The gaming world witnessed an unprecedented milestone at The Game Awards 2024 when Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree became the first downloadable content expansion ever nominated for Game of the Year. This groundbreaking decision by the awards committee shattered conventional boundaries, placing FromSoftware's masterful expansion alongside five full game releases in the industry's most prestigious category. While Astro Bot, Balatro, and other nominees represented fresh experiences, Shadow of the Erdtree's inclusion sparked intense debates across gaming forums and social platforms about what truly constitutes a contender for gaming's highest honor. The controversy swirled like the scarlet rot plaguing the Lands Between, challenging long-held assumptions about DLCs being inherently inferior to standalone releases.

historic-game-awards-nomination-for-elden-ring-dlc-image-0

The Controversial Rule Change

Eligibility criteria revisions earlier in 2024 quietly opened the door for this seismic shift, explicitly stating that expansion packs and DLC content could compete in all categories. Few anticipated this would lead to a Game of the Year nomination until Geoff Keighley announced the finalists. Community reactions fractured dramatically:

  • Traditionalists argued only complete, self-contained experiences deserved consideration

  • Progressives celebrated recognizing exceptional content regardless of format

  • Developers whispered about implications for future project scoping

Metacritic scores added fuel to the fire, with Shadow of the Erdtree (94), Metaphor: ReFantazio (94), and Astro Bot (94) leading the pack. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth trailed slightly at 92, while Balatro (90) and Black Myth: Wukong (81) rounded out the list. This critical acclaim couldn't silence detractors who felt expansions shouldn't compete against games costing twice as much or requiring hundreds of development hours.

The Nominees Field

Beyond the historic DLC nomination, the 2024 lineup showcased remarkable diversity across genres and styles. Each contender brought unique strengths to the competition:

Game Title Genre Notable Achievement
Astro Bot Platformer Revolutionary PS5 DualSense implementation
Balatro Deckbuilding Roguelike Addictive poker-meets-RPG mechanics
Black Myth: Wukong Action RPG Stunning Chinese mythology adaptation
FF7 Rebirth JRPG Ambitious open-world reimagining
Metaphor: ReFantazio JRPG Persona team's bold new fantasy universe

Shadow of the Erdtree stood apart not just as DLC but as a content-rich expansion that many players reported spending 40+ hours exploring. Its haunting landscapes and brutal boss encounters like Romina, Saint of the Bud demonstrated how DLC could transcend traditional boundaries of scale and ambition.

historic-game-awards-nomination-for-elden-ring-dlc-image-1

Cultural Impact Beyond Scores

The nomination forced uncomfortable conversations about value perception in gaming. For decades, expansions were considered supplementary rather than landmark achievements. Shadow of the Erdtree challenged that hierarchy by delivering:

  • A self-contained narrative rivaling full games

  • More weapon varieties than many AAA releases

  • Enemy designs that became instant classics

Yet questions lingered: Should pricing affect eligibility? Does recognition discourage developers from creating complete initial experiences? The debate revealed generational divides, with younger players embracing modular content while veterans clung to traditional formats.

The Industry's New Reality

Regardless of the December 12th outcome, this nomination permanently altered award season dynamics. Publishers now face pressure to support games longer with substantive expansions rather than cosmetic DLC. Developers must consider whether to create standalone sequels or expand existing universes. The very definition of a "complete game" has blurred beyond recognition. As the gaming landscape continues evolving toward live services and expansions, this precedent ensures future award shows will never look quite the same. The shadow cast by the Erdtree stretches far beyond the Lands Between.

As detailed in GamesIndustry.biz, the evolving landscape of game awards and the inclusion of DLCs like Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree in top categories reflect broader industry trends toward ongoing content support and shifting definitions of what constitutes a "complete" game. GamesIndustry.biz frequently analyzes how such changes impact publisher strategies, developer priorities, and consumer expectations, highlighting the growing importance of expansions in the modern gaming ecosystem.