The Game Awards 2025 lineup is officially set, and this year’s nominations spotlight a broad mix of Xbox first-party and third-party titles spanning major genres. Many of the nominated games are accessible across Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud, and handheld devices, with a large portion included in Xbox Game Pass. The growing catalog highlights how Xbox continues to position itself as a central platform for players looking to engage with award-caliber releases before the ceremony airs on December 11.
Expanding Xbox’s Presence Across Major Categories
Xbox first-party studios delivered a strong showing this year, with several major projects securing nominations across high-profile categories. Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2 earned recognition in the Best RPG category, while DOOM: The Dark Ages and Ninja Gaiden 4 represented action-focused releases nominated for Best Action/Adventure. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle also secured multiple nods, including Best Action/Adventure and a Best Performance nomination for Troy Baker’s portrayal of Indiana Jones.
South of Midnight contributed to Xbox’s visibility in socially driven categories, receiving nominations for Games for Impact and Innovation in Accessibility. Many of these titles are available through Xbox Game Pass, giving subscribers an opportunity to play them before winners are announced.
Third-Party Titles Strengthen the Xbox Portfolio
Beyond its internal lineup, Xbox’s third-party partners added substantial weight to the nomination list. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out as one of the most recognized entries of the year, earning widespread nominations including Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, and Best RPG. Hollow Knight: Silksong, long anticipated by fans, secured nominations in key categories such as Game of the Year, Best Independent Game, and Best Score and Music.
Other nominated releases available on Xbox include Ball x Pit, Blue Prince, and Rematch, each adding representation for independent creators. Meanwhile, service-driven titles such as League of Legends, Valorant, Fortnite, and No Man’s Sky brought further recognition to ongoing and community-supported games, with several of these offering benefits to Game Pass members.
Accessibility, Innovation, and Genre Diversity
The nominations highlight a wide spectrum of genres and categories that underscore Xbox’s reach across the gaming landscape. Innovation in Accessibility saw representation from both first-party and third-party titles, reflecting the industry’s continued focus on inclusive design. The Sim/Strategy landscape featured nominees such as Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, Jurassic World Evolution 3, and Two Point Museum, while the Fighting Game category included multiple retro-inspired and modern franchises across publishers.
This spread of nominations shows how Xbox’s catalog continues to evolve, offering players access not only to major AAA titles but also to independent and experimental games that push boundaries in gameplay, storytelling, and web3-adjacent systems.
How to Vote and Where to Watch
Voting for The Game Awards 2025 is open now through the official event website, giving players a chance to support their preferred nominees. The ceremony will air live on December 11 and is expected to feature new announcements alongside recognition of this year’s standout titles. With many nominees already available through Xbox Game Pass or as Xbox Play Anywhere releases, players can engage with most of the highlighted experiences before the winners are decided.
What date are The Game Awards 2025?
The Game Awards 2025 will take place on December 11.
Can I play the nominated Xbox games through Game Pass?
Many of the nominated games, including first-party titles and several third-party releases, are available through Xbox Game Pass.
Which Xbox-exclusive games were nominated this year?
Notable Xbox first-party nominees include Avowed, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Ninja Gaiden 4, South of Midnight, and The Outer Worlds 2.
Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on Xbox and can be played through Game Pass.
Can I vote for The Game Awards 2025?
Yes, voting is open on the official The Game Awards website.
Are any of the nominated games available through Xbox Play Anywhere?
A large number of the nominees, including Avowed, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Silksong, and several indie titles, support Xbox Play Anywhere.
Do Game Pass members receive in-game bonuses for nominated titles?
Yes, subscribers receive benefits for games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Fortnite.
Is web3 gaming mentioned in any nominees?
While none of the nominations are explicitly labeled as web3 titles, several indie and experimental games explore adjacent concepts in design and systems.
