Gaming’s biggest night is almost here! The Game Awards returns on December 11, bringing us jaw-dropping reveals, electrifying performances, and of course, the year’s most prestigious gaming honors. Whether you’re team Expedition 33 or riding with Death Stranding 2, here’s everything you need to know about this year’s nominations.
Table of Contents
The Game Awards 2025 Overview: TGA 2025 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Date | December 11, 2025 |
| Venue | Peacock Theater, Los Angeles |
| Host | Geoff Keighley |
| Voting Deadline | December 10, 6 PM PT |
| Most Nominated Game | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (12 nominations) |
| Most Nominated Publisher | Sony Interactive Entertainment (19 nominations) |
| Where to Watch | YouTube, Twitch, Amazon Prime Video |
| Total Categories | 29 awards |
Record-Breaking Nominations
Expedition 33 led all others this year with 12 total nominations, including its nod for Game of the Year. With 12 nominations, that makes it the most-nominated game in the history of The Game Awards. That’s a massive achievement for developer Sandfall Interactive!
Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei followed with eight nominations each, with Hades 2 picking up six, Hollow Knight grabbing five, and Split Fiction nabbing four.
Game of the Year Contenders
The crown jewel category features six incredible titles battling for supremacy:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Sandfall Interactive’s turn-based RPG masterpiece
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – Kojima’s latest mind-bending adventure
- Donkey Kong Bananza – Nintendo’s return to platforming excellence
- Hades II – Supergiant’s roguelike sequel that exceeded all expectations
- Hollow Knight: Silksong – The long-awaited metroidvania everyone’s been craving
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – Warhorse Studios’ historical RPG epic
Want to dive deeper into these GOTY contenders? Check out our detailed analysis of Game of the Year predictions for insider insights.
Major Category Highlights
Beyond GOTY, several categories are absolutely stacked this year. Best Art Direction features stunning visual showcases like Ghost of Yōtei and Hollow Knight: Silksong, while Best Performance recognizes Troy Baker’s phenomenal portrayal of Indiana Jones alongside other stellar voice work.
The Best Adaptation category celebrates gaming’s expansion into other media with nominees including “A Minecraft Movie,” “The Last of Us” Season 2, and “Splinter Cell: Deathwatch.”
For esports fans, Best Esports Game pits Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, VALORANT, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang against each other. Stay updated with our esports coverage at TechnoSports for tournament highlights and player spotlights.
How to Vote and Make Your Voice Heard
From now until Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. PT, fans can vote on the winners in all categories via authenticated online voting on www.thegameawards.com. Your vote combines with the global jury of 150+ media outlets to determine the winners, so every vote genuinely matters!
The official Game Awards website provides easy access to all voting categories. Chinese fans can vote through platforms like Bilibili.
Publisher Power Rankings
Sony Interactive Entertainment is the most nominated publisher this year with 19 nominations — three more than 2024 when it also led — followed by Kepler Interactive with 13 nominations and Electronic Arts and Microsoft both with 10. This dominance showcases Sony’s continued investment in narrative-driven exclusives and innovative gameplay experiences.
What to Expect on Show Night
Beyond the awards themselves, TGA 2025 promises explosive world premieres, new game announcements, and live musical performances by The Game Awards Orchestra. Expect surprise reveals from major publishers and possibly some next-gen console announcements that’ll break the internet.
Explore our upcoming games preview to see what might get announced during the show!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still vote if I’m not in the US?
Absolutely! The Game Awards welcomes votes from fans worldwide. Simply visit thegameawards.com and authenticate your vote through their platform. International voting carries the same weight as US votes, and Chinese fans have additional voting options through Bilibili and other local platforms. Voting closes December 10 at 6 PM PT.
Q: How are nominees selected, and how much does fan voting count?
Nominees are chosen by a global jury of over 150 media publications and gaming outlets, including major names like Variety and GameSpot. Fan votes combine with jury selections to determine winners—it’s not 100% fan vote or 100% jury. This balanced approach ensures both critical acclaim and community favorites get recognition, preventing either group from dominating the results entirely.
