The Game Awards 2025 has officially announced this year’s nominees, highlighting categories like Best Racing Game, Best Sports Game, and of course, the always-anticipated Game of the Year. It’s been an incredibly strong year for gaming overall. Nintendo launched the Switch 2, the follow-up to its wildly successful hybrid console, and Xbox made its own move into handheld gaming with the ROG Xbox Ally.
Across the industry, players were treated to standout releases – everything from inventive indie gems like Blue Prince and despelote to massive blockbusters such as Doom: The Dark Ages, Split Fiction, and Monster Hunter Wilds. Late-year surprises like ARC Raiders and Dispatch also managed to capture plenty of attention.
But only one title can walk away with 2025’s Game of the Year trophy, and just six games made the final cut. Below, you’ll find the full rundown of nominees along with details on how to cast your vote for this year’s show.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A major favorite among fans, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has quickly become one of the standout experiences of the year. Developed by a small, passionate team in France, it blends stylish turn-based combat, emotional storytelling, and deeply human characters. It’s also the only Game of the Year contender that isn’t part of an existing franchise, which may give it a unique advantage.
The game leads all nominees with an impressive 12 total nominations, including Best Art Direction and Best Narrative.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Hideo Kojima’s sequel to his 2019 hit returns with another atmospheric, narrative-heavy journey filled with themes of connection, loss, and rebuilding. Death Stranding was nominated for Game of the Year back in 2019 but ultimately lost to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. With Death Stranding 2, Helldivers 2, and Ghost of Yotei, Sony now holds the most nominations of any publisher this year at 19.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo revitalizes its iconic ape mascot with one of the strongest 3D platformers of 2025. Donkey Kong Bananza stands out thanks to its charming character dynamics, especially between Donkey Kong and Daisy and its playful destruction mechanics that let you tear through environments in creative ways.
Nintendo is no stranger to Game of the Year nods, but it hasn’t taken home the top prize since 2017 with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Could this be its year again?
Hades 2
The original Hades became a sensation in 2020, known for its fast, addictive roguelite gameplay and unforgettable cast. Hades 2 builds on that formula with refined combat, more areas to explore, and a new lineup of gods and mythical figures. After losing to The Last of Us Part II in 2020, this sequel gets another shot at the big award.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Long delayed and highly anticipated, Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched in 2025 and it didn’t disappoint. Deep world-building, tough but rewarding exploration, and some of the best 2D action of the decade helped it earn a well-deserved GOTY nomination.
The original Hollow Knight was nominated for Best Debut Indie Game back in 2017. Silksong takes the franchise into elite territory with its first Game of the Year nod.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
This one surprised many players. While Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is undeniably impressive especially in terms of historical authenticity and emotional storytelling – most expected other widely talked-about titles to fill this final GOTY slot.
Still, this sequel marks the franchise’s first-ever showing at The Game Awards, making the nomination even more meaningful for Warhorse Studios.
How to Vote for The Game Awards 2025
The Game Awards 2025 will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on December 11. Fans can vote directly on The Game Awards’ official website by creating an account and signing in.
However, winners aren’t decided by fan votes alone. Results are determined through a combined system:
90% from a global jury of over 100 media and influencer outlets and 10% from public fan voting. This same structure applies across most categories, including esports and accessibility awards.
Full List of Categories and Nominees
Below is the complete lineup of nominations across all categories for 2025:
Best Independent Game
- Absolum
- BALL x PIT
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Debut Indie Game
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- despelote
- Dispatch
- Megabonk
Best Mobile Game
- Destiny: Rising
- Persona 5: The Phantom X
- Sonic Rumble
- Umamusume: Pretty Derby
- Wuthering Waves
Best VR/AR Game
- Alien: Rogue Incursion
- Arken Age
- Ghost Town
- Marvel’s Deadpool VR
- The Midnight Walk
Best Action Game
- Battlefield 6
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- Hades II
- Ninja Gaiden 4
- Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Best Role-Playing Game
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yotei
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Split Fiction
Best Fighting Game
- 2XKO
- Capcom Fighting Collection 2
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
- Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
- Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
Best Family Game
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- LEGO Party!
- LEGO Voyagers
- Mario Kart World
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
- Split Fiction
Best Simulation/Strategy Game
- The Alters
- Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
- Jurassic World Evolution 3
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
- Tempest Rising
- Two Point Museum
Best Sports/Racing Game
- EA Sports FC 26
- F1 25
- Mario Kart World
- REMATCH
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Best Multiplayer Game
- ARC Raiders
- Battlefield 6
- Elden Ring Nightreign
- PEAK
- Split Fiction
Best Game Direction
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yotei
- Hades II
- Split Fiction
Best Narrative
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yotei
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Silent Hill f
Best Art Direction
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yotei
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Score/Music
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yotei
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Audio Design
- Battlefield 6
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yotei
- Silent Hill f
Best Performance
- Benn Star – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Charlie Cox – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Erika Ishii – Ghost of Yotei
- Jennifer English – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Konatsu Kato – Silent Hill f
- Troy Baker – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Innovation in Accessibility
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows
- Atomfall
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- EA Sports FC 26
- South of Midnight
Games for Impact
- Consume Me
- despelote
- Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
- South of Midnight
- Wanderstop
Best Ongoing Game
- Final Fantasy XIV
- Fortnite
- Helldivers II
- Marvel Rivals
- No Man’s Sky
Best Community Support
- Baldur’s Gate III
- Final Fantasy XIV
- Fortnite
- Helldivers II
- No Man’s Sky
Best Game Adaptation
- A Minecraft Movie
- Devil May Cry
- Splinter Cell: Deathwatch
- The Last of Us Season 2
- Until Dawn
Most Anticipated Game
- 007: First Light
- Grand Theft Auto VI
- Marvel’s Wolverine
- Resident Evil Requiem
- The Witcher IV
Content Creator of the Year
- Caedrel
- Kai Cenat
- MoistCr1TiKaL
- Sakura Miko
- The Burnt Peanut
Best Esports Game
- Counter-Strike 2
- DOTA 2
- League of Legends
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- VALORANT
Best Esports Athlete
- brawk – Brock Somerhalder (VALORANT)
- Chovy – Jeong Ji-hoon (League of Legends)
- f0rsakeN – Jason Susanto (VALORANT)
- Kakeru – Kakeru Watanabe (Street Fighter)
- MenaRD – Saul Leonardo (Street Fighter)
- Zyw0o – Mathieu Herbaut (Counter-Strike 2)
Best Esports Team
- Gen.G (League of Legends)
- NRG (VALORANT)
- Team Falcons (DOTA 2)
- Team Liquid PH (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang)
- Team Vitality
