Every year, Games are pitted against each other for the honor of Game of the Year(GOTY.) Major games, that have both changed the perspective of their genre, developers, or their players are nominated countless times, yet only one can come out on top. However, with recent releases, the new question is: Can Downloadable Content be considered for GOTY?
What Makes One Worthy?
What makes a game, GOTY? Well, that’s a question that anyone asks themselves why when they hit that vote button. It can be the gameplay, the story, or the characters. Whatever inspired their players with their technology improvements, their storytelling, and the human votes.
Cause, after all, it is still determined by votes. It doesn’t matter where the game came from, the player’s influence can shape how the winner is chosen, however, it’s usually unanimous that there have been times when it’s been neck and neck. Witcher 3, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Elden Ring all have won GOTY. Surprising? No, of course not. All three showed evolution in their respective genres, showing compelling storytelling, and had their players enthralled with making sure every run was the RIGHT one.
Should DLCs be considered for GOTY?
This can vary, not just on games but on opinions. DLCs are downloadable content that expands on the game they are made for; some only add onto what is on top of what the game has made, and others improve and expand the content to levels that would rival even the base game. Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Eretree is a wonderful example. It provides new storytelling elements and gameplay, and overall, it has just added new ways to play Elden Ring. I can’t however say it right to have them in the GOTY category. Maybe if there was one for DLCs or Expansions sure, but to take a spot from recent games is too much. As of publishing, Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree has been nominated for Game of the Year but has not won, while I want to be excited for it, It does remove, even Dragon Age: The Veilguard to have a chance to compete.
Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberity follows the same suit but instead of amplifying the game, it adds onto it, which isn’t bad but it didn’t help Cyberpunk rise from its own ashes. It allowed Cyberpunk to extend its own playtime and introduce new characters and mechanics that bolstered its gameplay and mechanics. But I wouldn’t call for this DLC to be nominated. I don’t have an issue with a good, wonderful, or even amazing DLC being given the credit it deserves.
The Game Awards’ has already issued a statement saying that Expansion Packs, DLCs, and even New Game Seasons are allowed to be nominated. This is surprising, considering that seasons in games vary in quantity rather than quality and can rarely prove to be a game changer. The recent introduction of game-changing seasons will be of Diablo 4 and Overwatch but that is also due to player feedback and overall rebalancing of games that were already plummeting to negative reviews.
Conclusion
Considering Seasons for Game of the Year is farfetched as I have said before it rarely shows an improvement. Expansion Packs, Remakes, and Remasters all have their own rights to be allowed as long as the game they support is improved on and flourishes rather than just building another layer of gameplay. Saying a game or expansion deserves GOTY, says a lot about its ability to impress its audience, and isn’t something that should just be tossed around, while it isn’t something to sleep on or laugh at, the award and even the nomination can make any developer feel proud of themselves that they are on their way to make something they are proud of or to improve on.
