The countdown to The Game Awards 2025 has officially begun, and this year’s lineup is shaping up to be one of the strongest in recent memory. Hosted once again by Geoff Keighley, the event will celebrate the biggest achievements in gaming, from breakout indie hits to massive AAA blockbusters. The standout story this year is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which dominates the nominations with a record-breaking haul, putting the spotlight firmly on Sandfall Interactive’s artistic adventure.
As always, the nominee list covers a wide range of genres, studios and global creators — showcasing just how diverse gaming has become in 2025.
🎮 Game of the Year
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
🎬 Best Game Direction
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Hades II
- Split Fiction
📝 Best Narrative
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
🎨 Best Art Direction
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
🔊 Best Audio Design
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Silent Hill f
- Battlefield 6
🎼 Best Score & Music
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- Hades II
- Ninja Gaiden 4
🎭 Best Performance
- Ben Starr – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Charlie Cox – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Erika Ishii – Ghost of Yōtei
- Konatsu Kato – Silent Hill f
- Troy Baker – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
🌟 Best Independent Game
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Despelote
- Dispatch
- Megabonk
🎮 Best Debut Indie Game
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Despelote
- Dispatch
- Megabonk
👥 Best Multiplayer Game
- Split Fiction
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
- Mario Kart World
- Battlefield 6
- Marvel Rivals
🏡 Best Family Game
- Split Fiction
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Mario Kart World
- Lego Voyagers
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
🧠 Best Strategy / Simulation Game
- The Alters
- Civilization VII
- Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
- Tempest Rising
- Jurassic World Evolution 3
🏁 Best Sports / Racing Game
- EA Sports FC 26
- F1 25
- Mario Kart World
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
🏆 Esports Categories
Best Esports Game
- Counter-Strike 2
- Dota 2
- League of Legends
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- Valorant
Content Creator of the Year
- Kai Cenat
- Cr1TiKaL
- Sakura Miko
- TheBurntPeanut
Why This Year’s List Matters
This year’s nominee roster is especially notable for how it blends big-budget AAA titles with indie standouts. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominating nominations shows how indie or “mid-tier” games are stepping into the mainstream awards conversation. Meanwhile, multiple genres and platforms are represented, from family games to hardcore adventures and serious esports titles.
With the sheer breadth of nominees, fans are expecting major surprises, potential upsets and a showcase of how far gaming has come in 2025.
Final Words
The Game Awards 2025 nominees highlight an incredible year for gaming. From ambitious new worlds to inventive indie gems, this year’s competition is tighter and more diverse than ever. Whether you’re cheering for a beloved franchise or rooting for a breakout newcomer, the stage is set for an exciting night packed with surprises and global celebrations.
Source: Official nominees list from The Game Awards team.
