Analyzing Why Some Games Dominate Multiple Award Shows

12 September 2025

Video games have come a long way since the days of simple pixelated graphics and bleeps and bloops for soundtracks. These days, some games don’t just entertain—they blow us away. Think about it: every year, there are a handful of titles that sweep award shows like they were born to win. From The Game Awards to BAFTA Games Awards, certain games keep popping up, snagging trophies left and right. But have you ever wondered why? What makes these games rise above the rest? Let's break it down.

The Perfect Storm: What Makes a Game Award-Worthy?

Some games are like lightning in a bottle; they strike at just the right moment with the perfect mix of creativity, innovation, and emotional impact. But there’s more to it than just being "good." To dominate the awards circuit, a game needs to excel across multiple fronts. Let’s dive into the key ingredients.

1. Compelling Storytelling: The Heart of Great Games

It all starts with the story. A game with an unforgettable narrative sinks its hooks into you and doesn’t let go. Think about games like The Last of Us Part II. It tells a story that’s raw, emotional, and thought-provoking. You’re not just playing; you’re living the characters’ experiences. They could be fighting zombies, surviving a post-apocalypse, or seeking revenge, but because the storytelling is so human, it resonates deeply.

Why does this matter at award shows? Because storytelling is universal. Even if someone isn’t a gamer, they can appreciate a well-told tale. A strong narrative gives a game that extra edge, making it more than just a game—it’s an experience.

2. Game Mechanics: The Sweet Spot Between Intuitive and Innovative

Let’s face it: no matter how amazing the story is, if the gameplay sucks, the entire experience falls apart. Award-dominating games strike a balance between being easy to pick up and challenging to master. They innovate without overwhelming.

Take Elden Ring, for instance. It’s complex, sure, but the combat feels rewarding when you get the hang of it. The open-world exploration is a masterclass in design, where curiosity is constantly rewarded. You never feel forced; instead, you’re gently nudged by the game’s systems to go deeper, try harder, and keep playing.

Award shows love brilliance in mechanics because it showcases the artistry of game design. It proves that the creators know how to get you hooked without holding your hand or frustrating you to the point of rage-quitting.

3. Visual Mastery: Eye Candy With Substance

Ever played a game that looks so good you just had to stop and take screenshots every five minutes? Yeah, award-winning games often do that to us. But it’s not just about raw graphics power—it’s about the artistic direction that makes a game stand out.

Consider God of War Ragnarök. Sure, it’s stunning graphically, but it’s more than that. The art style, character designs, level aesthetics, and lighting work together to create an unforgettable visual identity. You’re not just in a game; you’re in a world.

For award voters, visuals aren’t just about the “wow” factor. They’re about immersion. If a game looks and feels like a work of art, it’s more likely to scoop up those Best Visual Design awards.

4. Audio Design: Music to Our Ears

What’s a great game without a killer soundtrack or sound effects that make you feel everything? Music sets the tone, while sound effects pull you deeper into the world. Picture running through a dark forest in a horror game—the snap of a twig underfoot or the distant growl of a monster can make your heart race. That’s the power of audio design.

Look at Hades. The music not only drives you forward in your quest but changes dynamically depending on the action. Add in the voice acting—each line delivered with emotion and personality—and you’ve got an award-winning formula.

Award shows love good audio design because it often goes unappreciated by casual gamers. But industry experts know how much effort goes into making our ears as happy as our eyes.

5. Cultural Relevance: The Right Game at the Right Time

Timing is everything. A game that captures the zeitgeist of the moment has a better chance of dominating award season. For example, Among Us exploded during a time when people craved social interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. It became more than a game—it was a cultural phenomenon.

Similarly, games like Cyberpunk 2077 (despite its rocky launch) became a talking point for discussions about technology, ethics, and future societies. Games that align with current events or tap into universal themes tend to linger in the minds of voters.

6. Emotional Impact: Games That Make You Feel

Ever cried because of a video game? Be honest; it’s a safe space here. Award-dominating games have a knack for hitting us right in the feels. Whether it’s heartbreak, joy, or sheer awe, these games leave an emotional mark.

Take Journey, a game that tells a story without words yet leaves players deeply moved. Or Red Dead Redemption 2, where you feel the weight of Arthur Morgan’s journey. When a game moves you to tears, laughter, or deep thought, it’s doing something special.

Award judges are human too (well, we hope they are), and emotional impact can often sway their votes. A game that makes you feel something sticks with you long after you’ve put down the controller.

The Role of Marketing and Hype

Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room: marketing. No matter how amazing a game is, if no one’s talking about it, it’s not going to dominate award shows. Games like Elden Ring, The Witcher 3, and Breath of the Wild had the backing of strong marketing campaigns that generated buzz months—sometimes years—before launch.

Social media, trailers, interviews, and influencer streams—all these play a major role in keeping a game in the public eye. And let’s not forget review scores. High scores from critics can give a game the credibility boost it needs to stay front and center during awards season.

The Domino Effect of Winning Awards

Here’s the thing about awards: once a game wins one, it often picks up steam and starts winning more. Why? Because awards bring attention, and attention brings more voters who go, “Hey, maybe this game is as great as everyone says.”

It’s a lot like movies during Oscar season. A film that picks up some early awards gains momentum and is suddenly the favorite for every major category. The same holds true for games. When developers and publishers know how to ride this wave, their game becomes unstoppable.

The Dark Side: Are Awards Always Fair?

Of course, we can’t talk about awards without addressing the controversy. Some gamers argue that bigger studios have an unfair advantage because they have larger budgets for marketing and production. Indie gems that don’t have the same flash or hype sometimes get overlooked despite being brilliant in their own right.

Still, there’s hope. Recent years have shown that indie games like Celeste and Hades can break through and win big, proving that creativity and passion can sometimes outshine sheer budget power.

Final Thoughts: Why We Love Award-Winning Games

At the end of the day, award-winning games dominate not just because they’re “good,” but because they excel at creating unforgettable experiences. They challenge us, move us, and bring us together as gamers. And while not every deserving game gets the recognition it deserves, the ones that do often set the bar higher for the entire industry.

So the next time you see a game sweeping award shows, take a moment to appreciate just how much work went into creating something that people can’t stop talking about. Who knows? It might just become one of your all-time favorites too.