Can you buy the Game Awards statuette? Five curiosities about the most coveted prize in video games that you (probably) didn't know

We know that the most prestigious and relevant annual award in the video game industry is given during the Game Awards. We are clear that, more than a simple trophy, it is a colossal recognition within the largest entertainment industry in the world and, from there, we can more or less establish its abstract value, but what is the name of the statuette in question? The answer is so simple that it is not impressive: Game Awardwhich translates to “Video Game Prize.” Its shapes and details, however, They are full of symbolism.

At iGamesNews we have put together five curiosities about the most coveted prize in video games. Because all the Game of the Year candidates can be excellent in different aspects, but only one can be declared champion. Which does not take away from the second greatest recognition one can have: taking the most statuettes home. And in the end both things lead to the same thing: a female silhouette with open wings. What does it have to do with video games? Its creators brought Middle-earth to life, and they knew very well what they were doing.

Who made the Game Awards and how long it took to design them

The idea and concept of creating the Game Awards trophy is his own. Geoff Keighleybut the task and responsibility of imagining the most sought-after prize in the video game industry fell to Stephen lambert y Leri Greeralthough if we are fair, in reality from design to manufacturing it was a process of between three and four months in which they worked from Weta Workshop.

If the name doesn't sound familiar to you, Weta is the prestigious company behind the effects of sagas such as The Lord of the Rings, Avatar or the films of DUNE by Denis Villeneuve, as well as countless Marvel films. They created Thor's hammers in Love and Thunder and, in the case of the Game Awards, they used digital modeling techniques, 3D printing, artisanal sculpting and with a metallic result, the final result is obtained.

With everything, and despite its forms, It took twelve months to shape the first Game Award. According to Geoff Keighley took between three and four months from the first designs to the ideas that emerged during the process. And even with those, it took a year until the first statuettes were ready. One last fact: according to Keighley they are heavier than the Oscars.

What does a Game Award symbolize?

Imagine that you are considering making video games the equivalent of the Oscar statuette at the Film Academy. What would you do? Would you put Pac-Man or a Space Invader on a base or would you risk something more abstract and to the taste of those who don't know the classics? Weta's goal was not to base it on any game, but represent them all and, already, those who are yet to arrive.

That said, comparisons between the Game Awards and the Emmys are more than justified: removing the color, both show a female silhouette rising and with open wings. But it is in the less superficial details where the symbolism of the award and its true meaning lie: Geoff Keighley wanted to tell the history of video games as a medium.

“I wanted to create a statue that represented the evolution of video games. So we came up with the idea of ​​an angel coming out of a sort of digital construction box, in which the lowest part represents the 8-bit graphics and little by little it rises from those roots to the future.

Keighley's general idea is not only to reward the best, but also to serve as inspiration and show video game lovers how and who are defining the future of the medium. Always maintaining inspiration and promoting constant evolution from the classics.

What other options were considered for the statue?

As we mentioned, the design process for the Game Awards took up to four months during which Weta and Keighley shared ideas about what they wanted to symbolize and what they would look like. However, although the concept was more or less clear, there were many ways to imagine an angel that represented the evolution of video games.

In fact, some of the early designs did not have wings. The female silhouette rising on blocks that symbolized pixels and that little by little was sculpted like three-dimensional models gained shapes and there were more vertical proposals, without wings and that gave more prominence to the figure's hairstyle. In some cases even wrapping the whole thing.

They also played with the size of the wings, completely eliminating the arms and showing a figure that looked straight ahead and with raised hair like Marge Simpson or Seiko Ayase from the series. Dan Da Dan. Of course, at this point the design was already relatively similar to the current one.

The final design merged the arms with the wings, looks up at the stars and has the largest and most defined wings of all the proposals shown. Being designed in 3D and sculpted by Weta in an artisanal way to later be mass produced for all categories.

What were the Game Awards trophies like before there were Game Awards?

Believe it or not, the history of the Game Awards begins in 2014. Let's say that it is a very established ceremony, but relatively recent compared to other awards of different media and arts that have been with us for decades. Was there nothing before? Technically, it all started with The Spike Video Game Awards. And, believe it or not, blue jumpsuits were given to the winners there.

The Spike Video Game Awardsknown as VGAs, was a major awards show promoted by Paramount's Spike network. The first edition was held in 2003 and the presenter and producer was Geoff Keighley himself, who at that time worked at GameTrailers TV. These ceremonies lasted a decade (the last Game of the Year was Grand Theft Auto V) and were later reborn as the current Game Awards.

As for the trophies themselves, and to be fair, they had the recognition but not a design that aroused comparisons with someone who wins an Oscar, a Grammy or a Bafta: it was a simple transparent jumpsuit, with a crown and holding a Joystick similar to those from Atari. Maybe they weren't truly impressive, to be fair it was quite a privilege to receive one of these and have them in a display case.

Can you (literally) buy a Game Award?

Winning the award for best game of the year is priceless due to the recognition it represents worldwide. Having a statue at home, however, is relatively easy: you just need $2,500. Well, and a couple of previous procedures. And even in those, they don't give it to just anyone.

Let's start from the basics: The Game Awards ceremony gives you a trophy. Logically, this one is free. However, when a game has two directors or its script has been prepared by three writers, it is normal that everyone wants to have it at home. The solution: Weta offers the possibility of ordering extra Game Awardsbut these have to be bought.

In other words: each winner can only order a maximum of 4 additional trophies per category. Five in total if we count the one given in the ceremony. And you have to do it within very defined deadlines, so you can't ask for a second Game Award for best sound design for a title that was released seven years ago.

Lastly, and this is essential, in addition to its fixed price, you need to sign an agreement in which you commit to having the additional prize in possession, so before it arrives you have to be clear in advance that you will not be able to do so. sell. So the answer is yes: you can buy a Game Award, but you can't sell it and, first of all, you have to earn it on your own merits.

In iGamesNews | Don't be sad if your favorite game doesn't win the Game Awards, wishing for GOTY can be detrimental to your health