Bold statement: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominates the DICE Awards 2026, cementing its status as a defining game of the era—and this is just the tip of the story. But here’s where it gets controversial: the celebrations for Clair Obscur come amid a broader, lively debate about what actually makes a Game of the Year in a crowded year of stellar releases.
The DICE Awards 2026 unveiling spotlighted the best games of 2025 and the teams behind them in a glittering ceremony. In a familiar pattern, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the late-summer favorite, securing five major honors, including the prestigious Game of the Year trophy.
Since its launch, Clair Obscur has accrued a remarkable array of accolades, widely praised for its narrative depth, visual artistry, performances, and engaging gameplay. The developers at Sandfall Interactive have even been knighted by the French government in recognition of their contributions to the arts and culture, underscoring the game’s impact beyond gaming circles.
The night wasn’t only about Clair Obscur. A diverse slate of studios collected awards across a range of categories. An Australian-crafted title, Lego Party!, triumphed as Family Game of the Year, prevailing over strong rivals. Blue Prince earned multiple nominations and took home trophies for Game Design and Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game.
Other noteworthy winners included South of Midnight, Ghost of Yōtei, Hades 2, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, each snagging major honors in various categories.
Full winners list (highlights):
DICE Awards 2026 Game of the Year
- Arc Raiders
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – WINNER
- Dispatch
- Ghost of Yōtei
Outstanding Achievements across key categories
- Animation: South of Midnight – WINNER; other nominees included Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Ghost of Yōtei, The Midnight Walk, and more
- Art Direction: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – WINNER; other nominees included Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Dispatch, Ghost of Yōtei, The Midnight Walk
- Character: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Esquie and Maelle; Dispatch – Courtney/Invisigal and Robert Robertson III/Mecha Man; Ghost of Yōtei – Atsu – WINNER
- Original Music Composition: Ghost of Yōtei – WINNER; Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Herdling, Mario Kart World, Sword of the Sea
- Audio Design: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – WINNER; Arc Raiders, Ghost of Yōtei, Lumines Arise, Split Fiction
- Story: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – WINNER; Consume Me, Despelote, South of Midnight, The Drifter
- Technical Achievement: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – WINNER; Arc Raiders, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Donkey Kong Bananza, Doom: The Dark Ages
Game-specific category winners
- Action Game of the Year: Hades 2 – WINNER (narrowly edging others like Absolum and Arc Raiders)
- Adventure Game of the Year: Ghost of Yōtei – WINNER (over Blue Prince, Dispatch, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Donkey Kong Bananza)
- Family Game of the Year: Lego Party! – WINNER (over Lego Voyagers, Lumines Arise, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Popucom)
- Fighting Game of the Year: Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection – WINNER (beating 2XKO, Capcom Fighting Collection 2, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, WWE 2K25)
- Racing Game of the Year: Mario Kart World – WINNER (ahead of EA Sports F1 25, Kirby Air Riders, Wheel World, and others)
- Role-Playing Game of the Year: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – WINNER (with contenders like Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Monster Hunter Wilds, The Outer Worlds 2)
- Sports Game of the Year: Rematch – WINNER (over EA Sports FC 26, PGA Tour 2K25, MLB The Show 25, NBA 2K26)
- Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year: The Alters – WINNER (over Drop Duchy, Europa Universalis V, The King is Watching, StarVaders)
- Immersive Reality Technical Achievement: Hotel Infinity – WINNER (with nominees like Ghost Town, Marvel’s Deadpool VR, Star Wars: Beyond Victory – A Mixed Reality Playset, Unloop)
- Immersive Reality Game of the Year: Ghost Town – WINNER (also nominated: Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked, Marvel’s Deadpool VR, The Midnight Walk, Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow)
- Independent Game: Blue Prince – WINNER (others: Baby Steps, Consume Me, Despelote, Dispatch)
- Mobile Game of the Year: Persona 5: The Phantom X – WINNER (vs Umamusume: Pretty Derby, What the Clash?, Where Winds Meet)
- Online Game of the Year: Arc Raiders – WINNER (vs Battlefield 6, Mario Kart World, Marvel Rivals, Split Fiction)
- Outstanding Achievement in Game Design: Blue Prince – WINNER (vs Arc Raiders, Hades 2, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Öoo)
- Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – WINNER (vs Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Blue Prince, Ghost of Yōtei, Hades 2)
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Note: This recap reflects the 2026 ceremonies and the 2025 game slate honored at the event. For broader context on how awards culture shapes player expectations and industry trends, the conversation is open: do awards accurately reflect quality, or do they sometimes crown popularity or marketing momentum? Share your take in the comments.
