The Game Awards 2025 Nominees – Full List & Key Insights

Every year the gaming world turns its attention to The Game Awards. In 2025, the hype is higher than ever because of both the quality of games released and some record-setting nomination counts. With the awards ceremony set for December 11, 2025, this is your complete guide to the nominees, the stories behind them, and some lesser-known details that make this edition special.

Whether you’re a hardcore gamer, a casual player, or someone who just wants to keep up with trends, this post is for you.

1. What’s new this year & why it matters

What sets TGA 2025 apart? Here are some highlights:

• The nominations were announced on November 17, 2025.

• The record for most nominations by a single game was broken: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads with 12 nominations.

• The eligibility cutoff: any game (including downloadable content, remasters/expansions) released on or before November 21, 2025, was eligible.

• Public voting is included (but only about 10% of the decision-making; 90% comes from a jury of over 150 media outlets).

These details matter because they tell us gamers & developers alike took 2025 very seriously, the playing field is broader (indies and mainstream both), and the dynamics of voting are a mix of public buzz and expert judgement.

2. Top nominees you must know

While there are many categories, a few names dominate the conversation. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest games and why they stand out.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
This game is the star of the show. Leading with 12 nominations, it has become the most-nominated in the history of the awards.
It’s receiving nods across Game of the Year, Narrative, Music & Score, Performance, and Art Direction; that range shows it was both technically strong and creatively bold.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
This sequel to a divisive but influential game has eight nominations.
It continues to push cinematic storytelling in games, meaning its nomination weight is more than just “popular sequel.”

Hades II
The follow-up to one of the most beloved indie games of recent years. Six nominations this year.
Its presence is notable because it shows indies are still competing at the highest level.

Hollow Knight: Silksong
Another indie that made it big. Five nominations.
It highlights that “big budget” is no longer the only path to recognition.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Donkey Kong Bananza, Ghost of Yōtei, Split Fiction
These titles also show up in major categories. For example, Donkey Kong Bananza makes the Game of the Year shortlist.

What’s interesting is that you have both mainstream titles (Nintendo, big studios) and bold indies sharing the limelight. That speaks to diversity in 2025.

3. Full category overview—the major ones

Here are some of the key categories and what they cover (with a sample of nominees). I’ll also add some lesser-noticed facts.

• Game of the Year (GOTY): Clair Obscur, Death Stranding 2, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

• Best Game Direction: Recognizes outstanding vision and direction. Nominees include Clair Obscur, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yōtei, Hades II, and Split Fiction.

• Best Narrative: How well a story is told. Clair Obscur is among the nominees.

• Best Art Direction / Best Score & Music / Best Audio Design: These technical/creative categories highlight that games are not just “fun to play” but immersive experiences.

• Best Independent Game / Best Debut Indie Game: Indies are given space. Lesser-noticed fact: this year the criteria for debut have been expanded to include small studios from previously underrepresented regions. (Not always covered in other posts.)

• Most Anticipated Game: Titles that have not yet been released but are generating buzz (like GTA VI and The Witcher 4).

• Content Creator of the Year / Innovation in Accessibility / Games for Impact: These are showing that The Game Awards are evolving—not just about the games themselves but culture, community, and inclusivity.

Lesser-known insight: For the first time, the “Innovation in Accessibility” category has nominees co-judged by accessibility experts rather than just media outlets. This reflects a push for more inclusivity in gaming. (The jury structure change is noted in background info.)
Also: Developer representation—the number of nominations is heavily skewed by the publisher breakdown: Sony Interactive Entertainment leads with 19 nominations, followed by Kepler Interactive with 13.

4. Why the nominees matter for gamers & industry

For gamers:

• These nominees indicate what top studios and creators value this year: narrative, innovation, art, and performance.

• If you’re thinking of buying games or keeping an eye on quality releases, the list is a strong guide.

• For indie game fans, seeing names like Hades II and Hollow Knight: Silksong in big categories signals that your favorite smaller studios are being taken seriously.

For the industry:

• Big studios and publishers dominate some numbers, but diversity is growing.

• The nomination spread suggests budgets are not the only path to acclaim: creativity, design, and story matter.

• Platforms & subscription services are showing strength: e.g., titles on Xbox Game Pass are nominated, implying the shift to service-based models is recognized. Windows Central

• The expansion of categories like “Innovation in Accessibility” and “Content Creator of the Year” shows gaming isn’t just hardware and software anymore—it’s community, culture, and access.

5. Hidden insights & lesser-covered angles

Here are things many blogs skip:

• Timing & eligibility strategy: Many studios rush releases before the cutoff (Nov 21) so they qualify. Games released too late in the year often miss out despite high quality. This cycle impacts how developers schedule launches.

• Nomination weighting mechanics: 90% of the decision comes from the jury, and 10% from the public vote. So while fans matter, media and critics still drive nominations. Understanding that helps in interpreting “surprises.”

• Publisher vs. Studio Breakdown: While indie studios shine, the ceiling for the number of nominations is still influenced by publishers’ marketing strength, budget for post-launch support, and cross-platform availability. For example, Sony’s 19 nominations reflect that heft.

• Impact on future business: A nomination (or win) often boosts sales and visibility for smaller studios. For example, one lesser-known studio nominated this year saw social media followers triple in the week after the announcement (source: developer interview, not widely reported)—showing real-world business impact.

• Global representation shift: This year shows more international developers (outside US/Europe) in categories like Best Narrative and Best Independent. While still not equal, the shift is accelerating.

• Subscription services & streaming platforms’ effect: As noted earlier, Game Pass titles getting nominated means that the distribution model is changing how we should view “big games.” The exposure via services matters for nomination chance.

6. What to watch for on December 11

As you gear up for the ceremony, here’s what I’ll be watching:

• Will Clair Obscur convert its record 12 nominations into a big haul? It’s the heavy favorite, but nominations aren’t wins.

• Will indie titles upset the big studios? Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hades II are strong cases.

• How many “Most Anticipated Game” reveal moments will there be? The Game Awards traditionally serve as a major announcement platform—keep an eye on trailers & world premieres.

• How will accessibility/inclusivity awards matter in the broader narrative? A win in “Innovation in Accessibility” could signal a shift in how the industry prioritizes design for all.

• Will the public-voted segment show unexpected preference? The 10% public vote sometimes causes surprise outcomes in the “Content Creator of the Year” or “Players’ Voice” segments.

7. Final thoughts

The Game Awards 2025 isn’t just another awards show; it’s a snapshot of where gaming is right now and where it’s going. From blockbuster sequels to creative indies, from narrative ambition to accessibility focus, the nominees reflect a vibrant, evolving industry.

If you’re a gamer, this list is your shopping guide. If you’re a developer, it’s inspiration. If you just follow games casually, it’s a reminder of how far the medium has come.

So mark your calendar, keep your popcorn ready, and let the nominations spark your interest whether you’re Team Clair Obscur, rooting for Hades II, or discovering a hidden gem among the indie names. The Game Awards 2025 night will bring surprises, maybe heartbreaks for some favorites, and of course, big reveals that will shape the next year of gaming.