Get ready for a gaming showdown like no other—The Game Awards 2025 has just unveiled its nominations, and the competition is fiercer than ever! Leading the pack is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which snagged a record-breaking 12 nominations, making it the most celebrated game in the event’s 12-year history. But here’s where it gets controversial: can any other title truly challenge its dominance? Let’s dive in.
The prestigious Game Awards, which honors the best in the video game industry, revealed its 2025 nominees on November 17. Among the contenders for Game of the Year are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive), Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Kojima Productions), Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo), Hades II (Supergiant Games), Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry), and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (Warhorse Studios). Each of these titles brings something unique to the table, but which one will take home the crown? And this is the part most people miss: the diversity in genres and storytelling this year is truly unprecedented.
But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: the line between games and other media is blurring faster than ever. This year’s Best Adaptation category highlights this trend, with nominees like A Minecraft Movie, Devil May Cry, The Last of Us: Season 2, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, and Until Dawn. These projects prove that gaming narratives are now shaping film and TV in ways we’ve never seen before. Is this the future of entertainment, or just a passing phase? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Sony Interactive Entertainment dominates as the most-nominated publisher with 19 nods, followed by Kepler Interactive (13), and Electronic Arts and Microsoft (10 each). These nominations are decided by a global jury of over 150 media outlets and creators, ensuring a diverse and well-rounded selection. But here’s the kicker: with so many powerhouse publishers in the mix, who’s really calling the shots in the industry today?
From now until December 10 at 6 p.m. PT, fans can vote for their favorites across all categories on The Game Awards website. In China, platforms like Bilibili are also joining the fray. The main event will air live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on December 11, featuring world premieres, musical performances by The Game Awards Orchestra (led by Grammy-winning composer Lorne Balfe), and, of course, the awards themselves. Tickets are available on AXS, ranging from $251 to $1,506, depending on your preferred view.
For the first time, the show will stream live on Prime Video, alongside over 30 platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Steam, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok Live. Last year’s event shattered records with 154 million global livestreams, a 31% jump from 2023. With over 15,000 content creators co-streaming the event, it’s clear that The Game Awards is more than just an awards show—it’s a cultural phenomenon.
Now, let’s break down the nominees in seven key categories. For the full list, visit The Game Awards website. Here’s a sneak peek:
Game of the Year
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo EPD/Nintendo)
- Hades II (Supergiant Games)
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry)
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (Warhorse Studios/Deep Silver)
Best Score and Music
- Christopher Larkin (Hollow Knight: Silksong)
- Darren Korb (Hades II)
- Lorien Testard (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Toma Otowa (Ghost of Yōtei)
- Woodkid and Ludvig Forssell (Death Stranding 2: On The Beach)
Best Audio Design
- Battlefield 6 (Battlefield Studios/EA)
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Ghost of Yōtei (Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Silent Hill f (NeoBards Entertainment/KONAMI)
Best Performance
- Ben Starr (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Charlie Cox (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Erika Ishii (Ghost of Yōtei)
- Jennifer English (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Konatsu Kato (Silent Hill f)
- Troy Baker (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle)
Best Family
- Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo EPD/Nintendo)
- LEGO Party! (SMG Studio/Fictions)
- LEGO Voyagers (Light Brick Studios/Annapurna Interactive)
- Mario Kart World (Nintendo EPD/Nintendo)
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (Sonic Team/Sega)
- Split Fiction (Hazelight Studios/EA)
Best Adaptation
- A Minecraft Movie (Legendary Pictures/Mojang/Warner Bros)
- Devil May Cry (Studio Mir/Capcom/Netflix)
- The Last of Us: Season 2 (HBO/PlayStation Productions)
- Splinter Cell: Deathwatch (FOST Studio/Ubisoft/Netflix)
- Until Dawn (Screen Gems/PlayStation Productions)
Content Creator of the Year
- Caedrel
- Kai Cenat
- MoistCr1TiKaL
- Sakura Miko
- The Burnt Peanut
So, what’s your take? Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a shoo-in for Game of the Year, or do you have another favorite? Are game-to-film adaptations the future, or just a fad? Let’s spark some debate in the comments below! And don’t forget to sign up for weekly updates to stay in the loop on all things gaming.
