What to Expect from The Game Awards 2016

Slowly but surely, Geoff Keighley’s honorable attempt to make a respectable, Oscars-like, North American mainstream video game award show has built to its most valiant attempt yet. Between The Game Awards 2016 and PlayStation Experience 2016, we are about to embark on a weekend of annual gaming news that is only surpassed by E3, which we are six months removed from. That said, before The Game Awards 2016 begins tonight at 9 PM ET, here is what we can already expect to happen, based on game news reporting around the internet.

the game awards 2016

GAME NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • A new update on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, expected to debut during the show’s half-hour pre-show, with more during the event itself. Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime is expected to speak at some point. Will a new trailer narrow down the release date to a month, perhaps to have the blow of a possible June 2017 release hit before January’s Nintendo Switch event?
  • A gameplay reveal for Mass Effect: Andromeda, hopefully more substantial than what was shown at the PlayStation 4 Pro event in September. Will the game firmly commit to a March 21, 2017 release date?
  • The next project from Yacht Club Games. Will this just be Shovel Knight‘s Specter of Torment DLC expansion, or perhaps the final result of the team’s game survey from June?
  • An extended first look at The Walking Dead: A New Frontier (Telltale’s Season 3). Episode 1 of the series debuts on December 20th, but we still have yet to see any video footage. What role will Clementine play in this new season, especially with the choices that were available at the end of Season 2?
  • Randy Pitchford from Gearbox was caught teasing a game announcement on Twitter. Will it be a new title, like Borderlands 3? Or will it be a remaster of game like Bulletstorm?
  • Cliff Bleszinski’s next first-person shooter project, Lawbreakers.
  • After its surprising debut at E3 2016, new gameplay from Prey will be shown.

EXTRA SHOW MOMENTS

  • Hideo Kojima will receive an Industry Icon award, which will be some must-watch theater, considering how Konami blocked him from receiving similar recognition during last year’s show. Does a popular Jim Sterling hashtag get dropped in some capacity?
  • Musical performances are a staple at The Game Awards, but this year stands out with a live performance of selections from the DOOM soundtrack, featuring composer Mick Gordon and special guests. Shifting more towards game music, instead of indie pop groups is truly the way to go for this event. There is no better way to start this transition than with what is arguably the soundtrack of the year.
  • This will be the first YouTube event that is streamed live in 4K resolution. And of course, Keighley is being Keighley, in terms of teasing even more surprises.

GAME OF THE YEAR

Oh, right! This is an award show, too! So, what wins Game of the Year? I could certainly see Overwatch and INSIDE winning, but considering the voting jury and the conclusion of the franchise, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End would be the safe bet tonight.

the game awards 2016

What would you like to see during The Game Awards 2016 this evening?

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Peter Spezia

Editor-in-Chief at Rhymes With Asia
Speaking into a microphone about nerd culture is a passion project for Peter Spezia, formerly known as SMYNYouko. Peter has been an Internet broadcaster since 2007, with past shows including Show Me Your News and WTF, Pokémon. His latest ventures include hosting The PowerSwitch - gaming's call-in talk radio show - and writing for RhymesWithAsia.com. A University of Michigan alum, Peter lives in the Great Lakes State with his wife Rachel as he works in video production for FCA US LLC. When he isn't keeping track of the latest video game industry news, Peter is either playing the guitar or staying fit.