The Game Awards 2022 is set to be filled with reveals, trailers, announcements, and world premiers for brand-new games – both announced and unannounced. So expect some surprises!
As well as debuting new games and content, we'll also see awards being handed out across a number of categories, including the best in various genres, Best Narrative, Best Game Direction, and of course, the coveted Game of the Year. Nominees have already been announced, and Game of the Year is an interesting mix, pitting goliaths including God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West, against Stray, and A Plague Tale: Requiem.
Last year, It Takes Two went home with Game of the Year, but there's some stiff competition this time around with the two Sony titles. Stray knocked God of War off the top spot in the Steam charts when it launched this summer, but doing the same with the sequel at an awards show is a different ballgame entirely.
There's plenty to look forward to in the way of announcements as well, with the world premiere of Baldur's Gate 3, a new Final Fantasy 16 trailer, and a reveal trailer for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. You won't want to miss it, but given that the show kicks off in the afternoon/ evening US time, you'll want to start brewing a pot of coffee to stay awake until the event starts. Here's when and where you can watch The Game Awards 2022.
What time do The Game Awards 2022 start?
The Game Awards 2022 takes place today, Wednesday, December 8, and starts at 12.30am GMT / 4.30pm PT / 7.30pm ET. You'll be pleased to know that this year's event will be "significantly shorter" than last year's three-hour affair, and that's not including the 45-minute pre-show.
Keighley confirmed the reduced runtime during a Twitter space audio steam (via VGC) which was based on feedback from viewers, saying:
"We think there’s been a little bit of fatigue about how long the show has been, there are lots of games and lots of things that want to be a part of it, but we’re cutting back on those things to hopefully have a bit more of a streamlined show."
Where can I watch The Game Awards 2022?
We've embedded The Game Awards YouTube stream for you below, but you can access it across a number of platforms if you'd rather use a different service. As well as YouTube, you can watch The Game Awards on Twitch, Steam, and Twitter.
Valve is doing a Steam Deck giveaway during the show – one every minute of the live broadcast – so watching on Steam might be best if you'd like to get your hands on one.
What games are being announced at The Game Awards 2022?
Amongst the awards being handed out will be a number of game trailers and reveals. In a Reddit AMA, Keighley said we could expect "30-40 games showing new content at the show, and a fair number of new game announcements."
Star Wars fans should keep an eye out for Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, and a new Crash Bandicoot game has been rumoured to make an appearance. Larian Studios has confirmed more news on Baldur's Gate 3, and given Keighley's bond with Hideo Kojima, whispers of a trailer for Death Stranding 2, or the Xbox exclusive game Kojima's working on are also likely.
More games we're expecting to see – or that have been rumoured for the show – include Final Fantasy 16, Tekken 8, Diablo 4, and possibly a new Metal Gear Solid game. Capcom has also teased...something. The company's Twitter account says fans should tune in, so we'll see if it's anything new or just an update on an already-announced title.
