One of the most exciting holiday traditions is back. No, not your uncle's eggnog or hearing songs like Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You for the eight hundredth time, but the 2020 Video Game Awards, of course.
This year, the show will be a pared-down affair when compared to previous iterations due to Covid, although that doesn't mean it will be any less engaging. Host Geoff Keighley continues to improve the event year after year and this one is no exception. Catch the broadcast live from locations all around the world, like Los Angeles, London, and Tokyo.
Here's everything you need to know about the ceremony.
When is the Video Game Awards?
The Video Game Awards will broadcast live on Dec. 10 at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT / 1 PM CEST.
How do I watch the Video Game Awards?
It is free to watch and will stream on all major services, including YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, and Facebook Live.
How will nominees attend the Video Game Awards?
Attendees will join the show from their own locations via a video link. No winners know anything in advance of the show.
How are nominees picked for the Video Game Awards?
The Video Game Awards nominee selection process involves a jury of more than 95 media and influencer outlets. Check out the full list here.
For special categories like accessibility and esports, the organization convenes a special jury.
The voting outlet picks five top choices in each category, and the games that show up the most are picked as the nominees.
How are winners picked for the Video Game Awards?
The vote is decided by the jury and public fan voting, with the jury determination tabulated at 90% weight, and fan voting at 10%. Fans can vote through TheGameAwards.com and social channels.
When is the cutoff for games to be eligible?
For a game to be eligible in the 2020 ceremony, it must be released on or before Nov. 20, 2020. Games released after that date are eligible for the following year's awards.
What is the history of the Video Game Awards?
The first Video Game Awards aired in December of 2003 on Spike TV, where it was called the Spike Video Game Awards. The show aired until 2013, and toward the end was considered more of a commercial endeavor with celebrities than a celebration of the year's best games.
Video games journalist Geoff Keighley, who had been brought on to help develop and write for the show, got Spike's permission in 2014 to air the first Video Game Awards, with participation from all the major video game companies.
Last year the show had over 49 million views, and featured appearances by J.J. Abrams and performances by CHVRCHES and Green Day.
What are some highlights expected from this year's show?
This year, Eddie Vedder will perform at the ceremony, and composer Lorne Balfe will conduct the London Philharmonic from Abbey Road Studios in London.
Presenters will include Tom Holland, Brie Larson, Troy Baker, and Gal Gadot.
