The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has officially revealed the finalists for the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, highlighting the standout creative achievements of 2025 and setting the stage for one of the most respected peer‑voted honors in the games industry. Returning hosts Greg Miller and Stella Chung will once again guide the ceremony, bringing their signature energy and industry insight to the event.
This year’s nominations reflect a highly-competitive field, with 64 titles recognized across categories ranging from technical excellence to artistic achievement. Leading the pack are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yōtei, each earning eight nominations, a testament to their strong critical reception and broad creative impact. Both titles appear across major categories including art direction, game design, and overall technical achievement.
Close behind, Arc Raiders and Dispatch secured six nominations each, showcasing their strengths in worldbuilding, innovation, and gameplay systems. Blue Prince follows with five nominations, while Death Stranding 2: On the Beach earned four, continuing Hideo Kojima’s legacy of visually ambitious, genre‑bending experiences.
The coveted Game of the Year category brings together a competitive lineup from the last year:
- Arc Raiders
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Dispatch
- Ghost of Yōtei
Each contender represents a distinct creative direction, from large‑scale sci‑fi action to atmospheric puzzle design, which could make this one of the more interesting and unpredictable GOTY races in recent D.I.C.E. history.
Beyond the headline categories, the full finalist list includes dozens of distinctive titles across 23 award groupings, celebrating excellence in animation, audio design, narrative, technical achievement, and emerging technology. The diversity of genres and studios represented underscores the ongoing creative evolution of the global games industry.
Voting on this array of nominations is now open for AIAS members.
The D.I.C.E. Awards serve as the finale to the week‑long D.I.C.E. Summit, a gathering known for its intimate networking environment, high‑level sessions, and executive‑driven programming. The 2026 Summit returns to the Aria Resort in Las Vegas, bringing together studio heads, creative directors, publishers, and technology leaders for discussions that help shape the future of interactive entertainment.
