The Game Awards 2025: Clair Obscur Wins GOTY in Historic Indie Victory

The Game Awards 2025 has officially concluded, and history was made last night. This year celebrated the best of the industry, but it also signalled a massive shift. For the first time, independent titles heavily influenced the Game of the Year (GOTY) category. Three of the nominees lacked traditional AAA backing. Ultimately, the night belonged to one standout masterpiece: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

The Game Awards 2025: Indie Games Take Centre Stage

The industry is changing. Developers, writers, and actors are pouring their passion into projects that challenge the status quo. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the perfect example. It did not just win Game of the Year. It absolutely dominated the ceremony.

The game secured wins for Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, and Best Art Direction. Furthermore, Jennifer English took home the Best Performance award for her role in the title. This victory casts a bright light on the future direction of gaming. It proves that ingenuity often beats budget.

Major Winners & Announcements at The Game Awards 2025

While Clair Obscur led the pack, other titles had their moment in the spotlight. Hollow Knight: Silksong finally arrived and claimed Best Action/Adventure Game. Hades 2 secured Best Action Game.

In the ongoing categories, No Man’s Sky continues its redemption arc by winning Best Ongoing Game. Fans also made their voices heard. Grand Theft Auto VI took home the Most Anticipated Game award, while Wuthering Waves won the Players’ Voice award.

Below is the complete breakdown of every winner from The Game Awards 2025.

Top Honours & Creative Awards

Category	Winner	Notable Nominees
Game of the Year	Clair Obscur: Expedition 33	Death Stranding 2, Hades 2, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Best Game Direction	Clair Obscur: Expedition 33	Ghost of Yotei, Split Fiction
Best Narrative	Clair Obscur: Expedition 33	Silent Hill f, Death Stranding 2
Best Art Direction	Clair Obscur: Expedition 33	Hollow Knight: Silksong, Ghost of Yotei
Best Score and Music	Clair Obscur: Expedition 33	Hades 2, Death Stranding 2
Best Audio Design	Battlefield 6	Silent Hill f, Ghost of Yotei
Best Performance	Jennifer English (Clair Obscur)	Ben Starr, Troy Baker, Charlie Cox
Games for Impact	South of Midnight	Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Wanderstop
Innovation in Accessibility	Doom: The Dark Ages	Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Atomfall

Genre-Specific Awards

Category	Winner
Best Action Game	Hades 2
Best Action/Adventure	Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best RPG	Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Fighting Game	Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
Best Family Game	Donkey Kong Bananza
Best Sim/Strategy	Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
Best Sports/Racing	Mario Kart World
Best Multiplayer	ARC Raiders
Best Mobile Game	Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Best VR/AR Game	The Midnight Walk

Esports, Community & Media

The night also celebrated the community and competitive side of gaming. Counter-Strike 2 remains the king of esports, while Team Vitality secured the Best Esports Team award.

• Best Ongoing Game: No Man’s Sky
• Best Community Support: Baldur’s Gate 3
• Best Independent Game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Best Debut Indie Game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Content Creator of the Year: MoistCr1TiKaL
• Best Esports Game: Counter-Strike 2
• Best Esports Athlete: Chovy
• Best Esports Team: Team Vitality (CS2)
• Best Adaptation: The Last of Us Season 2
• Players Voice: Wuthering Waves
• Most Anticipated Game: Grand Theft Auto 6

The Game Awards 2025 was a night to remember. It honoured the “names and faces” behind the games, including the developers, publishers, and actors who make it all possible. Congratulations to all the winners!