The awards season always brings a flurry of anticipation and debate among enthusiasts and industry insiders as they debate which games should win which awards. The Golden Joystick Awards 2023, powered by Intel, is one of the more prominent awarding platform, recognizing and celebrating achievements in the gaming industry. Amidst a diverse array of categories and winners, one of the standout moments was the crowning of Bethesda's Starfield as the Xbox Game of the Year.
The long voyage for Starfield hasn't been easy. One could argue the award is a curse, not a boon.
First announced in 2018, Xbox fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when Starfield finally released in September. With Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard dominating headlines, the success of Starfield was crucial for Xbox Studios. Despite mixed reviews, Starfield established itself as a significant release for the year, offering players an expansive open-world RPG experience that is both ambitious and reminiscent of Bethesda's legacy with titles like Skyrim and Fallout.
Starfield's victory at the Golden Joystick Awards is notable for several reasons. First, it represents a massive win for its developers, Bethesda, after releasing its first new IP in over two decades. It highlights the studio's ability to innovate while staying true to its roots. The game's open-world exploration, intricate shipbuilding, and base building mechanics, along with a vast universe to traverse, have provided players with an immersive and expansive experience. However, it hasn't been without its shortcomings. Critics and players alike have pointed out issues ranging from technical glitches and underdeveloped game sections to a lack of vehicle usage for planetary exploration, leading to mixed receptions.