Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- The cost for a trailer slot at The Game Awards can reach up to $1 million, which is double the cost of appearing at Opening Night Live, causing financial strain for studios.
- Studios nominated for The Game Awards typically receive only two tickets and may have to purchase additional ones at full price, as Sandfall Interactive did this year due to their multiple nominations.
- Ticket prices for the awards show vary significantly, with upper mezzanine seats ranging from $300 to $545, while resale tickets in the back of the center orchestra can exceed $1,000. Some nominees have sought affordable seats through Gotham Casting and Eventbrite.
- The high cost of trailer slots at The Game Awards raises questions about their value as an investment for studios, particularly smaller ones with tighter budgets, as they weigh potential benefits against the significant expense.
Our favorite Goodies
Soaring Costs of The Game Awards Trailer Slots and Ticket Prices for Nominees Revealed
A recent report has confirmed suspicions that securing a trailer slot at The Game Awards can cost studios up to $1 million, effectively depleting budgets minute by minute. According to two anonymous sources in a Kotaku article, a three-minute trailer at Geoff Keighley’s awards show now exceeds $1 million—double the cost of appearing at Opening Night Live, another event hosted by Keighley. The Game Awards also provides opportunities for companies outside the gaming industry to gain recognition. During the 2025 ceremony, a 60-second advertisement could cost up to $450,000, while a three-minute slot surpasses $1 million. Studios nominated for The Game Awards typically receive only two tickets to attend. However, Sandfall Interactive, the developer behind this year’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, purchased additional tickets at full price to accommodate more team members due to their multiple nominations. Two studios also told Kotaku that while they don’t know the exact figures for this year, they were similar to previous years. In related news regarding ticket access, Matan Even, who infamously interrupted the stage at the 2022 Game Awards, purchased a ticket through the regular sale and approached the stage from his seat in the audience alongside the award winners.
Struggling Nominees Seek Affordable The Game Awards Seats through Gotham Casting and Eventbrite
Tickets for this year’s awards went on sale on October 30, and nominees were announced on November 17. Ticket prices varied considerably, with upper mezzanine seats ranging from $300 to $545, while resale tickets in the back of the center orchestra exceeded $1,000. One freelance writer who worked on a nominated game expressed frustration with the ticketing process and signed up to be a seat filler through Gotham Casting. The Eventbrite listing for seat fillers, open to all gamers and video game fans, promised special performances and provided instructions about the event. Organizers reminded seat fillers that other guests had paid hundreds of dollars for their seats. Last year’s Game Awards garnered 14 million views on YouTube. This equates to roughly $70 per minute for advertisers, although this figure assumes full viewership, which is unlikely. Geoff Keighley has acknowledged the challenges of organizing The Game Awards in 2025, particularly amidst the gaming world’s job cuts and mergers. While feeling a responsibility to address these issues, he recognizes that viewers primarily tune in for gaming celebrations and announcements. Keighley is also considering whether to bring back the Game Changer award in 2025.
Potential Financial Struggle for Studios Showcasing at The Game Awards Due to High Trailer Costs
While Keighley allots time for major announcements and some indie titles, it remains unclear whether the significant cost of a trailer slot is a worthwhile investment or a luxury affordable only to larger companies. The $1 million price tag applies to longer trailers, with shorter spots costing significantly less. For comparison, during Opening Night Live 2025, prices were approximately $500,000 for a three-minute ad, $150,000 for 30 seconds, and $210,000 for one minute. If prices are indeed doubled at The Game Awards, approximate costs would be $300,000 for 30 seconds and $420,000 for one minute. Ultimately, studios must weigh the potential benefits against the considerable expense of showcasing a trailer at The Game Awards.
In Case You Missed It
In a world where Kratos’ bloody adventures still echo, one fan has taken it upon themselves to revive the classic God of War (2005) in stunning detail. Jonathan Dubinski’s latest article, “God of War Remake? Here’s What Fan Dreams Might Look Like”, published on November 29, 2025, explores Alifilmworx’s remarkable YouTube creations. From a meticulously crafted Kratos model to an impressive recreation of the game’s iconic shipwreck scene, this fan is demanding Sony’s attention with their divine remakes. Meanwhile, Ahmed Hassan has been keeping us on the edge of our seats in recent posts; first, he took us into the immersive world of Fortnite’s latest masterpiece, The Lost Chapter: Yuki’s Revenge by Quentin Tarantino, published December 8, 2025. Then, he turned his lens onto another captivating character, Mr. Whiskey from Dispatch, in “Dispatch: Unraveling a Mystery Haunting Players”, published on November 30, 2025. Join Ahmed as he traces the evolution of this enigmatic character from comedic relief to fan favorite cameo appearance. These posts are a must-read for anyone craving another adrenaline-fueled adventure or eager to delve deeper into the intricacies of their favorite games and characters – check them out here: God of War Remake? Here’s What Fan Dreams Might Look Like and Behind the Scenes of The Lost Chapter: Yuki’s Revenge by Quentin Tarantino and Dispatch: Unraveling a Mystery Haunting Players.
Have any thoughts?
Share your reaction or leave a quick response — we’d love to hear what you think!
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
