Geoff Keighley’s annual eventThe Game Awardswill be making a grand return thisDecember, with more world exclusives than ever before. Keighley is hyping up the event dramatically, and we’re expecting to see a lot of titles announced during the presentation. Today, the nominees for the award ceremony were revealed in a YouTube livestream prior to its broadcast in December.
“With our biggest lineup yet in terms of new game announcements, it’s going to be a very exciting night filled with surprises and celebration.” Keighley said in a Twitter post earlier this week.
The Game Awards premieres on June 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM ET / 5:30 PM PT. You can vote for who you want to win through DMing The Game Awards on Twitter, visiting their site, messaging them on Facebook Messenger, through their Discord Server or even through Amazon Echo and Google Home.
“Leading the pack with 8 nominations each, Sony Santa Monica’sGod of Warand Rockstar Games’Red Dead Redemption 2are both nominated for Game of the Year, alongside four other titles:Assassin’s Creed Odyssey(Ubisoft, 4 nominations); the independentCelestefrom Matt Makes Games (4 nominations);Marvel’s Spider-Man(7 nominations),Monster Hunter: Worldfrom Capcom (3 nominations).”
The nominees for The Game Awards 2018 can be viewed below.
GAME OF THE YEAR
Recognizing a game that delivers the absolute best experience across all creative and technical fields.
BEST ACTION GAME
For the best game in the action genre focused on combat.
BEST ACTION/ADVENTURE GAME
For the best action/adventure game, combining combat with traversal and puzzle solving.
BEST ROLE PLAYING GAME
For the best game designed with rich player character customization and progression, including massively multiplayer experiences.
BEST ONGOING GAME
Awarded to a game for outstanding development of ongoing content that evolves the player experience over time.
BEST GAME DIRECTION
Awarded to a game studio for outstanding creative vision and innovation in game direction and design.
BEST NARRATIVE
For outstanding storytelling and narrative development in a game.
BEST ART DIRECTION
For outstanding creative and/or technical achievement in artistic design and animation.
BEST MULTIPLAYER GAME
For outstanding online multiplayer gameplay and design, including co-op and massively multiplayer experiences, irrespective of game genre.
BEST SCORE/MUSIC
For outstanding music, inclusive of score, original song and/or licensed soundtrack.
BEST AUDIO DESIGN
Recognizing the best in-game audio and sound design.
BEST PERFORMANCE
Awarded to an individual for voice-over acting, motion and/or performance capture.
GAMES FOR IMPACT
For a thought provoking game with a profound pro-social meaning or message.
BEST INDEPENDENT GAME
For outstanding creative and technical achievement in a game made outside the traditional publisher system.
BEST MOBILE GAME
For the best game playable on a dedicated mobile device.
BEST VR/AR GAME
For the best game experience playable in virtual or augmented reality, irrespective of platform.
BEST FIGHTING GAME
For the best game designed primarily around head-to-head combat.
BEST FAMILY GAME
For the best game appropriate for family play, irrespective of genre or platform.
BEST ESPORTS PLAYER
The eSports player judged to be the most outstanding performer in 2018, irrespective of game.
BEST STUDENT GAME
Awarded the best student project created at the high school or college level.
BEST DEBUT INDIE GAME
Recognizing a new independent studio that released its first game in 2018. Winner selected by fan voting.
BEST ESPORTS GAME
For the game that has delivered the best overall eSports experience to players (inclusive of tournaments, community support and content updates), irrespective of genre or platform.
BEST ESPORTS TEAM
The eSports team judged to be the most outstanding for performance in 2018, inclusive of multi-team organizations.
