All Game Awards 2025 Winners Complete GOTY List (June 2026)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominated The Game Awards 2025, winning Game of the Year and making history with nine total awards—the most ever won by a single game in the ceremony’s history. The dark fantasy RPG from Sandfall Interactive swept multiple categories including Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, and Best RPG, cementing its place as one of the most celebrated games of 2026.
Summary: Key Winners at The Game Awards
| Category | Winner | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Game of the Year | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Most awards ever (9) |
| Best Game Direction | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Record-breaking sweep |
| Player’s Voice | Wuthering Waves | Fan-voted surprise |
| Most Anticipated Game | Grand Theft Auto VI | Hype champion |
| Best Action Adventure | Hollow Knight: Silksong | Long-awaited sequel delivers |
| Best Multiplayer | Arc Raiders | Comeback story of the year |
The Complete Winners List 2026
Game of the Year
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Contents
- Nominees: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s victory was widely expected but no less impressive. The game broke The Last of Us Part II’s previous record of seven wins in 2020, establishing a new benchmark for excellence at gaming’s biggest night. The dark fantasy RPG captivated players and critics alike with its innovative combat system, stunning art direction, and emotionally resonant narrative.
Best Game Direction
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Nominees: Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Ghost of Yōtei, Hades II, Split Fiction
Sandfall Interactive’s visionary direction earned them this prestigious award, recognizing the game’s cohesive artistic vision and innovative gameplay mechanics that pushed the boundaries of the RPG genre.
Best Narrative
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Nominees: Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Ghost of Yōtei, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Silent Hill f
The game’s masterful storytelling, featuring complex characters and a richly detailed world, earned it the Best Narrative award. Jennifer English’s performance as protagonist Maelle was particularly praised for bringing emotional depth to the character.
Best Art Direction
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Nominees: Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Ghost of Yōtei, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong
Clair Obscur’s unique visual style, which literally depicts the world as a living painting, set it apart from competitors and earned it the Best Art Direction award. The game’s aesthetic combines dark fantasy elements with impressionist influences to create something truly unique.
Best Score and Music
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Lorien Testard)
- Nominees: Hollow Knight: Silksong (Christopher Larkin), Hades II (Darren Korb), Ghost of Yōtei (Toma Otowa), Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (Woodkid and Ludvig Forssell)
Lorien Testard’s haunting and evocative soundtrack perfectly complemented the game’s atmosphere, earning recognition in one of the most competitive categories of the night.
Best Performance
Winner: Jennifer English (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Nominees: Ben Starr (Expedition 33), Charlie Cox (Expedition 33), Erika Ishii (Ghost of Yotei), Konatsu Kato (Silent Hill f), Troy Baker (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle)
Jennifer English’s portrayal of Maelle was widely praised for its emotional range and depth, bringing the complex protagonist to life in a way that resonated with players worldwide.
Major Category Winners
Best Action Game
Winner: Hades II
- Nominees: Battlefield 6, Doom: The Dark Ages, Ninja Gaiden 4, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Supergiant Games’ long-awaited sequel lived up to the immense hype, delivering refined gameplay and expanded mechanics that improved upon the original’s formula.
Best Action Adventure Game
Winner: Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Nominees: Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Ghost of Yōtei, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Split Fiction
After years of anticipation, Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight: Silksong finally arrived and exceeded expectations, earning the Best Action Adventure Game award for its masterful level design and challenging gameplay.
Best RPG
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Nominees: Avowed, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, The Outer Worlds 2, Monster Hunter Wilds
In a stacked category, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged victorious, further cementing its dominance at this year’s ceremony.
Best Independent Game
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Nominees: Absolum, Ball x Pit, Blue Prince, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong
Despite competing against other indie heavyweights, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s exceptional quality earned it the Best Independent Game award.
Best Debut Indie Game
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Nominees: Blue Prince, Despelote, Dispatch, Megabonk
Sandfall Interactive’s debut title made an immediate impact, winning Best Debut Indie Game and proving that new developers can compete with industry veterans.
Technical and Innovation Awards
Best Audio Design
Winner: Battlefield 6
- Nominees: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Ghost of Yōtei, Silent Hill f
Battlefield 6’s immersive sound design and audio engineering earned it the award, representing one of the few categories where Clair Obscur didn’t emerge victorious.
Innovation in Accessibility
Winner: Doom: The Dark Ages
- Nominees: Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Atomfall, EA Sports FC 26, South of Midnight
id Software’s commitment to making Doom: The Dark Ages accessible to players of all abilities earned them this important recognition.
Games for Impact
Winner: South of Midnight
- Nominees: Consume Me, Despelote, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Wanderstop
South of Midnight’s meaningful themes and social impact earned it the Games for Impact award, recognizing games that go beyond entertainment to make a difference.
Multiplayer and Community Awards
Best Multiplayer Game
Winner: Arc Raiders
- Nominees: Battlefield 6, Elden Ring Nightreign, Peak, Split Fiction
Arc Raiders’ surprise comeback and innovative multiplayer mechanics earned it the Best Multiplayer Game award, representing one of the evening’s more unexpected victories.
Best Ongoing Game
Winner: No Man’s Sky
- Nominees: Final Fantasy XIV, Fortnite, Helldivers II, Marvel Rivals
No Man’s Sky’s remarkable transformation from a controversial launch to one of gaming’s greatest comeback stories was recognized with the Best Ongoing Game award.
Best Community Support
Winner: Baldur’s Gate 3
- Nominees: Final Fantasy XIV, Fortnite, Helldivers 2, No Man’s Sky
Larian Studios’ continued support and engagement with the Baldur’s Gate 3 community earned them this well-deserved recognition.
Player’s Voice
Winner: Wuthering Waves
- Nominees: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Dispatch, Genshin Impact, Hollow Knight: Silksong
In one of the evening’s biggest surprises, Wuthering Waves won the Player’s Voice award, demonstrating the power of its dedicated fanbase.
Genre-Specific Winners
Best Fighting Game
Winner: Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
- Nominees: 2XKO, Capcom Fighting Collection 2, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
The revival of the Fatal Fury series earned critical acclaim and the Best Fighting Game award.
Best Family Game
Winner: Donkey Kong Bananza
- Nominees: LEGO Party!, LEGO Voyagers, Mario Kart World, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Split Fiction
Nintendo’s Donkey Kong Bananza brought joy to families worldwide, earning the Best Family Game award.
Best Sports/Racing Game
Winner: Mario Kart World
- Nominees: EA Sports FC 26, F1 25, Rematch, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Mario Kart World’s innovative take on the beloved racing franchise earned it the Best Sports/Racing Game award.
Best Sim/Strategy Game
Winner: FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles
- Nominees: The Alters, Jurassic World Evolution 3, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, Tempest Rising, Two Point Museum
The return of the Final Fantasy Tactics series was met with enthusiasm, earning it the Best Sim/Strategy Game award.
Best Mobile Game
Winner: Umamusume: Pretty Derby
- Nominees: Destiny Rising, Persona 5: The Phantom X, Sonic Rumble, Wuthering Waves
Umamusume: Pretty Derby’s unique blend of racing simulation and idol management captured the mobile gaming market.
Best VR/AR Game
Winner: The Midnight Walk
- Nominees: Alien: Rogue Incursion, Arken Age, Ghost Town, Marvel’s Deadpool VR
The Midnight Walk’s innovative VR experience earned it the Best VR/AR Game award.
Media and Adaptation Awards
Best Adaptation
Winner: The Last of Us: Season 2
- Nominees: A Minecraft Movie, Devil May Cry, Splinter Cell Deathwatch, Until Dawn
Despite mixed reviews, The Last of Us: Season 2’s ambitious adaptation earned it the Best Adaptation award.
Esports and Creator Awards
Best Esports Game
Winner: Counter-Strike 2
- Nominees: DOTA 2, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Valorant
Counter-Strike 2’s continued dominance in the esports scene earned it the Best Esports Game award.
Best Esports Athlete
Winner: Chovy
- Nominees: brawk, f0rsakeN, Kakeru, MenaRD, Zyw0o
Chovy’s exceptional skill and consistency throughout the year earned him the Best Esports Athlete award.
Best Esports Team
Winner: Team Vitality – Counter-Strike 2
- Nominees: Gen.G – League of Legends, NRG – Valorant, Team Falcons – DOTA 2, Team Liquid PH – Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Team Vitality’s impressive performance in Counter-Strike 2 competitions earned them the Best Esports Team award.
Content Creator of the Year
Winner: MoistCr1TiKaL
- Nominees: Caedrel, Kai Cenat, Sakura Miko, The Burnt Peanut
MoistCr1TiKaL’s entertaining content and community engagement earned him the Content Creator of the Year award.
Most Anticipated Game
Winner: Grand Theft Auto VI
- Nominees: 007 First Light, Marvel’s Wolverine, Resident Evil Requiem, The Witcher IV
In perhaps the least surprising award of the night, Grand Theft Auto VI’s immense hype and anticipation earned it the Most Anticipated Game award.
Game Changer Award
Winner: Girls Make Games
Girls Make Games’ important work in promoting diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry was recognized with the Game Changer Award.
Historical Context and Records
The Game Awards 2025 will be remembered for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s historic dominance. With nine awards, the game surpassed The Last of Us Part II’s previous record of seven wins in 2020. This achievement is particularly impressive considering the strong competition in 2026, which saw releases from major franchises like Grand Theft Auto, Final Fantasy, and Mario Kart.
Other notable records from this year’s ceremony include:
- Most nominations for a single game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (13 nominations)
- Most wins by a debut developer: Sandfall Interactive (9 wins)
- First mobile game to win multiple categories: Umamusume: Pretty Derby
- Longest gap between sequel and award: Hollow Knight: Silksong (7 years after original)
Industry Impact and Analysis
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s sweep represents a significant moment for the gaming industry. The success of a debut title from a relatively unknown developer demonstrates that innovation and quality can triumph over established franchises and massive marketing budgets.
The game’s success across multiple categories—narrative, art direction, music, and gameplay—suggests a holistic approach to game development that resonated with both critics and players. This could signal a shift in industry priorities toward more complete, polished experiences rather than games that excel in only one area.
The strong showing of indie games throughout the ceremony, with titles like Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Arc Raiders winning major categories, further emphasizes the growing importance and influence of independent developers in the gaming landscape.
Community Resources
Official Sources
- The Game Awards Official Website: thegameawards.com – The definitive source for all winners, nominees, and ceremony information
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Official Site: sandfallinteractive.com – Developer updates and game information
- The Game Awards YouTube: youtube.com/thegameawards – Full ceremony replay and winner announcements
Community Platforms
- Reddit: r/TheGameAwards – Discussions, reactions, and analysis of the winners
- Discord: The Game Awards Community Server – Real-time discussions with fellow gaming enthusiasts
- Twitter: @thegameawards – Official announcements and behind-the-scenes content
Game-Specific Communities
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Discord: discord.gg/claurobscur – Connect with other fans of the GOTY winner
- Hollow Knight: Silksong Reddit: r/HollowKnight – Community for the Best Action Adventure winner
- GTA VI Forums: gtaforums.com – Discussion about the Most Anticipated Game winner
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025, making history with nine total awards—the most ever won by a single game in the ceremony’s history.
How many awards did Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 win?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won nine awards total, including Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Performance, Best RPG, Best Independent Game, and Best Debut Indie Game.
When were The Game Awards 2025 held?
The Game Awards 2025 ceremony took place on December 11, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
What was the biggest surprise at The Game Awards 2025?
The biggest surprise was Wuthering Waves winning the Player’s Voice award over heavily favored competitors like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Genshin Impact, demonstrating the power of its dedicated fanbase.
Which game won the most awards besides Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
Besides Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, several games won multiple awards, including Hades II (Best Action Game), Hollow Knight: Silksong (Best Action Adventure Game), and Counter-Strike 2 (Best Esports Game).
How can I watch The Game Awards 2025 ceremony?
You can watch the full ceremony replay on The Game Awards’ official YouTube channel, or check highlights and winner announcements on their official website and social media channels.
What records were broken at The Game Awards 2025?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 broke the record for most awards won by a single game (9), surpassing The Last of Us Part II’s previous record of 7 wins in 2020.
Which upcoming games were featured at The Game Awards 2025?
Several highly anticipated games were featured, including Grand Theft Auto VI (which won Most Anticipated Game), Resident Evil Requiem, The Witcher IV, and Marvel’s Wolverine.
Conclusion
The Game Awards 2025 will be remembered as a historic night that celebrated both established franchises and groundbreaking new titles. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s unprecedented success demonstrates that innovation and quality can triumph in the gaming industry, while the strong showing of indie games throughout the ceremony highlights the growing diversity and creativity in gaming.
As we look forward to 2026, the awards have set high expectations for future releases and established new benchmarks for excellence across all genres. Whether you’re a fan of RPGs, action games, or esports, The Game Awards 2025 had something to celebrate for every type of gamer.
Be sure to bookmark this page for future reference, and join the discussion in our community channels to share your thoughts on this year’s winners and what you’re most excited for in the coming year!
