The Game Awards 2025: Clair Obscur sweeps Oscars of gaming amid massive announcements

The video game industry’s most prestigious night, widely regarded as the Oscars of gaming, took place on December 11 in Los Angeles. Hosted by Geoff Keighley, The Game Awards 2025 delivered a spectacular mix of celebrity guests, musical performances, and a flood of world premieres that mapped out the future of the medium for 2026 and beyond.

While the night was filled with reveals, one title stood above the rest, dominating the ceremony in a way rarely seen in the show’s history. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 secured 9 wins out of its 12 nominations, including the coveted Game of the Year award.

The night belongs to Clair Obscur

Developed by Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive, the turn-based RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was the undeniable star of the evening. Beyond taking the top prize, it also secured trophies for Best Independent Game, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, and Best Audio Design.

Other notable winners included:

• Best Action: Hades 2
• Best Fighting Game: Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
• Best Ongoing Game: No Man’s Sky (beating out giants like Fortnite and Helldivers 2)
• Best Mobile Game: Umamusume: Pretty Derby
• Most Anticipated Game: Grand Theft Auto 6

World Premieres at The Game Awards 2025

As is tradition at The Game Awards 2025, the awards were interspersed with massive game announcements. Here are the biggest reveals that have gamers talking:

1. Larian Studios returns to Divinity

Fresh off the massive success of Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios announced they are moving back from Dungeons & Dragons to their own universe. They revealed a new Divinity game, describing it as their largest project to date.

2. A double dose of Star Wars

Lucasfilm Games unveiled two distinct projects. Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic appears to be a narrative-driven experience, while Star Wars Galactic Racer brings Sebulba back to the track in 2026, modernizing the beloved podracing formula for current-gen consoles.

3. Tomb Raider gets a remake and a sequel

Lara Croft is returning in two forms. Crystal Dynamics announced Legacy of Atlantis, a modern reimagining of the 1996 classic complete with dinosaurs, set for 2026. Additionally, a completely new open-world title, Tomb Raider: Catalyst, was teased for a 2027 release.

4. Resident Evil Requiem and Control Resonant

Capcom confirmed the return of Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem, promising a gritty, survival-focused horror experience. Meanwhile, Remedy Entertainment revealed Control Resonant, a sequel that shifts the focus to Jesse Faden’s brother and delves deeper into the paranormal mysteries of the Federal Bureau of Control.

Other major reveals

• Total War: Warhammer 40,000: The strategy series finally makes the jump to the 40K universe.
• Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve: A dramatic return to the Strangereal universe.
• Highguard: Respawn’s new multiplayer IP combining armored knights with firearms.
• Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred: The return of Mephisto and the Paladin class.

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