The rhythm of the video game awards season is curiously inverted. In the film industry, a deliberate sequence of precursor accolades—bestowed by critics’ circles, professional guilds, and the evolving voting body of the Golden Globes—gradually builds momentum toward the grand finale: the Academy Awards.
In gaming, we reach the crescendo first and fill in the blanks later. The Game Awards, a critic-voted spectacle that has undeniably become the industry’s flagship event, takes place in December (following closely on the heels of the Golden Joysticks). Consequently, the opening months of the new year are populated by a series of ceremonies attempting to carve out their own identities—either by mirroring the TGA results or consciously deviating from them.
This means the victory lap for Clair Obscur, the 2025 Game of the Year frontrunner, is far from over. Developers Sandfall Interactive and publisher Kepler Interactive likely have a few more trophies to collect. However, upcoming ceremonies offer a window for alternative voices to champion different winners.
Here is a look at the major ceremonies still to come and what we might expect from them.
D.I.C.E. Awards (Feb. 12)
While The Game Awards is often branded as “gaming’s Oscars,” the D.I.C.E. Awards actually hold a stronger claim to that title. This is because D.I.C.E. is not determined by media members, but by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences—a professional body comprised of developers and executives. Held during the D.I.C.E. Summit in Las Vegas, it serves as the industry’s premier peer-reviewed honor.
Historically, D.I.C.E. winners often align with The Game Awards, typically selecting the same Game of the Year. The Academy’s taste tends to favor high-production mainstream titles, though it occasionally pivots toward indie darlings like Hades, Untitled Goose Game, or Journey.
This year, Clair Obscur and Ghost of Yōtei are the dominant forces with eight nominations each. Interestingly, the GOTY shortlist here includes titles like Dispatch, Arc Raiders, and Blue Prince, which weren’t as prominent at TGA. Because The Game Awards occurs so early, it often misses late-year success stories that D.I.C.E. is better positioned to recognize. Nevertheless, Clair Obscur remains the heavy favorite to win big.
IGF Awards (March 11)
Operated under the umbrella of the Game Developers Conference (GDC), the Independent Games Festival (IGF) Awards are the most avant-garde in the industry. Deeply rooted in the indie ethos, the IGF ignores blockbuster productions like Clair Obscur entirely. It is a ceremony that prides itself on artistic integrity and discovery.
The IGF jury sifts through hundreds of entries, disregarding traditional commercial release windows. This allows for a unique mix of games that launched a year ago alongside titles that aren’t yet available. It is the ultimate platform for finding the next big innovation in gaming.
This year, Baby Steps claims the lead with five nominations. However, the Seumas McNally Grand Prize—the IGF’s equivalent of Game of the Year—is notoriously difficult to predict. We could see a win for the experimental Blippo+, the provocative horror of Horses, or a complete dark horse that will soon become the industry’s new obsession.
Game Developers Choice Awards (March 12)
Also held during GDC, the Game Developers Choice (GDC) Awards occupy a middle ground between the mainstream appeal of D.I.C.E. and the indie focus of the IGF. These awards are determined by a panel of industry creators and the editorial staff of Game Developer.
While the GDC Awards often mirror The Game Awards’ winners, they have shown a recent tendency to elevate indie phenomena over massive commercial projects. Recent GOTY winners like Balatro and Inscryption demonstrate a jury that values creative ingenuity over sheer budget.
That said, Clair Obscur—which successfully bridges the gap between indie sensibilities and AAA production values—is once again the frontrunner here with eight nominations. It faces competition from Ghost of Yōtei, Blue Prince, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Split Fiction. Notably, some TGA heavyweights like Death Stranding 2 seem to have less traction here, perhaps due to the GDC’s specific jury composition. Expect Clair Obscur to add another trophy to its mantle.
BAFTA Games Awards (April 17)
Arriving very late in the cycle, the BAFTA Games Awards remain a vital part of the calendar. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts was an early adopter of video games as a legitimate art form, and their selection process involves specialized juries and an intricate voting system. The result is a ceremony that feels refined, expert, and occasionally surprising.
BAFTA’s Best Game category frequently breaks from the global consensus. It has previously honored titles like Vampire Survivors, Returnal, and Outer Wilds when other ceremonies looked elsewhere. While there is a dedicated “British Game” category, the main awards are international in scope and consistently interesting, even if their timing feels like a look into the rearview mirror.
Official nominations are set for March 12, but the newly released longlist has already narrowed the field to 10 contenders. Clair Obscur is predictably present, but if any organization is going to pivot and award the top prize to Blue Prince, it will be BAFTA.
Source: Polygon
