History of The Game Awards in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 17, 2025

The Game Awards is an annual ceremony celebrating achievements in the video game industry, established in 2014 and produced/hosted by Geoff Keighley. Originating after Keighley's decade-long involvement with the Spike Video Game Awards, the event is a collaboration with various gaming companies. Beyond awards, it showcases premieres and updates on upcoming games. While praised for its announcements, the show faces criticism for overlooking industry events, promotional content, and treatment of award recipients.

1994: Geoff Keighley's involvement in Cybermania '94

In 1994, Geoff Keighley, then a teenager, participated in Cybermania '94, the first televised awards show for video games. He assisted in writing material for celebrity hosts like William Shatner and Leslie Nielsen. While the show was not very successful, it inspired Keighley to create a similar show for video games later in his career.

2003: Inception of Spike Video Game Awards (VGA)

In 2003, the Spike Video Game Awards (VGA) began, broadcasting on Spike TV to honor video games released that year. Geoff Keighley served as producer and often host of these shows.

2012: Spike's Strong Support for VGA

In 2012, Spike TV showed strong support for the Spike Video Game Awards, even bringing in Samuel L. Jackson to host the show.

2013: Spike VGA Renamed to VGX

In 2013, Spike renamed the Spike Video Game Awards from VGA to VGX, focusing on next-generation games of the eighth console generation. Comedian Joel McHale co-hosted with Keighley, and the show was reduced to a one-hour presentation streamed online before airing on television. It was considered disappointing and more commercial than celebratory.

2014: Discontinuation of Spike VGX

In 2014, Spike offered to continue the VGX show but only as streaming media, not broadcast. Geoff Keighley declined, leading to the discontinuation of Spike's show.

2014: Establishment of The Game Awards

In 2014, The Game Awards was established as an annual awards ceremony honoring achievements in the video game industry. The show is produced and hosted by Geoff Keighley, who previously worked on the Spike Video Game Awards. In addition to the awards, the Game Awards features premieres of upcoming games and new information on previously-announced titles.

2014: First Gameplay Reveal of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

In 2014, the Game Awards secured the first gameplay reveal of "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild".

2014: The Game Awards moves to the Peacock Theater

Since 2014, The Game Awards has been held at the Peacock Theater (formerly Microsoft Theater) in Los Angeles. Geoff Keighley partnered with multiple streaming services worldwide for the show.

2017: Increase in Industry Experts Selecting Winners

From 2017 onwards, the Game Awards used over 50 industry experts and representatives to select the winners, an increase from the 28 used prior to 2017.

2018: Trailer reveal for Joker in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

In 2018, Nintendo and Geoff Keighley worked on a trailer reveal for the Persona 5 character Joker in "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" during the Game Awards. The trailer appeared to start as a teaser for a new game in the series.

2019: Game Festival on Steam

In 2019, a Game Festival featuring demos of upcoming games was held on Steam in conjunction with the show.

2019: Addition of Non-English Media Publications to Jury

In 2019, non-English media publications were added to the jury for the Game Awards.

2019: Simulcast in Cinemark Theaters

In 2019, the Game Awards included a simulcast in partnership with Sony Pictures for select Cinemark movie theaters throughout the United States.

2020: Private chats with fans

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Geoff Keighley invited about one hundred fans to private chats to solicit their input on how to improve the show.

2020: The Game Awards Goes Virtual

In 2020, the Game Awards were hosted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and were not held in a live theater.

2021: Inside the Game Awards Podcast

In 2021, Geoff Keighley hosted the podcast "Inside the Game Awards" in partnership with Spotify.

2021: The Game Awards with limited audience

In 2021, The Game Awards were held with a limited invited audience and limited interactions due to restrictions related to large gatherings.

2021: Keighley's Statement on Activision Blizzard Scandal

In 2021, after news of Activision Blizzard's sexual misconduct scandal broke, Geoff Keighley opened the Game Awards show with a statement denouncing abuse in the industry. The statement was criticized for not mentioning Activision Blizzard by name and appearing to prioritize industry relationships.

2021: Return to Live Event with Reduced Audience

In 2021, the Game Awards were held live at the Microsoft Theater with a reduced audience due to ongoing COVID-19 precautions.

2022: Return to a Full Live Audience

In 2022, the Game Awards returned to a full live audience after government restrictions were lifted.

2023: Criticism over Time Allocation at the Ceremony

In 2023, the Game Awards ceremony faced criticism for allowing celebrity guests extended speaking time while limiting award winners to thirty seconds before cutting them off.