The Game Awards nominations 2025 are now official, and the list has already sparked wide discussion. This year brings together acclaimed blockbusters, ambitious indie projects, and highly anticipated sequels. At the top is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which leads the event with twelve nominations.
Clair Obscur leads the Game Awards nominations 2025
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 enters the ceremony as the strongest competitor. The game was created by a core team of around thirty developers at Sandfall Interactive in Montpelier, France. It impressed players with its turn-based battles, strong performances, and emotional storytelling.
The title competes for Game of the Year and appears in several performance categories. Ben Starr, Charlie Cox, and Jennifer English all received nominations. The game is also listed for best narrative and best independent game. However, its inclusion in the indie category has raised some debate because it involved support from global studios and publisher Kepler Interactive.
Major contenders in the Game Awards nominations 2025
Sony secured two major titles with eight nominations each. Death Stranding 2, directed by Hideo Kojima, returns as a Game of the Year nominee. It also competes for best narrative. Despite its star-studded cast, none of the actors were nominated for performance awards.
Another Sony exclusive, Ghost of Yōtei, also received eight nominations. Erika Ishii, the game’s lead actor, earned a performance nomination.
Indie titles remain strong contenders this year. Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hades 2 both secured Game of the Year nominations. Each comes from a small team but enjoys a huge following. Silksong, often described as the “GTA 6 of indie games,” even caused several digital stores to crash at launch.
Nintendo titles and RPG sequels in the Game Awards nominations 2025
The Game Awards nominations 2025 also feature Donkey Kong Bananza and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The new Donkey Kong release is one of the first major titles for Nintendo’s Switch 2 console.
Meanwhile, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 continues its grounded medieval storytelling and secured a place among the top contenders.
Not every expected title made the list. Split Fiction, developed by Hazelight Studio, did not receive a Game of the Year nomination. Blue Prince, despite strong reviews, appears only in the best independent game category.
The Game Awards identity continues to evolve
Often called the “Oscars of gaming,” The Game Awards combine performances, celebrity appearances, and major game reveals. The roughly three-hour show is hosted by Geoff Keighley.
Last year’s ceremony reached 154 million livestreams. Many viewers tune in to see new game trailers. In 2024, audiences saw early previews of The Witcher 4, Elden Ring Nightreign, and Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Community concerns and returning criticism
The show has faced criticism for prioritizing advertising over award presentations. Some speeches were shortened, and certain categories lacked full on-stage recognition.
The 2024 ceremony addressed some complaints, but developers still want more attention on industry challenges. Many studios have experienced significant job losses in recent years, and creators hope the event will acknowledge these issues.
Another point of concern is the end of the Future Class program. The initiative began in 2020 to highlight rising talent. It was last held in 2023. Members later accused the program of limited support and tokenism.
Last year, the event introduced a new “game changer” award, which went to Amir Satvat for helping laid-off developers. Organizers have not yet commented on whether more changes will follow.
Conclusion
The Game Awards nominations 2025 highlight a competitive year filled with strong storytelling, ambitious design, and passionate indie work. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads the field, but the full list shows a broad range of creative achievements. As the industry continues to shift, the awards remain a key space for celebrating games and recognizing the challenges behind them.
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