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Game Awards 2025: Countdown to Gaming’s Biggest Night
The Game Awards 2025 is almost here, promising a mix of heartfelt celebrations, jaw-dropping reveals, and the crowning of 2025’s best games. Hosted by Geoff Keighley at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, this year’s show on December 11 could shatter viewership records, building on last year’s 154 million streams. With stacked nominees and over a dozen world premieres teased, Game Awards 2025 feels like the perfect cap to an incredible year in gaming.
Whether you’re tuning in for the drama of Game of the Year or the hype of unseen trailers, this preview has you covered. Let’s dive in.
Game Awards 2025 Stage Setup (Image: Peacock Theater ready for the spotlight – credit: The Game Awards official teaser)
Event Details: Date, Time, and How to Watch
Mark your calendars: Game Awards 2025 airs live on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The pre-show kicks off at 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET, with the main ceremony at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET. Expect a runtime of about 3-4 hours packed with awards, performances, and surprises.
Stream it free across platforms:
- YouTube: Official 4K stream
- Twitch: Co-streams with creators like Ludwig and Asmongold
- Amazon Prime Video: New for 2025, with exclusive merch tie-ins
- TikTok, X (Twitter), and more: Global access in 4K where available
Global times:
| Region | Pre-Show | Main Show |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (PT) | 4:30 PM | 5:00 PM |
| New York (ET) | 7:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| London (GMT) | 12:30 AM (Dec 12) | 1:00 AM (Dec 12) |
| Tokyo (JST) | 9:00 AM (Dec 12) | 9:30 AM (Dec 12) |
Don’t miss the Day of the Devs pre-event at 1:00 PM ET for indie spotlights.
Full Nominees List for Game Awards 2025
Nominees dropped on November 17, sparking debates and excitement. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads with a record 13 nods, including Game of the Year. Here’s the breakdown:
| Category | Nominees |
|---|---|
| Game of the Year | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II |
| Best Game Direction | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong |
| Best Narrative | Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II |
| Best Art Direction | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Donkey Kong Bananza |
| Best Score & Music | Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong |
| Best Audio Design | Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II |
| Best Performance | Multiple for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (3 nods) |
| Best Independent Game | Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong |
| Best Debut Indie | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (controversial nod) |
| Best Action/Adventure | Donkey Kong Bananza, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II |
| Best RPG | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hades II |
| Players’ Voice (Fan Vote) | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Dispatch, Genshin Impact, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Wuthering Waves |
| Best Esports Game | Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, VALORANT |
For the complete list, check the official site: https://thegameawards.com/nominees.
Game of the Year Contenders – Who Will Win?
Game of the Year at Game Awards 2025 is anyone’s guess, with a 50/50 split between indies and big-budget titles – a first for the show.
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive): The frontrunner with 13 noms. Its turn-based RPG innovation and stunning visuals make it a jury favorite.
- Hades II (Supergiant Games): Early access hit turned full release; roguelike mastery and narrative depth shine.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry): Decade-long wait pays off with Metroidvania perfection.
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Kojima Productions): Cinematic weirdness at its finest, with 7 noms.
Predictions? Clair Obscur takes it, but Hades II could surprise via fan votes. Past winners like 2024’s Astro Bot prove joy wins big.
Watch nominee highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nominee-reel-2025 (teaser).
Confirmed Reveals and Trailers at Game Awards 2025
Game Awards 2025 boasts 12+ world premieres. Confirmed highlights:
- Tomb Raider Next Chapter (Crystal Dynamics): First look at Lara Croft’s reboot – dual pistols and all. Teased in Fortnite. Trailer expected with gameplay glimpse.
- Exodus (ex-BioWare team): Story-driven sci-fi RPG trailer, building on 2023 tease.
- Phantom Blade Zero (S-Game): Release date and new action trailer for this punishing soulslike.
- Resident Evil Requiem (Capcom): “Terrifying new look” with potential Leon Kennedy return.
- Total War New Title (Creative Assembly): 25th anniversary reveal with gameplay.
Embed trailer tease: <iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/tomb-raider-teaser” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
More at: https://thegameawards.com/reveals.
Rumored Announcements to Watch For
Whispers are flying on X and forums. Top rumors:
- Half-Life 3 (Valve): Meme status, but insiders hint at a tease.
- Silent Hill 1 Remake (Bloober Team/Konami): First-look trailer after years of silence.
- Control: Resonant (Remedy): Sequel trademark fuels speculation.
- Diablo 4 Expansion (Blizzard): Shadow drop potential.
- Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Remake (Ubisoft): ESRB rating leak points to reveal.
X buzz: Fans are hyped for Shenmue 4 fakes and more – check #TGA2025.
Voting Guide: How to Influence Game Awards 2025
Your voice matters! 10% of votes come from fans.
- Players’ Voice: 100% fan-voted. Finalists: Clair Obscur, Dispatch, Genshin Impact, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Wuthering Waves. Vote now: https://thegameawards.com/vote.
- All Categories: Log in via Google/X/Apple on the site. Voting closes December 10 at 6 PM PT.
- Fortnite Hub: Vote for user-created islands too.
Pro tip: Millions voted last year – make yours count!
Past Controversies and Fan Buzz
Game Awards 2025 isn’t controversy-free. Nominees like Clair Obscur in “Best Indie” sparked debates over AA budgets vs. true indies. Streamer Shroud called out snubs like ARC Raiders, labeling picks “rigged.” Jury includes non-gaming outlets (e.g., Rolling Stone), drawing “bias” claims.
Snubs: The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy for narrative; Is This Seat Taken? for mobile. One nominee, Megabonk, withdrew from Best Debut Indie.
On X, #GameAwards2025 trends with hype and rants – from gacha debates to “rigged” memes. Read more: https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-2025-snubs.
What Makes Game Awards 2025 Unmissable
Beyond awards, expect emotional speeches, star presenters (Fallout cast via Amazon partnership), and orchestra performances. It’s the Oscars of gaming – celebrating 2025’s highs while teasing 2026’s future.
Tune in tomorrow. What’s your GOTY pick? Comment below!
Related Posts: → Best Indie Games of 2025 → Tomb Raider Reboot Hype → Hades II Review
Sources: Official TGA site, Polygon, Wikipedia, and X trends as of Dec 10, 2025.