Overview
#TheGameAwards launched December 2014 as Geoff Keighley’s annual gaming Oscars after leaving Spike VGAs. The free live-streamed ceremony (103M viewers 2023, YouTube/Twitch/social) balances awards (Elden Ring 2022 GOTY, The Last of Us Part II 2020, Sekiro 2019) with world premiere trailers—becoming gaming’s biggest marketing event.
The Keighley Empire
Geoff Keighley positioned TGA as E3 replacement: Summer Game Fest (June reveals), Gamescom Opening Night Live, and TGA (December hype finale). The show prioritizes trailers over awards (30 categories, 10 minutes acceptance speeches vs 2+ hours trailers). Complaints: rushed awards, corporate ads dominating, Geoff Keighley ego.
Iconic Moments
Joker (Smash Ultimate) reveal breaks internet (2018), Keanu Reeves “You’re breathtaking!” (2019 Cyberpunk), Josef Fares “Fuck the Oscars!” (2017), Bill Clinton cameo (2023 Fortnite), Elden Ring sweeping 2022, and Halo Infinite orchestra performance. The show became must-watch despite criticism—because where else do game reveals happen?
Sources:
- TGA viewership: https://thegameawards.com/news/the-game-awards-2023-breaks-viewership-records
- Variety profile: https://variety.com/