The Game Awards 2024: The Big Reveals and Announcements

The Game Awards 2024 delivered a night-packed show that, despite its long runtime, this year wasn’t so bad. From highly anticipated game reveals to unexpected announcements, here's a complete rundown of everything unveiled during the show.

The Game Awards 2204 - Major Announcements and World Premieres

The Witcher 4

• Developer/Publisher: CD Projekt RED

• Platforms: TBA

• Release Date: TBA

This is our first look at the next mainline entry in the Witcher series as The Witcher 4 was revealed with a cinematic trailer showcasing and confirming Ciri as the protagonist for the next game. This trailer mimics the series of previous trailers of other Witcher games showcasing how humans can just be as monstrous as the monsters they fear. We also see Ciri more in-tune to her Witcher side as we see her using Witcher spells and potions, and fully equipped with the usual weaponry and outfit.

Elden Ring Nightreign announced, confirmed a standalone title

• Developer: FromSoftware

• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment

• Platforms: PS5, PS4,. Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

• Release Date: 2025

This was a surprise as I thought FromSoftware was moving on after the release of the massive expansion shadow of the Erdtree. Elden Ring Nightreign is a standalone title set in the Elden Ring world. Here’s the details sent by Bandai Namco.

The world of ELDEN RING™ is getting a standalone multiplayer co-op action survival game that challenges players to band together in order to defeat the Nightlord.

Developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia, the upcoming game, ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN, will thrust players into co-op multiplayer PVE combat against a harsh and unforgiving world. Teaming up in squads of three – or daring to go solo – they must outlast a three day-and-night cycle, making split decisions about combat and exploration across Limveld to become strong enough to take down terrifying bosses at the end of each day. 

Ico and The Last Guardian developers reveal new project

• Developer: GenDESIGN

• Publisher: Epic Games Publishing

• Platforms: TBA

• Release Date: TBA

The creator of games like Ico, The Last Guardian, and Shadow of Colossus has revealed their next project that currently has no title, but we get to see a quick look at gameplay which looks ominous and mysterious as their previous titles.

It Takes Two developer reveals new game Split Fiction

• Developer: Hazelight Studios

• Publisher: Electronic Arts

• Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC

• Release Date: March 6, 2025

Hazelight led by crazy man Josef Fares continues to deliver their signature concept of two-player co-op infused into their games as Split Fiction is a sci-fi adventure where characters Mio and Zoe enter a virtual reality where they jump back and forth sci fi and high fantasy worlds. The concept is what we’d expect from the It Takes Two developers and to our surprise the game is already set to release on March 6, 2025.

Just like their previous titles, players will only have to purchase it once and share the game with another either offline or online to play co-op. More details are expected on December 13.

Blackfrost - The Long Dark 2 announced

• Developer: Hinterland Studio

• Publisher: Hinterland Studio

• Platforms:

• Release Date: TBA (entering early access first)

Hinterland is working hard at developing a sequel to their immersive survival sandbox game The Long Dark as Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2 was revealed during The Game Awards. It looks as grim and punishing as the first game. Here’s a quick description of the game.

BLACKFROST: The Long Dark II is the sequel to the hit survival game, THE LONG DARK, launched on Early Access and honed over 10 years of open development. It is the evolution of the survival sandbox, refining every aspect of the original, and introducing cooperative to the formula. Conceived of and developed by Hinterland, the same creative team that brought you the original.

Blackfrost will be first available through Steams early access just like the first game. They hope to develop the game through player further feedback as they hope to fully release the game sometime in 2026.

Borderlands 4 gameplay reveal

• Developer: Gearbox Software

• Publisher: 2K Games

• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)

• Release Date: 2025

The Game Awards gives us our first look at Borderlands 4 gameplay and quite frankly, it’s…Borderlands. The only standout here is how interesting their enemies are this time around, and the fact that we don’t see the typical Borderland humor present in the trailer.

In the fourth mainline entry in the series, players will be facing off against The Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator. A world-altering catastrophe threatens his “perfect order”, which triggers chaos in Kairos, considered the most dangerous planet in the game’s universe.

Final Fantasy XVI’s Clive Rosfield joins Tekken 8

• Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment

• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment

• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)

• Release Date: December 16, 2024 (early access)

Tekken where wondering who would be the mysterious fighter joining Tekken 8 and it’s officially revealed to be Final Fantasy XVI’s Clive Rosfield, complete with the ability to summon Ifrit’s power at will. He is a perfect addition as he comes from a game that already allows players to do various combos and deliver juggling opportunities. This isn’t the first time a Final Fantasy character was added to a Tekken roster as Final Fantasy XV’s Noctis was added to Tekken 7.

Clive will be released on December 16, completing Tekken 8’s year 1 of DLC characters.

New Virtua Fighter is in development at Yakuza studio

• Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

• Publisher: Sega

• Platforms: TBA

• Release Date: TBA

It was briefly hinted weeks ago that a new Virtua Fighter was in development, but what was revealed at The Game Awards was not only a glimpse of the game but that Like a Dragon (Yakuza) developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is at the helm at bringing the beloved fighting game franchise back.

Not much is known about the project at this point but Sega plans to reveal more at the Virtua Fighter Direct 2024 stream, happening on December 12 9 PM PT.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio announces Project Century

• Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

• Publisher: Sega

• Platforms: TBA

• Release Date: TBA

Soon after the Virtua Fighter reveals, Ryu Ga Gotoku also revealed a new IP project that is said to have a “brand new concept”.

Turok is back with Turok Origins

• Developer: Saber Interactive

• Publisher: Saber Interactive

• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

• Release Date: TBA

Saber Interactive is reviving the Turok franchise by announcing Turok Origins a third-person shooter. “When we looked at game franchises that we felt deserved to be brought back, Turok was at the top of our list.” says Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch in a press release.

It’s looking rather good based on the initial trailer. Hopefully, we get more details soon.

Dying Light: The Beast announced

• Developer: Saber Interactive

• Publisher: Saber Interactive

• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

• Release Date: TBA

No, this isn’t an update to the ever-supported Dying Light 2, this is a standalone title set in the same world as you once again play as Kyle Crane, who has gone through various brutal experiments but was able to break free.

With the first game’s protagonist returning, many will likely consider this a true sequel to the original game.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword announced by Capcom

• Developer: Capcom

• Publisher: Capcom

• Platforms: TBA

• Release Date: 2026

Capcom shocked those watching The Game Awards to reveal that Onimusha is coming back with a new entry called Onimusha: Way of the Sword.

Based on the details provided in the game’s official website, players will “Fight through bloodbaths of intense swordplay action. Explore the historic Japanese capital of Edo-era Kyoto, twisted by malevolent clouds of Malice. With every stage cloaked in mystery, danger and intrigue. Battle against monstrosities from the underworld known as Genma in a tale of dark fantasy. Follow the tale of a samurai who wields the Oni Gauntlet, a mystical artifact that grants its bearer the power to slay Genma. Through gritty, blood-soaked brawls, he searches for his reason to fight. What fate awaits at the end of his path?”

It’s going to be a long wait for Onimusha fans as it’s set to release sometime in 2026.

The First Berserker: Khazan set to launch in March

• Developer: Neople

• Publisher: Nexon

• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)

• Release Date: March 27, 2025

Set in the Dungeon Fighter universe, we get a new trailer for The First Berserker: Khazan, an action RPG. We didn’t get much of actually gameplay this time but a really impressive cinematic trailer that can easily get fans of this universe excited for the game. We also get a release date as the game is set to launch on March 27, 2025. We are also getting a playable demo of the game on January 16, 2025.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds announced

• Developer: Sega

• Publisher: Sega

• Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Steam, Epic Games Store)

• Release Date: TBA

Sonic racing fans might have had to pick up their jaw from the floor as it looks like another racing game set in the Sonic universe is coming. And that’s all we know so far as they dropped a teaser trailer and the show moved on.

Mafia: The Old Country set for Summer 2025

• Developer: Hangar 13

• Publisher: 2K

• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)

• Release Date: Summer 2025

The new entry in the Mafia series is to release next year and during the Awards show we are given a narrative-focused trailer on Mafia: The Old Country.

“Mafia: The Old Country is a love letter to old-style, gritty Mafia stories where players can uncover the origins of organized crime” said Hangar 13 president Nick Baynes in a press release.

In the same press release, they give a quick summary of the game’s setting.

“Mafia: The Old Country introduces the brutal criminal underworld of 1900s Sicily. Marking the start of a new crime saga for the acclaimed Mafia franchise, Mafia: The Old Country is an all-new story set in the Mafia universe, harkening back to the roots of organized crime with a compelling new cast of characters.”

“As a linear, narrative-driven game, Mafia: The Old Country is a focused package perfect for fans looking to engross themselves in an unfamiliar world of danger and intrigue. The graphically stunning cinematic experience features a story grounded in the brutal world of organized crime that authentically immerses players with dangerous combat systems featuring high-stakes, grounded stealth and gunplay mechanics.”

Narrative-driven comedy superhero game Dispatch announced

• Developer: AdHoc Studio

• Publisher: AdHoc Studio

• Platforms: Consoles (unspecified), PC

• Release Date: 2025

Dispatch is a comedy narrative-driven game where you play as an ex-super hero that is forced to work at a superhero dispatch center. It’s from the developers who worked on Telltale Games titles such as Wolf Among Us, The Walking Dead, and others, it also has a crazy has of personalities lending their voice such as Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul, Laura Baily (The Last of Us Part 2, Spider-Man, Matthew Mercer (Critical Role, Overwatch, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth), Jeffrey Wright, and more.

Okami sequel announced, to be directed by Hideki Kamiya

• Developer: CLOVERS

• Publisher: Capcom

• Platforms: TBA

• Release Date: TBA

One of the biggest surprises is the announcement that an Okami sequel will soon begin development under the newly formed studio called CLOVERS renown developer Hideki Kamiya service as director of the project.

After the announcement, Kamiya released a letter addressing the announcement.

To all of you,

How long has it been since the story was concluded with that? I didn’t think the day would really come, where I’d return to Okami and continue the story with my own hands. Even at this very moment, my body is filled with both a cautious surprise that this is not a dream, and a joy that cannot be described in words.

Everyone who has worked so hard to make this project a reality, the friends who believed in me and gathered at CLOVERS Inc., and most importantly, the voices of so many of you who have continued to support Okami even after such a long time: all of this has come together to create this miracle, for which I am deeply grateful.

Like a strong rising sun, this project is finally in motion. But it’s still a small bud that is blossoming. We are ready to fill this new Okami with many colorful flowers, and to do our best to fulfil the promise of “next time” in the best way.

Everyone please wait with anticipation.

—Hideki Kamiya

Hideki Kamiya is best known for his work with various titles at PlatinumGames such as Bayonetta. He left the studio in 2023 and it looks like this will be his next project with his new studio.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet announced by Naughty Dog

• Developer: Naughty Dog

• Publisher: Sony PlaStation

• Platforms: PS5

• Release Date: TBA

The 2024 Game Awards concluded their bombardment of announcements and reveals with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, Naughty Dog’s next project and new IP set in a new sci-fi world. They are leaving The Last of Us and Uncharted and are delivering something out of their comfort zone as this is an otherworldly game that is said to be in development since 2020.

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This isn’t a full list but all the big hitters that was shown during The Game Awards show as there were so many nuggets of announcements in-between as well as another batch of reveals during the show’s pre-show. The show concluded with the announcement of this year’s Game of the Year which so happens to be Team Asobi’s Astro Bot.

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