Host Geoff Keighley has officially unveiled the complete list of nominees for The Game Awards 2025, with the prestigious ceremony scheduled to take place at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater on December 11. The annual event, which celebrates gaming's most outstanding achievements, will also showcase exclusive previews of upcoming titles scheduled for release in 2026 and beyond.

Since its inception in 2014, The Game Awards has become a cornerstone event for both gaming enthusiasts and industry professionals. While many viewers eagerly anticipate the award presentations, the ceremony is equally renowned for its spectacular reveals of new games and exclusive trailers. Last year's event saw Astro Bot achieve remarkable success, securing multiple honors including the coveted Game of the Year award. As 2025 concludes, the gaming community eagerly awaits to discover which titles will emerge victorious in this year's competition.

The Game of the Year category features six exceptional contenders: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Since its April launch, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has generated significant buzz among players, with many advocating for its Game of the Year candidacy immediately upon completion. However, not everyone shares this enthusiasm, as prominent streamer Shroud recently expressed reservations about the French-developed title receiving the highest honor.

Complete List of The Game Awards 2025 Nominees

Game of the Year

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Hades 2
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Best Game Direction

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yotei
• Hades 2
• Split Fiction

Best Narrative

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yotei
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
• Silent Hill f

Best Art Direction

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yotei
• Hades 2
• Hollow Knight: Silksong

Best Score and Music

• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Hades 2
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Ghost of Yotei
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Best Audio Design

• Battlefield 6
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yotei
• Silent Hill f

Best Performance

• Ben Starr (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)

Games for Impact

• Consume Me
• Despelote
• Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
• South of Midnight
• Wanderstop

Innovation in Accessibility

• Assassin's Creed Shadows
• Atomfall
• Doom: The Dark Ages
• EA Sports FC 26
• South of Midnight

Best Ongoing Game

• Final Fantasy 14
• Fortnite
• Helldivers 2
• Marvel Rivals
• No Man's Sky

Best Community Support

• Baldur's Gate 3
• Final Fantasy 14
• Fortnite
• Helldivers 2
• No Man's Sky

Best Independent Game

• Absolum
• Ball x Pit
• Blue Prince
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Hades 2
• 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 2
• Ninja Gaiden 4
• Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Best Action/Adventure Game

• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yotei
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Split Fiction

Best Role-Playing Game

• Avowed
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
• Monster Hunter Wilds
• The Outer Worlds 2

Best Fighting Game

• 2XKO
• Capcom Fighting Collection 2
• Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
• Mortal Kombat: Legacy Collection
• 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 Sim/Strategy Game

• The Alters
• Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
• Jurassic World Evolution 3
• Sid Meier's Civilization 7
• 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

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
• Chovy
• Forsaken
• Kakeru
• Menard
• Zywoo

Best Esports Team

• Gen.G (League of Legends)
• NRG (Valorant)
• Team Falcons (Dota 2)
• Team Liquid PH (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang)
• Team Vitality (Counter-Strike 2)

Best 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 6
• Marvel's Wolverine
• Resident Evil Requiem
• The Witcher 4

As 2025 concludes, attention is already shifting toward major releases scheduled for 2026, including February's Resident Evil Requiem and the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6, currently slated for November 19 barring any further delays. Unfortunately, due to its revised launch date, GTA 6 will be ineligible for The Game Awards 2026, as nominations typically conclude in early November. While this exclusion may disappoint series enthusiasts, industry analysts project the title will achieve extraordinary commercial success, with some forecasts suggesting potential first-year revenues approaching $3 billion.

The Game Awards 2025 ceremony will broadcast live on December 11, offering viewers the opportunity to witness the announcement of winners across all categories. Additionally, the nominees for the Players' Voice award will be revealed on December 1, providing fans with the chance to vote for their preferred titles in this special category.