“A banger of a year.” That’s what the gaming community has been saying, as the games released this year are nothing but phenomenal. Game of the Year is back to celebrate this, and the nominees for every category have been announced.
Dec. 7, 2023, is the faithful day when the event winners will be announced. Before then, the site of Game Awards is open for the public to vote. Gamers must sign in first for their vote to be counted on all 31 categories. The Liveshow will be available for everyone and streamed on public platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, X, and Facebook Live.
Without further ado, here is the complete list of the nominees per category:
Game of the Year
Recognizing a game that delivers the absolute best experience across all creative and technical fields.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best Action/Adventure Game
For the best action/adventure game, combining combat with traversal and puzzle solving.
- Alan Wake 2
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Resident Evil 4
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best VR/AR Game
For the best game experience playable in virtual or augmented reality, irrespective of platform.
- Gran Turismo 7
- Humanity
- Horizon: Call of the Mountain
- Resident Evil Village
- Synapse
Best Action Game
For the best game in the action genre focused primarily on combat.
- Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
- Dead Island 2
- Ghostrunner 2
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Remnant 2
Best Adaptation
Celebrating game-inspired projects across entertainment including TV, movies, comics, and more.
- Castlevania: Nocturne
- Gran Turismo
- The Last of Us
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie
- Twisted Metal
Best Art Direction
For outstanding creative and/or technical achievement in artistic design and animation.
- Alan Wake 2
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Lies of P
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best Audio Design
Recognizing the best in-game audio and sound design.
- Alan Wake 2
- Dead Space Remake
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
Best Community Support
Recognizing a game for outstanding community support, transparency and responsiveness, inclusive of social media activity and game updates/patches.
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Destiny 2
- Final Fantasy XIV
- No Man’s Sky
Best Debut Indie Game
For the best debut game created by a new independent studio.
- Cocoon
- Dredge
- Pizza Tower
- Venba
- Viewfinder
Best Esports Athlete
The esports athlete judged to be the most outstanding for performance and conduct in 2023, irrespective of game.
- Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok
- Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
- Max “Demon1” Mazanov
- Paco “HyDra” Rusiewiez
- Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk
- Phillip ”ImperialHal” Dosen
Best Esports Coach
The Esports coach judged to be the most outstanding for performance and conduct in 2023.
- Christine “potter” Chi
- Danny “zonic” Sorensen
- Jordan “Gunba” Graham
- Remy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam
- Yoon “Homme” Sung-young
Best Esports Event
Recognizing an event (across single or multiple days) that delivered a best-of-class experience for participants and the broadcast audience.
- 2023 League of Legends World Championship
- Blast.tv Paris Major 2023
- EVO 2023
- The International Dota 2 Championships 2023
- VALORANT Champions 2023
Best Esports Team
Recognizing a specific esports team (not the full organization) judged the most outstanding for performance and conduct in 2023.
- Evil Geniuses
- Fnatic
- Gaimin Gladiators
- JD Gaming
- Team Vitality
Best Esports Game
For the game that has delivered the best overall esports experience to players (inclusive of tournaments, community support and content updates), irrespective of genre or platform.
- Counter-Strike 2
- Dota 2
- League of Legends
- PUBG Mobile
- Valorant
Best Family Game
For the best game appropriate for family play, irrespective of genre or platform.
- Disney Illusion Island
- Party Animals
- Pikmin 4
- Sonic Superstars
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Best Fighting Game
For the best game designed primarily around head-to-head combat.
- God of Rock
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
- Pocket Bravery
- Street Fighter 6
Best Game Direction
Awarded for outstanding creative vision and innovation in game direction and design.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best Independent Game
For outstanding creative and technical achievement in a game made outside the traditional publisher system.
- Cocoon
- Dave the Diver
- Dredge
- Sea of Stars
- Viewfinder
Best Mobile Game
For the best game playable on a mobile device.
- Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis
- Honkai: Star Rail
- Hello Kitty Island Adventure
- Monster Hunter Now
- Terra Nil
Best Multiplayer Game
For outstanding online multiplayer gameplay and design, including co-op and massively multiplayer experiences, irrespective of game genre or platform.
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Diablo 4
- Party Animals
- Street Fighter 6
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Best Narrative
For outstanding storytelling and narrative development in a game.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Final Fantasy 16
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Best Ongoing Game
Awarded to a game for outstanding development of ongoing content that evolves the player experience over time.
- Apex Legends
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Final Fantasy 14
- Fortnite
- Genshin Impact
Best Performance
Awarded to an individual for voice-over acting, motion and/or performance capture.
- Ben Starr – Final Fantasy 16
- Cameron Monaghan – Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- Idris Elba – Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Melanie Liburd – Alan Wake 2
- Neil Newbon – Baldur’s Gate 3
- Yuri Lowenthal – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Best RPG
For the best game designed with rich player character customization and progression, including massively multiplayer experiences.
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Final Fantasy 16
- Lies of P
- Sea of Stars
- Starfield
Best Score/Music
For outstanding music, inclusive of score, original song and/or licensed soundtrack.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Final Fantasy 16
- Hi-Fi Rush
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Games for Impact
For a thought-provoking game with a pro-social meaning or message.
- A Space for the Unbound
- Chants of Sennaar
- Goodbye Volcano High
- Tchia
- Terra Nil
- Venba
Innovation in Accessibility
Recognizing software and/or hardware that is pushing the medium forward by adding features, technology and content to help games be played and enjoyed by an even wider audience.
- Diablo 4
- Forza Motorsport
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Street Fighter 6
Best Sports/Racing Game
For the best traditional and non-traditional sports and racing game.
- EA Sports FC 24
- F1 23
- Forza Motorsport
- Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
- The Crew Motofest
Best SIM/Strategy Game
Best game focused on real time or turn-based simulation or strategy gameplay, irrespective of platform.
- Advanced Wars 1+” Re-Boot Camp
- Cities: Skylines 2
- Company of Heroes 3
- Fire Emblem Engage
- Pikmin 4
Content Creator of the Year
For a streamer or content creator who has made an important and positive impact on the community in 2023.
- IronMouse
- PeopleMakeGames
- Quackity
- Spreen
- SypherPK
Most Anticipated Game
Recognizing an announced game that has demonstrably illustrated potential to push the gaming medium forward.
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Hades 2
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Star Wars Outlaws
- Tekken 8
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