We haven’t had a gaming year like this in decades. Now The Game Awards nominations for 2023’s best video games are in — and with the amount of incredible games we’ve seen so far, there was sadly always going to be someone missing out.
The Oscars of video games, aka Geoff Keighley’s The Game Awards, has cemented itself as THE gaming awards night.
READ MORE: Review | Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Switch)
This year features 31 categories, including the big one: Game of the Year. It’s a tough race to call, with only 6 slots and many more deserving titles.
How do The Games Awards nominate games?
Critics from over 120 global gaming outlets are chosen to select their top games for 2023 in relevant categories. These votes are then compiled into nominations. The nominations are then published online for the gaming community to have their say. A small percentage of the public vote contributes to the overall result.
The nominees are in and there are a couple of clear favourites. Alan Wake 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3 each collected 8 nominations, with Nintendo topping the publisher list at 15!
READ MORE: Review | Spider-Man 2 (PS5)
Here’s a few of the major categories and their nominations for 2023.
Game of the Year:
Alan Wake 2
The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
Best Action/Adventure Game
Alan Wake 2
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Resident Evil 4
The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
Best VR/AR Game
Gran Turismo 7
Humanity
Horizon: Call of the Mountain
Resident Evil Village: VR Mode
Synapse
Best Action Game
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Ghostrunner 2
Remnant 2
Best Adaption
Castlevania Nocturne
The Last of Us
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Twisted Metal
Best Art Direction
Alan Wake 2
Hi-Fi Rush
Lies of P
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
Best Audio Design
Alan Wake 2
Dead Space
Hi-Fi Rush
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Resident Evil 4
Best Community Support
Baldur’s Gate 3
Cyberpunk 2077
Destiny 2
No Man Sky
Best Debut Indie Game
Cocoon
Dredge
Pizza Tower
Best Family Game
Party Animals
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Best Fighting Game
God of Rock
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
Pocket Bravery
Street Fighter 6
Best Game 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
Best Independent Game
Cocoon
Dave the Diver
Dredge
Viewfinder
Best Narrative
Alan Wake 2
Baldur’s Gate 3
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Final Fantasy XVI
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Best Ongoing Game
Apex Legends
Cyberpunk 2077
Final Fantasy XVI
Genshin Impact
Best Performance
Ben Starr, Final Fantasy XVI
Cameron Monaghan, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Idris Elba, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Melanie Liburd, Alan Wake 2
Neil Newborn, Baldur’s Gate 3
Yuri Lowenthal, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Best Sports/Racing
F1 23
EA Sports FC 24
Forza Motorsport
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbo-Charged
The Crew Motorfest
For the full list of nominations head to The Game Awards website.
What time and where can I watch The 2023 Game Awards in Australia?
The Game Awards will be broadcast live on Friday, December 8, 11:30 am – 3:00 pm (AEDT). You can check out the stream on The Game Awards website, or The Game Awards YouTube and Twitch channels.
