Core Insights - The Game Awards (TGA) announced its nominations for 2025, reflecting a mix of industry recognition and player/media controversies, highlighting the tension between developer intentions and player experiences [1] - This year's nominations appear conventional and lack significant surprises, with notable titles included in various categories [2][4] Nominations Overview - The "Game of the Year" nominees include titles such as "Light and Shadow: Expedition 33," "Death Stranding 2: Above the Abyss," "Doki Doki: Banana Power," "Hades 2," "Hollow Knight: Silksong," and "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2" [2] - Best Narrative nominees feature "Light and Shadow: Expedition 33," "Death Stranding 2: Above the Abyss," "Soul of the Sheep Mountain," "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2," and "Silent Hill f" [2] - Best Independent Game nominations include familiar titles like "Absolute Magic," "Balloon Battle," "Blue Path Prince," "Light and Shadow: Expedition 33," "Hades 2," and "Hollow Knight: Silksong" [4] - Best RPG nominees consist of "Oath," "Light and Shadow: Expedition 33," "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2," "Outer Worlds 2," and "Monster Hunter: Wilderness" [4] - Best Multiplayer Game nominees include "Arc Raiders," "Battlefield 6," "Elden Ring: Nightfall," "PEAK," and "Dual Shadow Realm" [4] - The mobile game "Victory Peak" by Mutong Technology is nominated for Best Esports Game, marking its second consecutive nomination, competing against "Counter-Strike 2," "Dota 2," "Valorant," and "League of Legends" [4] - "Ming Tide" by Kuro Games is nominated for Best Mobile Game, also receiving a nomination for the second year [4] Industry Trends - The nominations this year lack significant controversy, indicating a competitive yet somewhat uninspired landscape, leading to perceptions of a "small year" for gaming due to the absence of standout titles [7] - The TGA's judging criteria, which heavily favors Western media, continues to draw criticism, particularly regarding the underrepresentation of Japanese RPGs and the growing dissatisfaction among domestic players towards the neglect of Chinese games [8][10] - Despite the criticisms, TGA maintains its status as the "Oscars of the gaming industry," with domestic companies like Tencent sponsoring the awards to gain international recognition [10]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution of Hideo Kojima's game design philosophy as reflected in "Death Stranding 2," highlighting both the continuity and changes from the original "Death Stranding" [5][30]. Group 1: Game Design and Mechanics - "Death Stranding 2" retains many elements from Kojima's previous works while showcasing his evolving ideas [5][6]. - The game is designed to be accessible for players familiar with the first installment, incorporating familiar mechanics from the "Metal Gear" series [8]. - The initial gameplay experience includes a tutorial set in Mexico, allowing players to learn all basic operations before progressing to Australia [8]. - The combat and stealth mechanics in "Death Stranding 2" are more generous and straightforward compared to the first game, providing players with various weapons and combat options [9][11]. - The difficulty of movement has been significantly reduced, with new features like a transport ship and easier infrastructure building [10][11]. Group 2: Narrative and Themes - The narrative of "Death Stranding 2" is perceived as simpler than its predecessor, with less emphasis on unique storytelling elements [30][33]. - The game reflects a shift in Kojima's thematic focus, moving from a modern perspective on connection to a postmodern reflection on the necessity of connection in a virtual world [34][35]. - The introduction of "Bridge Babies" symbolizes a change in emotional tone, contrasting with the solitary journey of the first game [34][35]. Group 3: Industry Context and Reception - "Death Stranding 2" has sparked debate regarding its appeal and whether it has lost the unique qualities that characterized the first game [37]. - The game is seen as more mainstream and accessible, which has led to mixed reactions from long-time fans of Kojima's work [37]. - Kojima's willingness to adapt and innovate in his game design is noted as a significant aspect of his career, reflecting a commitment to evolving with the industry [38].

Game Releases - Eagle Horn Network's "Pom Pom" launched on June 2, featuring a buyout multiplayer cooperative adventure gameplay with over 15,000 concurrent players on its first day and received "Very Positive" ratings on Steam [1] - NetEase's "Frostpunk: The Last Haven" launched on June 5, adapting the core survival and moral choice experience of the original PC game for mobile, introducing new modes [3] - Purple Dragon's idle card game "Dragon Soul Traveler" launched on June 6, featuring a unique comedic harem theme and a semi-real-time strategy combat system [4] - Night Street Games announced "Last Flag," a 5v5 team shooting game set to release in 2026 on Windows PC, focusing on fast-paced gameplay and key moments [5] Game Shutdowns - Ubisoft announced the shutdown of the free-to-play shooter "Hyper Scape" on June 3, after only 9 months of operation, highlighting a negative case in long-term game management [6] - Tencent's classic mobile game "Chinese Paladin Online" officially closed its servers on June 2, ending nearly 8 years of operation, with compensation available for players [7] Awards and Recognition - "Infinite Warmth," developed by Paper Games, won the "Visual Design" award at the 2025 Apple Design Awards, recognized for its unique open-world gameplay focused on collecting clothing [8] Industry Collaborations - Xiaomi's SU7 Ultra became the first Chinese automotive brand to join the "Gran Turismo" series, collaborating with Polyphony Digital to create "Vision Gran Turismo" [9] Console Launch - Nintendo's Switch 2 officially launched on June 5, with over 400,000 pre-orders on JD.com, priced around 4,000 yuan, and eligible for national subsidies [11] Events - The 2025 Summer Game Fest kicked off in Los Angeles on June 7, featuring over 60 exhibitors and live streaming to global audiences, with major announcements from Nintendo and Xbox [12] Corporate Developments - Hero Sports invested in a new cyber-robotics company, expanding its presence in the esports industry, which is a leading operator of major esports events [13]