The Game Awards 2025 delivered an incredible night of celebration for the gaming community, with one title dominating the biggest categories and setting a new record for wins. From narrative triumphs to superstar performances, here are the standout winners that defined the year.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned Game of the Year 2025, taking home the night's most prestigious accolade. This indie RPG also swept several other major categories, making it one of the most talked-about games of the year.
Major Awards & Highlights
Best Game Direction - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Narrative - lair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Art Direction - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Score & Music - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Performance - Jennifer English (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
Best RPG - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Independent Game - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Debut Indie Game - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Other Top Wins:
Best Audio Design: Battlefield 6
Best Multiplayer: ARC Raiders
Games for Impact: South of Midnight
Innovation in Accessibility: Doom: The Dark Ages
Best Ongoing Game: No Man's Sky
Best Community Support: Baldur's Gate 3
What this means for 2025
2025 was a year where smaller studios shined alongside big publishers, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's historic sweep showed the industry's appreciation for both creativity and technical excellence.
The Game Awards 2025: Best Mobile & Ongoing Games
Mobile gaming continues to grow in both scale and creativity, and The Game Awards 2025 once again recognized titles that stood out on mobile platforms, alongside long-lasting games on other systems. Here's a breakdown of the winners with a mobile focus.
Best Mobile Game - Umamusume: Pretty Derby
The Best Mobile Game award went to Umamusume: Pretty Derby, a title that blends strategic mechanics with engaging progression systems and charismatic characters.
This win highlights how mobile games can deliver rich gameplay experiences that compete with traditional console and PC games in quality and engagement.
Best Ongoing Game - No Man's Sky
Although not a mobile title, Best Ongoing Game was awarded to No Man's Sky, celebrating a title that continues to evolve through regular updates and strong community engagement.
This category is relevant to mobile too - many mobile games succeed through ongoing content, live events, and seasonal refreshes.
Why Mobile Gaming Matters in 2025
Mobile games now offer:
Competitive player communities
Cross‑platform progression
Deep design beyond casual play
Titles like Umamusume: Pretty Derby show that mobile gaming is more than a casual pastime - it's a core pillar of the global gaming landscape.
Indie & Creative Achievements at The Game Awards 2025
Indie games often push boundaries of creativity and storytelling. At The Game Awards 2025, they took center stage both in major and indie-specific categories, highlighting the year's most imaginative and impactful titles.Indie & Creative Achievements at The Game Awards 2025.
Best Independent Game - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
In a remarkable achievement, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won Best Independent Game, showing that indie projects can compete head-to-head with bigger budget titles.
Its dual win in independent and major categories shows how indie craftsmanship is being recognized across the industry.
Best Debut Indie Game
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 also took home Best Debut Indie Game, confirming its impact as a standout first release from its developer.
Creative Recognition Winners
Other creative and achievement focused wins included:
Games for Impact: South of Midnight - celebrating meaningful storytelling and emotional depth.
Innovation in Accessibility: Doom: The Dark Ages - recognised for thoughtful accessibility features.
Why Indie Awards Matter
Indie titles push innovation, risk-taking, and artistic exploration. Their recognition at The Game Awards 2025 highlights how creativity continues to shape the future of the medium.