Our 10 video game highlights of 2024
, by Thibaut
As yet another year draws to a close, it's clear that the video game industry has brought us many surprises this year. It hasn't all been good, of course, but let's take a look back at the highlights of 2024.
1. Xbox games caming to PlayStation
Back in February, 2024 took a surprising turn. Microsoft decided to bring Hi-Fi RUSH, Pentiment, Sea of Thieves and Grounded to rival platforms.
Quite a paradigm shift that could lead to the end of Xbox exclusives altogether. We already know that The Outer Worlds 2 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are coming to PS5 in 2025.
2. Concord: two weeks and gone!
PlayStation wanted to make Concord one of its biggest licenses. It released on August 23 on PS5 and PC and its servers closed temporarily on September 6. The game was then scrappped altogether on October 29.
The game costed no less than $4000 million to develop and dragged Firewalk Studios down with it. It's clearly one of the biggest failures in the history of the video game industry so far.
3. Balatro card game sweeps all before it
On the positive side, there's the unexpected success of Balatro, an indie game by one dev that has sold 3.5 million copies since its release in February 2024.
It has also won plenty of awards, including three at the Game Awards, and has seen partnerships with renowned licenses such as Cyberpunk 2077, Stardew Valley and Among Us.
4. The death and rebirth of Tango Gameworks
Back in May 2024, Microsoft closed several studios from Bethesda Softworks. Tango Gameworks, the company behind the excellent Hi-Fi RUSH, was one of them.
Fortunately, publisher Krafton came up with a last-minute rescue, and taking over the Hi-Fi RUSH UP too! What's more, we're even getting a sequel.
5. The PS5 Pro is here... and it's overpriced!
On the hardware front, many were waiting for bated breath for Sony's mid-gen refresh. The PS5 Pro got announced on September 10, for a launch scheduled for November 7, 2024 at €799.99.
An absolutely insane price, really, which has created controversy. While the machine does improve certain titles from the base model, others don't work that good. We'll see in 2025 whether the Japanese company's strategy pays off.
6. The Game Awards are back with an unforgettable edition
While it tends to be a mixed bag, the Game Awards 2024 edition got a totally insane 2024 edition. The Witcher IV, Elden Ring Nightreign, Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, all announced there.
As for the winners, Astro Bot got Game of the Year. Other winnres include Balatro and Metaphor: ReFantazio.
7. The Prime Fallout series is great!
Over 100 million viewers have enoyed the adventures of Lucy MacLean in Amazon's Fallout series so far! Another great adaptation for the video game industry.
Season 2 is already in the works, and is expected to feature elements from Fallout: New Vegas.
8. A crazy Worlds 2024 final
The esport world is also here, with a legendary League of Legends Worlds 2024 final. It saw the South Korean T1 team, led by the famous Faker, win 3 sets to 2 against the Chinese players from Bilibili Gaming team.
Many will also remember a magical opening ceremony featuring Linking Park, Ashnikko, Mars Atlas of Forts and Tiffany Aris. It's clear esport ceremonies don't fall short of the Olympic Games or the FIFA World Cup.
9. Take-Two buys Gearbox Software
Sold by Embracer Group, it wasn't long before Gearbox Software found a new home. Take-Two has set its sights on the company responsible for Borderlands.
This should bode well ahead of the release of Borderlands 4, scheduled for 2025.
10. GTA VI and Switch 2 are still nowhere to be seen
We end with something that still needs to happen. Both the Switch 2 and GTA VI haven't appeared in 2024. Many expected to see more of Rockstar Games' title after an incredible first trailer in December 2023.
The same goes for the Switch 2, which everyone expected to see this year. Fortunately, Nintendo won't make us wait much longer, with a presentation expected to take place in early 2025.