The Game Awards 2024 nominees have been unveiled and including Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree in the Game of the Year category has sparked heated debate across social media and gaming communities. Joining other significant titles like Metaphor: ReFantazio, Black Myth: Wukong, Balatro, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, its nomination raises questions about whether an expansion pack should compete alongside full-fledged games.

Critics argue that Shadow of the Erdtree, as an expansion, doesn’t stand alone in the same way as its competitors. Players must complete Elden Ring to access it, meaning it inherently relies on the base game’s foundation. Some fans compare it unfavorably to expansions like The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine, which provided standalone experiences praised for their breadth and independence. One Reddit user encapsulated the sentiment:

“As amazing as Shadow of the Erdtree was, it getting a GOTY nom just kind of rubs me the wrong way. Yes, it was expansive, but it wasn’t the first DLC to be giant. Witcher, Xenoblade, Cyberpunk, etc. Would’ve rather seen an actual game.”

Memes mocking the decision have proliferated as well.

Elden ring dlc in goty nominations pic.twitter.com/y47ujBGgCe

— Jonah (@NahImGhost) November 18, 2024

In response, The Game Awards defended its criteria, clarifying that expansion packs and similar content qualify for nominations if they meet specific standards. A statement on its website reads:

“The Game Awards aims to recognize the best creative and technical work each year, irrespective of the format of that content’s release. Expansion packs, new game seasons, DLCs, remakes, and remasters are eligible in all categories if the jury deems the new creative and technical work worthy of a nomination. Factors such as the newness of the content and its price/value should be considered.”

Supporters of the nomination emphasize the quality and scope of Shadow of the Erdtree. One fan on Reddit noted:

“I’m a bit ‘eh’ about DLCs being nominated, but SOTE is my favorite release of the year and is a very substantial gaming experience, so I’m fine with it. Everyone’s been saying FromSoft could have easily released it as a sequel. It took 2.5 years to make, cost $40, and is far more than a typical FromSoft DLC. This isn’t setting a precedent for every expansion to be GOTY-worthy.”

Nonetheless, critics have called for a “Best Expansion” category better to recognize standout DLCs like Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty while ensuring full games aren’t displaced. Others lament that beloved titles such as Animal Well was overlooked to make room for Shadow of the Erdtree.

Regardless of the controversy, Shadow of the Erdtree seems poised to win big at the ceremony on December 12. In addition to its Game of the Year nomination, it’s also up for Best Game Direction, Best Art Direction, and Best RPG. While Astro Bot and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth lead with seven nominations each, Shadow of the Erdtree has undeniably cemented itself as one of the year’s most talked-about releases.