The Game Awards 2023 crowned a new pantheon of top games during a glossy ceremony in Los Angeles last night (December 7).
If you didn’t stay up to catch the live show, make sure to check out our guide on where it was streamed. Or, carry on reading for a recap on the biggest winners, losers, and the flurry of game announcements and trailers.
The big winners
Baldur’s Gate 3 waltzed off with six trophies, including the coveted game of the year title. The Dungeons and Dragons fantasy game arrived to universal acclaim in August. It has quickly become a fan favourite in the mould of Elden Ring. Taking a victory lap, developer Larian Studios also quietly launched Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox.
Alan Wake 2 also had a good night, winning three awards for Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, and Best Game Direction. The long-awaited mystery sequel has been lavished with praise for its cinematic visuals, which are heavily indebted to David Lynch’s cult show Twin Peaks.
Head to the complete winners list at the bottom of this article to see how your favourite game fared.
The snubs
Now that the dust has settled on the show, fans will be furiously debating the merits of each award. In one of the most shocking snubs of the night, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 went home empty-handed despite earning eight nominations. The sequel earned rave reviews for its seamless movement and stunning recreation of New York.
Microsoft-owned studios Bethesda and Activision Blizzard also didn’t get any love for Diablo 4 and Starfield, respectively. Fortnite lost out to Cyberpunk 2077 for best ongoing game — despite hitting a peak in players during its previous season. Finally, HBO’s The Last of Us beat the blockbuster Super Mario Bros. Movie to claim the best adaptation gong.
The biggest trailers
Before the actual awards, viewers were treated to a smorgasbord of video game news. There were announcements and trailers for a new God War DLC; a new Monster Hunter game; the hot new shooter The Finals got an official launch; video game auteur Hideo Kojima showed off a mysterious Xbox game called OD; and Arkane revealed a cinematic teaser for a Blade game.
You can watch all the major trailers below:
Light No Fire is the ambitious new project from the maker of No Man’s Sky
Arkane’s new Blade game based on Marvel’s vampire slayer
God of War Ragnarök is getting a free DLC this month
Hideo Kojima is working on an Xbox game called OD
Monster Hunter Wilds is the new entry in the long-running franchise
The Finals is gunning for the title of top shooter
Game Awards 2023 full winners list
- Game of the Year: Baldur’s Gate 3
- Best Game Direction: Alan Wake 2
- Best Adaptation: The Last of Us
- Best Narrative: Alan Wake 2
- Best Art Direction: Alan Wake 2
- Best Score and Music: Final Fantasy XVI, Composer Masayoshi Soken
- Best Audio Design: Hi-Fi Rush
- Best Performance: Neil Newbon, Baldur’s Gate 3
- Innovation in Accessibility: Forza Motorsport
- Games for Impact: Tchia
- Best Ongoing Game: Cyberpunk 2077
- Best Community Support: Baldur’s Gate 3
- Best Independent Game: Sea of Stars
- Best Debut Indie Game: Cocoon
- Best Mobile Game: Honkai: Star Rail
- Best VR/AR Game: Resident Evil Village VR Mode
- Best Action Game: Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Best Action/Adventure Game: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Best RPG: Baldur’s Gate 3
- Best Fighting Game: Street Fighter 6
- Best Family Game: Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Best Sim/Strategy Game: Pikmin 4
- Best Sports/Racing: Forza Motorsport
- Best Multiplayer: Baldur’s Gate 3
- Players’ Voice: Baldur’s Gate 3
- Most Anticipated Game: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
- Content Creator of the Year: IronMouse
- Best Esports Game: Valorant
- Best Esports Athlete: Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok
- Best Esports Team: JD Gaming (League of Legends)
- Best Esports Coach: Christine “potter” Chi (Evil Geniuses – Valorant)
- Best Esports Event: 2023 League of Legends World Championship
