The Game Awards is set to return for its 11th year this week, and here’s everything you need to know about the biggest night in gaming
UPDATE: The 2025 Game Awards has been full of surprises, including a new Star Wars game set in the Old Republic. Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic is described as an action-RPG, and is being directed by original Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect lead Casey Hudson. Don’t expect a release date for at least a couple of years, however.
Elsewhere, the mysterious statue teaser was Divinity, which is being developed by Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian Studios. It’s described as the developer’s biggest game ever, which is saying something when you consider the scope of Baldur’s Gate 3.
More treats came in the form of Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem, a brand new puzzle game from Braid creator Jonathan Blow, and the announcement of Control Resonant, which launches in 2026.
ORIGINAL: The most eagerly awaited night in the gaming calendar has arrived, as The Game Awards prepares to celebrate a year of gaming triumphs live on stage.
Hosted in downtown Los Angeles, The Game Awards promises not just awards but also a host of trailers for forthcoming games. 2025 has been a landmark year for the industry, with several strong contenders for Game of the Year surfacing throughout, even if there’s an obvious favourite to take the crown.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is widely expected to pick up the bulk of its record-breaking 12 nominations. But at the same time, numerous leaks and rumours have given gamers a tantalising glimpse at the new titles we can expect to see during the show’s estimated three-hour run.
You can find all the essential details about The Game Awards 2025, including its start time, how to watch it, and what to look forward to throughout the evening.
When does The Game Awards start and how can I watch it?
The Game Awards is set to begin at 1am GMT UK time on Friday, December 12. There’s also a pre-show kicking off at 12:30am which typically includes its own announcements and a few awards too, according to All Out Gaming.
The show usually lasts between 2.5 to 3 hours, with last year’s event clocking in at 3 hours and 12 minutes. If you’re planning on tuning in from the UK, I’d suggest stocking up on snacks and perhaps a caffeinated drink or two to keep you awake through the night.
Gaming buffs can live stream The Game Awards on their platform of choice, with the event being simultaneously broadcasted on YouTube and Twitch.
Leaks and predictions for The Game Awards 2025
There’s a blend of official teasers and unofficial chatter about what we might witness at this year’s Game Awards.
Starting with the confirmed news, show mastermind Geoff Keighley has dropped a hint that ‘the future of Tomb Raider‘ will be featured at the event. This is likely to be an exclusive first look at a new game from Crystal Dynamics, who have been developing a slightly refreshed version of Lara Croft following 2018’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
It’s also a safe assumption that a new chapter in the Divinity series will make an appearance, thanks to a mysterious statue that’s been hinting at an unknown game for the past two weeks. While there were speculations around God of War, Diablo and Elder Scrolls 6, a recent trademark application seems to suggest Larian’s Divinity series.
Beyond these, everything else scheduled for The Game Awards is largely based on rumours and speculation at this point. We’d all be overjoyed to see the likes of the Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Remake, fresh Wolverine gameplay and perhaps even Half-Life 3 making an appearance, but only time will disclose which games Keighley has managed to secure for this year’s event.
The show, often likened to the Oscars of the gaming world, is known for its sprinkling of celebrity cameos throughout the event.
The Game Awards 2025 categories and nominees
Game of the Year
Best Game Direction
Best Adaptation
Best Narrative
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Silent Hill f
Best Art Direction
Best Score And Music
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Hades II
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Best Audio Design
- Battlefield 6
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Silent Hill f
Best Performance
- Ben Starr – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Charlie Cox – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Erika Ishii – Ghost of Yōtei
- Jennifer English – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Konatsu Kato – Silent Hill f
- Troy Baker – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Innovation In Accessibility
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows
- Atomfall
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- EA Sports FC 26
- South of Midnight
Games for Impact
- Consume Me
- Despelote
- Lost Records: Bloom and Rage
- South of Midnight
- Wanderstop
Best Ongoing Game
Best Community Support
Best Independent Game
- Absolum
- Ball x Pit
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Debut Indie Game
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Despelote
- Dispatch
Best Mobile Game
- Destiny: Rising
- Persona 5: The Phantom X
- Sonic Rumble
- Umamusume: Pretty Derby
- Wuthering Waves
Best VR/AR Game
- Alien: Rogue Incursion
- Arken Age
- Ghost Town
- Marvel’s Deadpool VR
- The Midnight Walk
Best Action Game
- Battlefield 6
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- Hades II
- Ninja Gaiden 4
- Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Best Action Adventure Game
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Split Fiction
Best RPG
Best Fighting Game
- 2XKO
- Capcom Fighting Collection 2
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
- Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
- Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
Best Family Game
Best Sim/Strategy Game
- The Alters
- FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles
- Jurassic World Evolution 3
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
- Tempest Rising
- Two Point Museum
Best Sports/Racing
Best Multiplayer
- Arc Raiders
- Battlefield 6
- Elden Ring Nightreign
- Peak
- Split Fiction
Most Anticipated Game
Content Creator of the Year
- Caedrel
- Kai Cenat
- MoistCr1TiKaL
- Sakura Miko
- The Burnt Peanut
Best Esports Game
Best Esports Athlete
- brawk
- Chovy
- f0rsakeN
- Kakeru
- MenaRD
- Zyw0o
Best Esports Team
- Gen.G – League of Legends
- NRG – Valorant
- Team Falcons – DOTA 2
- Team Liquid PH – Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- Team Vitality – Counter-Strike 2
Player’s Voice
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Dispatch
- Genshin Impact
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Wuthering Waves
