Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ghost of Yotei, ARC Raiders, and Dispatch Dominate 29th DICE Awards Nominations
The 29th annual DICE Awards are approaching, set for February 12, 2026. Celebrating the finest achievements in video gaming, the awards will acknowledge the top contenders in the industry. Leading the nominations are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yotei, each boasting eight nominations. Not far behind are Dispatch and ARC Raiders, with six nods apiece. All four games are vying for the prestigious Game of the Year award.
Celebrating Excellence in Gaming
The DICE Awards, hosted by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, honor the best in video games with selections made by over 30,000 industry professionals. This celebration provides a platform for developers to recognize their peers’ outstanding contributions, setting it apart from other industry awards, which are often criticized for being more about popularity than merit. The DICE Awards stand as a celebration of developers, by developers, focusing on the craft rather than the commercial aspect.
Anticipating the Winners
This year, Blue Prince emerges as a strong contender with five nominations, including one for Game of the Year. Meanwhile, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach secures four nominations. The list of nominees reveals surprising snubs, with Hollow Knight Silksong and Hades 2 only receiving a few nominations each, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Donkey Kong Bananza also facing disappointments in the nomination count. Past winners include Astro Bot, which claimed five awards last year, including Game of the Year.
Complete List of Nominees
The awards also cover a wide array of categories, from Outstanding Achievement in Animation to Mobile Game of the Year. Games such as Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, ARC Raiders, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Ghost of Yōtei have earned nods in numerous categories. These nominations highlight the diverse talent and creativity flourishing within the industry.