With a year packed full of exciting new titles and updates to ongoing favorites, The Game Awards 2024 is shaping up to be quite the showdown. While the Game of the Year will undoubtedly take center stage as the event celebrates its tenth anniversary, the Best Ongoing Game category might just be the one to watch, featuring some fierce competition.
This category is traditionally meant to honor live service games that deliver frequent and substantial updates. There have been a few surprises in the past, like last year’s win by Cyberpunk 2077 following a major update and DLC. This time around, though, it looks like multiplayer live service games are back in the spotlight. Yet, the competition is undoubtedly stiff.
2024 Best Ongoing Game Nominees
- Destiny 2 (Bungie/SIE)
- Diablo 4 (Blizzard/Xbox)
- Final Fantasy 14 (Square Enix)
- Fortnite (Epic Games)
- Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead Game Studios/SIE)
Destiny 2
Destiny 2 has had a monumental year despite the rollercoaster ride it’s been on. The launch of "The Final Shape" was a huge hit with players and masterfully wrapped up the game’s primary narrative. However, with the story arc concluding, update frequency has naturally slowed, which could hurt its chances in this category.
Diablo 4
Diablo 4 has been making waves, especially after releasing its first expansion, "Vessel of Hatred," in October. This expansion enriched the storyline and introduced the new Spiritborn class, giving players exactly what they’d hoped for in both gameplay and narrative improvements. Its solid debut expansion could very well make it a strong contender for the award.
Final Fantasy 14
For fans of Final Fantasy 14, 2024 was another impressive chapter in the game’s history. "Dawntrail" brought fresh life to the game with its novel storyline, pushing the narrative in an exciting direction. While not without criticism, the positive buzz around the expansion’s innovations seems to outweigh any negative noise.
Fortnite
Fortnite continues to be a juggernaut in the gaming world, and 2024 was no exception. The game saw a year filled with exhilarating chaos, highlighted by the Absolute Doom season which expanded its universe with Marvel characters. With Fortnite OG making a return soon as a permanent mode, the game keeps offering new content that captures its players’ imagination.
Helldivers 2
The wildcard of the group is Helldivers 2, making its debut in this category. It certainly made an impression after launching in 2024. Although some controversies from its fanbase stirred the pot, recent updates have mitigated many concerns. It’s a toss-up whether its fresh perspective will be enough to carry it through to victory.
Final Prediction
Every nominee in The Game Awards usually comes with its strengths and hurdles. Live service games are no stranger to stirring debates because of their evolving nature, but this year’s contenders have taken that challenge head-on. It’s tough to say who doesn’t stand a chance, as each game has earned its place with significant updates and community engagement.
However, if one had to pick a frontrunner, it might just be Fortnite. Known for previous wins and its ability to continuously rejuvenate the gaming landscape, Fortnite’s innovations in 2024 give it a compelling push towards claiming the award once again. While Final Fantasy 14 also poses a strong challenge with its track record, the variety and vigor of Fortnite’s recent updates suggest it might just take the lead.
In the end, although betting on Fortnite might seem like playing it safe, its dynamic nature makes it a worthy choice for the top spot.
