The gaming industry’s most anticipated event, The Game Awards, is poised to celebrate the year’s top video games on December 7, 2023. This grand event, broadcasting live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, is not just a ceremony but a showcase of the gaming world’s vibrancy and creativity.
This year’s nominees span a diverse range of genres, platforms, and artistic achievements, highlighting the vast landscape of modern gaming.
Leading Contenders
Topping the list of nominees are “Alan Wake 2” and “Baldur’s Gate 3,” each securing eight nominations across various categories. These titles have been recognized for their outstanding contributions in multiple aspects, including Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, and Best Narrative, showcasing their comprehensive excellence in gaming.
“Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” follows closely with seven nominations, while “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” and “Super Mario Bros. Wonder” each garnered five nods. Notably, “Resident Evil 4” also makes its mark in the Game of the Year category among its three total nominations.
Nintendo’s Dominance
Nintendo stands out with a total of 15 nominations across various categories, underscoring the company’s significant influence and innovation in the gaming industry. PlayStation and Xbox are not far behind, with 13 and 10 nominations respectively, reflecting the competitive nature of the industry.
The awards also highlight advancements in gaming technology and inclusivity. Categories like Innovation in Accessibility and Games for Impact underscore the industry’s commitment to creating diverse, inclusive experiences. For example, titles like “Diablo IV” and “Forza Motorsport” are lauded for making gaming more accessible to a wider audience.
The nominees also showcase artistic and technical excellence in gaming. From the haunting melodies in “Alan Wake 2,” composed by Petri Alanko, to the breathtaking art direction in “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” these games push the boundaries of what is possible in digital art and sound design.
Alongside the awards, Geoff Keighley, the host, is expected to unveil a series of exciting new video game trailers, adding to the night’s excitement. This anticipation for new announcements adds a layer of excitement and speculation, making the event a must-watch for gamers worldwide.
Despite the celebration of achievements, 2023 has been a challenging year for the gaming industry, with over 6,000 layoffs reported. This aspect serves as a sobering reminder of the volatility and ongoing challenges within this dynamic industry.
The Game Awards 2023 Nominees
Game of the Year
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Resident Evil 4
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best Game Direction
- 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 Narrative
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Final Fantasy XVI
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Best Art Direction
- Alan Wake 2
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Lies of P
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best Score and Music
- Alan Wake 2 (Petri Alanko)
- Baldur’s Gate 3 (Borislav Slavov)
- Final Fantasy XVI (Masayoshi Soken)
- Hi-Fi Rush (Shuichi Kobori)
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Sound Team)
Best Audio Design
- Alan Wake 2
- Dead Space
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Resident Evil 4
Best Performance
- Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI)
- 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)
Innovation in Accessibility
- Diablo IV
- Forza Motorsport
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Street Fighter 6
Games for Impact
- A Space for the Unbound
- Chants of Sennaar
- Goodbye Volcano High
- Tchia
- Terra Nil
- Venba
Best Ongoing Game
- Apex Legends
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Final Fantasy XIV
- Fortnite
- Genshin Impact
Best Community Support
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Destiny 2
- Final Fantasy XIV
- No Man’s Sky
Best Independent Game
- Cocoon
- Dave the Diver
- Dredge
- Sea of Stars
- Viewfinder
Best Debut Indie Game
- Cocoon
- Dredge
- Pizza Tower
- Venba
- Viewfinder
Best Mobile Game
- Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis
- Honkai: Star Rail
- Hello Kitty Island Adventure
- Monster Hunter Now
- Terra Nil
Best VR/AR Game
- Gran Turismo 7
- Humanity
- Horizon Call of the Mountain
- Resident Evil Village VR Mode
- Synapse
Best Action Game
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Dead Island 2
- Ghostrunner 2
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Remnant 2
Best Action/Adventure Game
- Alan Wake 2
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Resident Evil 4
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best RPG
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Final Fantasy XVI
- Lies of P
- Sea of Stars
- Starfield
Best Fighting Game
- God of Rock
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
- Pocket Bravery
- Street Fighter 6
Best Family Game
- Disney Illusion Island
- Party Animals
- Pikmin 4
- Sonic Superstars
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Best Sim/Strategy Game
- Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
- Cities: Skylines II
- Company of Heroes 3
- Fire Emblem Engage
- Pikmin 4
Best Sports/Racing
- EA Sports FC 24
- F1 23
- Forza Motorsport
- Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
- The Crew Motorfest
Best Multiplayer Presented by Discord
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Diablo IV
- Party Animals
- Street Fighter 6
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Best Adaptation
- Castlevania: Nocturne
- Gran Turismo
- The Last of Us
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie
- Twisted Metal
Most Anticipated Game
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
- Hades II
- Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Star Wars Outlaws
- Tekken 8
Content Creator of the Year
- IronMouse
- PeopleMakeGames
- Quackity
- Spreen
- SypherPK
Best Esports Game
- Counter-Strike 2
- Dota 2
- League of Legends
- PUBG Mobile
- Valorant
Best Esports Athlete
- Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok (League of Legends)
- Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut (CS:GO)
- Max “Demon1” Mazanov (Valorant)
- Paco “HyDra” Rusiewiez (Call of Duty)
- Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk (League of Legends)
- Phillip ”ImperialHal” Dosen (Apex Legends)
Best Esports Team
- Evil Geniuses (Valorant)
- Fnatic (Valorant)
- Gaimin Gladiators (Dota 2)
- JD Gaming (League of Legends)
- Team Vitality (Counter-Strike)
Best Esports Coach
- Christine “potter” Chi (Evil Geniuses – Valorant)
- Danny “zonic” Sorensen (Team Falcons – Counter-Strike)
- Jordan “Gunba” Graham (Florida Mayhem – Overwatch)
- Remy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam (Team Vitality – Counter-Strike)
- Yoon “Homme” Sung-young (JD Gaming – League of Legends)
Best Esports Event
- 2023 League of Legends World Championship
- tv Paris Major 2023
- EVO 2023
- The International Dota 2 Championships 2023
- VALORANT Champions 2023
