Gamers frustrated over Elden Ring DLC nomination for game of the year award

The Game Awards 2024 nominations have sparked heated debates among gamers after Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, a downloadable content (DLC) expansion, was nominated for Game of the Year (GOTY).

The event, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will take place on December 12 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by Geoff Keighley.

This year’s nominees for GOTY include Astro Bot, Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, and Metaphor: ReFantazio. While many gamers celebrated the nominations, Elden Ring’s inclusion has reignited debates about whether DLCs should compete against standalone games in the industry’s most prestigious category.

The controversy stems from the Game Awards’ eligibility rules, which allow expansions, remasters, and DLCs to compete in all categories, including GOTY. While this opened the door for Shadow of the Erdtree to receive a nomination, some gamers feel the move undermines standalone games.

Gamers also pointed out that DLCs already have a dedicated category—Best Ongoing Game—which has existed since 2017 and was won by Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty in 2023. This has led to calls for a separate category specifically for DLCs, remasters, and expansions to ensure fairness in future nominations.

Critics have noted that legendary DLCs like The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine (2016) and Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (2019) could have been strong contenders for GOTY had the rules been applied earlier. This fuels the perception that the rule change disproportionately benefits high-profile AAA titles like Elden Ring.

This controversy has also reignited broader criticism of the Game Awards, with many arguing that the show prioritizes advertising and hype over genuinely celebrating gaming excellence. Critics claim that indie and genre games are often overshadowed by major franchises, with the awards leaning heavily toward high-budget titles.

As gamers and critics continue to debate the fairness of the nominations, all eyes are on the ceremony to see whether Shadow of the Erdtree will secure another victory for the Elden Ring franchise or if a standalone title will take the crown. The outcome is likely to shape discussions about industry recognition and the role of expansions in gaming awards for years to come.