The Game Awards 2024 nominations are out, and among the titles vying for the prestigious Game of the Year award is Shadow of the Erdtree, the highly acclaimed DLC expansion for Elden Ring. While many praise the DLC for its rich content, breathtaking design, and significant addition to the base game, its inclusion in the Game of the Year category has sparked heated debate among fans.
Critics and fans alike acknowledge that Shadow of the Erdtree is a masterpiece in its own right, but many argue that it shouldn’t qualify for the same category as standalone games. They believe the nomination undermines the competitive spirit of the award, as Erdtree is ultimately an expansion to an existing title rather than a wholly new standalone title.
The other contenders for Game of the Year—Astro Bot from Team Asobi, Balatro from Localthunk, Black Myth: Wukong from Game Science, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth from Square Enix, and Metaphor: Refantazio—represent a mix of groundbreaking innovation and traditional excellence in standalone games released this year. Fans have expressed frustration that Shadow of the Erdtree occupied a nomination spot that could have gone to other deserving titles, such as the acclaimed Silent Hill 2 Remake, which was notably absent from the list.
Supporters of the DLC’s nomination argue that the length and depth of Shadow of the Erdtree rival many full games, making it a valid contender. However, detractors counter that its status as a DLC inherently ties it to the base game of Elden Ring and disqualifies it from being judged as a separate, standalone work. And we are inclined to agree.
The debate comes as fans gear up for The Game Awards, set to air on December 12th. With the winner determined by public vote on TheGameAwards.com (cast your vote!), some are urging voters to consider the fairness of including DLC in the same category as original games. Others are rallying behind their favorite titles, with Astro Bot emerging as a fan favorite for its charm and innovation.
While Shadow of the Erdtree’s nomination has polarized many in the gaming community, it highlights the growing complexity of defining what constitutes a “game” in an era of expansive DLCs and live-service content. Regardless of who takes home the coveted Game of the Year trophy, this year’s nominations have sparked a conversation that will likely influence how such awards are structured in the future.
As for the eventual winner, it’s anyone’s game—but if Team Asobi’s Astro Bot pulls off a win, many fans wouldn’t be surprised. After all, it’s shaping up to be one of the most beloved entries of the year.
