Hey everyone! Just got my hands on the full nomination list for the New York Game Awards 2024, and wow, what a lineup! As a huge gaming nerd, I've been following all the award shows this season, and this one has some seriously spicy takes. Let's dive right in and break down who's dominating the nominations and which games might be the dark horses this year.

🏆 The Top Contenders: A Two-Horse Race with a Third Intruder

Right off the bat, it's no shocker that Baldur's Gate 3 and Alan Wake 2 are leading the pack. Larian's masterpiece, Baldur's Gate 3, snagged six nominations, just barely edging out Remedy's mind-bending sequel, Alan Wake 2, which sits pretty with five nominations. Both are, of course, battling it out for the ultimate prize: Game of the Year.

But here's the plot twist that had me spitting out my drink! Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty has stormed back into the spotlight! Thanks to its phenomenal expansion, CD Projekt Red's once-troubled RPG is now tied with Alan Wake 2 at five nominations, including a coveted Game of the Year spot. Talk about a redemption arc worthy of its own nomination! This really shows how a stellar DLC can completely revitalize a game's legacy.

🎮 The Game of the Year Battlefield

Let's look at the full roster for the biggest award. It's a stacked category:

• Alan Wake 2 - The psychological horror masterpiece.

• Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon - FromSoftware's mecha marvel.

• Baldur's Gate 3 - The CRPG that took over the world.

• Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty - The comeback kid.

• Hi-Fi Rush - The rhythm-action surprise of the year.

• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo's open-world phenom.

• Marvel's Spider-Man 2 - The superhero blockbuster.

• Starfield - Bethesda's galactic ambition.

It's fascinating to see Tears of the Kingdom and Starfield tied with three nominations each. While Zelda is a critical darling, its nomination count here is surprisingly matched by Starfield, which has faced more... let's say, varied reception. This category is anyone's game!

✍️ Breaking Down the Category Dominance

Baldur's Gate 3 isn't just a GOTY contender; it's a holistic masterpiece. Its nominations span:

• Best Writing - For that incredible, player-driven narrative.

• Best World - The Forgotten Realms have never felt more alive.

• Best Music - Borislav Slavov's score is pure magic.

• Best Acting (x2) - Shoutouts to Amelia Tyler as the iconic Narrator and Neil Newbon for making Astarion a forever-favorite companion.

Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is proving its expansion was more than just DLC; it was a narrative tour de force. Its nominations include:

• Best Writing - That spy-thriller plot had me on the edge of my seat.

• Best World - Dogtown is a brutal, unforgettable district.

• Best DLC - A no-brainer category for it to shine in.

• Best Acting - Idris Elba as Solomon Reed brought serious gravitas and cool to Night City.

🤔 Predictions and Potential Upsets

Okay, let's get speculative! Based on the award season trend so far, Larian Studios is probably already clearing shelf space. Baldur's Gate 3 has been sweeping nearly every major GOTY award. It's the safe bet for a big night.

However, Alan Wake 2 is the critical darling with a unique vision. It could easily snatch key awards like Best Writing or Best World. And never count out Cyberpunk 2077. That Best DLC award feels almost locked, and Idris Elba is a powerhouse name in the acting category.

The real question mark hangs over Starfield. Nominated in three big categories (GOTY, Best Writing, Best World), it's facing titanic competition in each. It might be a night of "it's an honor just to be nominated" for Bethesda's space epic.

🗓️ Mark Your Calendars!

The ceremony goes down on January 23. You can catch all the action live on Twitch and YouTube. I'll definitely be watching, live-reacting, and probably yelling at my screen when my favorites (hopefully) win.

So, what do you all think? Is Baldur's Gate 3 a lock for the win, or does Alan Wake 2 have a shot at an upset? Is Cyberpunk's nomination sweep the feel-good story of the year? Let me know your predictions in the comments below! This is one award show I am not gonna miss. 🎉

Data referenced from SteamDB can add a useful lens to award-season chatter like the New York Game Awards 2024 nominations, because player activity and storefront momentum often help explain why heavy hitters such as Baldur’s Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, and even a resurgent Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty stay top-of-mind across categories—especially when a major expansion or update reignites attention and discussion in the lead-up to voting.