How to Vote in Every Category for the 2024 Game Awards: A Simple Guide
The Game Awards is one of the most anticipated events in the video game industry, celebrating the best games, creators, and trends of the year. But for many, it’s not just about watching the show; it’s about being a part of the excitement by voting for your favorite games and creators. If you’re interested in making your voice heard in the 2024 Game Awards, this guide will walk you through the voting process step by step. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to cast your votes for the awards, covering every category, how to vote, and what to expect.
1. When and Where Can You Vote?
Voting for the 2024 Game Awards typically begins shortly after the nominations are announced, which usually happens in November. The voting period will be open for a limited time, usually a few weeks leading up to the Game Awards ceremony in early December. While the exact dates for voting may vary from year to year, you can expect voting to be available for around two to three weeks before the live event.
Voting is done online through the official Game Awards website, which will have a dedicated section for the voting process. It’s important to make sure you’re voting during the official window, as votes submitted outside of the allowed timeframe won’t count.
2. Setting Up Your Game Awards Account
Before you can vote, you’ll need to have a Game Awards account. This is a simple process that only takes a few minutes:
- Create an Account: Visit the official Game Awards website (www.thegameawards.com) and click on the “Vote Now” section. You’ll be prompted to either log in or create a new account.
- Sign Up: You can sign up with an email address, or use your existing Twitter, Facebook, or Google account to log in. If you already have an account, simply log in using your credentials.
- Verify Your Email: After creating an account, you’ll need to verify your email address to ensure your votes are valid. You’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to complete the registration process.
Once you’re logged in and verified, you’re ready to start voting!
3. Navigating the Categories
The Game Awards covers a wide range of categories, from Game of the Year to Best Performance, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, and many more. Each category is designed to highlight a specific aspect of gaming, whether it’s gameplay, storytelling, design, or technical achievement.
Here’s an overview of the typical categories at the Game Awards and how to approach voting for them:
Game of the Year
This is the most prestigious category, and your vote here can help determine which game will take home the ultimate prize. Game of the Year is awarded to the title that represents the pinnacle of excellence in the gaming industry. It includes nominations for the best overall games of the year, across all platforms.
Best Game Direction
This award goes to the title with the most outstanding leadership in terms of creativity and innovation. Games in this category typically showcase new ideas or groundbreaking mechanics that push the medium forward.
Best Narrative
This award recognizes excellence in storytelling, whether it’s a deep, emotional journey, an intricate plot, or well-developed characters. The games nominated for this category typically feature rich narratives that resonate with players.
Best Art Direction
Awarded to the game that demonstrates the most outstanding visual design and artistry. Games in this category often feature stunning, unique art styles that are integral to the overall experience.
Best Performance
This category celebrates the best voice acting performances in games. Nominees typically include the best performances from main characters, side characters, and supporting actors.
Best Score and Music
Awarded to the game with the best original music and soundtrack. These titles tend to have memorable scores that elevate the gameplay experience.
Best Action Game
The Best Action Game category recognizes fast-paced, exciting gameplay. This includes shooters, brawlers, and any game where action is at the core.
Best RPG
This category is for the best role-playing games of the year, and it often includes titles that offer deep character customization, branching narratives, and immersive worlds.
Best Multiplayer
Awarded to the game that provides the best multiplayer experience, whether it’s co-op, competitive, or battle royale.
Best Ongoing Game
This category highlights games that continue to evolve over time with significant updates, seasonal content, or community engagement. It includes titles that have remained relevant by improving and expanding after launch.
Best Mobile Game
Awarded to the best mobile game of the year, whether it’s on iOS, Android, or other platforms. These games are typically designed for on-the-go play and tend to feature innovative mechanics tailored to mobile devices.
Best Indie Game
Celebrates independent games that have made a significant impact with their unique vision, style, and creativity. Indie games often stand out for their artistic risks and fresh ideas.
Best Game Design and Technical Awards
There are also technical awards that recognize excellence in areas like game design, sound design, animation, and more.
4. Voting Process: How to Vote in Each Category
The actual voting process for each category is relatively simple once you’ve signed up. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to vote:
- Navigate to the Voting Page: Once logged into your Game Awards account, go to the “Voting” section of the site. This is usually available directly from the homepage, but you can always find it under the “Vote” tab in the main menu.
- Select Your Category: The site will display all the available categories for voting. You can start with Game of the Year or choose to vote for other categories first.
- Review the Nominees: For each category, you’ll see a list of nominated games, along with a brief description of each title. Make sure to review the nominees and consider your options carefully. For categories like Best Narrative or Best Performance, you may want to read up on the story or performance details of the nominees before casting your vote.
- Choose Your Winner: Once you’ve reviewed the nominees, select the game or individual you want to vote for. Your vote will be counted immediately after you make your selection.
- Repeat for All Categories: After casting your vote in one category, you can move on to the next one. You’ll be able to vote in every category, though not all categories may be relevant to your preferences. For example, if you’re not familiar with the nominees for Best Mobile Game, you can skip that category.
- Submit Your Vote: Once you’ve completed voting in all categories, you may be prompted to submit your ballot. Depending on the platform, the system might ask for confirmation or to verify that your selections are correct before finalizing your vote.
5. Voting Limitations and Tips
- One Vote Per Account: You can only vote once per category per Game Awards account. So make sure you’re happy with your choices before submitting your ballot.
- Be Honest: Remember, the awards are a celebration of your personal preferences. Vote for the games you believe truly deserve the recognition, not just because they are popular.
- Research: If you’re unfamiliar with some categories or nominees, take the time to read reviews, watch trailers, and gather as much information as you can. Your vote helps shape the outcome of the awards!
- Encourage Others to Vote: The more people who vote, the more accurate and representative the final results will be. Share the voting link with friends and fellow gamers to spread the word.
6. What Happens After Voting?
After the voting period ends, the votes will be tallied, and the winners will be revealed during the live Game Awards ceremony. The 2024 Game Awards will likely include exciting reveals, performances, and announcements in addition to the award presentations.
By voting in every category, you’re helping influence the outcome of what may become some of the most important accolades in the gaming world. Voting gives you a direct voice in the direction of the industry and in recognizing the games and creators who have made the biggest impact on the gaming community in 2024.
Conclusion
Voting for the 2024 Game Awards is a straightforward yet powerful way to engage with the gaming community and support your favorite games, developers, and performances. By following this guide, you’ll be ready to cast your votes and participate in this exciting annual event. Whether you’re a longtime fan of a series or a first-time voter, your opinion matters, and your votes contribute to the celebration of the best in gaming.
