Breaking Down the Biggest Announcements from Game Awards

2 April 2025

Alright, folks, let’s talk about one of the most exciting nights in gaming—the Game Awards. Picture the Oscars, but replace Hollywood glitz with pixel-packed excitement and a crowd that’s more likely to cheer for Elden Ring than Emma Stone. It's a celebration of everything we love: epic trailers, jaw-dropping reveals, and yes, a few moments that make us go, “What the heck just happened?!”

Every year, game developers, publishers, and fans come together for this epic showcase of gaming greatness. And this year? Oh, this year brought the heat. From surprise sequels to fresh IPs (that’s game-speak for “intellectual properties,” by the way), the stage was stacked with announcements that left us screaming into our headsets. So grab yourself a gamer snack—Doritos, anyone?—and let’s break down the biggest announcements from the Game Awards in a way that even your grandma would understand. (Okay, maybe not Grandma, but you get the point.)

Cue the Fireworks: The Game Awards' Biggest Reveals

The Game Awards are like Christmas morning for gamers—except instead of Santa, we get Geoff Keighley in a sharp suit. Let’s dive into the juicy stuff, shall we?

1. Hades II – Hello, Darkness, My Old Friend

Remember when Hades swept the gaming world off its feet like a smooth-talking Greek god? Well, hold on to your Styx River oars because Hades II was announced, and it looks absolutely divine (pun very much intended).

Supergiant Games is back, and they’ve upped the ante. This time, we’re following a new protagonist, Melinoë, who’s just as badass as Zagreus but with her own unique flair. Did someone say “fighting Chronos, the literal embodiment of time”? Sign me up.

Honestly, can we take a moment to celebrate this studio’s track record? They have more hits than an over-caffeinated streamer on Guitar Hero. And if the trailer is anything to go by, we’re in for another roguelike treasure. Is it too soon to call it a Game of the Year contender? Asking for a friend.

2. Death Stranding 2 – Kojima’s Wild Ride Returns

Oh, Hideo Kojima. The man, the myth, the legend. Just when we thought Death Stranding couldn’t get any weirder (remember cargo babies?), Kojima slaps us with Death Stranding 2.

The trailer didn’t disappoint. Norman Reedus is back, and now we’ve got fragile bridges, tentacles, and mysterious whispers of “time to reconnect.” What does it all mean? Honestly, I have no idea—but it’s Kojima, so I’m here for the ride. It’s like hopping on a rollercoaster blindfolded; you don’t know where it’s going, but you'll scream anyway.

Also, can we talk about how visually stunning this looks? I mean, if I had a nickel for every time I paused the trailer to admire the details, I’d have enough money to buy a special-edition controller. Kojima always delivers on the "what the heck am I watching" scale, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

3. Star Wars: Eclipse – The Force Is Strong With This One

A Star Wars game announcement is basically a cheat code for creating hype. And Star Wars: Eclipse? This one’s aiming for lightspeed. Set in the High Republic era, this game is being developed by Quantic Dream, the minds behind Detroit: Become Human. Translation: expect emotional storytelling, morally complex choices, and visuals so good you’ll think you’re watching a movie.

While details are still scarce, the trailer gave us a glimpse of Jedi, grand-scale battles, and some ominous drumming aliens. (Seriously, what was up with those guys?) One thing’s for sure: this isn’t just another pew-pew shooter in the galaxy far, far away. It’s shaping up to be something deeper and more nuanced.

4. Elden Ring DLC – Shadow of the Erdtree

Raise your hand if Elden Ring consumed your life in 2022. Yeah, same here. Well, for all of us Tarnished wandering The Lands Between, the announcement of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC felt like Miyazaki himself blessing us with a rune.

FromSoftware is notoriously tight-lipped, but based on the teaser art, we’re in for an expansion dripping with lore, mystery, and more ways to die in spectacularly embarrassing fashion. (Pro tip: never trust a chest.) Whether it’s new areas, bosses, or 57 more ways to accidentally fall off ledges, you can bet players are chomping at the bit for this one.

5. Diablo IV’s Release Date – Hell Freezes Over

The forces of hell have mobilized, and they’re bringing Diablo IV to us in June 2023. Blizzard dropped a cinematic trailer that had chills running down our spines—it was part horror movie, part metal album cover, and 100% amazing.

During the show, we got a deeper look at the game’s dark and gritty world, which is a welcome return to form after the colorful Diablo III. And Lilith—the Mother of Sanctuary herself—is one terrifying villain. If this doesn’t have your squad planning dungeon-crawling sessions, are you even a gamer?

6. Final Fantasy XVI – Summons, Swords, and Drama

Oh, Final Fantasy XVI. Every trailer just keeps getting better, doesn’t it? Square Enix dropped another epic showcase featuring Clive (what a name, by the way) and the most beautiful Eikons (aka summons) we’ve ever seen. If you’re not hyped for this game yet, check your pulse.

The Game Awards gave us more insight into its combat system, which looks like a chaotic ballet of swords and spells. And the story? It’s got politics, betrayals, and enough drama to rival a soap opera. Don’t even get me started on the music—it slaps harder than Sephiroth’s theme.

Honorable Mentions: Blink and You’ll Miss ‘Em

The Game Awards always have so much packed into one night. A few other notable announcements included:

- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon – FromSoftware said, “You like swords? Cool. How about mechs?” A surprising pivot from their usual medieval fare, and honestly? We’re intrigued.
- Street Fighter 6 – New characters, flashy moves, and enough nostalgia to make me dig out my arcade joystick.
- Judas – Ken Levine (creator of Bioshock) is back, and this new game is already giving serious dystopian vibes.
- Super Mario Bros. Movie Trailer – Okay, it’s not a game, but Chris Pratt’s Mario voice? Still a topic of debate at Discord servers everywhere.

Why the Game Awards Matter to Gaming Culture

Let’s hit pause for a second and talk about why the Game Awards are such a big deal. Sure, it’s fun to see world premieres and clap for our favorite games (cue slow clap for God of War: Ragnarok), but it’s more than that. It’s a night where the entire gaming community—players, developers, streamers, and yes, even the meme-makers—comes together to celebrate this art form we love so much.

Gaming has evolved beyond being “just a hobby.” It’s storytelling, it’s connection, and sometimes, it’s therapy. Seeing these announcements and sharing the hype reminds us why we fell in love with games in the first place. Plus, it gives us something to argue about on Reddit—win-win!

What’s Next? The Countdown Begins

So, what does this all mean for us gamers? Well, it means our wallets are about to take a serious hit in the coming months. Whether you’re team PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, or PC Master Race, there’s something to look forward to.

Between Hades II, Death Stranding 2, and Diablo IV, my backlog is already trembling in fear. But hey, that’s the beauty of gaming. It always keeps us on our toes, ready for the next epic quest, thrilling story, or ridiculous glitch to laugh at.

So, what was your favorite announcement? Are you hyped for the Elden Ring DLC? Or are you already pre-ordering Final Fantasy XVI? Let’s hash it out in the comments—because if there’s one thing gamers love more than games, it’s sharing opinions about games.