The Game Awards honor the greatest accomplishments in the video game industry each year. The awards show began in 2014 and is produced and hosted by renowned game writer Geoff Keighley. The world premieres of future games and updated information on previously announced titles are also shown at the Game Awards.
On December 7, the 10th annual Game Awards were broadcast live on over 30 platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, TikTok Live, and X, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
The event, as usual, was full of surprises, such as the unveiling of Sega’s plan to revive classic franchises like Crazy Taxi, Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, Jet Set Radio, and Shinobi, as well as the news of the upcoming EA Originals game Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.
The Game Awards 2023 complete list of winners
Game of the Year
Honoring a game that, in every creative and technical category, offers the finest possible experience.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Winner: Baldur’s Gate 3
Best Game Direction
Given in recognition of exceptional creative vision and innovation in game design and 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
Winner: Alan Wake 2
Best Narrative
Given for exceptional game narrative development and storytelling.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Final Fantasy 16
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Winner: Alan Wake 2
Best Art Direction
Given for exceptional technical and/or creative accomplishment in artistic animation and design.
- Alan Wake 2
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Lies of P
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Winner: Alan Wake 2
Best Score/Music
Given for exceptional music, which may include a licensed soundtrack, an original song, or a score.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Final Fantasy 16
- Hi-Fi Rush
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Winner: Final Fantasy 16
Best Audio Design
Honoring the best sound effects and audio in games.
- Alan Wake 2
- Dead Space Remake
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
Winner: Hi-Fi Rush
Best Performance
Given to an actor for voice-over, motion pictures, or performance capture.
- 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
Winner: Neil Newborn- Baldur’s Gate 3
Games for Impact
For an intellectually stimulating game with a pro-social message or significance.
- A Space for the Unbound
- Chants of Sennaar
- Goodbye Volcano High
- Tchia
- Terra Nil
- Venba
Winner: Tchia
Best Ongoing Game
Given to a game in recognition of its exceptional creation of ongoing content that enhances the player experience over time.
- Apex Legends
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Final Fantasy 14
- Fortnite
- Genshin Impact
Winner: Cyberpunk 2077
Best Indie Game
For exceptional technical and artistic accomplishment in a game developed outside of the conventional publishing framework.
- Cocoon
- Dave the Diver
- Dredge
- Sea of Stars
- Viewfinder
Winner: Sea of Stars
Best Debut Indie Game
For the best new independent studio’s debut game.
- Cocoon
- Dredge
- Pizza Tower
- Venba
- Viewfinder
Winner: Cocoon
Best Mobile Game
For the top mobile game available.
- Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis
- Honkai: Star Rail
- Hello Kitty Island Adventure
- Monster Hunter Now
- Terra Nil
Winner: Honkai: Star Rail
Best Community Support
Honoring a game for exceptional transparency, responsiveness, and community support, including social media activity and patch releases for the game.
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Destiny 2
- Final Fantasy 16
- No Man’s Sky
Winner: Baldur’s Gate 3
Best VR/AR Game
For the greatest gaming experience available on any platform, whether in virtual or augmented reality.
- Gran Turismo 7
- Humanity
- Horizon: Call of the Mountain
- Resident Evil Village
- Synapse
Winner: Resident Evil Village
Innovation in Accessibility
Honoring hardware and/or software that is advancing the medium by including features, technology, and content to enable gaming and enjoyment by a larger audience.
- Diablo 4
- Forza Motorsport
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Street Fighter 6
Winner: Forza Motorsport
Best Action Game
For the top-notch action game with a strong emphasis on battle.
- Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
- Dead Island 2
- Ghostrunner 2
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Remnant 2
Winner: Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
Best Action/Adventure Game
Combining fighting, exploration, and puzzle solving for the ultimate action/adventure game.
- Alan Wake 2
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Resident Evil 4
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Winner: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best RPG
For the finest game with extensive character customization, growth, and massively multiplayer action.
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Final Fantasy 16
- Lies of P
- Sea of Stars
- Starfield
Winner: Baldur’s Gate 3
Best Fighting Game
Honoring the best game developed primarily around head-to-head combat.
- God of Rock
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
- Pocket Bravery
- Street Fighter 6
Winner: Street Fighter 6
Best Family Game
For the best game, regardless of genre or platform which is suitable for family gaming.
- Disney Illusion Island
- Party Animals
- Pikmin 4
- Sonic Superstars
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Winner: Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Best Sports/Racing Game
For the top racing games and sports, both conventional and unconventional.
- EA Sports FC 24
- F1 23
- Forza Motorsport
- Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
- The Crew Motofest
Winner: Forza Motorsport
Best SIM/Strategy Game
The best game, regardless of platform, that focuses on turn-based or real-time simulation or strategy gameplay.
- Advanced Wars 1+” Re-Boot Camp
- Cities: Skylines 2
- Company of Heroes 3
- Fire Emblem Engage
- Pikmin 4
Winner: Pikmin 4
Best Multiplayer Game
For excellent online multiplayer design and gameplay, regardless of game genre or platform, encompassing cooperative and massively multiplayer experiences.
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Diablo 4
- Party Animals
- Street Fighter 6
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Winner: Baldur’s Gate 3
Content Creator of the Year
For a streamer or content producer who, in 2021, has had a significant and constructive influence on the community.
- IronMouse
- PeopleMakeGames
- Quackity
- Spreen
- SypherPK
Winner: IronMouse
Best eSports Athlete
Regardless of the game, the eSports athlete who was deemed to be most exceptional in terms of performance and behavior in 2021.
- Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok
- Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
- Max “Demon1” Mazanov
- Paco “HyDra” Rusiewiez
- Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk
- Phillip ”ImperialHal” Dosen
Winner: Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok
Best eSports Coach
The 2021 eSports coach deemed the most exceptional in terms of both performance and behavior.
- Christine “potter” Chi
- Danny “zonic” Sorensen
- Jordan “Gunba” Graham
- Remy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam
- Yoon “Homme” Sung-young
Winner: Christine “potter” Chi
Best eSports Event
Honoring an event that took place over one or more days which gave participants and the broadcast audience the best possible experience.
- 2023 League of Legends World Championship
- Blast.tv Paris Major 2023
- EVO 2023
- The International Dota 2 Championships 2023
- VALORANT Champions 2023
Winner: 2023 League of Legends World Championship
Best eSports Game
For the game, regardless of genre or platform, that has given gamers the best overall eSports experience including competitions, community support, and content updates.
- Counter-Strike 2
- Dota 2
- Leage of Legends
- PUBG Mobile
- Valorant
Winner: Valorant
Best eSports Team
Honoring a particular eSports team that was deemed to have the best performance and conduct in 2021 (not the entire organization).
- Evil Geniuses
- Fnatic
- Gaimin Gladiators
- JD Gaming
- Team Vitality
Winner: JD Gaming
Most Anticipated Game
Acknowledging a game that has been announced and shown to have the ability to advance the gaming industry.
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Hades 2
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Star Wars Outlaws
- Tekken 8
Winner: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
The Game Awards 2023 had some big hitters and big winners. Several massive announcements were made during and prior the The Game Awards, including the GTA 6 trailer releasing just two days before the annual event.
