There’s no doubt that Elden Ring‘s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is one of the best video games released in 2024. However, the general assumption was that it’s not qualified for the coveted Game of the Year award at The Game Awards 2024 since it’s only a DLC. Besides, Elden Ring already received the GOTY award in 2022. However, The Game Awards recently mentioned in its FAQ that DLCs are qualified for GOTY effectively confirming Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree as a contender.
Here’s the exact confirmation:
The Game Awards will recognize games regardless of their format or release label. Expansion packs, game seasons, DLCs, and even remakes and remasters are now eligible in all award categories.
This has divided the gaming community because while Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree felt like a full game and was one of the best highlights of 2024, some think Elden Ring shouldn’t get the award twice. After all, there are plenty of new and novel contenders such as Metaphor: ReFantazio and Black Myth: Wukong.
Moreover, the confirmation from The Game Awards also means Silent Hill 2 Remake and Until Dawn (remaster) are also highly qualified for a GOTY. For many, this could be unfair, especially since most remakes and remasters are already award-winning and iconic games of the past.
The Game Awards 2024 is Looking Rather Chaotic
Live-service games could also have a clear advantage here, seeing as they can now compete every year; all they have to do is introduce a chunky season.
In any case, some of the biggest titles this year slated for GOTY are Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Astro Bot, Balatro, and the aforementioned Metaphor: ReFantazio and Silent Hill 2.
Now that Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is qualified for GOTY, it might just sweep some of the biggest awards again as its base game did back in 2022. That depends on its nominations and many other factors in its favor.
