The Game Awards 2021 is the latest installment of the annual awards show hosted by Geoff Keighley. Every year, the show gives awards that have been voted on to a variety of games, with Xbox and Bethesda leading the 2021 nominations. In addition to all the awards, this show is also known for big gaming industry reveals, with updates, teasers and surprises from across numerous publishers and indie developers alike.
If you'd like to get up to speed ahead of the show, we've got you covered. We're tracking everything that's confirmed (or being teased) for the Game Awards 2021, at least so far. Some of these announcements could end up being some of the best Xbox games available.
Everything teased for The Game Awards 2021
ARC Raiders
Embark Studios, a team in Stockholm led by former EA executives, has teased that its first game, ARC Raiders, will be shown off during The Game Awards 2021.
pic.twitter.com/JPsq7mL4hPpic.twitter.com/JPsq7mL4hP— ARC Raiders (@ARCRaidersGame) December 6, 2021December 6, 2021
Destiny 2: The Witch Queen trailer
There'll be a new trailer for Destiny 2: The Witch Queen expansion at some point during The Game Awards 2021.
A big week for Halo fans just got bigger.
Gear up, Spartans.
The first look trailer for #HaloTheSeries premieres LIVE during #TheGameAwards on Thursday night, streaming everywhere at 5p PT / 8p ET / 1a GMT. pic.twitter.com/dxAXYVKRVZA big week for Halo fans just got bigger.
Gear up, Spartans.
The first look trailer for #HaloTheSeries premieres LIVE during #TheGameAwards on Thursday night, streaming everywhere at 5p PT / 8p ET / 1a GMT. pic.twitter.com/dxAXYVKRVZ— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 7, 2021December 7, 2021
Halo Series world premiere
The long-awaited Halo series will be shown at The Game Awards 2021.
A big week for Halo fans just got bigger.
Gear up, Spartans.
The first look trailer for #HaloTheSeries premieres LIVE during #TheGameAwards on Thursday night, streaming everywhere at 5p PT / 8p ET / 1a GMT. pic.twitter.com/dxAXYVKRVZA big week for Halo fans just got bigger.
Gear up, Spartans.
The first look trailer for #HaloTheSeries premieres LIVE during #TheGameAwards on Thursday night, streaming everywhere at 5p PT / 8p ET / 1a GMT. pic.twitter.com/dxAXYVKRVZ— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 7, 2021December 7, 2021
Homeworld 3
Blackbird Interactive has been teasing something new for Homeworld, the RTS set in space, for a while now, but confirmed ahead of The Game Awards on Thursday that it is indeed Homeworld 3.
#Homeworld3 announcement confirmed.
Stand by. December 9, 2021 4:30 pm PT#TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/1m8ekWe0wV#Homeworld3 announcement confirmed.
Stand by. December 9, 2021 4:30 pm PT#TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/1m8ekWe0wV— Homeworld (@HomeworldGame) December 9, 2021December 9, 2021
More Game Pass for PC titles
The Xbox Game Pass for PC Twitter account is teasing several new games being added to Game Pass for PC. These games should be announced during The Game Awards 2021.
Thank you, Melissa pic.twitter.com/shmfYt5tCoThank you, Melissa pic.twitter.com/shmfYt5tCo— PC Game Pass (@XboxGamePassPC) December 6, 2021December 6, 2021
Improbable's new game
Studio Improbable is confirmed to be revealing its new game during The Game Awards 2021. Improbable has traditonally worked on large scale multiplayer games that require a lot of online infrastructure.
Very excited to share that we'll be revealing our game at #TheGameAwards this week! I can't believe this is actually happening...Very excited to share that we'll be revealing our game at #TheGameAwards this week! I can't believe this is actually happening...— Aaryn Flynn (@AarynFlynn) December 6, 2021December 6, 2021
The Matrix Awakens
While not technically a game, an Unreal Engine 5 tech demo called The Matrix Awakens will go live during The Game Awards 2021. The tech demo is exclusive to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PS5, featuring actors Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss.
The Matrix: Resurrections
It's a Matrix double-feature! During The Game Awards 2021, we'll get a new look at the upcoming film, The Matrix: Resurrections.
It's not only #TheMatrixAwakens....
Thursday, don't miss an exclusive new preview of #TheMatrixResurrections during #TheGameAwards, streaming live EVERYWHERE at 5p PT / 8p ET / 1a GMT.
The line between mediums is about to blur
🐇 pic.twitter.com/QFPCMpv5vGIt's not only #TheMatrixAwakens....
Thursday, don't miss an exclusive new preview of #TheMatrixResurrections during #TheGameAwards, streaming live EVERYWHERE at 5p PT / 8p ET / 1a GMT.
The line between mediums is about to blur
🐇 pic.twitter.com/QFPCMpv5vG— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 7, 2021December 7, 2021
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and the next Sonic game
After an initial teasing Twitter exchange, we've got confirmation. A Sonic game will be at The Game Awards 2021. Additionally, there's going to be a new look at Sonic the Hedgehog 2, sequel to the first film.
Tomorrow night - Celebrate @sonic_hedgehog 30th anniversary with the world premiere of the #sonic2 movie trailer and your first look at the next Sonic game! https://t.co/U6C3T3eV0NTomorrow night - Celebrate @sonic_hedgehog 30th anniversary with the world premiere of the #sonic2 movie trailer and your first look at the next Sonic game! https://t.co/U6C3T3eV0N— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 8, 2021December 8, 2021
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Rocksteady Games' Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is going to be present at The Game Awards 2021.
Me and the @RocksteadyGames squad are getting ready to dive into the #TheGameAwards. Can't wait to share the mayhem with you all! Good luck @GeoffKeighley! pic.twitter.com/ZTJOhUqbZ8Me and the @RocksteadyGames squad are getting ready to dive into the #TheGameAwards. Can't wait to share the mayhem with you all! Good luck @GeoffKeighley! pic.twitter.com/ZTJOhUqbZ8— Sefton Hill (@Seftonhill) December 8, 2021December 8, 2021
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands
Gearbox's Borderlands spinoff Tiny Tina's Wonderlands will also be present at The Game Awards. The team will probably be presenting new footage, but also maybe something about yo-yo's? That's if the teaser on Twitter is anything to go by.
That's right, we're going to #TheGameAwards! 🤩
We gazed into our ✨ magic crystal ball predictor... thing... ✨ and BEHOLD! a look into the FUTUREfuturefuture... 🔮 pic.twitter.com/IdYKEpQzziThat's right, we're going to #TheGameAwards! 🤩
We gazed into our ✨ magic crystal ball predictor... thing... ✨ and BEHOLD! a look into the FUTUREfuturefuture... 🔮 pic.twitter.com/IdYKEpQzzi— Tiny Tina's Wonderlands 🦄 (@PlayWonderlands) December 7, 2021December 7, 2021
What won't be at The Game Awards 2021
While it's always disappointing knowing that something won't be at the awards show, it is better to go in with lowered expectations if we know for sure something isn't going to be present.
Dragon Age 4
BioWare recently confirmed that Dragon Age 4 will have more information shared in 2022, with the phrasing highly implying the game won't be seen through the rest of 2021.
Activision Blizzard
Besides some smaller nominations for Call of Duty, Activision Blizzard won't be present at The Game Awards, according to Keighley. There were questions as to whether The Game Awards would take a stance with the company, which has been embroiled in the aftermath of a workplace harassment lawsuit. While Keighley initially said in a Washington Post interview that he was thinking about how to "navigate" the relationship, he announced over the weekend that the company wouldn't be a part of the event.
Beyond its nominations, I can confirm that Activision|Blizzard will not be a part of this year’s #TheGameAwardsBeyond its nominations, I can confirm that Activision|Blizzard will not be a part of this year’s #TheGameAwards— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) December 4, 2021December 4, 2021
The company previously said that upcoming games like Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 had been delayed, so fans weren't expecting any big announcements.
Ubisoft Quartz
Keighley confirmed on Tuesday that Ubisoft Quartz, the publisher's new NFTs for gaming, won't be present at The Game Awards 2021.
To those asking, no, Ubisoft Quartz will not be appearing at #TheGameAwardsTo those asking, no, Ubisoft Quartz will not be appearing at #TheGameAwards— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) December 7, 2021December 7, 2021
What are you hoping to see?
Keighley has said in interviews that viewers should expect a number of reveals. In an interview with USA Today, Keighely said "probably six or ten of our games are things that people don't know exist, but we're going to reveal them at the show in a fun way." There's a lot to look forward to, and we'll be covering it here at Windows Central.
