Early predictions for the The Game Awards 2025

Here are my early predictions for the The Game Awards 2025 (TGA 2025) — noting that nominees haven’t been officially announced yet, so this is speculative based on buzz, release schedules, and past trends.

🎮 Top Contenders for Game of the Year

These titles seem likely to be in the running for the big prize:

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Strong buzz and multiple nominations in other awards.
• Hollow Knight: Silksong — Highly anticipated indie sequel with a strong fanbase.
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach — Big title from a well-known creator, likely to attract attention.
• Donkey Kong Bananza — A major franchise entry; may benefit from mainstream appeal.
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II — Sequel to a well-received RPG; could be a surprise dark horse.
• Ghost of Yōtei — If it lives up to expectations, it has the pedigree for nomination.

From reddit predictions:
“For me Expedition 33 and Blue Prince have to be there. Death Stranding and Donkey Kong Bananza almost certainly will.” Reddit+1
“Silksong is going to blow everyone away. It will easily get nominated.” Reddit

🏆 My Pick for Winner

If I had to choose one: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It looks poised to capture both critical acclaim and wide attention, putting it in a strong position for the trophy.

🔍 Other Category Thoughts

• There will likely be strong competition from both indie titles and blockbusters.
• Franchises with big brand value (like Donkey Kong) might have an edge, but innovation and uniqueness will matter.
• The jury’s preferences (critics + media) weigh heavily in TGA outcomes — so games that push the envelope tend to fare better.

📅 Date & Venue

• The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2025.
• It will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
• The tagline for the year is: “Celebrate the best. And see what’s next.”

🔍 Program Changes & Controversies

• The long-running honorary program called the Future Class (which spotlighted rising talent in the gaming industry) will not have a 2025 cohort.
• The TGA website has also removed mention of the program entirely, raising questions about its future.
• Former Future Class members have expressed disappointment about the lack of communication and support.

🕹 What to Expect

• In addition to awards, TGA 2025 is expected to include game announcements, trailers, and reveals of upcoming titles (which has been a historic part of the show).
• The shortlist for “Game of the Year” is already out for other awards (not TGA) showing how robust this awards season is.

🗓️ Typical Nomination Timeline for The Game Awards

• Mid-November → Nominations are announced publicly.
• Late November – Early December → Fan voting opens across categories on the official site and via partner platforms (like Discord and YouTube).
• Early–Mid December → The live ceremony takes place, revealing the winners.

📅 Historical Pattern

So, based on that consistent schedule, for The Game Awards 2025, we can expect the nominee announcement around November 11–13, 2025, with the show airing on December 11, 2025.