In less than a month, the anticipation builds as we prepare to unveil the latest edition of the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted. This year’s end-of-year showcase introduces a fresh format, featuring a countdown of the 25 Most Wanted games, meticulously curated by a distinguished panel known as The Council. This esteemed group comprises notable game developers such as Brenda Romero, John Romero, David Gaider, Tanya X. Short, Soren Johnson, and Brian Fargo, alongside beloved content creators like CohhCarnage, Esfand, Missmikkaa, AnnieFuchsia, and DansGaming, all of whom contribute their insights to the selection process. The entire PC Gamer team also participates, casting their votes to shape the final list.
Mark your calendars for December 5, when the show will be broadcast at 12 pm PST / 8 pm GMT across various platforms including the PC Gamer Twitch channel, YouTube, Twitch Gaming, Steam, and Bilibili.
How we selected the nominees
The journey to the Most Wanted list begins with a long list of over 100 unreleased games, carefully chosen by the PC Gamer team based on collective enthusiasm for these projects. Our selection criteria encompass a variety of factors, including the game’s profile, premise, initial reception, wishlist counts, and creative direction. We strive to ensure that the Most Wanted list transcends mere popularity; it is essential to highlight a diverse array of games that capture the unique essence, creativity, and experimental spirit of PC gaming.
To maintain focus, only games set to release before January 1, 2025, or those currently in Early Access are eligible for consideration. Exceptions exist, such as Arma Reforger, which serves as a precursor to the anticipated Arma 4. The long list, while extensive, is limited to around 100 titles, as we recognize the impracticality of asking The Council to evaluate every game amidst an average of 39 new releases daily on Steam. Nonetheless, all voters are encouraged to nominate any game they believe deserves a spot on the final ballot.
How the final Most Wanted list is selected
The voting process employs a 1-5 scale, with criteria that guide voters in their assessments:
- 5 • Maximum hype. Intense, obsessive interest in this game.
- 4 • This game looks excellent to me.
- 3 • I think this game looks really good.
- 2 • This game looks promising and captures your interest.
- 1 • Mildly optimistic. You’re curious about this game, but not more than that.
- 0 • (Abstain / no vote)
To refine the scoring, we incorporate a consideration known as Release Certainty, which adjusts each game’s score based on our confidence in its announced release date. Games with vague or nonexistent release timelines receive lower scores, as it is challenging to generate excitement without clarity on availability. Additionally, the total number of votes a game receives serves as another weighting factor in the final tally.
The PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2024 nominees
- Path of Exile 2
- Deltarune
- Vampire: the Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
- DOOM: The Dark Ages
- Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater
- Project 007 (working title)
- ARK 2
- The Thing: Remastered
- Citizen Sleeper 2
- Big Walk
- PVK
- Wolverine
- Blade
- Wonder Woman
- Tenjutsu
- Kingmakers
- Crescent County
- Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra
- Menaces
- &box;
- Nivalis
- Monaco 2
- Killing Floor 3
- Little Nightmares 3
- Arma 4
- D.O.R.F. Real-Time Strategic Conflict
- Judas
- Sumerian Six
- Avowed
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Titan Quest 2
- Mariachi Legends
- Atomfall
- Witchbrook
- Den of Wolves
- Light No Fire
- Streets of Fortuna
- Beautiful Light
- Borderlands 4
- Dying Light: The Beast
- Mafia: The Old Country
- Haunted Chocolatier
- Grand Theft Auto 6
- Slay the Spire 2
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Monster Hunter Wilds
- Skate
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Perfect Dark
- Dune: Awakening
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
- Masters of Albion
- Goat Simulator Remastered
- darkweb
- STREAMER
- Marathon
- Wrekless
- State of Decay 3
- Blight: Survival
- 2XKO
- Among the Wild
- Generation Exile
- Gears of War: E-Day
- ARC Raiders
- Sand
- Fable
- Battle Aces
- Exodus
- Eclipsium
- Dungeonborne
- Gothic 1 Remake
- Eternal Strands
- Quartermaster
- Fairgame$
- Exoborne
- Dread Dawn
- Marvel Rivals
- Project C
- airn
- Wanderstop
- Project DOSA
- Hyper Light Breaker
- Usual June
- Nightmare Operator
- Twisted Tower
- Kiborg
- Miegakure
- Canyons
- The Sinking City 2
- The Looter
- Skin Deep
- Mixtape
- Cruel
- Paperhead
- Subnautica 2
- Wreckfest 2
- Splitgate 2
- Aquametsis
- Descenders Next
- All Systems Dance
- The Outer Worlds 2
- South of Midnight
- FUMES
- Truckful
- Super Fantasy Kingdom
- Heart of the Machine
- God Save Birmingham
