The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has officially unveiled the finalists for the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yōtei emerging as the clear frontrunners. Both titles secured an impressive eight nominations apiece, setting the stage for a high-stakes ceremony. The winners will be revealed during a live broadcast originating from the Aria Resort in Las Vegas on Thursday, February 12, starting at 8 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. ET.
From the vast landscape of interactive entertainment released throughout 2025, only 64 titles earned a spot on this year’s prestigious list. While Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yōtei lead the charge, other standout contenders include Arc Raiders and Dispatch with six nominations each, Blue Prince with five, and Death Stranding 2: On The Beach following closely with four.
Familiar faces Greg Miller (Kinda Funny) and media personality Stella Chung return to the stage as co-hosts for this year’s festivities. The duo initially broke the news during a recent broadcast of Kinda Funny Games Daily, just ahead of the official press release from the Academy.
“I want to express our deepest gratitude to our peer panels,” stated AIAS President Meggan Scavio. “Their professional insight and commitment to the adjudication process ensure we are truly honoring the finest achievements of 2025. On behalf of the Academy, congratulations to all the finalists. These games represent the pinnacle of creativity and technical mastery, and we are eager to celebrate these milestones at the upcoming ceremony.”
What distinguishes the D.I.C.E. Awards from other industry ceremonies—such as The Game Awards—is the voting body. Rather than being determined by media outlets, these awards are voted upon exclusively by industry professionals and game developers. Furthermore, the event remains a dedicated awards program focused on artistic recognition, eschewing the “world premiere” trailers and marketing reveals common in other venues.
Complete List of Finalists
Outstanding Achievement in Animation
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost Of Yōtei
- Monster Hunter Wilds
- South of Midnight
- The Midnight Walk
Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Dispatch
- Ghost Of Yōtei
- The Midnight Walk
Outstanding Achievement in Character
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Esquie
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Maelle
- Dispatch – Courtney/Invisigal
- Dispatch – Robert Robertson III/Mecha Man
- Ghost Of Yōtei – Atsu
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Ghost Of Yōtei
- Herdling
- Mario Kart World
- Sword of the Sea
Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design
- Arc Raiders
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost Of Yōtei
- Lumines Arise
- Split Fiction
Outstanding Achievement in Story
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Consume Me
- despelote
- South of Midnight
- The Drifter
Outstanding Technical Achievement
- Arc Raiders
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- DOOM: The Dark Ages
Action Game of the Year
- Absolum
- Arc Raiders
- DOOM: The Dark Ages
- Hades II
- Ninja Gaiden 4
Adventure Game of the Year
- Blue Prince
- Dispatch
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Ghost Of Yōtei
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Family Game of the Year
- LEGO Party!
- LEGO Voyagers
- Lumines Arise
- Marvel Cosmic Invasion
- POPUCOM
Fighting Game of the Year
- 2XKO
- Capcom Fighting Collection 2
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
- Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
- WWE 2K25
Racing Game of the Year
- EA Sports F1 25
- Kirby Air Riders
- Mario Kart World
- Wheel World
Role-Playing Game of the Year
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Monster Hunter Wilds
- The Outer Worlds 2
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
- Persona 5: The Phantom X
- Umamusume: Pretty Derby
- What The Clash?
- Where Winds Meet
Online Game of the Year
- Arc Raiders
- Battlefield 6
- Mario Kart World
- Marvel Rivals
- Split Fiction
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design
- Arc Raiders
- Blue Prince
- Hades II
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Öoo
Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Hades II
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Game of the Year
- Arc Raiders
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Dispatch
- Ghost of Yōtei
Which of these titles do you believe deserves the top honor? Share your predictions in the comments!
