What’s happening with The Game Awards’ Future Class program? That question has been buzzing among fans and industry experts. For the second year in a row, no new group of Future Class honorees has been announced. The team behind The Game Awards, led by Geoff Keighley, confirmed there will be no new cohort for 2025.
This update came via a Discord server created for networking and mentorship among alumni. Some past honorees, wanting to remain anonymous for fear of backlash, shared that this was the only communication from the organizers in a year.
Emily Weir, who oversees the Future Class, explained, “We completed our commitments from last year but won’t be introducing a new class this year and have no active programs planned.” She did mention that the Discord channel will remain open for alumni, though it won’t be actively monitored by her or Keighley.
In fact, the Future Class page was removed from The Game Awards’ website, erasing a clear record of past honorees. The 2023 cohort isn’t even listed on the program’s Medium page, which may be an oversight since some updates have been made elsewhere.
### Voices of Concern
Former honorees are expressing feelings of neglect. Emma Kidwell, a 2023 honoree, shared her frustrations. She felt disrespected after struggling to get updates despite trying to reach out to Weir and Keighley. “It feels like they want us to go away quietly,” she said. Other alumni, like Anna Webster, noted they wished for more transparency about the program’s status, especially after what seemed like a last effort at a networking event.
In fact, alumni like Malek Teffaha echoed Kidwell’s sentiments, saying the recent news was “hurtful.” He saw the Future Class as a bridge between emerging talents and industry leaders, aimed at shaping the future of gaming.
JC Lau, another honoree, expressed disappointment about the lack of support from The Game Awards. When asked about the future, she simply answered, “how could they have supported us if they had no contact at all?”
### Facing Pressure
The Game Awards has faced internal pressure from Future Class members over the past year. After the October 7 attacks by Hamas, honorees urged Keighley to use the platform to advocate for a ceasefire during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which the United Nations has condemned. However, there was no statement made during the subsequent broadcast.
In 2024, honorees pushed for better support post-nomination, specifically citing inadequate accommodations at the ceremony. While some organizers were open to feedback, no improvements were made for 2025.
The sentiments shared by these former honorees signal a need for accountability and genuine support for those recognized by The Game Awards. As one anonymous alumni put it, they felt marginalized individuals were being used for “pats on the back.”
It’s important for organizations like The Game Awards to listen, engage, and provide meaningful platforms for those they celebrate. The future of the Future Class program hangs in the balance, and its alumni are watching closely.
For more insights on community support in gaming, check out this piece on sustainable game design.
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