Baldur’s Gate 3 and Alan Wake 2 Lead Charge at The Game Awards 2023

As the gaming world gears up for The Game Awards 2023, anticipation reaches a fever pitch with Baldur’s Gate 3 and Alan Wake 2 leading the nominations. These two titans are contending for the coveted Game of the Year title, among other prestigious awards, marking a significant moment in gaming history.

Nomination Highlights

A Duel for Dominance
Baldur’s Gate 3 and Alan Wake 2, each with eight nominations, have emerged as the frontrunners in this year’s race. They face stiff competition from Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the Resident Evil 4 remake, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

The Rise of Indie Gems
The indie scene has not been overshadowed, with games like Cocoon, Dave the Diver, and Dredge earning critical acclaim. This recognition reflects the increasing importance and influence of indie games in the industry.

Redemption and Recognition
Notably, Cyberpunk 2077 has made a remarkable comeback, securing four nominations, including for its Phantom Liberty expansion. This marks a significant turnaround from its initially troubled release.

Publisher Prowess
Nintendo leads the publisher pack with 15 nominations, closely followed by Sony and Microsoft. This highlights the ongoing competitive landscape among the top gaming publishers.

Adaptation and Innovation
The Best Adaptation category features an eclectic mix, including Castlevania: Nocturne and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. This category underscores the expanding relationship between gaming and other entertainment mediums.

A Global Event
The Game Awards, combining fan votes with a jury of over 100 global media and influencer outlets, promises to be a global spectacle. The event, scheduled for December 7, is expected to reveal exciting new trailers and announcements, possibly including Grand Theft Auto VI.

Categories like Best Community Support and Innovation in Accessibility highlight the industry’s focus on inclusivity and player engagement, recognizing games that go beyond entertainment to create meaningful, accessible experiences.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, The Game Awards 2023 stands as a testament to its diversity and innovation. With a blend of established franchises, indie surprises, and a redemption story, this year’s event encapsulates the dynamic nature of the gaming world. It’s not just about who wins but about celebrating the artistry, creativity, and technological advancements that continue to push the boundaries of what games can be. The anticipation for December 7 reflects not just excitement for awards but for a glimpse into the future of gaming.

Here are the nominees:

Best Game Direction

• Alan Wake 2
• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Best Narrative 

• Alan Wake 2
• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
• Final Fantasy 16
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Best Art Direction

• Alan Wake 2
• Hi-Fi Rush
• Lies of P
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Best Score and Music 

• Alan Wake 2 (Composer Petri Alanko)
• Baldur’s Gate 3 (Composer Borislav Slavov)
• Final Fantasy 16 (Composer Masayoshi Soken)
• Hi-Fi Rush (Audio Director Shuichi Kobori)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Composed by Nintendo Sound Team)

Best Audio Design 

• Alan Wake 2
• Dead Space
• Hi-Fi Rush
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Resident Evil 4

Best Performance 

• Ben Starr (Final Fantasy 16)
• Cameron Monaghan (Star Wars Jedi: Survivor)
• Idris Elba (Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty)
• Melanie Liburd (Alan Wake 2)
• Neil Newbon (Baldur’s Gate 3)
• Yuri Lowenthal (Marvel’s Spider-Man 2)

Innovation in Accessibility 

• Diablo 4
• Forza Motorsport
• Hi-Fi Rush
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Mortal Kombat 1
• Street Fighter 6

Games For Impact 

• A Space For The Unbound
• Chants of Sennaar
• Goodbye Volcano High
• Tchia
• Terra Nil
• Venba

Best Ongoing 

• Apex Legends
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Final Fantasy 16
• Fortnite
• Genshin Impact

Best Community Support 

• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Destiny 2
• Final Fantasy 16
• No Man’s Sky

Best Independent Game 

• Cocoon
• Dave The Diver
• Dredge
• Sea of Stars
• Viewfinder

Best Debut Indie Game 

• Cocoon
• Dredge
• Pizza Tower
• Venba
• Viewfinder

Best Mobile Game

• Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis
• Hello Kitty Island Adventure
• Honkai: Star Rail
• Monster Hunter Now
• Terra Nil

Best VR/AR 

• Gran Turismo 7
• Horizon Call of The Mountain
• Humanity
• Resident Evil Village VR mode
• Synapse

Best Action Game 

• Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
• Dead Island 2
• Ghostrunner 2
• Hi-Fi Rush
• Remnant 2

Best Action/Adventure 

• Alan Wake 2
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Resident Evil 4
• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Best RPG 

• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Final Fantasy 16
• Lies of P
• Sea of Stars
• Starfield

Best Fighting 

• God of Rock
• Mortal Kombat 1
• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
• Pocket Bravery
• Street Fighter 6

Best Family 

• Disney Illusion Island
• Party Animals
• Pikmin 4
• Sonic Superstars
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Best Sim/Strategy 

• Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
• Cities: Skylines 2
• Company of Heroes 3
• Fire Emblem Engage
• Pikmin 4

Best Sports/Racing 

• EA Sports FC 24
• F1 23
• Forza Motorsport
• Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
• The Crew Motorfest

Best Multiplayer 

• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Diablo 4
• Party Animals
• Street Fighter 6
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Best Adaptation 

• Castlevania: Nocturne (Powerhouse Animation/Netflix)
• Gran Turismo (PlayStation Productions/Sony Pictures)
• The Last of Us (PlayStation Productions/HBO)
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Illumination/Nintendo/Universal Pictures)
• Twisted Metal (PlayStation Productions/Peacock)

Most Anticipated Game 

• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Hades 2
• Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Star Wars Outlaws
• Tekken 8

Content Creator of the Year 

• Ironmouse
• PeopleMakeGames
• Quackity
• Spreen
• SypherPK

Best Esports Game 

• Counter-Strike 2
• DOTA 2
• League of Legends
• PUBG Mobile
• Valorant

Best Esports Athlete 

• Lee “Faker” Sang-Hyeok (League of Legends)
• Mathieu “Zywoo” Herbaut (CS:GO)
• Max “Demon1” Mazanov (Valorant)
• Paco “Hydra” Rusiewiez (Call of Duty)
• Park “Ruler” Jae-Hyuk (League of Legends)
• Phillip “Imperialhal” Dosen (Apex Legends)

Best Esports Team 

• Evil Geniuses (Valorant)
• Fnatic (Valorant)
• Gaimin Gladiators (Dota 2)
• JD Gaming (League of Legends)
• Team Vitality (Counter-Strike)

Best Esports Coach 

• Christine “Potter” Chi (Evil Geniuses – Valorant)
• Danny “Zonic” Sorensen (Team Falcons – Counter-Strike)
• Jordan “Gunba” Graham (Florida Mayhem – Overwatch)
• Remy “Xtqzzz” Quoniam (Team Vitality – Counter-Strike)
• Yoon “Homme” Sung-Young (JD Gaming – League of Legends)

Best Esports Event  

• 2023 League of Legends World Championship
• Blast.TV Paris Major 2023
• EVO 2023
• The International DOTA 2 Championships 2023
• Valorant Champions 2023