The Game Awards has quietly removed all references to its Future Class initiative from its website, confirming the program will not return for 2025. Launched in 2020 to spotlight emerging talent in the video game industry, the program faced growing tensions with organizers. This move follows complaints from members and the absence of a new class in 2024.
The Future Class was introduced by The Game Awards in 2020 as a way to highlight 50 young professionals representing a diverse future for video games. Amid industry discussions on discrimination and sexism, it aimed to elevate underrepresented voices in gaming.
Program Background and Tensions
The initiative ran for several years, with inductees from classes in 2020, 2021, and 2023. However, frustrations mounted among members, particularly in 2023. That year's cohort signed a letter urging the awards show to address the humanitarian crisis in Palestine during Israel's war on Gaza. The request was ignored, leading to strained relations with host Geoff Keighley.
Wired reported that Keighley met with members post-2023 ceremony but did not engage directly with their concerns. One anonymous member described the meeting as contributing to feelings of 'tokenization,' while another questioned the program's purpose beyond appearances. Additional complaints highlighted a lack of mentorship or networking opportunities.
Recent Developments
In 2024, no new Future Class was inducted, and instead, Keighley announced a Game Changer award for Tencent business director Amir Satvat, who documented industry layoffs. Confirmation of the program's end came via the Future Class Discord, where organizer Emily Weir stated, 'Last year we completed our promised cycle of programming for the 2023 FC with our TGA mixer, and did not induct a new Future Class. At this time, we are not planning a new Future Class for this year and do not have any active programming plans for Future Class.'
2023 member Emma Kidwell shared on Bluesky, 'So it took another future class member speaking out to confirm it’s dead. Looks like all mention of the future class program (which started in 2020) has been wiped from TGA webpage.' Kidwell added, 'Accolades are important to marginalized folks. Not being able to access even an archived post hosted by TGA website kinda sucks ass.'
It remains unclear if the Game Changer award will continue or if a new format is planned for 2025.