STALKER 2 Highlights Why The Game Awards Should Rethink Its Timing

For the past ten years, The Game Awards has consistently been an early December spectacle, usually falling between the 3rd and 10th. It seems like the perfect moment to wrap up the year by celebrating the best games released and offering a sneak peek into the upcoming releases. However, this timing isn’t so great for a particular subset of games, a category that now includes STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl.

In comparison, events like the Oscars, Grammys, and even the gaming industry’s D.I.C.E. Awards take place in the first months of the year, ensuring that every creation from the previous year gets considered. The Game Awards’ schedule doesn’t follow this pattern, which results in numerous games missing out on nominations each year. The jury often doesn’t have enough time to fully experience these games, or they simply miss the cutoff period for consideration. Arguments for shifting the date of The Game Awards have been increasing over the years. Kenneth Shepard from Kotaku highlighted its impact on titles like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and now, with STALKER 2 part of the conversation, the argument is even more compelling.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane to December 2021 when Halo Infinite launched on Xbox and PC. Although it clinched the Player’s Voice award at the 2021 Game Awards, it didn’t feature in any other categories, having just missed the nomination window by a day — the ceremony took place on December 9. By the time the 2022 Game Awards came around, Halo Infinite had faded into the background among heavyweights like Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarok, without receiving a single nomination.

Similarly, other games like Marvel’s Midnight Suns and Pentiment didn’t get their deserved recognition either. Released on November 15 and December 2 respectively, both were overlooked at the 2022 Game Awards, quickly overshadowed by a new wave of games when the 2023 nominations were considered.

Fast forward to STALKER 2, which embodies the current dilemma of The Game Awards’ timing. Despite enduring a challenging development phase, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is finally accessible to players and making waves, though not without imperfections. But because of its release date, it missed the chance for nomination this year. Theoretically, it could still be featured in next year’s awards, but with big hitters like Monster Hunter Wilds and Grand Theft Auto 6 slated for release, it risks being overlooked.

On a brighter note, Asgard’s Wrath 2, which launched on December 15, 2023, managed to secure a nomination for Best VR Game at this year’s ceremony—a rare feat for a game missing the immediate consideration window.

Looking ahead to December 2024, other games might also miss out due to this constricted time frame and an influx of anticipated titles. Games like Marvel Rivals and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are due to launch soon, and could go unnoticed by the time the 2025 Game Awards roll around. Even VR titles like Skydance’s Behemoth and Alien: Rogue Incursion might not get their moment in the sun.

Overall, STALKER 2 represents just one of many games facing the challenge of a misplaced awards schedule. It highlights the ongoing debate about whether it’s time for The Game Awards to rethink their timing to ensure all impactful games receive the recognition they deserve.