Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC left the game awards empty handed. But what’s sadder than that is that Space Marine 2 did too.

The Game Awards 2024 showcased the best that the industry had to offer this year and highlighted some of the most notable achievements this year (except Sony’s apparent influence). However, it was a night of unexpected snubs for Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, and Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2.

It’s sad that it won neither of its nominations. | Image Credit: Saber Interactive

Shadow of the Erdtree was nominated for six awards while Space Marine 2 was nominated for two, but neither won anything. And while you can forgive the losses for Elden Ring‘s DLC on the counts that it is, well, a DLC, the same can’t be said for Space Marine 2.

Shadow of the Erdtree wasn’t the only one that got snubbed

It should’ve won at least one category even as a DLC. | Image Credit: FromSoftware

Despite being arguably the best DLC ever made, Shadow of the Erdtree was shut out in all six categories, including Game of the Year (GOTY) and Best RPG. The expansion had strong competition and fell short against strong contenders like Astro Bot, which took Game of the Year, and Metaphor: ReFantazio, which got Best Art Direction.

Honestly the biggest travesty for game awards was Space marine won nothing, hell divers 2 and black myth getting awards was nice. I disagree with game of the year mostly because the choices were weird to me. It’s hard to follow God of War ragnarok, elden ring, baldurs gate 3 tbh

— Something Ambiguous (@Korrin1469) December 13, 2024

Meanwhile, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 faced similarly tough odds, losing Best Action Game to Black Myth: Wukong and Best Multiplayer Game to Helldivers 2. While Space Marine 2 has garnered acclaim for its adrenaline-fueled combat and cooperative play, its relatively niche appeal and stiff competition likely contributed to its shutout.

The Game Awards aren’t just about trophies; they’re also a platform for community recognition and celebration. For Space Marine 2 fans, the loss stung but didn’t overshadow the game’s achievements. The title recently crossed five million sales and has been the biggest and most successful Warhammer 40K game of all time.

And then there’s the fact that Astro Bot won Game of The Year over titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Black Myth: Wukong. As one Reddit commenter jokingly said, it seems like Sony has its claws deep in The Game Awards. Unsurprisingly, Wukong won the Player’s Voice category while Astro Bot didn’t even make it to the top 10.

Warhammer fans have brighter things to focus on

Henry Cavill is cooking up something amazing. | Image Credit: Saber Interactive

Space Marine 2 may have been overlooked at the awards but Warhammer fans have plenty to look forward to, thanks to Henry Cavill’s upcoming project with Amazon Studios. After leaving Netflix’s The Witcher due to creative differences, Cavill is adapting Warhammer to TV with Amazon Studios and Games Workshop.

The Game Awards snub might seem like a setback, but it’s also a testament to the uphill battle franchises like Warhammer face in mainstream recognition. Unlike giants such as Final Fantasy or Call of Duty, Warhammer 40K occupies a niche, appealing primarily to its dedicated fanbase.

As 2024 comes to a close, Space Marine 2 fans still have a lot to look forward to as Saber Interactive continues to update the game and adds content from the roadmap. And beyond that, the Warhammer 40K cinematic universe promises to bring the franchise’s rich lore to a wider audience with Henry Cavill.

The Game Awards may not have smiled upon Shadow of the Erdtree or Space Marine 2, but their influence remains undeniable. In an industry where recognition often lags behind innovation, the true measure of success lies in the community. And for Warhammer 40K, that community is only growing stronger.

Do you think either of these games should’ve won any of the categories? Let us know in the comments!