Hold onto your controllers, game enthusiasts! This year’s DICE Awards have once again rolled out the red carpet for gaming’s finest, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yōtei both strutting ahead with eight nominations each—because apparently, they just couldn’t resist hogging the spotlight!
On a delightful Thursday (which may or may not have been celebrated with snacks and confetti), the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences decided it was time to unveil their list of contenders for the 29th ceremony, set to shake things up in Las Vegas on February 12 at 8pm PT. The entire event will be streamed live for anyone wishing to witness the drama unfold without having to wear pants.
The Heavyweights of Nominations
Following the top two contestants, Arc Raiders and Dispatch are trailing behind with six nominations each. In a shocking twist, Blue Prince managed to snag five nominations, while Death Stranding 2: On the Beach waded in behind with four. The competition is as intense as a boss battle on the highest difficulty setting!
The coveted title of Game of the Year will be fiercely contested between the elite squad: Arc Raiders, Blue Prince, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Dispatch, and Ghost of Yōtei. Grab some popcorn, settle in, and prepare for a battle of epic proportions!
Peer Panels and Other Mysteries
Now, how does one become a nominee in this digital gladiator arena? Well, the nominees are handpicked by peer panels filled with “most experienced and talented experts in their chosen fields” (aka the gaming wizards). However, mystery surrounding their secret meetings remains—are donuts involved? Very likely! Winners will emerge from confidential voting among the Academy’s 30,000+ members. That’s right; even the Academy can’t avoid the delightful chaos of democratic decision-making.
Thanks and Congratulations
“First, thank you to our peer panelists. Your dedication and expertise in our judging process, and your work in selecting the best games of 2025, is truly appreciated,”
said Meggan Scavio, president of the Academy, likely in an elegantly decorated room stocked with fancy gaming memorabilia.
“And on behalf of all of us at the Academy, I extend my congratulations to all of our finalists. Each of these games has impressed us through its creativity, artistry, and technical achievement, and we look forward to celebrating your accomplishments at the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.”
Such poetic words—one could almost feel the epic nature of it all!
Last year, Astro Bot snagged Game of the Year, walking away with four awards—because who doesn’t love a tiny robot that can do it all? Other contenders included Balatro, Helldivers 2, and an Indiana Jones adventure because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy a little treasure-hunting nostalgia?
The Nominations Rundown
Outstanding Achievement in Animation
Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
- Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Dispatch
- Ghost of Yōtei
- The Midnight Walk
Outstanding Achievement in Character
- Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33 – Team
- Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33 – Maelle
- Dispatch – Courtney/Invisigal
- Dispatch – Robert Robertson III/Mecha Man
- Ghost of Yōtei – Atsu
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
- Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Herdling
- Mario Kart World
- Sword of the Sea
Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design
Outstanding Achievement in Story
- Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33
- Consume Me
- despelote
- South of Midnight
- The Drifter
Outstanding Technical Achievement
Action Game of the Year
Adventure Game of the Year
Family Game of the Year
- LEGO® Party!
- LEGO® Voyagers
- Lumines Arise
- MARVEL Cosmic Invasion
- POPUCOM
Fighting Game of the Year
Racing Game of the Year
Role-Playing Game of the Year
Sports Game of the Year
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26
- PGA Tour 2k25
- MLB® The Show™ 25
- NBA 2k26
- Rematch
Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
- The Alters
- Drop Duchy
- Europa Universalis V
- The King is Watching
- StarVaders
Immersive Reality Technical Achievement
- Ghost Town
- Hotel Infinity
- Marvel’s Deadpool VR
- Star Wars: Beyond Victory – A Mixed Reality Playset
- Unloop
Immersive Reality Game of the Year
- Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked
- Ghost Town
- Marvel’s Deadpool VR
- The Midnight Walk
- Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow
Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game
- Baby Steps
- Blue Prince
- Consume Me
- despelote
- Dispatch
Mobile Game of the Year
- Persona5: The Phantom X
- Umamusume: Pretty Derby
- WHAT THE CLASH?
- Where Winds Meet
Online Game of the Year
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design
- Arc Raiders
- Blue Prince
- Hades II
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Yes
Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction
- Blue Prince
- Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Hades II
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Game of the Year
- Arc Raiders
- Blue Prince
- Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33
- Dispatch
- Ghost of Yōtei
