The Game Awards 2025 nominations have officially landed — and, in true internet fashion, gamers everywhere are buzzing. The biggest headline? The breakout title Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominated with a record-setting 12 nominations, the most in the show’s history, and grabbed a coveted spot among the Game of the Year (GOTY) nominees.
A Record-Setting Leader — But Not Without Sparks
Expedition 33’s haul isn’t just impressive — it’s historic. With nods ranging from Game of the Year to Best Game Direction and beyond, it’s clear that this title is the darling of both critics and the awards jury.
But not everyone’s cheering. Some longtime fans are scratching their heads over how a relatively new IP surged so far ahead, while established studios like Supergiant (with Hades II) and Team Cherry (with Hollow Knight: Silksong) — both nominated for GOTY — may feel their time in the spotlight is being overshadowed.
The Other GOTY Contenders: A Wild Mix
Here’s the full list of Game of the Year nominees for The Game Awards 2025:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
This lineup has triggered strong reactions. Some gamer communities on Reddit argue that Hades II, being a highly anticipated sequel, deserves the win. Others are rallying behind Silksong for its charm and legacy.
Xbox Joins the Fray: Voting, Game Pass, and Major Representation
Microsoft’s Xbox division is making waves too. According to Xbox Wire, a half-dozen Xbox-published games are up for major awards — and many are available now on Xbox Game Pass, making it easier than ever for fans to play and vote.
Titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are all playable via Game Pass, which may help drive both fandom and voting.
What’s Driving the Drama (and the Gossip)
Some of the chatter surrounding this year’s game awards goes beyond just who’s nominated:
- Publisher Power Plays
- Sony leads with 19 nominations, while Kepler Interactive (behind Expedition 33) makes a strong showing with 13 nominations.
- Microsoft (with Xbox) and EA also each earned 10 nominations, signaling broad industry influence.
- Indie Game Controversy
- While Blue Prince, a critically loved indie puzzle game, earned a nod for Best Debut Indie Game, it notably did not make the GOTY shortlist.
- Some fans argue that The Game Awards still favor big-budget titles, leaving smaller but brilliant indies behind.
- Gamer Access vs. Awards Influence
- Because many nominated games are on Game Pass, Xbox’s reach in influencing votes is now a hot topic.
- Skeptics suggest that ease of access could translate into votes — and that might tilt the scales in favor of widely played titles.
- Streaming Stage Anticipation
- The awards ceremony will broadcast on December 11 from the Peacock Theater in L.A., promising world premieres, new trailers, and musical performances.
- But rumors are swirling: Will this be the biggest Game Awards yet? And what surprises does host Geoff Keighley have lined up?
Why This Year Feels Different
- Historic Nomination Count: It’s the first time a game has received 12 nominations, raising the question — is Expedition 33 the next big thing or just the awards’ darling?
- Broader Voting Power: With streaming and Game Pass integration, more players than ever have the opportunity to play nominee games and vote.
- Indie vs. AAA Tension: As the industry grows, fans are increasingly vocal about balancing prestige with passion, budget, and creativity.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next & Why You Should Care
- Voting for The Game Awards closes December 10, so if you’ve got opinions — now’s the time to weigh in.
- The ceremony on December 11 could reshape public perception of this year’s standout games — or trigger more online backlash.
- Will Expedition 33 walk away with GOTY? Or will a fan-favorite like Hades II or Silksong pull off an upset?
FAQ
When are The Game Awards 2025 happening?
The show is set for December 11, 2025, streaming live.
How do I vote for the Game Awards?
Voting is open online on the official The Game Awards website — but it closes December 10.
What game got the most nominations this year?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads with 12.
Which games are nominated for Game of the Year (GOTY)?
The GOTY nominees are:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Are any Xbox games nominated?
Yes — several, including Expedition 33, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and more, many of which are playable on Game Pass.
Why are people upset about the nominations?
Some fans feel indie gems like Blue Prince were snubbed for GOTY. Others worry that broader access (especially via Game Pass) could unfairly tilt voting toward popular titles, not necessarily the most artistically deserving ones.
The stage is set, the game is on — and with so much drama already unfolding, this year’s Game Awards could be one of the most talked-about yet.
Source:
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy17l76gyko
- https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-2025-nominees-list-game-of-the-year/
- https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/11/17/game-awards-2025-xbox-nominations/