🎮 What is “Game of the Year”?
The title Game of the Year (GOTY)—especially at big events like The Game Awards—is more than just a trophy. It’s a signal of creative, technical and cultural achievement.
- The jury: For The Game Awards 2025, winners are selected by a jury panel (90%) + public vote (10%).
- Eligibility: Games must be released by a certain date to be considered (for 2025 the cut‑off was Nov 21).
- Why it matters: Winning or even being nominated elevates a game’s visibility, legacy and commercial impact.
🏆 GOTY 2025 Nominees
Here are the six games nominated for GOTY at The Game Awards 2025:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive / Kepler Interactive)
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Kojima Productions / Sony)
- Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo EPD / Nintendo)
- Hades II (Supergiant Games)
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry)
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (Warhorse Studios / Deep Silver)
Among these:
- Clair Obscur leads with 12 nominations, making it the most‑nominated game in the show’s history.
- Many critics pointed out that Ghost of Yōtei (though highly rated) was omitted from the GOTY list entirely.
🔍 The Debate: What Makes a Game a True GOTY?
Narrative vs. Systems
Games with strong story‑lines and characters often dominate GOTY nominations. According to one analysis, single‑player narrative games are frequently favoured over multiplayer titles.
This trend raises questions: Are multiplayer or service‑games being unfairly overlooked?
Snubs & Surprises
- Some high‑rated games didn’t make the GOTY cut, generating community frustration.
- Former FPS pro Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek publicly advocated for a multiplayer title Arc Raiders to win over Clair Obscur, sparking debates about genre bias.
Jury Systems & Transparency
- With 90% jury voting, questions arise about how “representative” the panel is of all gamers.
- Rules on eligibility (DLCs, expansions) also stir debate about what counts as a “game” for GOTY.
🎯 Why This Year Feels Special
- The depth & variety of nominees in 2025 is higher than usual — indies and big‑budget both showing up.
- Clair Obscur’s historic nomination count sets a new benchmark.
- The conversation around what kind of games deserve recognition seems louder and more public than before.
- For fans and creators alike: being nominated is increasingly a mark of prestige on its own.
✅ Final Thoughts
No matter who wins, GOTY 2025 reflects much more than “just the best game”. It highlights how we talk about value, art, systems, community and culture in games.
Whether you played one or all six nominees, the conversation around them is what keeps the industry evolving.
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