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The Game Awards are one of the most hotly anticipated events in gaming. Whether you keep up with all the latest announcements or only drop by to see who won Game of the Year, the Game Awards are a big deal. AAA studios and the up-and-coming indie developers of titles like Dave the Diver share the spotlight as they fight it out in categories like Best Performance, Best Ongoing Game, and Games for Impact. Whether you’re a fan of indie darlings or blockbusters like Baldur’s Gate 3, this is the show for you. 2023 has seen some incredible releases, and there’s stiff competition in every category. Here are all the nominees for the 2023 Game Awards.
Best Performance
Killer acting can evoke just the right emotion. Whether it’s joy, despair, or excitement, these stunning actors delivered it.
- Ben Starr – Final Fantasy 16
- Cameron Monaghan – Star Wars: Jedi Survivor
- Idris Elba – Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Melani Liburd – Alan Wake 2
- Neil Newbon – Baldur’s Gate 3
- Yuri Lowenthal – Spider-Man 2
Best Ongoing Game
Some games you walk away from after beating. Others just keep going. From Apex Legends to Genshin Impact, these games show zero sign of ever slowing down.
- Apex Legends
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Final Fantasy 14
- Fortnite
- Genshin Impact
Best Multiplayer
Solo gaming is great. For some players, however, nothing beats the multiplayer experience, whether that’s playing with or against friends.
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Diablo 4
- Party Animals
- Street Fighter 6
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Best Art Direction
Even the best writing can fall flat without stellar art direction. The artistry behind these games brings their incredible worlds to life.
- Alan Wake 2
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Lies of P
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best Score and Music
From the quietest rumblings to the most deafening concerts, sound plays a huge part in how we experience and enjoy games. These titles do sound design right.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Final Fantasy 16
- Hi-Fi Rush
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best Audio Design
Quiet breathing. Breaking wood. Sudden footsteps. The right ambient noise can soothe you to sleep or send a chill racing up your spine.
- Alan Wake 2
- Dead Space
- Spider-Man 2
- Resident Evil 4
Best Adaptation
Video games have an excellent habit of transcending the medium, jumping into movies, comics, TV shows, and other uncharted territories. From The Last of Us to Twisted Metal, the hits just keep coming.
- Castlevania Nocturne
- Gran Turismo
- The Last of Us
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie
- Twisted Metal
Best Narrative
One of the things that games do best is tell a story. Whether they’re heartbreaking, rage-inducing, or inspiring, the stories told here are ones you won’t soon forget.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Final Fantasy 16
- Spider-Man 2
Games for Impact
Playing games is wonderful, but some games aspire to be more than just entertainment. The most ambitious games seek to make a real difference in the world.
- A Space for the Unbound
- Chants for Sennaar
- Goodbye Volcano High
- Tchia
- Terra Nil
- Venba
Best Independent Game
Household names can deliver the goods, but sometimes the best gaming experiences come from indie developers you’ve never heard of.
- Cocoon
- Dave the Diver
- Dredge
- Sea of Stars
- Viewfinder
Best Mobile Game
Playing at your PC or on the couch is great, but when you find yourself on the move, there’s no substitute for a fantastic mobile experience.
- Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis
- Honkai Starrail
- Hello Kitty Island Adventure
- Monster Hunter Now
- Terra Nil
Best Community Support
The best game devs give as much as they take. The relationship between devs like those behind No Man’s Sky and their fans is a special one, and when everyone is giving it their all to make the game its best, everybody wins.
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Destiny 2
- Final Fantasy 14
- No Man’s Sky
Best Debut Indie Game
From total obscurity to rockstardom, these debs debuted with a splash. You can’t do better than dropping a killer hit like these as a first impression.
- Cocoon
- Dredge
- Pizza Tower
- Venba
- Viewfinder
Best VR/AR Game
What’s better than playing a game? Being in one. These titles make an excellent argument for the power of digital immersion.
- Gran Turismo 7
- Humanity
- Horizon: Call of the Mountain
- Resident Evil Village VR Mode
- Synapcse
Content Creator of the Year
Whether you watch every frame or listen to them in the background like a podcast, these fantastic content creators deliver A+ experiences for their fans.
- Ironmouse
- People Make Games
- Quackity
- Spreen
- SypherPK
Most Anticipated Game
White-knuckle anticipation is the only way to describe the wait for some of these titles. We want them. We need them. These games are the shining stars on the horizon of the 2023 Game Awards.
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Hades 2
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Star Wars Outlaws
- Tekken 8
Best Action/Adventure Game
Pulse-pounding thrills, chills, gunshots, and fistfights are the stuff of Spider-Man 2 and other adventure titles. Sometimes, there’s nothing better than some juicy action.
- Alan Wake 2
- Spider-Man 2
- Resident Evil 4
- Star Wars Jedi Survivor
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best Role Playing Games
Step into the story. Play your part. These unusual heroes make their mark, whether it’s a misunderstood bard, a lonely spacefarer, or a troubled puppet.
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Final Fantasy 16
- Lies of P
- Sea of Stars
- Starfield
Best Fighting Game
Some of the fiercest competition you’ll ever see comes from fighting games. Whether you’re bludgeoning the AI or duking it out with your fellow players online, it doesn’t get much better.
- God of Rock
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Nickelodeon All Star Brawl 2
- Pocket Bravery
- Street Fighter 6
Best Action Game
Speed, aggression, and style are the hallmarks of this category. These games require a deceptive amount of finesse, and they more than reward players who learn their unique ropes.
- Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
- Dead Island 2
- Ghostrunner 2
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Remnant 2
Innovation in Accessibility
Gaming should be for everyone. These games have made important strides to make the hobby as accessible as possible so that we can all have fun together.
- Diablo 4
- Forza Motorsport
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Spider-Man 2
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Street Fighter 6
Best Family Game
Some titles are great for bringing the whole family together. Whether that means going toe-to-toe with all your siblings or playing something cozy with mom and dad, these titles fit the bill.
- Disney Illusion Island
- Party Animals
- Pikmin 4
- Sonic Superstars
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Best Sim/Strategy Game
You’ll have to put on your thinking cap for these deep and complicated titles. The reward for learning their mechanics however is a gaming experience that sets itself apart, and not just because it includes cute Pikmin.
- Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp
- Cities: Skylines 2
- Company of Heroes 2
- Fire Emblem Engage
- Pikmin 4
Best Sports/Racing Game
The peak of athleticism and talent is represented here, whether that’s by real-life superstars or over-the-top cars. Strap in, because we’re going for a ride at the 2023 Game Awards.
- EA Sports FC24
- F1 23
- Forza Motorsport
- HotWheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
- The Crew: Motorfest
Best Esports Game
If you’re looking for competition, you’ve found it. These esports games are the perfect venue for those looking to pit themselves against the very best.
- Counter Strike 2
- Dota 2
- League of Legends
- PUBG Mobile
- Valorant
Best Esports Athlete
Speaking of the very best, these players rank amongst the greatest players in the entire world for what they do. Stand back and marvel.
- Demon1
- Faker
- Imperial-Hal
- Ruler
- Zywoo
Best Esports Team
The only thing stronger than one esports pro is a whole team of them. These talented teams rank amongst the greatest esports dynasties around.
- Evil Geniuses – Valorant
- Fnatic – Valorant
- Gaimin Gladiators – Dota 2
- JD Gaming – League of Legends
- Team Vitality – Counter Strike
Best Esports Event
Esports players wouldn’t be much without a venue to showcase their skills. These esports events draw massive crowds for a reason. The skill on display here is spectacular.
- 2023 League of Legends World Championship
- Blast TV Paris Major 2023
- EVO 2023
- The International Dota 2 Championships 2023
- Valorant Champions 2023
Best Game Direction
The vision of a singular creator can drive a game to greatness just as much as the passion and talents of a gigantic team. These visionary directors have produced legitimate masterpieces.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Spider-Man 2
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Game of the Year
It all comes down to this. The best. The brightest. Only one can leave with the crown, and with such hot competition, it’s sure to cause a bit of controversy. Hold your breath for the star of the show.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Spider-Man 2
- Resident Evil 4
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The Game Awards 2023
If you want to see Tears of the Kingdom, Spider-Man 2, or any other title take away top prize at The Game Awards 2023, make sure to cast your vote on either the show’s official website or Discord. 2023 has seen some incredible releases, so the competition is sure to be hot. Only time will tell Whether the winners are predictable or total surprises. From the smallest indies to the largest and most established developers, there’s fantastic representation onstage this year. After looking at the nominees, one thing is for sure: 2023 is a great year to be a gamer.
