Following closely behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are two PlayStation exclusives: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Ghost of Yotei, each earning eight nominations, while the much-awaited sequel Hades 2 garnered six nods. In the publisher rankings, Sony Interactive Entertainment leads the pack as the most nominated publisher with 19 total nominations, followed by Kepler Interactive with 13, and Microsoft and Electronic Arts tied at 10 nominations each—reflecting a strong showing from both major industry players and mid-tier studios.
The prestigious Game of the Year category features a stacked lineup of critically acclaimed titles: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. Notably, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 further cements its dominance by also competing in the Best Independent Game category, where it faces off against Absolum, Ball x Pit, Blue Prince, Hades II, and Hollow Knight: Silksong—blurring the lines between indie innovation and blockbuster production values.
In the Best Performance category, talent from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 takes center stage with three nominations: Ben Starr, Charlie Cox, and Jennifer English. They are joined by Erika Ishii (Ghost of Yōtei), Konatsu Kato (Silent Hill f), and Troy Baker (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle), showcasing a diverse range of standout vocal and motion capture work from the year’s top titles.
The Best Score and Music category promises a fierce contest between industry veterans and rising composers. Christopher Larkin (Hollow Knight: Silksong), Darren Korb (Hades II), Lorien Testard (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33), Toma Otowa (Ghost of Yōtei), and the collaborative duo of Woodkid and Ludvig Forssell (Death Stranding 2: On The Beach) are all in the running, highlighting the integral role of music in shaping immersive gaming experiences. Meanwhile, the Best Art Direction category features a visual feast of nominees, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Ghost of Yotei, Hades II, and Hollow Knight: Silksong each celebrated for their distinctive and groundbreaking artistic visions.
With 27 awards up for grabs in total, the winners will be determined by a blended voting system: 90% of the decision comes from the official voting jury, while 10% is allocated to public fan voting. Gaming enthusiasts worldwide can cast their votes for their favorite titles and creators now through December 10 at 6 pm PT via the official The Game Awards website.
The Game Awards 2025 is set to take place on Thursday, December 11, at its traditional venue, the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. The live stream will not only reveal the winners but also feature exclusive new game announcements and captivating musical performances by The Game Awards Orchestra.
Looking back, last year’s event shattered viewership records with an estimated 154 million livestreams, representing a 31% increase from the previous year, according to Keighley. As anticipation builds for this year’s ceremony, all eyes are on whether Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 can translate its historic nomination count into wins, and if the 2025 show can surpass the remarkable viewership numbers of its predecessor.
