Industry looks to replace the VGAs with new event, The Game Awards 2014

While the future of Spike TV’s yearly videogames award show was already in question, it looks as if it may be gone for good, as a new industry-backed show looks poised to take its place.

Called “The Game Awards 2014,” the event is being created in conjunction with producer Geoff Keighley—who previously hosted the VGAs—and companies such as Sony, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Valve, Rockstar Games, Kojima Productions, and more.

Airing live on “gaming devices and digital platforms” from Las Vegas on Friday, December 5th, The Game Awards 2014 will “highlight the cultural significance of the $100B a year gaming industry with awards, world premieres, musical performances, and appearances by game developers, eSports players and online content creators,” according to the official press release.

Opinions over the years have been mixed about Spike TV’s VGAs, but it isn’t hard to imagine that the channel wanted something “hip” and “exciting” given that they were to be broadcast on cable (to people with lower attention spans). Making an awards show that’s produced by the industry itself, and not a station that only has a passing interest in gaming, feels a lot more promising to me. (I also like that they aren’t feeling the need to try to get this onto another channel—the days of needing to do so are over.)

So, I look forward to seeing how The Game Awards 2014 turns out, and hope there’s a better focus on the awards themselves under this endeavor. Plus, it’s always fun getting a surprise game announcement or two during the usually-quiet holiday season.

Industry looks to replace the VGAs with new event, The Game Awards 2014