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Subverting (and Replacing?) The Game Awards | Sacred Symbols+, Episode 425

The same day this podcast publishes, Geoff Keighley will hold his annual Game Awards show in LA, and naturally, we'll all tune in to see who wins (or -- much more importantly -- what's announced). But the reality is this: The Game Awards as it's currently constructed is an ad-bloated mess that focuses less on what's great than on what's next. And its results are entirely dictated by an insular group of rapidly waning media-types that don't seem to even like the industry, nor people who play games, period. Should something be done about it? One person thinks so. His name is "Stuttering" Craig Skistimas, industry entrepreneur, founder of pioneering media brand Screw Attack, and the host of the popular Side Scrollers YouTube channel. I (Colin) invited him onto Sacred+ to discuss his notion of a Game Awards replacement he's aptly named The Real Game Awards. Now, to be clear, he and I don't quite agree on his approach -- I think it's best to decentralize the industry and therefore delegitimize its power structures, while he thinks they should be taken on directly -- but this is why I wanted to facilitate this conversation to begin with. It's cool when people try new things, and maybe we can better understand each other's positions by merely chatting for a bit. Please enjoy.

Comments

Synchro

Matty and Cog look wildly different from last week 😳😂 Looking forward to seeing their VGA coverage later!!

Directional Joy

Great chat! I appreciate a nuanced take on the Game Awards. Certainly, it can do better in what it does. But, you both don’t look at it as something to destroy but instead a lane driven on… and roads have many lanes, so you find your own. So easy to hate (even when warranted). It is much more difficult to act (so much unrewarded prep is required, with no promise of success). I respect the drive. ✊ Best of luck, with the REAL Game Awards! 🫡

four24twenty

I'm going to stick with free-to-play award shows, which is all of them. Best of luck with this though! -The internet is a vast abyss, I'm sure many will pay your $1,337 yearly award show membership fee.

Bisexual Lighting Rigger

It is certainly an interesting idea to have awards that are only voted on by gamers. Because you guys are totally right that there is a massive disconnect between journalists/developers and gamers these days. This year particularly. My honest opinion is we dont need any award shows. But competition is always good I wish you the best Craig.

Gaming Forever

Absolutely psychotic that you guys throw a fit because Colin has someone on you guys don’t agree with. If you don’t like the guest, don’t watch it and move on.

Leothesixth

The game awards were great and astrobot deserves it. Don’t need to replace the game awards at all

Frank G.

With an exception of the 2 shitty ones where they brought out a bunch of non gamers to the show. And the one that kept pumping out the nominees and awards with no speeches. I've always thought the game awards were fine, better than that sometimes it's great. It's all just as important as cheering for your favorite sports team. Who fucken cares. It I'll never replace E3 but getting hyped for a brand spanking new trailer for an unknown project is still exciting.

dooopy_boi

Maybe he could say this before the game awards on Thursday but as a gamer I think the game awards was very in touch with the gaming audience

Marc L

Saw his Award show's categories and it's so unserious and mean spirited. I don't care how successful he is or that he's "doing something." Craig is clearly a cancer to the industry, just like the Kotaku camp that's heavily criticized.

Mr. Malf

I have always loved Craig and i still do. Would not mind more episodes of SS+ with him. His knowledge is deep. Especially in retro gaming.