Clair Obscur Wins Another Game of the Year Award

The awards season momentum for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 shows no signs of slowing down. At the DICE Awards in Las Vegas this past Thursday, Sandfall Interactive’s turn-based epic secured five major trophies, including the night’s most prestigious honor: Game of the Year. In addition to the top prize, the title was recognized as Role-Playing Game of the Year and received accolades for Outstanding Achievement in Story, Art Direction, and Game Direction. These latest additions further bolster a trophy cabinet that already boasts French knighthoods for the studio’s leadership.

Sucker Punch Productions also enjoyed a successful evening with Ghost of Yōtei, which earned three awards: Adventure Game of the Year, Outstanding Achievement in Character for its protagonist, Atsu, and Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition. The latter served as a notable surprise, as Expedition 33 has largely monopolized the best-soundtrack categories across other ceremonies this winter.

Other notable victors included Blue Prince, which swept the Game Design and Independent Game categories. Meanwhile, Hades 2 was crowned Action Game of the Year, and Arc Raiders took the title for Online Game of the Year.

While The Game Awards often captures the public spotlight as the “Oscars of gaming,” the DICE Awards are widely considered the industry’s true peer-reviewed equivalent. Unlike the media-driven jury of The Game Awards, DICE winners are selected by a body of professional developers and industry insiders. Despite the differing voter pools, the DICE results frequently align with the critical consensus established earlier in the season.

With this latest win, Clair Obscur is now on the verge of an historic “Grand Slam.” Only one game in history—2023’s Baldur’s Gate 3—has managed to sweep the “Big Five” major Game of the Year honors: the Golden Joysticks, The Game Awards, DICE, and the GDC Awards. All eyes now turn to the BAFTA Games Awards in April, which serves as the final, and often most unpredictable, hurdle in achieving a total sweep.

Below is the complete list of winners from the DICE Awards:

• Game of the Year: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Outstanding Achievement in Game Design: Blue Prince
• Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game: Blue Prince
• Role-Playing Game of the Year: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Adventure Game of the Year: Ghost of Yōtei
• Action Game of the Year: Hades 2
• Outstanding Achievement in Story: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Outstanding Achievement in Character: Ghost of Yōtei – Atsu
• Outstanding Achievement in Animation: South of Midnight
• Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition: Ghost of Yōtei
• Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Outstanding Technical Achievement: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Online Game of the Year: Arc Raiders
• Mobile Game of the Year: Persona 5: The Phantom X
• Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year: The Alters
• Sports Game of the Year: Rematch
• Racing Game of the Year: Mario Kart World
• Fighting Game of the Year: Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
• Family Game of the Year: Lego Party!
• Immersive Reality Game of the Year: Ghost Town
• Immersive Reality Technical Achievement: Hotel Infinity

Source: Polygon