The Game Awards: A Haven for Video Game Reveals

Nov 19, 2024 at 8:55 PM
Over the past decade, The Game Awards has emerged as a significant platform for major video game announcements. Geoff Keighley's annual event not only showcases games but also generates excitement among gamers. Publishers often make a grand entrance, presenting trailers that leave us eager for more. However, some games revealed at these awards seem to disappear for long periods, while others face delays.

Patience in the Gaming World

Those who love video games enough to watch The Game Awards each year understand the importance of patience. Below are some of the highly anticipated games that have been on our radar for years.

Prologue: Brendan Greene's Mysterious Project

Nearly five years ago at The Game Awards, Prologue was announced as a new project by Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene. It was described as an exploration of new technologies and gameplay. Since then, it has evolved into a tech demo showcasing the terrain-generation tools for an even bigger project, Artemis. PlayerUnknown Productions has been actively sharing updates on its in-house technology and the ambitions of both Prologue and Artemis. Greene's social media presence also keeps fans informed. But when will players actually get to play these games? That remains a mystery.

PlayerUnknown Productions is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of gaming with Prologue and Artemis. The team is constantly working on improving the technology and gameplay to provide an immersive experience. The terrain-generation tools shown in Prologue are truly remarkable and give a glimpse into the potential of future games.

As for Artemis, it promises to be a massive multiplayer sandbox experience. The team is working hard to create a world that players can explore and interact with in unique ways. With regular updates and Greene's active involvement, there is a lot of excitement surrounding these projects.

Ark 2: A Next-Generation Survival Experience

At The Game Awards 2020, Studio Wildcard surprised everyone with the announcement of Ark 2. Set on a massive alien world with Dark Souls-inspired combat and utilizing Unreal Engine 5, it was expected to arrive in 2022 but has been repeatedly delayed. First to 2023 and then to the end of 2024, the studio instead delivered a remastered version of Ark: Survival Evolved and has been relatively quiet about Ark 2's progress. The game's Steam page now shows a "To be announced" release date. Polygon has reached out for an update but has not received a response yet.

Studio Wildcard's decision to delay Ark 2 has been a disappointment for fans, but the studio remains committed to delivering a next-generation survival experience. The team is working on refining the game's mechanics and creating an immersive alien world. With Unreal Engine 5 at their disposal, the possibilities are endless.

The delay also gives the studio more time to ensure that Ark 2 meets the high expectations set by the original game. Fans are eagerly awaiting news of its release and hope that it will live up to the hype.

The Next Mass Effect

BioWare's next entry in the Mass Effect franchise was teased at The Game Awards 2020 and has been slowly drip-feeding details ever since. The studio has been focused on getting Dragon Age: The Veilguard out the door, but now it plans to turn its attention back to Mass Effect 5. The most recent N7 Day was quiet, but perhaps that's a sign of things to come.

BioWare has a rich history of creating immersive sci-fi role-playing games, and Mass Effect is no exception. The team is known for its engaging storylines and deep character development. With the announcement of Mass Effect 5, fans are excited to see what the studio has in store.

The slow drip of information has only added to the anticipation. Fans are eagerly waiting for more details and gameplay footage to get a better sense of what to expect from this highly anticipated game.

Perfect Dark: Joanna Dark's Return

In 2020, Perfect Dark was unveiled at The Game Awards as a reboot of the Rare-created spy shooter. Since then, we've seen some progress, with a taste of actual gameplay at this year's Xbox Games Showcase. Despite no release date yet, a 2023 report suggests it won't arrive until at least 2025. But at least we know The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics are making progress.

Perfect Dark has a loyal fanbase, and the reboot has generated a lot of excitement. The team is working hard to capture the essence of the original game while adding modern elements. The gameplay we've seen so far looks promising, and fans are hopeful that it will live up to their expectations.

The long wait for Perfect Dark is testing the patience of fans, but with the progress being made, there is reason to be optimistic. The game has the potential to be a standout in the shooter genre.

ARC Raiders: An Extraction Shooter's Journey

Announced in 2021, ARC Raiders was initially put on the back burner while the team worked on The Finals. But now, they have turned their attention back to it and are aiming for a 2025 release. The game was recently playtested, and we got our first look at actual gameplay.

ARC Raiders has a unique concept as an extraction shooter. The team is focused on creating a fast-paced and intense gameplay experience. The playtest gave us a taste of what to expect and showed that the game has a lot of potential.

With a release date set for 2025, there is still a long wait ahead, but fans are excited to see how the game will develop. The team is working hard to polish the gameplay and deliver a polished product.

Star Wars Eclipse: A Long Wait Ahead

When Star Wars Eclipse was announced at the 2021 Game Awards, it was clear that we were in for a long wait. Set in the High Republic era and featuring player choice, the game is still in early development with an expected arrival in 2027 or 2028.

Quantic Dream is known for its immersive storytelling, and Star Wars Eclipse has the potential to be a standout game in the franchise. The early development stages give the team the opportunity to refine the gameplay and create a truly engaging experience.

The long wait is a testament to the ambition of the project. Fans are eager to see how Quantic Dream will bring the Star Wars universe to life in this intricately branching action-adventure game.

Wonder Woman: A New Superhero Game

Warner Bros. and Monolith Productions are promising to bring back the Nemesis System in a new Wonder Woman game. Set in an open-world with an original story, it is highly anticipated. However, we haven't heard much since late 2021.

Wonder Woman is a beloved character, and a new game has the potential to be a major success. The Nemesis System adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay, allowing players to interact with a dynamic world. With DC characters expected to make an appearance, the game has the potential to be a crossover event.

The lack of updates has left fans wondering about the status of the game. However, with the talent involved, there is reason to be hopeful that it will live up to expectations.

Transformers: Reactivate: A Splash of Surprise

In 2022, Splash Damage's reveal trailer for Transformers: Reactivate was a surprise. With its unique cover of Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive," it piqued our interest. But since then, we've heard little about the game.

Transformers: Reactivate has the potential to be a fun and action-packed game. The team at Splash Damage is known for their work on shooter games, and they are sure to bring their expertise to this project. With the Transformers franchise at their disposal, the possibilities are endless.

We're eagerly waiting for an update on the game's development and hope to hear more soon. Until then, fans will have to wait and see what Splash Damage has in store.

Earthblade: An Explor-Action Platformer

At The Game Awards 2022, Earthblade was announced as an "explor-action platformer" from Celeste developer Maddy Thorson. Originally expected in 2024, it has been delayed. But Thorson has assured fans that the game is still in development and that progress is being made.

Earthblade has the potential to be a unique and challenging game. The Celeste team's expertise in platforming is sure to shine through in this new project. With an open-world setting and exciting gameplay, it's a game that fans are looking forward to.

The delay is disappointing, but it gives the team more time to polish the game and make it even better. Fans are eager to see what Maddy Thorson and her team have in store.