Post Games The history (and secrets) of The Game Awards (Oli Welsh)
Dec 8, 2025
Oli Welsh, a senior editor and games journalist known for his insights on awards coverage, dives into the provocative history of The Game Awards. He reveals the transformation from the cringeworthy Spike VGAs to the present-day format, blending E3 reveals with awards. The discussion explores the ethical blur between advertisements and jury-voted awards, as well as the challenges of categorizing diverse game genres. Oli also predicts potential winners for 2025 and emphasizes the need for a broader jury perspective to elevate underrepresented games.
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Spike Era Was Televised Spectacle
- The Spike Video Game Awards was a televised spectacle with celebrities, skits, and sponsorships that felt cringeworthy.
- Oli Welsh recalls it as slick but misogynist and accessible only as blurry clips for non-US viewers.
Trailers + Awards Became The Show's Core
- The Game Awards merged E3-style trailers with an awards show to become a promotional booster for games.
- Jeff Keighley positioned the show as a celebration and direct-to-fan platform rather than pure TV entertainment.
Game Awards Filled E3's Void
- The Game Awards filled a publicity gap left as E3 declined, using streaming to reach fans directly.
- Keighley leveraged that moment to create Summer Game Fest and two promotional beats in the year.