to have seen Geoff yet, though!

What’s this second game? We’re seeing a bedroom with a murder board of string and post-it notes attached to it. The Rise of the Golden Idol. I’m not sure what that is.

And the third game. It’s Tunic and it’s a 3D action adventure game. We’re following a modern-styled teenager in a kind of ghost world. Usual June, the game is called, and it’s coming in 2025.

Inscryption dev reveals Pony Island 2

BINGO BINGO BINGO – three “world premieres” in a row now.

First, the new game from Inscryption maker Daniel Mullins – I am very excited about this. It’s got a similar cursed vibe, and that same voice over sound effect. It’s a blend of genres again – it’s hard to make out what the defining one is. It looks like you discover a cursed arcade machine. It’s Pony Island 2!

28th February 2024. On PC, PlayStation and Xbox, by the looks of it.

I thought that looked good.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons remake revealed

BINGO! It’s “World Premiere”.

It’s the remake of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. What a game. I wonder how much they’ve changed. Note the addition of “originally directed by Josef Fares” – I assume he’s not involved this time then?

The Game Awards 2023 begins

The clock ticks down and we are about to begin. Well done to anyone in Europe or the UK who’s up late watching this – we feel your pain. Now then Geoff, lets make it worthwhile, eh?

Grim… says: Not great so far, is it?

HANG ON SOMETHING IS HAPPENING!

Runcle says: I hope Pacino is back. Even though he’s got nothing to do with games, and he’s very upfront about that, I just love his energy.

Oh my good god I forgot about Pacino.

Grim… says: Okay, I’ve turned Conan off on the outside chance of Hades 2 news.

What will Arnie say! But no, you made the right choice.

Grim… says: What are the rules on opening the next door of your advent calendar now that midnight has passed?

Oh gosh go FULL STEAM on that thing! You made it to midnight – that is a hell of an achievement!

Nathan-DTS says: Had no idea this was on tonight. Phone notification buzzed me as I was about to go to sleep. I’ll be going to sleep now anyway.

Haha – respect.

MrZappa says: Sending my apologies, Bertie – I’m bingoing to bed.

Oh no! But I respect you bowing out with a pun.

Grim… says: I think I can see a flaw in the system if we all have the same bingo card…

Shh don’t tell anyone that!

JumpingJackson says: Can’t help but notice you don’t have Silksong on your bingo card you cowards! 😀

Good luck to those staying up to work the live blog. I’ll catch the highlights in the morning. Have a good one!

Good shout, and thanks!

blarts says: Is Sony going to do a worldwide reveal of Jim Ryan’s proper successor because they’re GaaS games have gone off the deep end?
Is PlayStation going to show a bit of Wolverine or just another remaster?
Is Phil Spencer going to stealth drop another acquisition, or will we find out that Major Nelson has returned to MS but as an AI rolled into GamePass?
Is Nintendo going to show more New IP or just some more Mario?

Who knows?

The anticipation is palpable…

You mean Major Nelson… wasn’t an AI?!

Kami says: Ah, I just got told I need to be up at 7am so I’mma have to skip tonight. Have a good one and I’ll catch up with the headlines in the morning!

7am! It’s nearly Christmas! How could they.

Weebleman says: Ive been up all night with all three of my kids vomiting so im likely to miss this. Enjoy folks and best of luck keeping this lot in check @Bertie

Oh no! I hope everyone gets better soon. It’s really going round, huh?

Lifeis2D (He/Him) says: We’ve had some great times in the live reports. What will Phil be wearing… will Martin make it back to the shed in time for the next game… ah memories.
(And I second the PepsiMan need…. PEPSI-MAAAAANNNNN!)

Ah, Martin! The Live report legend. Who did them before him? I think it must have been Tom Bramwell. Big shoes to fill; literally – Brammers had canoes for feet.

Grim… says: I forgot about this, and now I’m halfway through watching Conan the Barbarian.

I’m trying to decide which to watch.

Haha – brilliant!

kantaroo3 says: Love the bingo card. I would have added a pro / slim console announcement.

Oh good shout, good shout.

I was trying to remmeber how long we’d been doing these live reports for, and I think the answer is 2006! I remember them. We started doing them for E3, and it was back when PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 were unveiled. I think this Sony 2006 live report might be the first.

Anyway, back then, they provided an invaluable service. Video wasn’t broadcast as easily from American conferences then as it is now. Only some sites, like GameSpot and IGN and GameTrailers, would get video access and even then, the videos they produced would be after the fact. So having a live, blow-by-blow account from the conference itself was exciting! Doubly-exciting because you never knew if you’d have enough internet at the event for it to work. Oh all the technical workarounds we tried – dongles, sim cards, you name it!

So much has changed now, of course, but the DNA remains!

masteratt says: You can always watch everything on demand later but there’s nothing like the LIVE ENERGY! So I’ll try to stay up but won’t push myself!

That’s the spirit!

Malek86 says: It’s almost 11pm here, don’t think I can make it to the show… sign me up for the “waking up early to check out the news” team.

Boo! Peer pressure boo! But no, I don’t blame you. We’ll be envious in the morning.

Axiom says: Let’s do it. I’m off tomorrow anyway so will grab a nice energy drink and watch the show.

Hang on, there’s a nice energy drink?

VirtuaIceMan says: Sega are announcing *something*, with treat messages saying NEW ERA NEW ENERGY. Hope it’s not a Sonic themed energy drink

Oh, yes indeed! The word is that it could even be a new IP. But in which genre I wonder?

I’m back! I somewhat unexpectedly had a nap. That’s what happens when you get over 40 I think.

How are you all doing? Did anyone else nap or did you power through – we’ll see who the real winner is when we’re mid-Geoff, eh?

swedishfish says: I don’t think I’ve ever turned up for a party more than 6 hours early before. Do you… errr… want any help in the kitchen?

Oh yes please! If you could make everyone a starter that would be wonderful.

Zombie-Hamster says: Recovering from a bug at the moment (actual one, not the game variety!) so unfortunately no chance I’m going to make it even to the start sadly! Enjoy everyone and look forward to catching up on the news in the morning.

Oh no! Well don’t worry, we’ll round it all up for you. I hope you feel better soon! Go get yourself a hot water bottle.

Lifeis2D (He/Him) says: Yep, Don’t Nod Montreal’s first project which a hint toward them being very proud of was dropped as a reply to myself last year and… obviously I am very very hyped for!

Oh nice!

I just wanted to keep you abreast of this. Larian boss Swen Vincke may well be dressed in a suit of armour for the awards tonight, if the armour arrives in time! And word is that lead writer Adam Smith (formerly of Rock Paper Shotgun) may also be dressed as a bear. That’s why this studio is in the running for Game of the Year, people.

Hello, what’s this – a tease from Don’t Nod, the makers of Life is Strange? This is the original Life is Strange team, and the only tease we’ve seen so far points to a 1990s setting. So does this VHS.

Kami says: Ah, it’s tonight. I’ve already had a horribly long day.

Oof. Well, take a load off and eschew sleep tonight to be with us. We’ll take your mind right off it I promise!

Flute Guy is back this year!

And when they see his performance they’ll say: “What a Wonka!”

MisterHC says: Question! And you brought this one on yourself. So, you say you know of things. Am not asking you to spill the beans….but are things you know of, worth staying awake for???

Haha – touché! Worth staying awake for? I’ve backed myself into an awkward corner here haven’t I? The thing I am personally thinking of is a surprise but not a new game announcement, if that helps? That’s about all I can say!