The Game Awards 2024, scheduled to be live-streamed on December 12th, finds itself embroiled in controversy surrounding the Player’s Voice award, the sole category determined entirely by public vote. While most awards are adjudicated by a jury, this fan-favorite category has sparked debate due to the inclusion of downloadable content (DLC) and the dominance of free-to-play gacha games among the finalists. The final voting round, concluding on December 11th, has narrowed the contenders down to five games: Black Myth: Wukong, Genshin Impact, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Wuthering Waves, and Zenless Zone Zero.
The controversy initially ignited with the announcement that DLC would be eligible for nomination in any category, culminating in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree’s nomination for Game of the Year. This decision was met with significant backlash from the gaming community, who argued that DLC, being an extension of an existing game, should not compete directly with full game releases. Despite the initial outcry, Shadow of the Erdtree has secured its place among the top five contenders for the Player’s Voice award, highlighting the apparent popularity of the DLC among players.
Adding fuel to the fire is the strong representation of gacha games in the final five. Genshin Impact, Wuthering Waves, and Zenless Zone Zero, all free-to-play titles employing the gacha monetization system, have dominated the Player’s Voice voting. This has led to speculation that the success of these games is influenced by their practice of rewarding players with in-game currency for achieving award victories. Critics argue that such incentives create an unfair advantage, potentially skewing the voting results and overshadowing other deserving titles.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that these gacha games boast substantial player bases, which naturally translates into a significant voting bloc. The popularity of these games is undeniable, and their presence in the final round could simply reflect the genuine enthusiasm of their respective communities. The debate lies in disentangling the impact of in-game rewards from the organic support these games receive.
The lone game seemingly untouched by controversy is Black Myth: Wukong, an action RPG developed by Game Science. Its inclusion in the final five offers a refreshing counterpoint to the contentious elements surrounding the other nominees. Whether it can garner enough votes to overcome the popularity of the gacha games and the established fanbase of Elden Ring’s DLC remains to be seen. The final round of voting will ultimately determine which game resonates most strongly with the players.
The situation underscores the complexities inherent in public voting systems, particularly within the gaming industry. The potential for manipulation through incentivized voting and the inherent advantage enjoyed by games with larger player bases pose challenges to the fairness and representativeness of such awards. While the Player’s Voice award aims to celebrate games chosen by the community, the current controversy raises questions about whether the system adequately reflects the true preferences of players or is susceptible to external influences. The outcome of the final round will undoubtedly shape the discussion surrounding the future of the Player’s Voice award and its role within The Game Awards.
