Emphasizing the Most Remarkable Events in Game Awards History: The Finest and the Poorest
**The Development of The Game Awards: A Retrospective on Unforgettable Moments**
As The Game Awards begins its 12th year, it’s crucial to look back at the major peaks and valleys from past events. Evolving from the remnants of the Spike VGAs, creator and host Geoff Keighley founded an annual celebration that has emerged as a fundamental part of contemporary gaming culture, honoring exceptional games while integrating aspects of sponsorship and marketing. Here’s a recap of 17 memorable instances from The Game Awards since it kicked off in 2014.
### “Forget The Oscars!” – The Game Awards 2017
One of the most memorable moments in TGA history transpired when *Split Fiction* and *It Takes Two* director Josef Fares jumped on stage and fervently proclaimed, “Forget the Oscars!” This unforeseen outburst left host Geoff Keighley noticeably taken aback, turning it into a noteworthy highlight.
### *Ark 2* Featuring Vin Diesel is Revealed – The Game Awards 2020
The revelation of a sequel to *Ark*, starring none other than Vin Diesel, prompted laughter, particularly since many fans felt the original was in need of more updates. Years later, with no release in sight, the game is frequently deemed vaporware, with hopes it may finally launch in 2027.
### Console Company Leaders Share a Stage – The Game Awards 2018
The 2018 event was marked by a collaborative appearance from Nintendo’s Reggie Fils-Aimé, Xbox’s Phil Spencer, and PlayStation’s Shawn Layden. Their alliance represented a shift away from marketing rivalries to celebrate gaming as a medium that goes beyond corporate branding.
### DrDisrespect Claims the Trending Gamer Award – The Game Awards 2017
Herschel “Dr Disrespect” Beahm won the Trending Gamer award, a category that has since been retired due to controversies stemming from his actions later that year, marking a pivotal moment in the relationship between traditional gaming and the creator economy.
### Ken & Roberta Williams Receive the First Industry Icons Award – The Game Awards 2014
At the inaugural event in 2014, the presentation of the Industry Icon award to video game trailblazers Ken and Roberta Williams created one of the rare genuine moments dedicated to honoring creators.
### Ninja Appears – The Game Awards 2018
Richard “Ninja” Blevins showed up at the 2018 ceremony to present the newly recognized “Content Creator of the Year.” Although he won, his segment was overshadowed by an awkward interaction involving a Muppet that did not resonate with the audience.
### Flutist Captivates Audience – The Game Awards 2022
The 2022 ceremony featured Venezuelan flautist Pedro Eustache winning hearts with his emotive performances. His renditions of various video game themes made him a standout and resulted in multiple return appearances.
### *Rock Band VR* Announcement Teaser – The Game Awards 2015
The 2015 event showcased an elongated and perplexing focus on *Rock Band VR*, emphasized by the peculiar involvement of Palmer Luckey. This segment is often recalled as a misstep in TGA history.
### Waldorf and Statler Mock the Event – The Game Awards 2024
The appearance of Muppets Statler and Waldorf to humorously critique the show delighted viewers, showcasing a lighter aspect of the event that resonated with fans.
### Schick Hyrdobot Takes It Up a Notch – The Game Awards 2016
The initial years of TGA were marked by strange sponsorship moments, with the bizarre Schick Hyrdobot making an unexpected and uncomfortable appearance during the 2016 event.
### Fans Boo Konami – The Game Awards 2015
Notably, host Geoff Keighley pointed out Hideo Kojima’s absence due to Konami’s restrictions, resulting in audience boos aimed at the publisher along with a musical tribute in honor of Kojima.
### Cutting the GOTY Speech Short – The Game Awards 2023
Larian Studios’ director Swen Vincke faced an abrupt interruption to his acceptance speech for *Baldur’s Gate 3*, highlighted by a “wrap it up” sign appearing during a touching moment of gratitude.
### Nintendo’s Reggie Fils-Aimé Honors Iwata – The Game Awards 2015
A heartfelt homage to the late Satoru Iwata by Reggie Fils-Aimé emphasized the emotional depth of the event, reminding attendees of the human aspect of the gaming industry.
### Michelle Rodriguez and Vin Diesel Wrap Up the Show Uncomfortably – The Game Awards 2019
The 2019 event concluded with an awkward exchange between Michelle Rodriguez and Vin Diesel regarding a *Fast and Furious* game, resulting in one of the most critiqued endings in TGA history.
### Christopher Judge Receives Award and Delivers a Nine-Minute Speech – The Game Awards 2022
Christopher Judge’s acceptance speech for Best Performance