Every December, people tune in around the world to watch The Game Awards, a major event that celebrates the best games, creators, and moments in the industry. Hosted by Geoff Keighley, the ceremony brings together developers, streamers, and fans to recognize the creativity and hard work behind the games that many of us enjoy.
One of the biggest highlights of The Game Awards 2025 was the announcement of Game of the Year, the most prestigious award of the night. This honor goes to a game that stands out for its overall quality, including gameplay, story, visuals, and impact on players.
This year’s game of the year award went to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a role-playing game that stood out for its powerful narrative, artistic design, and technical excellence. Clair Obscur made history by winning nine awards, more than any other game in the event’s history. The runner up’s for this award included games such as Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, demonstrating a strong and varied competition.
Despite its dominance in the awards, there have been several controversies regarding the validity and legitimacy of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 winning “Best Independent Game.” According to The Poly Post, while Sandfall Interactive maintains a limited internal scale compared to well-established industry titans like Ubisoft or Rockstar Games, the magnitude of its production casts doubt on whether it truly is an independent game. The game’s credits reveal a 400-person-developed juggernaut, a scale achieved through extensive outsourcing and a leadership team deeply connected to the Ubisoft ecosystem.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not the first controversial game to blur the boundaries between independent games and high-budget titles in the industry. Considering the precedents set in the past, where games like Sea of Stars and Sifu featured hundreds of people in their credits, it is evident that the “Indie” category at The Game Awards has been increasingly engulfed by large-scale games as opposed to being a habitat for truly independent games. Instead, the definition of independent games has come to embrace high-budget, AA-scale productions. Following previous cases like Kena: Bridge of Spirits (backed by Sony) and nominees like Dave the Diver (backed by Nexon), The Game Awards regards Sandfall Interactive as the latest example of a studio utilizing professional, large-scale infrastructure while competing under an “independent” banner, which contradicts the goal of the award, which is to prioritize grassroots, small-scale creators.
Several titles received recognition across various categories in addition to the Game of the Year. Hades II was honored as the best action game for its fast-paced combat and refined gameplay, building on its predecessor’s success. Hollow Knight: Silksong won best action/adventure game, notable for its challenging exploration, hand-drawn visuals, and immersive world. Donkey Kong Bananza was named best family game, offering fun and creativity suitable for all ages. Battlefield 6 earned the best audio design award for its realistic sound effects and immersive battlefield atmosphere. No Man’s Sky was recognized as the best ongoing game, thanks to years of updates and improvements supported by the developers. Baldur’s Gate 3 received the award for best community support due to its strong and transparent engagement with players. In esports, Counter-Strike 2 was named best game, while streamer MoistCr1TiKaL was named content creator of the year for his community influence. Finally, Grand Theft Auto VI was deemed the most anticipated game, reflecting high excitement and expectations for its upcoming release.
Overall, The Game Awards 2025 demonstrated the continued growth and importance of the video game industry. By recognizing the high levels of creativity, storytelling, technical achievement, and community engagement, the event highlighted the wide range of talent involved in making modern video games. As video games remain a major part of entertainment and culture, The Game Awards serve as an important event to acknowledge the individuals and teams shaping the future of the industry.
