The Game Awards 2025 is unfolding right now at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and it honestly feels like one of those nights where the energy in the room keeps shifting between celebration and pure anticipation. The industry’s biggest studios, along with plenty of rising talent, have gathered once again, and the show actually opened on quite a high note. Larian Studios stepped onstage with a pretty substantial reveal, confirming that their next role-playing game will return to the Divinity universe. It’s the kind of announcement many people perhaps hoped for but didn’t really expect this soon.
As the show moves along, the mix of award presentations and new game updates creates a steady rhythm. It’s interesting how each segment feels just a bit different, almost like the event is trying to balance honoring the work of the past year with teasing what comes next. That includes new looks at much-anticipated titles and a handful of surprises that have already stirred a lot of conversation online.
Key Takeaways
- Larian Studios announced their next major project, titled Divinity.
- Donkey Kong Bananza won the award for Best Family Game.
- Doom: The Dark Ages received the Accessibility Award.
- Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic was revealed as a new single-player narrative RPG.
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took home the Best Independent Game trophy.
Major Winners Announce
Several awards have already been handed out, and a few results genuinely caught the audience off guard. Donkey Kong Bananza secured the Best Family Game win, edging out a lineup of strong competitors. It’s always interesting to see how family titles evolve year after year, and this win seems to reflect a broader shift toward inventive, approachable design.
In the independent category, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 earned the Best Independent Game trophy. That particular win feels like a nod to the risks smaller studios have been willing to take recently, and maybe even to how players have become more open to unfamiliar concepts.
Esports categories moved quickly through the ceremony. Counter-Strike 2 took Best Esports Game, while Chovy earned Best Esports Athlete, and Team Vitality walked away with Best Esports Team. On the mobile side of things, Umamesume was awarded Best Mobile Game. Meanwhile, Doom: The Dark Ages won the Accessibility Award, which feels especially meaningful given how much work studios have put into making gaming more inclusive.
Game of the Year Nominees
The anticipation around Game of the Year is building as the night goes on. In a way, each nominee seems to represent a different corner of the industry, making the outcome a little harder to predict. The six contenders are:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Hades 2
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
It’s a diverse group, and perhaps that’s part of why the final reveal always feels so tense. Each game brings something distinct, and depending on who you ask, the frontrunner seems to change.
Biggest Game Announcements
Beyond the awards themselves, the show’s premieres and announcements have already sparked plenty of excitement. Larian Studios, still riding the success of Baldur’s Gate 3, confirmed they are returning to the Divinity series, which instantly became one of the night’s biggest moments.
Lucasfilm Games and Arcanaut Studios unveiled Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, described as a spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic. That phrasing alone is likely to set expectations high, though the brief look shared tonight suggests a strong narrative focus.
Remedy Entertainment also stepped into the spotlight with updates on two projects. They announced Control: Resonant, which continues the world established in the original game, and shared new developments on the Max Payne Remake. Ubisoft, after years of speculation, finally confirmed the Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Remake, a reveal that drew a noticeably enthusiastic reaction from the audience.
As the ceremony continues, more premieres and the all-important Game of the Year announcement are still on the way. The show has already offered a lot to process, and perhaps that’s part of the appeal; The Game Awards tends to be both a capstone for the year and a preview of what might define the next one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who won Best Independent Game at The Game Awards 2025?
A. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won the Best Independent Game award.
Q. What is the new game from Larian Studios?
Larian Studios announced a new game in the Divinity series.
Q. Which game won Best Family Game?
A. Donkey Kong Bananza won the Best Family Game award.
Q. Is there a new Star Wars game?
A. Yes, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic was announced as a new single-player action RPG.
Q. Where is The Game Awards 2025 held?
A. The event is held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Q. Who are the Game of the Year nominees?
A. The nominees are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
