Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has emerged as the most nominated game for the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards, the organizers of the GDC Festival of Gaming have announced. The game received nominations in eight categories, including the prestigious Game of the Year award. It will compete against other high-profile titles such as Blue Prince, Donkey Kong Bananza, Ghost of Yōtei, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Split Fiction.
Developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was released in April 2025. The game has already won 334 Game of the Year awards, making it one of the most awarded games in history, second only to Elden Ring. This level of recognition reflects both its critical acclaim and impact among players and industry peers.
Award Ceremony Details
The Game Developers Choice Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 11 and will be streamed live on the official GDC Twitch Channel. Similar to other industry-focused awards such as the BAFTAs, nominations and winners are determined entirely by video game developers. Any game that was released and publicly available during 2025 was eligible for a free nomination for the 2026 awards.
Key Categories and Notable Nominees
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has received nominations in several major categories, including Best Audio, Best Debut, Best Design, Innovation Award, Best Narrative, Best Technology, Best Visual Art, and Game of the Year. Competing games include notable releases like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Ghost of Yōtei, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Split Fiction. The wide range of categories highlights the game’s technical achievements, narrative strength, and overall design quality.
Other nominees are also drawing attention. Blue Prince has been recognized in multiple categories including Game of the Year and Best Design, while Hollow Knight: Silksong continues to receive praise for its visual and gameplay achievements. Donkey Kong Bananza and Ghost of Yōtei round out the Game of the Year finalists, emphasizing the diversity of 2025’s top games.
Public Voting and Audience Award
In addition to peer-voted categories, the Game Developers Choice Awards also feature an Audience Award. This category allows the public and attendees of the GDC Festival of Gaming to vote for their favorite game. Voting for the Audience Award opens on January 26 and will close on February 8. The inclusion of this category provides players a chance to directly influence the outcome of one of the awards.
Clair Obscur’s Industry Impact
The strong showing of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards reflects its significant impact on the gaming industry. Beyond its critical success, the game has demonstrated notable influence in areas such as narrative design, technology implementation, and overall player experience. Its recognition across multiple award categories positions it as a leading contender for several major honors this year.
Source: Epic Games
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When are the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards?
The awards ceremony will take place on March 11, 2026, and will be streamed live on the official GDC Twitch Channel.
Which game has the most nominations this year?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads with eight nominations, including Game of the Year.
Who are the other Game of the Year nominees?
Other finalists for Game of the Year include Blue Prince, Donkey Kong Bananza, Ghost of Yōtei, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Split Fiction.
How are the winners decided?
All nominations and winners are determined by video game developers. Games released and publicly available in 2025 were eligible for consideration.
Is there a public voting category?
Yes, the Audience Award allows the public to vote. Voting opens January 26 and ends February 8, 2026.
Where can I watch the awards?
The ceremony will be available for free on the official GDC Twitch Channel.
