Forecasting the Winner for Best Ongoing Game

With an exciting year of new and ongoing game releases, The Game Awards 2024 is set for some serious competition. While the spotlight tends to be on the Game of the Year, particularly with this year marking the event’s tenth anniversary, the Best Ongoing Game category is proving to be equally fierce.

This category aims to honor live service games that consistently roll out substantial updates, though it’s been known to surprise us—like when Cyberpunk 2077 snagged the award last year after a major game-fixing update and DLC release. This year, it’s back to the classic live service multiplayer games battling it out, and it’s going to be a tough call.

2024 Best Ongoing Game Nominees

• Destiny 2 (Bungie/SIE)
• Diablo 4 (Blizzard/Xbox)
• Final Fantasy 14 (Square Enix)
• Fortnite (Epic Games)
• Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead Game Studios/SIE)

Destiny 2

2024 stands out as a monumental year for Destiny 2, possibly the biggest since it first launched. The hit expansion, The Final Shape, has been pivotal, bringing the game’s saga to a climactic conclusion. However, this victory has a flipside—the updates have slowed down, which might impact its chances for the win in this category.

Diablo 4

Diablo 4 presents a compelling case this year with its first expansion, Vessel of Hatred, which launched in October. Introducing the new Spiritborn class and enhancing the narrative depth, this expansion has brought both excitement and content richness that fans were hoping for.

Final Fantasy 14

For fans of Final Fantasy 14, it feels like acing the year has become routine, but 2024 was something else altogether. The new expansion, Dawntrail, took the storyline in an exciting fresh direction. While criticisms exist, the positive reception of its broader offerings eclipses the few negative voices.

Fortnite

Since Fortnite burst onto the scene in 2017, its ability to innovate seems boundless. This year’s seasons were packed with thrilling chaos, drawing more amusement than annoyance from players. Its Absolute Doom season, brimming with Marvel collaborations, was a highlight. With Fortnite OG making a comeback as a permanent mode on December 6, 2024 is looking like another stellar year for Fortnite.

Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 is the new kid on the block, debuting in 2024. It experienced a strong rise, though not without its share of controversies fueled by its fanbase. Recent updates and announcements have tried to patch things up, though it remains to see whether the goodwill or the hiccups will win out.

Final Prediction

Nominees for The Game Awards always bring a mix of strengths and weaknesses. Especially with live service games, controversy often follows due to constant updates and a devoted fanbase. Yet, this year’s Best Ongoing Game contenders seem to have defied that trend.

While each game has a strong case for victory, Fortnite appears well-positioned to pull ahead. Betting on Fortnite might seem like playing it safe, but its updates this year have reinvigorated an already colossal presence. Though Final Fantasy 14 has worn the crown before, giving everyone a run for their money, it’s Fortnite’s moment to shine once again.