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The Game Awards has always been a bit of a wild ride, but this year’s Game of the Year nominations just cranked the controversy up to eleven. WithElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtreemaking the cut, we’re witnessing something unprecedented in the show’s decade-long history—a DLC competing for the biggest prize in gaming.
While everyone expected some surprises in the Game of the Year category, no one could have predicted that The Game Awards would completely rewrite its own rulebook. And in doing so, they might have just opened Pandora’s box—or should we say, Pandora’s DLC?
The real kicker? While FromSoftware’s massive expansion made the cut, another equally deserving DLC was left out in the cold. And boy, do we have thoughts about that.
When DLC Becomes GOTY Material
The Game Awards dropped their nominations bomb earlier today, and let’s just say it’s raised more eyebrows than a FromSoftware difficulty spike:
The 2024 Game of the Year Nominees▪️ Final Fantasy VII Rebirth▪️ Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree▪️ Astro Bot▪️ Metaphor: ReFantazio▪️ Black Myth: Wukong▪️ Balatropic.twitter.com/4SekGwbK0t
Let’s address the elephant in the room:Shadow of the Erdtree. Yes, it’s fantastic. Yes, it’s probably bigger than some full games. But here’s the thing—it’s still DLC. By that logic,Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Libertycould have moonwalked its way to last year’s GOTY if they’d bent the rules back then.
And speaking of rules being more flexible than a Souls character’s dodge roll, where’sThe Final Shapein all this? Bungie’s epic conclusion toDestiny 2‘s Light and Dark saga is basically theAvengers: Endgameof gaming—a massive finale that caps off YEARS of storytelling. But apparently, that’s not enough to make the cut, even though we’re now apparently cool with DLC competing for the big prize.
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The precedent this sets is particularly concerning for the industry as a whole. If DLC can compete for Game of the Year, what’s stopping publishers from chopping up their games into smaller pieces, knowing they could potentially score multiple GOTY nominations across different years?
It also raises questions about pricing and value.Shadow of the Erdtree, priced at $39.99, is competing against full-price titles that cost $69.99 or more. Are we saying that a $40 expansion pack can deliver the same impact as a full-priced game? If so, what does that say about the industry’s pricing model?
The Great DLC Debate
This isn’t just about one expansion getting the spotlight while another gets the shaft. It’s about what even counts as a “game” anymore. Are we really at a point where DLC—sorry, “Downloadable Content” for those who remember what it actually stands for—can go toe-to-toe with full releases?
Let’s be real:Shadow of the Erdtreeis riding high onElden Ring‘s coattails. Would it have gotten the same attention if it wasn’t expanding on 2022’s Game of the Year? Meanwhile,Balatrosomehow snuck onto the list—not bad, but GOTY material? Really? For the sake of “variety,” maybe.
On the other hand,The Final Shapedidn’t just expandDestiny 2; it wrapped up a saga that’s been running longer than some of this year’s nominees have been in development. It delivered an ending worthy of gaming’s own MCU-style epic, but apparently, that’s not enough to qualify for GOTY consideration—unless you’re FromSoftware, apparently.
Bethesda’s 1 Unfair Strategy Makes Todd Howard The Single Greatest Winner of Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Being ‘Game of the Year’ Eligible
This whole situation sets a dangerous precedent. What’s next? Battle Pass Season 4 getting nominated for Best Narrative? Premium Skin Collection 2025 for Best Art Direction?
This debate extends beyond just awards shows. The gaming industry has increasingly blurred the lines between DLC and full games, with some expansions offering more content than their base games. Look atMonster Hunter World: IceborneorWitcher 3‘sBlood and Wine—both could arguably stand as their own games.
But there’s a crucial difference between “could be its own game” and “is its own game.” By including DLC in the GOTY category,The Game Awardsrisks diminishing the achievements of developers who pour years into creating entirely new experiences from scratch, rather than building on existing foundations.
What do you think about this year’s GOTY nominations? Should DLC be eligible for Game of the Year? And didThe Final Shapedeserve a spot on that list? Let us know in the comments below!
Soumyajit Mukherjee
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :966
Soumyajit Mukherjee is a Gaming Writer at FandomWire, known for his deep dives into tactical shooters and co-op games. Since joining in June 2024, he’s focused on breakout multiplayer titles like Helldivers 2 and Marvel Rivals, bringing sharp analysis and veteran instincts to every story. His gaming journey began at a local café with the OG Modern Warfare 2, and from that very first frag, he’s been chasing the rush ever since.A former competitive Rainbow Six Siege team captain, Soumyajit has played and written about everything from CS:GO, Valorant, Overwatch, and Apex Legends to Rocket League, Call of Duty, and Battlefield. He’s proudly PC-first and has been since said LAN days… but with GTA 6 looming on the horizon, a long-overdue PS5 might finally sneak onto his setup.
