The Game Awards 2025 Recap – Winners, Trailers & Surprises

We break down all the big announcements and the winners from The Game Awards 2025.
This is also the last episode of Arcade Couch for 2025, so we shall see you all in the New Year!
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
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The Game Awards 2024 Reactions & Thoughts

Our thoughts on The Game Awards 2024. The winners of the year, the new announcements and the trailers.
Show Dot Points
The Game Awards this year had a better balance of trailers and awards.
Developers were allowed to express their feelings during the awards.
The Game Awards featured some surprising winners and notable omissions.
The discussion around the Game Changer of the Year award raised questions about sincerity.
Astro Bot winning Game of the Year was a significant moment.
The Witcher 4 trailer introduced Ciri as the main character, which excited fans.
The hosts reflected on the history of the Game Awards and their evolution.
There was a humorous take on the absurdity of online criticisms regarding character designs.
The conversation highlighted the importance of recognizing diverse games in award categories. The Witcher universe continues to evolve with new game elements.
Elden Ring's showcase dynamics set high expectations for future titles.
Project Robot's reveal has sparked anticipation among gamers.
Outer Worlds 2 aims to deliver a unique experience within its universe.
Split Fiction offers a fresh co-op adventure with intriguing mechanics.
Borderlands 4 may be losing its signature personality in the latest trailer.
The gaming industry is seeing a resurgence of nostalgic franchises.
Obsidian's strategy of releasing multiple titles in one year is ambitious.
The humour in Outer Worlds 2 is a key selling point for fans.
The conversation reflects a deep passion for gaming and its narratives. Warframe has a dedicated audience despite not being mainstream.
The Onimusha franchise is making a comeback after 20 years.
Naughty Dog's new IP is highly anticipated and marks their fifth franchise.
The Game Awards showcased a variety of new trailers and announcements.
The hosts reflect on the performances and moments that stood out during the Game Awards.
The involvement of big names like the Russo Brothers in gaming is noteworthy.
The humour and creativity in game trailers can enhance audience engagement.
Product placement in games can be both a creative choice and a marketing strategy.
The chemistry between voice actors can elevate the gaming experience.
The gaming community is excited about the future of storytelling in video games.
Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo
Arcade Couch Credits:
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
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The Last of Us Online, E3 & More Studio Cancellations To End 2023

It's the last episode of Arcade Couch for 2023, and in fitting style, we're talking about games, studios and events being cancelled!
We have other good news to talk about too, like The Game Awards speeches we didn't get to hear, what we've been playing, including some hidden gems, and the upcoming Death Stranding movie coming from A24.
Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo
Episode Timecodes
INTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:00:55 - House Keeping00:02:30 - Article Shoutout For IGN00:06:01 - E3 Is Officially Dead00:19:05 - The Last of Us Online Is Cancelled00:29:15 - The Day Before Developer Shuts Down00:35:40 - Skull & Bones Has A Release Date00:41:08 - More Video Game Layoffs00:44:51 - Death Stranding Video Game Coming From A2400:50:34 - What Dylan's Been Playing & Plans To Play00:53:09 - What Ashley's Been Playing & Plans To Play00:55:49  - What Dylan's Been Playing & Plans To Play 200:58:16 - What Ciaran's Been Playing & Plans To Play01:05:04 - Goodbye
Resources
Eurogamer
E3 is officially dead
Embracer layoff streak continues, with 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks latest to be affected
IGN
The Game Awards Winner Speeches We Didn't Get to Hear
Press Start
THE DAY BEFORE DEVELOPER FNTASTIC IS SHUTTING ITS DOORS LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER LAUNCH
THE DEATH STRANDING MOVIE IS BEING DEVELOPED BY A24 AND KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS
THE LAST OF US ONLINE HAS BEEN CANCELLED
UBISOFT SINGAPORE IS FINALLY READY TO DROP SAIL ON SKULL AND BONES
Arcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques
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What We Want To Play Before GOTY Voting

We discuss the games we want to play before our GOTY and award season voting. Plus, the games we've been playing now in the lead-up to those votes.
Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo
Arcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques
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The Game Awards 2023 Predictions

Our annual predictions for The Game Awards show are with a new twist this year as we play Bingo!
Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo
Episode Timecodes
INTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:01:23 - The Week Of Content Creators VS A Dev VS Journalists00:28:25 - The Game Awards 2023 Predictions01:01:30 - Goodbye
Arcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques
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Dave the Diver & More Drama From The Game Awards 2023 Nominations

Is Dave the Diver an indie game? No, it's not. It's not a debate, but somehow it has become one. Nonetheless, we dive into that, plus the rest of The Game Awards 2023 nominees.
Also on the show this week:
Indie World Showcase
Persona 5 developer Atlus increases employee salary
Koalaty Critics for Persona 5 Tactica & Super Mario RPG
American Arcadia review
Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo
Episode Timecodes
INTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:01:02 - Black Friday SalesTHE NEWS #100:04:09 - Nintendo Indie World Showcase00:09:53 - Samurai Punk Shutting Down00:12:48 - Atlus Gives More Money To Its WorkersREVIEW IN PROGRESS00:17:03 - Persona 5 Tactica ImpressionsKOALATY CRITICS00:26:25 - Koalaty Critics - Super Mario Bros RPG00:28:51 - Koalaty Critics - Persona 5 TacticaREVIEW/ARTICLE SHOUTOUTS00:29:29 - American Arcadia Review00:31:40 - Gunhead ReviewTHE NEWS #200:32:37 - The Game Awards NomineesOUTRO01:24:11 - Goodbye
Resources
Explosion NetworkAmerican Arcadia Review – The Running Truman ShowAussie studio Samurai Punk is shutting its doors after 10 yearsGunhead Review – Simple Pirate Mech-ingIndie World Showcase – November 2023: Everything announced and all the trailersKoalaty Critics: Super Mario RPG- Australian Review RoundupThe Game Awards 2023 nominees have been revealed
Nintendo LifePersona Developer Atlus Is Raising Its Average Employee Salary By 15%
Arcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques
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Should Sony and Xbox Return For PAX AUS 2024?

Dylan and Ciaran discuss PAX AUS 2023 and whether big names like Sony and Xbox should return to the event in 2024. 
Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo
Episode Timecodes
INTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:01:40 - Post-PAX Discussion With CiaranTHE NEWS00:34:04 - Xbox and Activision Deal Is Officially Over00:36:03 - The Game Awards Returns On December 8thGOODBYE00:41:40 - Goodbye
ResourcesExplosion NetworkThe Game Awards returns on December 7th, 2023Xbox has OFFICIALLY and FINALLY acquired Activision Blizzard KingKotakuPlayStation And Xbox Need To Get Their Asses Back To PAX Aus
Arcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques
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