‘Tis the season – not merely for good tidings and gift-shaking, but also for the hype and humbuggery that besets us at the hands of Geoff Keighley.
Yes, The Game Awards are back with promises of shiny new things and celebrated old things, but we all know that the event will be equal parts exciting and crushing disappointment. For every surprise announcement, there are five more saddened fan bases that didn’t even catch a glimpse of what they dreamed of.
So come, dear reader, join our therapy circle as we have a mass speculation session together. Maybe if we set up our disappointment now, it will be less of a sting when it happens.
Ash
Has it really been twelve entire months since the last Geoff Keighley-thon? I still remember the shocking surprise of seeing Space Marine II coming at me out of left field – which reminds me, I haven’t seen much of it since then.
Look, last Game Awards I predicted we would have a Mortal Kombat announcement – and shamefully, I was massively wrong. I had dialled into the hype factories of people that may not be as reputable as I imagined and paid the ultimate price. Might as well finish me. BUT – this year is its own beast! And people all around the Twitter-verse are talking about some mega-MK project that is surely under wraps. But then Ed Boon goes and spoils it all, by tweeting something stupid like “We’re not ready to announce the next NRS game yet.”
Welp. I mean, it seems pretty definitive – but at the same time, Ed Boon is a notorious mega troll…so perhaps…I am ready to get hurt again.
Ash patiently waiting for Mortal Kombat news
Nathan
I’m probably not alone in this, but I only get buzzed for the headlines that result from this show. I don’t actually watch the show. Speaking of buzz, there have been whispers around the net of a Metal Gear Solid remake. Considering this is the Keighley and Kojima bromance show, I think we will see a nod to Solid Snake in some fashion. Remember the Death Stranding Directors Cut reveal trailer? Konami be damned.
What won’t we see at this show? Final Fantasy XVI. It is almost a running joke at this point, that the showing of new footage will flout expectations and not reveal when fans expect it. Happiest to be proven wrong, perhaps with a release date too.
Who wouldn’t want to remake this stud, eh Nathan?
Mark
Knowing The Game Awards, there will be plenty of big names throwing out potential release dates and DLC drops, but that’s not what I’m hoping for. What I want is to be surprised, as I am every year, by something that comes out of left field. Remember when Joker was announced for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate? That kind of left field. With that in mind, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for a new IP or indie to delight me amongst a sea of familiarity, something that pushed a unique look or feel.
I’m absolutely not expecting anything from Nintendo, which if I remember correctly only spun out a coming soon trailer full of already announced titles last time around. And as much as I’d love to see it, it’s highly unlikely from me on that rumoured Final Fantasy Tactics reveal.
Nintendo already dropped their newest movie trailer, perhaps they have something else up their sleeve?
James
My tolerance for old mate Geoff’s commercial variety hour ebbs and flows from year to year, but in the absence of those somehow endearing 6am Aussie time E3 press shows, I can’t deny a little intrigue over the 2022 Game Awards. First and foremost because, for all of its Schick Hydrobot energy, The Game Awards have been historically reverential to Hideo Kojima, a divisive figure but one deserving of a platform for his art and contributions to the medium. Kojima has been gearing up to…something for a while now, just today Tweeting yet another of his enigmatic “WHO, WHAT, WHEN” posters. And I gotta say, it’s working for me. Whether it’s Death Stranding part two or some other new project, I would adore a reveal at the event.
I’d also be remiss to not mention FromSoftware and its potential Elden Ring DLC. The Game Awards have an almost romantic infatuation with the open-world Soulslike and it would make perfect sense to see additional narrative content announced at the show. Pie in the sky hope is obviously something related to Bloodborne, a game that doesn’t strictly require a sequel but is begging for some kind of world and lore expansion – gimme that Pthumerian prequel and I’ll sit through as many men’s grooming ads as you like, Keighley.
James may well see Death Stranding Part II: Strand Harder
Adam
We’ve all seen the bromance between Geoff Keighley and Hideo Kojima blossom over the past few years, so it’s unlikely that Keighley’s big award show will come and go without some form of Kojima involvement. Rather than unveiling a new podcast or cryptically hinting at a project that will somehow be beamed into our subconscious, I’m getting a feeling in my waters that a substantial reveal is on the horizon. Kojima’s hinting and teasing has been ramping up as of late, and I expect it will all culminate in a trailer for his team’s take on horror, OVERDOSE.
My other great hope for this year’s award show is an update, and potentially a release date, for Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. We first caught wind of the Hellblade sequel during the 2019 Game Awards, so it seems fitting that we get solid info on when to expect it here. I’m happy for Ninja Theory to take all of the time in the world to make this sequel a banger, but this is about what I want, and this is absolutely what I want.
Without getting greedy, I’d also love to see as many new and exciting IPs as time allows. Sequels and remakes are great and all, but nothing beats a fresh idea.
What are you up to this time, you crafty bastard
Zach
The old game awards hey – it’s that time of year again. What does snazzy sneakers Geoff have up his sleeve this year? The man loves putting on a show so hopefully there’s some show stoppers on the cards. For me, the dream is a trailer for the new TimeSplitters game, but file that under wishful thinking.
With The Last of Us TV show launching in January 2023, it wouldn’t surprise me if we got a look at whatever the new Factions game is. I mean the last time we heard anything about it was The Game Awards last year when Neil and Naughty Dog creatives took to the stage. Plus, it’s been years since The Last of Us Part II released, stop farting around already.
Speaking of TLOU, given Fntastic’s tweet the other day, I’m expecting the TLOU-inspired The Day Before to make a bang with a full-blown gameplay trailer, convincing all the haters that this game is the real deal. I also think we’ll see a Bluepoint remake announcement and a new title from Focus Entertainment.
Having a Blast of Us
Now, doesn’t it feel good to face our fears together? By naming our demons, we take away their power!
This means we can all join hands and watch The Game Awards together, with no expectations and no stress – just a celebration of what made gaming great in 2022. And what might make gaming great in 2023.
Unless Genshin Impact beats Sonic Frontiers for Peoples Voice. Or we don’t see a new Space Marine II trailer. Oh, christ, I forgot that there are strong hints of new Elden Ring solo content.
Nurse, the shakes are back! Please bring me something to stop the sound of Geoff laughing at me.
