The new expansion to Elden Ring is getting a lot of buzz. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is up for big awards at The Game Awards 2024. It’s nominated for Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Art Direction, and Best RPG.
This expansion is huge, with over 40 hours of new stuff. It’s making a big splash in the gaming world.
But, there’s a big debate going on. The Game Awards said DLCs like this can win major awards. This has caused a lot of talk in the gaming world.
People are wondering if DLCs should be in the running for top awards. It’s a big change and it’s making everyone think.
Key Takeaways
- Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a highly anticipated expansion to the 2022 Game of the Year winner, Elden Ring.
- The expansion has received multiple nominations at The Game Awards 2024, including the prestigious Game of the Year category.
- The announcement of DLC expansions being eligible for major awards alongside full games has sparked controversy and debate within the gaming industry.
- Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is considered a strong contender for Game of the Year, despite being an expansion, due to its substantial content and impact on the base game.
- The shift in award criteria to include DLC expansions highlights the evolving nature of the gaming landscape and the industry’s response to it.
The Controversial GOTY Nomination
The Game Awards announced Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree as a Game of the Year contender. This move has caused a lot of debate. The game, from fromsoftware, is set in the exciting Lands Between.
It has been nominated in several categories. These include Best Art Direction, Best Game Direction, and Best RPG.
DLC Eligibility Debate
The Game Awards let DLC and expansions into all categories, including Game of the Year. This has sparked a big debate. Some say Shadow of the Erdtree, needing 20 to 80 hours of main game play, shouldn’t be a standalone game.
Impact on Award Categories
Some critics think Shadow of the Erdtree’s nomination might take a spot from a full game. They suggest a special category for DLC and expansions. This way, full games and expansions can compete fairly.
Community Response
People have mixed feelings about Shadow of the Erdtree’s nominations. Some love the expansion’s quality and scope. Others think DLC shouldn’t compete with full games for Game of the Year.
There’s a question about when this rule started. Was it new this year or just highlighted? The debate is about if this rule is fair for the awards.
| Category | Nomination |
|---|---|
| Game of the Year | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree |
| Best Art Direction | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree |
| Best Game Direction | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree |
| Best RPG | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree |
“The expansion requires 20 to 80 hours of gameplay in the main game to access and complete, leading some to argue that it should not be considered a standalone game.”
Shadow of the Erdtree’s Unique Position in Gaming
The Elden Ring sequel, Shadow of the Erdtree, is a big deal in gaming. It’s not just a small add-on. It’s a big expansion that needs a lot of game play to start.
This DLC is special because it’s made by FromSoftware. They’re known for their big, fun games. The game’s creator, Hidetaka Miyazaki, is famous for his work. This makes people talk about if it should win big awards.
| Game | Nominee Status | Completion Time |
|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree | Game of the Year Nominee | 51 hours |
| Metaphor: ReFantazio | Game of the Year Nominee | 35 hours |
| Black Myth Wukong | Game of the Year Nominee | 42 hours |
| Balatro | Game of the Year Nominee | 28 hours |
| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | Game of the Year Nominee | 52 hours |
There’s a big debate about Shadow of the Erdtree and awards. It shows how gaming is changing. The lines between big games and expansions are getting mixed up. Everyone is excited to see what happens with the awards.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree，Game of the Year，The Game Awards 2024
The wait for The Game Awards 2024 is exciting. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a top souls-like combat game. It has a 94 top critic average on OpenCritic. This makes it a strong game of the year contender.
Critical Reception and Scores
People love the game’s long content. A completionist run takes 51 hours. A review gave it a perfect 10/10 score. The reviewer loved the game’s secrets, boss battles, and lore.
Competition Analysis
Shadow of the Erdtree is up against tough competition. Games like Astro Bot and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth are also contenders. But, its strong reviews and nominations make it a top choice for game of the year.
Voting Process Understanding
The Game Awards voting is done by a jury and some public votes. There’s debate about DLCs like Shadow of the Erdtree being eligible. But, the organizers say DLCs can be considered if they’re creative and technical.
The gaming world is excited for The Game Awards 2024. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree’s nomination has started a big talk. It’s about the future of gaming and award categories.
“Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a masterful expansion that elevates the Elden Ring experience to new heights. It’s a true contender for Game of the Year and a testament to the continued excellence of the Souls-like genre.”
Analyzing the Competition: Main Contenders
The Game of the Year category at The Game Awards 2024 has tough open-world action rpg contenders. They could challenge Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree for the top spot. Leading the pack is Astro Bot with a 95 critic average. It’s known for its tech and fun gameplay.
Games like Metaphor: ReFantazio and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth are also getting lots of praise. They’re known for their stories and details. But, Black Myth: Wukong is also a strong contender. It has a lower critic score but lots of fan love for its open-world action rpg feel.
Each game in the game of the year contender list has something special. They range from new tech to touching stories. This year’s competition shows how much the gaming world has grown and changed.
| Game | Critic Average | Unique Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Astro Bot | 95 | Technical innovations, immersive gameplay |
| Metaphor: ReFantazio | 92 | Storytelling prowess, attention to detail |
| Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth | 90 | Captivating narrative, fan-favorite franchise |
| Black Myth: Wukong | 88 | Engaging open-world action rpg experience, strong fan support |
The fight for the 2024 Game of the Year award is intense. Each game has its own special qualities. The gaming world is excited to see who will win. The debate is sure to be lively.
Technical Achievement and Innovation Assessment
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a big update to FromSoftware’s hit Elden Ring. It shows FromSoftware’s strong focus on tech and new gameplay. Players get to explore a stunning new world in the lands between.
Visual Design Elements
The update adds new visuals that fit perfectly with fromsoftware‘s style. The game’s world is full of beauty, from landscapes to characters. It all works together to pull players into the world of the Lands Between.
- Breathtaking new environments, including haunting ruins, verdant forests, and awe-inspiring vistas.
- Enhanced lighting and particle effects that elevate the game’s atmospheric qualities.
- Refined character animations and detailed, expressive facial expressions.
Gameplay Mechanics Evolution
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree makes the souls-like combat better and adds new things. These changes show FromSoftware’s hard work in making the game better. They want players to have a fun and tough time.
- Refined and expanded combat system, offering a wider array of weapon classes, combat arts, and customization options.
- Seamless integration of new movement and traversal mechanics, enhancing exploration and traversal across the Lands Between.
- Intricate boss encounters that test players’ skill and adaptability, raising the bar for the souls-like genre.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a top contender for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024. FromSoftware’s hard work makes them a top game studio. They keep making games that people love.
The DLC vs Full Game Debate
The nomination of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree for Game of the Year has sparked a big debate. Some say the DLC’s quality and size make it worthy of the award. Others believe a DLC can’t be equal to a full game.
This debate makes us think about what game expansions are and their role in awards like The Game Awards. Now, DLCs, remakes, and remasters can win the Game of the Year award. This change is making the industry think a lot.
- Some gamers worry that DLCs might be split into smaller parts to get more nominations. They think this could happen to get more chances to win.
- But, others say games like The Witcher, Xenoblade, and Cyberpunk 2077 have great DLCs too. These DLCs add a lot to the original game.
The price of DLCs like Shadow of the Erdtree ($39.99) and full games ($69.99 or more) makes things more complicated. It makes us wonder if DLCs are worth as much as a whole game.
“The Game Awards’ decision to include DLC in the Game of the Year category has sparked an intense discussion within the gaming community, with some arguing that it devalues the efforts of developers who dedicate years to creating full games from scratch.”
The debate about DLCs and expansions for the Game of the Year award will keep going. What happens next could change how games are made and recognized in the future.
Conclusion
The Game Awards 2024 is coming, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a big contender. It has a Metacritic score of 94 and is known for its technical skills. But, it’s an expansion pack, which makes some people question if it should win Game of the Year.
The awards could change how we see expansions in games. The Game Awards have accepted expansions since 2016. If Elden Ring wins, it could change how games are made and seen.
Elden Ring’s nomination shows how games are changing. Post-launch content is getting more important. As the industry grows, so will the rules for awards, shaping the future of games.
FAQ
What is Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree?
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a big update to Elden Ring. It was released in 2022 and won many awards. It’s up for several awards at The Game Awards 2024, including Game of the Year.
Why is the nomination for Shadow of the Erdtree controversial?
The debate is about DLC and expansions being in the Game of the Year race. Some think they shouldn’t be up against full games.
How has the community responded to Shadow of the Erdtree’s GOTY nomination?
People have mixed feelings. Some say it shouldn’t be in the same race as full games. Others think it’s great and deserves the award.
How does Shadow of the Erdtree stand out as an expansion?
It’s seen as an expansion that’s as good as full games. But, you need to have played a lot of the base game to start it.
How has Shadow of the Erdtree been received critically?
Critics love it, giving it a 94 average on OpenCritic. It’s in a tough spot for the Game of the Year award.
Who votes for the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards?
A jury of media outlets from around the world votes. A little bit of public voting is included too.
What other strong contenders are there for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024?
Astro Bot is leading with a 95 critic average. Metaphor: ReFantazio and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth are also getting lots of praise. Black Myth: Wukong has a lot of fan support.
How has Shadow of the Erdtree built upon the technical achievements of Elden Ring?
It shows FromSoftware’s growth in world design and combat. It adds new visuals and improves the base game’s gameplay.
What is the ongoing debate about DLC competing against full games for the Game of the Year award?
Some say the expansion is too big to be just DLC. They think it should be a full game. Others say its quality and scope make it worthy of the award.