I’ve typically questioned why October feels so bloody busy.
Yearly, with out fail, a cavalcade of main video games are launched round late September and early October. They typically smother each other; earlier than you may end one, one other blockbuster is already out.
You can argue that it’s a implausible launch window for the run-up to Christmas, with loads of time to market them forward of individuals shopping for presents. It is sensible.
However right here’s a extra cynical view: These video games could possibly be attempting to leverage recency bias to win massive at The Recreation Awards in December. They’re judged late October into November. Fast primer: recency bias is the place folks give disproportionate weight to latest experiences in decision-making.
It’s a query that I believe lots of spectators of the occasion ask, nevertheless it by no means actually will get answered. There’s a little bit of added foreign money to it too, given launch date for Grand Theft Auto 6—a sequel to one of many best-selling video games of all time—has been moved but once more, from 24 Might to 26 November 2026.
This may place it properly exterior the working for a Recreation Award subsequent yr, and can also make it troublesome for the sport to attain the prize in 2027 too.
So I needed to have a look at how launch dates of main video games have an effect on the awards and if there’s a correlation. By no means heard of The Recreation Awards earlier than? Don’t fear, I’ve you coated with some extra background beneath.
Maintain up, what are The Recreation Awards?
Launching in 2014, The Recreation Awards are an business awards night time run by former video games joualist turned occasions business entrepreneur Geoff Keighley.
Over the previous decade it’s arguably turn out to be the principle awards night time of the video games sector, with final yr’s occasion amassing over 154 million viewers by way of international live-streaming. This yr’s awards is being held on December 11.
Colloquially, it serves as the point of interest for a myriad of different awards for the most effective sport of the yr. Many publications run their very own awards. There’s additionally loads of different business accolades together with the BAFTA Recreation Awards, The Golden Joystick Awards and the D.I.C.E. Awards.
However The Recreation Awards are the closest factor the gaming business will get to its personal model of the Grammys or The Academy Awards.
Maybe the largest distinction is that the precise awards high and tail the stream, with a lot of them introduced on the night time with out an excessive amount of fanfare. Acceptance speeches are stored to a minimal. Viewers are arguably extra tuned in for the trailers and launch bulletins strewn all through it. It’s like watching the Tremendous Bowl for the advertisements.
How are they judged?
The broad strokes of how The Recreation Awards are judged are public, however among the extra intricate particulars aren’t as clear.
Right here’s what we do know:
First, a jury panel — which has grown over time to carry 100 media shops and influencers globally — submits ballots to find out the nominees.
Then the identical (or related) group votes on the nominees to determine winners. This jury vote carries about 90% of the choice.
In the meantime, the general public can solid on-line votes (sometimes opening shortly after the nomination announcement in November). These votes represent roughly 10% of the choice, and may tip the steadiness in some situations.
Behind the scenes, the precise mechanics for a way every outlet tallies votes, how votes are verified and the way ballots are processed stay largely undisclosed. Polygon has a wonderful article on this if you’re after extra particulars.
So, are you extra more likely to win Recreation of The 12 months for those who launch your sport later within the yr?
At a look, no.
Taking a look at an evaluation of the previous 11 winners to this point, barely extra video games that acquired the highest prize had been truly launched in Q2 (April, Might, June) of their corresponding yr.
Recreation Of The 12 months winners by launch date
Sorted by the quarters. Complete variety of winners: 11.
However after all that doesn’t clarify the glut of video games that are inclined to launch across the September, October, November window. Wanting on the complete pool of Recreation of The 12 months finalists for annually truly paints a way more nuanced image.
Recreation Of The 12 months finalists by launch date
Organized by quarters. Complete variety of video games nominated: 62.
On this occasion, there’s a transparent pattern between launching a serious sport in the direction of the tip of the yr and making it into the pool of finalists for consideration — which continues to be an achievement in itself.
This means that there’s some type of recency bias concerned within the judging course of; nonetheless, it in the end doesn’t have an effect on the choice across the winner.
Any fascinating outliers?
Typically talking, video games which might be launched in December or near the awards don’t truly make it into consideration for the next yr’s Recreation Awards.
One traditional instance of that is Marvel’s Midnight Suns, a method sport that launched 2 December 2022, and regardless of some acclaim didn’t fairly muster a nomination for Recreation of The 12 months or Greatest Position-Taking part in Recreation.
There’s one exception to this, nonetheless, for the Recreation of The 12 months finalists. Smash Bros Final launched 7 December 2018, and it was nominated for Recreation of The 12 months in 2019. It’s at the moment the one sport to buck the pattern.
That is all fascinating, however what’s your choose for Recreation of The 12 months this yr?
My very own recency bias is in play right here, however I believe Ghost of Yotei, an open-world revenge quest set in seventeenth century Japan, will possible win it.
I’m but to evaluate it for this text, however after ending the sport it felt like a transparent contender for the highest prize, given the sport’s glorious pacing, storytelling and creative model.
I stand by my name earlier this yr that Kingdom Come II: Deliverance is a transparent contender. However whereas that was mechanically fascinating and actually enjoyable to play, the whimsy and storytelling of role-playing darling Clair Obscura surpasses it. If not for Ghost of Yotei, I’d say it will win.
Nintendo is probably going out of the race this yr. Platformer Donkey Kong Bonanza is missing a smidge of polish in comparison with different previous Nintendo winners, and it’s additionally a brand new console unique. And whereas Mario Kart World is an exceptional racer, it will be defying the chances to get the highest prize.
Harrison Polites writes the Infinite Lives publication. Comply with him right here.
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