Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Image via The Game Awards

Activision Blizzard ‘will not be a part’ of The Game Awards outside its nominations, Geoff Keighley confirms

The controversy-ridden publisher cannot use the event to showcase its games.

Activision Blizzard’s numerous accusations of misconduct and abuse have made the company the target of lawsuits and public outcry. Now, The Game Awards is preventing the publisher’s presence at the Dec. 9 event outside of its existing nominations.

Recommended Videos

Geoff Keighley, the executive producer and announcer of The Game Awards, tweeted on Dec. 4 that Activision Blizzard would not be a part of the Awards this year. “There is no place for abuse, harassment or predatory practices in any company or community,” he said. This means that the publisher will not be allowed to showcase any of its upcoming games, like Diablo 4 or Overwatch 2.

This comes a day after a statement on Dec. 3 where Keighley was non-committal on how the Awards would proceed with the situation. He noted his support for those bringing their stories to light, but said he did not want to take away the opportunity for developers to spotlight their games.

Despite the nominees being chosen by public voting and input from content creators, there is still an Advisory Board in charge of the event. Since Keighley’s statement, people were upset to learn Rob Kostich, the president of Activision, has a seat on the Board. The official website says the Board “is not involved in the selection of award nominees or winners and learns of the results of voting at the same time as the general public.”

The Game Awards is an annual awards ceremony highlighting the best games of the year in various categories. Running since 2014, it has become a premier event in the gaming world, not just recognizing games and developers, but also as a space for trailers and announcements of upcoming games. The show has grown exponentially in the past several years, garnering 83 million viewers in 2020.

In the 2021 Game Awards, Activision-Blizzard is nominated in two categories. Call of Duty: Warzone gained a nomination for Best Ongoing Game, given to a game for “outstanding development of ongoing content that evolves the player experience over time,”. The other award was Best Esport Game, “for the game that has delivered the best overall esports experience to players (inclusive of tournaments, community support and content updates), irrespective of genre or platform.” The Call of Duty franchise was amongst the nominees given the popularity of the COD League.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author