The highly anticipated 2025 edition of The Game Awards took place on Thursday night at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles. The event saw some of the biggest names in the gaming industry come together to celebrate the best games of the year.
One of the most coveted awards of the night was Game of the Year, with nominees including “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,” “Death Stranding 2: On The Beach,” “Donkey Kong Bananza,” “Hades II,” “Hollow Knight: Silksong,” and “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.” Ultimately, “Donkey Kong Bananza” took home the top family game award.
Throughout the evening, various awards were presented, with winners announced live during the show. The winners list included categories such as Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Audio Design, Best Performance, and many more.
In the Best Independent Game category, “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” emerged as the winner, while “Umamusume: Pretty Derby” took home the prize for Best Mobile Game. The Last of Us: Season 2 was honored as the Best Adaptation, and Counter-Strike 2 was named the Best Esports Game.
The event also recognized Content Creator of the Year, with nominees like Caedrel, Kai Cenat, MoistCr1TiKaL, Sakura Miko, and The Burnt Peanut vying for the title. The night culminated with Team Vitality being awarded the title of Best Esports Team.
As a member of the jury for The Game Awards 2025, Variety played a crucial role in the selection process. The event was a testament to the incredible talent and innovation present in the gaming industry, and fans can look forward to even more exciting developments in the years to come.
