LOS ANGELES- In an ominous last-minute move, Geoff Keighley announced the removal of the Entirely Fan-Decided “Player’s Voice” Category from this year’s Game Awards.
“Only the true King of Kings, stood upon this stage as I stand before thee, shall bequeath these idols to worthy developers. There can only be one true decider!” cried out the show’s producer and host, Geoff Keighley, during yesterday’s tech rehearsal at the Peacock Theater. “And henceforth, no gamer shalt speak when I, your God, speak for thee!”
Fans of The Game Awards were shocked at the announcement. With the majority of voting done by an advisory committee, comprising industry professionals and influential gaming news publications, many felt the 100% fan-driven vote proved a welcome addition to the show. After Keighley’s on-stage sermon, a Polygon reporter in attendance broke the news online. Upset fans immediately took to various forums to express their displeasure.
“We gamers only equate to 10% of the vote in every other category. Player’s Voice is the one category that’s actually decided by us!” ranted Reddit user, Cult_of_Collei. “Last year, the fans had their voices heard! No other category would have properly recognized Genshin Impact as such a crowning achievement like we did, the true gamers!”
“Let’s be honest, last year’s Player’s Voice was rigged, but I had faith things would be different after that,” said IGN commenter, CucklesEchidna33, “Sonic Frontiers WAS the clear winner. But I knew, this year, us Blue Ballers would manage to get Sonic Superstars the win! I guess that’s not the case if Player’s Voice is no longer happening though.”
Despite the immediate blowback from the announcement, Keighley stood his ground. In an official Game Awards press release, he further defended the reasoning behind his decision.
“The voice of gamers speaks too softly; they fall deaf on mine ears,” writes Geoff. “Such voices quiver and break! In fear! In unworthiness! Their thoughts and taste hath been spoiled by sin and greed for far too long. It is such that I hath made this decision. To anoint myself The God of All Gamers! It is my words that now pen themselves from my holy mouth, speaking on behalf of the gamers and gamelets who know not what games are good, for not all games are good. However, tis my true sight, my clairvoyance, that shall for once and for all grant these divine prizes to only the most worthy amongst us.”
Geoff Keighley ended the press release with one final statement of congratulations, preemptively awarding his good friend, Hideo Kojima, and Death Stranding 2, for “Game of the Year.”
