As anticipation for The Game Awards 2025 reaches fever pitch, the annual celebration of global gaming excellence is gearing up for another night of premieres, industry drama and fiercely contested awards.
With speculation swirling around categories like Game of the Year and Most Anticipated Game, this year’s event promises not only big reveals but also strong competition between some of the most talked about titles in the industry.
How can you watch The Game Awards 2025 live?
This year’s ceremony will once again be broadcast on multiple international platforms, ensuring that fans around the world can tune in regardless of their preferred device.
The pre-show starts at 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET, followed by the main event.
You can stream the program at:
This multi-platform distribution strategy enhances accessibility while reflecting the ceremony’s global reach.
Which games are nominated for game of the year?
The coveted Game of the Year (GOTY) category features a remarkable mix of sequels, indie and original experiences. This year’s shortlist shows the breadth of modern game design:
Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
With established franchises jostling alongside bold new creative works, the category remains too close to call – although Expedition 33 and Hollow Knight: Silksong dominate much of the pre-show discourse.
What are the standout categories to watch this year?
Best Game Direction
Celebrating visionary leadership and creative ambition, nominees include:
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Ghost of Yōtei, Hades II, Split Fiction.
The best adaptation
As Hollywood increasingly intersects with gaming, adaptations like A Minecraft Movie, Devil May Cry and The Last of Us: Season 2 headline the competitive field.
The best story
Games that elevate storytelling — including Silent Hill and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II — emphasize the medium’s narrative evolution.
Best Art Direction
From the painterly surrealism of Expedition 33 to the finely honed aesthetics of Hades II, this category remains one of the most visually impressive ceremonies.
Who is the leader in music, sound and performance?
Best score and music
Hollow Knight: Silksong and Ghost of Yōtei are among the frontrunners in a category known for creating emotional resonance.
The best audio design
Nominees like Battlefield 6 and Silent Hill f illustrate the importance of sound textures in creating immersive worlds.
Best performance
This year’s celebrity cast includes Ben Starr, Charlie Cox, Erika Ishii, Jennifer English, Konatsu Kato and Troy Baker – an impressive line-up reflecting the growing theatrical sophistication of the medium.
Which games are making waves in accessibility, impact and community?
Innovation in accessibility
Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Doom: The Dark Ages, and South of Midnight are leading the push for more inclusive gameplay.
Games for impact
Narrative and socially reflective titles such as Consume Me and Wanderstop deliver powerful performances.
Best community support
Final Fantasy XIV, Fortnite and Helldivers 2 continue to set industry standards for player engagement.
What about India Recognition?
Indie and debut creators receive extensive attention:
The best indie game
Absolum, Blue Prince, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Best Debut Indie Game
Blue Prince, Dispatch, Despelote and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
The presence of crossover titles like Hades II and Expedition 33 blurs the line between indie and mainstream prestige.
How are genre categories formed?
The best action game
Doom: The Dark Ages and Ninja Gaiden 4 are relentlessly high-octane titles.
The best action adventure
With Death Stranding 2 and Hollow Knight: Silksong included, this category promises intense fan debate.
The best RPG
A stacked line-up featuring Avowed, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, The Outer Worlds 2 and Monster Hunter Wilds cements the RPG as one of the dominant genres of the year.
Other strengths of the genre
The best fighting game
2XKO, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Collection, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.
The best family game
Donkey Kong Bananza, LEGO Voyagers, Mario Kart World.
Best Sim/Strategy
Civilization VII, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles, Jurassic World Evolution 3.
Top sports/races
EA Sports FC 26, F1 25, Rematch.
The best multiplayer
Elden Ring Nightreign, Split Fiction, Battlefield 6.
Which upcoming titles are the most anticipated?
The battle for the award for the most anticipated game revolves around some of the most powerful franchises in the industry:
The prevailing question: Can anything dethrone Grand Theft Auto VI as the eagerly awaited release of the year?
Who are the leading rivals in esports?
Esports once again features prominently with awards for athletes, teams and games:
The best esports game
Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Valorant.
Best esports athlete
Breeds, MenaRD, Zyw0o among others.
The best esports team
Gen.G, Team Falcons, NRG, Team Vitality and more.
Content Creator of the Year
Caedrel, Kai Cenat, Moistcc1tical, Sakura Miko and Burnt Peanut.
The diversity of nominees reflects the rapidly expanding cultural footprint of esports.
What is the Player Voice category highlighting this year?
A unique community-based category, Players’ Voice, offers fans direct influence.
This year’s roster includes:
Expedition 33, Genshin Impact, Dispatch, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Wuthering Waves, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yōtei, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Silent Hill f.
Fan favorite debates remain intense, with Silksong and Expedition 33 appearing to dominate early sentiment.
