Report Says Game Awards Trailer Slots Can Cost Up to $1 Million
Report Says Game Awards Trailer Slots Can Cost Up to $1 Million
The Game Awards trailer fees hit $450K-$1M as developers face ticket limits and rising access concerns
Highlights
- Game Awards trailer slots reportedly cost $450K for 60 seconds and over $1M for three minutes, according to Kotaku.
- Nominated studios often receive only two tickets, with some developers citing reseller prices between $600 and $1K.
- Additional tensions include a withdrawn Megabonk nomination and the halt of the Game Awards’ Future Class program.
Submitting a trailer to The Game Awards can reportedly cost developers up to $450K USD for 60 seconds and more than $1M for a three-minute slot, according to a new Kotaku report. Multiple sources familiar with this year’s show said the figures match what they have seen in previous events.
The Game Awards sells presentation placements for reveals, trailers, previews, and sponsorships, while Geoff Keighley reserves a limited number of free slots for content he personally selects. With the show drawing 154M viewers in 2024, publishers often view the pricing as the cost of reaching a global audience.
High Fees and Access Limits Create Tension for Developers
The pricing aligns with earlier reporting on Summer Game Fest, where Esquire cited trailer costs ranging from $250K for one minute to $550K for two and a half minutes. An Esquire source called those prices “an unattainable goal for most indie developers and publishers.”
Kotaku also reported concerns about ticket access, as developers from both indie teams and major studios said nominated studios typically receive only two tickets. A freelance narrative writer, who contributed to a nominated game, told Kotaku they were frustrated by the ticketing process, noting reseller prices ran “between $600 to $1000” and that “even if I had wanted to pay the inflated prices for scalper tickets, I couldn’t find two seats together.”
Sandfall Interactive reportedly purchased additional tickets at about $300 each so more team members could attend after earning 12 nominations.
The buildup to this year’s ceremony has been marked by complications, including Megabonk's developer withdrawing a nomination after determining it did not qualify as a debut game. The Game Awards also halted its ‘Future Class' program, with past honorees expressing disappointment after the website removed its record of previous members.
The report highlights how the show’s scale now intersects with rising participation costs and questions about access for creators.
Author
Probaho Santra is a content writer at Outlook India with a master’s degree in journalism. Outside work, he enjoys photography, exploring new tech trends, and staying connected with the esports world.
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