Nobody expected a debut indie RPG from a French studio to dominate The Game Awards 2025 nominations, but here we are. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 just made history by earning 12 nominations across 10 categories, more than any game in the 11-year history of The Game Awards. It surpassed previous record holders God of War Ragnarok and Baldur’s Gate 3, both of which peaked at 10 nominations. Now the question is whether this Parisian-developed turn-based RPG can actually convert those nominations into wins when the ceremony airs December 11.
The Game Awards 2025 promises to be one of the most competitive years yet, with heavy hitters like Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Hades 2, and the long-awaited Hollow Knight Silksong all vying for top honors. But the ceremony isn’t just about awards. Geoff Keighley has confirmed multiple world premieres, gameplay reveals, and announcements that could steal the show from the nominees themselves. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s most nominated games and what to expect when the show kicks off.
- Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Breaks Records
- Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei Follow Close Behind
- Indie Darlings Hades 2 and Hollow Knight Silksong
- The Full Game of the Year Lineup
- Other Major Category Contenders
- Sony Leads Publishers with 19 Nominations
- What to Expect from the Show
- When and Where to Watch
- The Categories Beyond GOTY
- Esports and Content Creator Categories
- FAQs
- December 11 Can’t Come Fast Enough
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Breaks Records
Sandfall Interactive’s debut title earned nominations in Game of the Year, Best Narrative, Best Game Direction, Best Art Direction, Best RPG, Best Independent Game, Best Score and Music, and three separate Best Performance categories for its voice cast. That’s an unprecedented sweep for a studio releasing its first game, especially one that blends turn-based JRPG mechanics with French art direction inspired by Belle Epoque paintings.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Expedition 33 hasn’t released yet. The game is scheduled for 2026, but its stunning visuals, innovative combat system combining classic turn-based gameplay with active time elements, and haunting premise about a world where turning 34 means death captured imaginations. The nominations are based on preview builds, demos, and showcased content rather than a finished product. If it can deliver on that promise, Sandfall might pull off one of gaming’s great Cinderella stories.
Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei Follow Close Behind
Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding 2: On the Beach earned seven nominations including Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Action Adventure Game, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, and Best Audio Design. The sequel promises to expand on the divisive original’s strand gameplay with new mechanics, a larger cast including Norman Reedus returning as Sam Porter Bridges, and Kojima’s signature cinematic storytelling that either captivates or confuses depending on your tolerance for metaphysical delivery man narratives.
Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch’s follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima, also landed seven nominations. The shift from Tsushima to 1603 Hokkaido with a new female protagonist named Atsu demonstrates Sucker Punch’s commitment to evolving the formula rather than simply retreading the original’s success. Nominations in Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Action Adventure Game, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, and Best Audio Design recognize how the studio builds on its samurai foundation while exploring new territory.
Indie Darlings Hades 2 and Hollow Knight Silksong
Supergiant Games’ Hades 2 grabbed six nominations despite still being in Early Access. The sequel expands everything that made the original special while introducing Melinoe, daughter of Hades, as she battles to rescue her father from the Titan Chronos. Nominations include Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Action Game, Best Independent Game, Best Art Direction, and Best Score and Music. The fact that an incomplete Early Access game earned a GOTY nomination speaks to how polished and substantial it already feels.
Hollow Knight Silksong finally emerged after years of being gaming’s most anticipated vaporware. Team Cherry’s sequel follows Hornet rather than the original’s Knight, introducing tighter combat, new traversal mechanics, and handcrafted environments that reward curiosity. Five nominations including Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Action Adventure Game, Best Independent Game, and Best Art Direction validate the patience fans showed waiting for this metroidvania masterpiece.
The Full Game of the Year Lineup
Beyond the frontrunners, three more games complete the GOTY category. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 from Warhorse Studios brings historically accurate medieval RPG gameplay back with improved combat and deeper systems. Donkey Kong Bananza from Nintendo EPD represents the platforming giant’s entry, though details remain scarce about this mysterious nomination. The category showcases incredible diversity from massive sequels to indie darlings to Nintendo’s legacy franchises.
Voting is open to the public at thegameawards.com, with fan votes accounting for 10% of the final decision while a jury of over 150 media publications determines the remaining 90%. This balanced approach ensures popular sentiment influences results without completely overriding critical consensus. You can vote across all categories right now, making your voice heard before winners are announced December 11.
Other Major Category Contenders
Best Game Direction features Clair Obscur, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Hades 2, and Split Fiction. The narrative category includes Clair Obscur, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Hades 2, and Hollow Knight Silksong, showcasing how story-driven experiences dominated 2025. Best Independent Game pits smaller studios against each other with Absolum, Ball X Pit, Blue Prince, Clair Obscur, Hades 2, and Hollow Knight Silksong all competing.
The multiplayer category brings Battlefield 6, Arc Raiders, Elden Ring Nightreign, Peak, and Split Fiction into competition, reflecting the year’s strong cooperative and competitive offerings. Best Action Game features Battlefield 6, Doom The Dark Ages, Hades 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Shinobi Art of Vengeance, demonstrating how refined combat dominated across genres. Each category tells a story about what defined gaming in 2025.
Sony Leads Publishers with 19 Nominations
For the second consecutive year, Sony Interactive Entertainment topped publishers with 19 nominations across its portfolio including Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, and other first-party titles. Kepler Interactive followed with 13 nominations mostly from Clair Obscur. Electronic Arts and Microsoft tied with 10 nominations each, showing how platform holders and major publishers continue dominating the awards conversation despite indie success stories.
This publisher dominance raises ongoing questions about The Game Awards’ relationship with the industry. Critics note that major publishers have more resources for marketing campaigns that generate buzz influencing nominations. Supporters counter that quality games succeed regardless of publisher size, pointing to Hades 2 and Hollow Knight Silksong as proof. The truth likely falls somewhere between pure meritocracy and industry politics.
What to Expect from the Show
Beyond awards, The Game Awards has become gaming’s equivalent of E3 for major announcements. Creative Assembly confirmed a brand new Total War game will premiere with a trailer and gameplay footage, calling it one of their most ambitious projects coinciding with the franchise’s 25th anniversary. Geoff Keighley teased multiple world premieres across his social channels, suggesting substantial reveals beyond the already-confirmed Total War showcase.
Rumors and speculation run rampant about possible surprises. Could we see more from GTA 6 after October’s trailer? Might Rockstar Games finally show gameplay? Will Valve announce Half-Life 3, fulfilling decades of memes and prayers? Probably not on that last one, but stranger things have happened at The Game Awards. The show’s reputation for shocking reveals means anything from Pragmata gameplay to Resident Evil 9 teasers to completely unexpected franchise revivals could drop.
When and Where to Watch
The Game Awards 2025 streams live December 11 at 7:30 PM EST, 4:30 PM PST. For international viewers, that translates to 12:30 AM GMT on December 12 and 6:00 AM IST. The show broadcasts across YouTube, Twitch, and for the first time, Amazon Prime Video, dramatically expanding potential viewership. Previous years attracted millions of concurrent viewers across platforms, and the Prime addition could push numbers even higher.
Geoff Keighley returns as host for the 11th consecutive year, maintaining the continuity that’s made The Game Awards gaming’s premier celebration. The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles provides the venue, offering the cinematic production values that distinguish this ceremony from other gaming awards. Musical performances, celebrity appearances, and elaborate stage productions complement the actual awards and announcements.
The Categories Beyond GOTY
While Game of the Year dominates headlines, dozens of other categories recognize excellence across the industry. Best Performance nominations include Charlie Cox and Jennifer English from Clair Obscur, Erika Ishii from Ghost of Yotei, Troy Baker from Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Konatsu Kato from Silent Hill F. These acting categories increasingly recognize gaming’s cinematic ambitions and the talent bringing characters to life.
Innovation in Accessibility celebrates games making strides in inclusive design. Best Mobile Game features Destiny Rising, Persona 5 The Phantom X, Sonic Rumble, Umamusume Pretty Derby, and Wuthering Waves. Best VR/AR Game includes Alien Rogue Incursion, Arken Age, Ghost Town, Marvel’s Deadpool VR, and The Midnight Walk. These specialized categories ensure recognition extends beyond traditional console and PC experiences to platforms often overlooked by mainstream coverage.
Esports and Content Creator Categories
The Game Awards recognizes competitive gaming and content creation alongside traditional game awards. Best Esports Game nominations include Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Mobile Legends Bang Bang, and Valorant. Best Esports Player features Chovy from League of Legends, f0rsakeN from Valorant, Kakeru from Street Fighter, MenaRD from Street Fighter, and ZywOo from Counter-Strike 2.
Content Creator of the Year highlights streamers and video creators who shaped gaming discourse throughout 2025. These categories acknowledge that modern gaming extends far beyond playing to include watching, discussing, and participating in communities built around games. The integration of traditional gaming awards with esports and creator recognition reflects how the industry has evolved.
FAQs
When is The Game Awards 2025?
The Game Awards 2025 takes place on December 11, 2025, at 7:30 PM EST or 4:30 PM PST. It streams live on YouTube, Twitch, and for the first time on Amazon Prime Video. International viewers can watch at 12:30 AM GMT December 12 or 6:00 AM IST.
What game has the most nominations at The Game Awards 2025?
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 earned 12 nominations, making it the most nominated game in The Game Awards history. It surpassed previous records held by God of War Ragnarok and Baldur’s Gate 3, both with 10 nominations in their respective years.
What are the Game of the Year nominees for 2025?
The GOTY nominees are Clair Obscur Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2 On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades 2, Hollow Knight Silksong, and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. The category features a mix of AAA sequels, indie darlings, and Nintendo franchises.
Can I vote for The Game Awards?
Yes, public voting is open at thegameawards.com across all categories. Fan votes account for 10% of final results while a jury of over 150 media publications determines the remaining 90%. Voting remains open until just before the ceremony.
What new games will be announced at The Game Awards 2025?
Creative Assembly confirmed a new Total War game will premiere with trailer and gameplay. Numerous other announcements are expected but unconfirmed. Rumors suggest possible reveals for major franchises, though specifics remain speculative until the show airs.
Has Hollow Knight Silksong really been nominated?
Yes, after years of anticipation, Hollow Knight Silksong earned five nominations including Game of the Year. Team Cherry’s sequel finally released in 2025, ending one of gaming’s longest waits for a highly anticipated sequel.
Where can I watch The Game Awards 2025?
The show streams simultaneously on YouTube, Twitch, and Amazon Prime Video. The multi-platform approach ensures maximum accessibility. Previous ceremonies attracted millions of viewers, and the Prime addition could significantly increase reach.
December 11 Can’t Come Fast Enough
The Game Awards 2025 sets up as one of the most competitive years in the ceremony’s history. Clair Obscur Expedition 33’s record-breaking nomination haul proves that innovative indies can compete with AAA giants. Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Hades 2, and Hollow Knight Silksong all bring compelling cases for Game of the Year. And beyond awards, the promised world premieres and announcements could generate more buzz than the winners themselves. Whether you’re watching for the awards, the reveals, or just to see what absurd celebrity crossover Geoff Keighley orchestrates this year, December 11 promises three hours of gaming celebration worth clearing your schedule for. Vote for your favorites, make your predictions, and get ready to watch history unfold.