The PlayStation Blog Game of the Year Awards 2025 are officially live, and Sony is handing the controller to players. Unlike other gaming awards where industry panels make all the decisions, this one is different – your vote is the only thing that counts.
Voting opened on December 1, 2025, and runs until December 8 at 11:59 PM PT. That gives you about a week to think through your picks across 19 different categories. Winners get awarded with Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum trophies, mimicking the achievement system PlayStation fans know so well.
How the Voting Works
This isn’t your typical awards show. The PlayStation Blog makes it clear – these awards are purely a popularity contest. There’s no secret panel of judges, no industry insiders pulling strings. Just players voting for the games they loved most this year.
Each category lists several nominees, but here’s where it gets interesting: there’s a write-in option for every single category. If your favorite game isn’t on the list, you can still vote for it. This keeps things open and prevents the awards from feeling too restrictive or predetermined.
The 19 Categories You Can Vote On
The awards cover just about every aspect of gaming you can think of. Here’s the full breakdown:
- Best New Character
- Best Story
- Best Graphical Showcase
- Best Art Direction
- Best Audio Design
- Best Soundtrack
- Best Accessibility Features
- Best Use of DualSense
- Best Rerelease (Remaster)
- Best Multiplayer Experience
- Best Ongoing Game
- Best Expansion
- Best Sports Game
- Best Independent Game
- Best PS VR2 Game
- Best PS4 Game
- Best PS5 Game
- Studio of the Year
- Most Anticipated Game of 2026 and Beyond
What’s Different This Year
The 2025 awards follow the same format as previous years, but the gaming landscape has shifted. We’ve seen massive releases, long-awaited sequels, and indie darlings making serious waves. The Best PS5 Game category alone is stacked with upcoming titles like Ghost of Yotei, Monster Hunter Wilds, Death Stranding 2, and Kingdom Come Deliverance II.
The Most Anticipated category is particularly interesting this year. Games that win this award get removed from future consideration, which means fresh titles get the spotlight each time. Previous winner GTA 6 is no longer eligible, opening the door for other heavy hitters.
The Trophy System Explained
Winners don’t just get a pat on the back. They receive actual trophy designations that mirror PlayStation’s achievement system. The game with the most votes in each category gets the Platinum trophy. Second through fourth place receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze respectively. It’s a nice touch that makes the awards feel more connected to PlayStation’s gaming culture.
Results will be announced in a few weeks after voting closes, giving Sony time to tally everything up and prepare the announcements. Last year’s Platinum winners included heavy hitters like Astro Bot, Balatro, and Silent Hill 2, showing that both AAA blockbusters and indie gems can take home top honors.
Why Your Vote Actually Matters
Unlike The Game Awards, where player votes only count for 10% of the final result and industry professionals make up the other 90%, the PlayStation Blog awards are 100% player-driven. There’s no jury. No panel of experts. Just gamers supporting the experiences that resonated with them most throughout the year.
This approach has pros and cons. On one hand, it’s genuinely democratic and reflects what the PlayStation community actually played and enjoyed. On the other hand, it can favor games with bigger marketing budgets or larger fanbases, potentially overshadowing smaller titles that might deserve recognition.
But honestly? It’s refreshing to have an awards show where your vote isn’t just a tiny fraction of the decision. Whether you’re voting for a massive AAA release or championing an indie game that deserves more attention, your choice carries the same weight as everyone else’s.
FAQs
When does voting close for the PS Blog GOTY 2025 awards?
Voting closes on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM PT. You have one week from the opening date to cast your votes across all 19 categories.
Can I vote for games that aren’t listed in the nominees?
Yes. Every category includes a write-in option where you can enter your own choice. This allows you to vote for games that might have been overlooked in the initial nominee selections.
Do industry professionals have any say in the PS Blog Game of the Year Awards?
No. The PlayStation Blog awards are entirely player-driven. Unlike other gaming awards shows, there’s no jury or panel of industry experts. Only player votes count toward the final results.
What do winners receive in the PS Blog GOTY awards?
Winners receive trophy designations matching PlayStation’s achievement system: Platinum for first place, Gold for second, Silver for third, and Bronze for fourth. These are symbolic awards rather than physical trophies.
Can I vote in every category or do I have to pick just one?
You can vote in all 19 categories if you want, or just the ones you care about. There’s no requirement to vote in every category, so you can focus on the awards that matter most to you.
Are games from 2024 eligible if they were released after November 30?
Yes. The PlayStation Blog specifically includes games released after the November 30, 2024 cutoff for last year’s awards. This ensures games from late 2024 aren’t left out of consideration.
When will the winners be announced?
Sony hasn’t announced an exact date yet, but they’ve indicated results will be revealed in a few weeks after voting closes on December 8. Based on previous years, expect the announcement sometime in mid to late December 2025.
Conclusion
The PlayStation Blog Game of the Year Awards 2025 represent one of the few gaming awards where players have complete control over the outcome. With voting open until December 8, you have a limited window to make your voice heard across 19 different categories. Whether you’re passionate about cutting-edge graphics, compelling narratives, or innovative indie experiences, this is your chance to support the games and developers that made your 2025 memorable. Head over to the PlayStation Blog, cast your votes, and see which games the PlayStation community crowns as the year’s best when results drop in a few weeks.