DICE Awards 2025 Nominees: Can Justice Be Served For Gaming’s Best
Ah, awards season—when fans collectively declare, “It’s rigged!” and social media becomes a battleground of snubbed favourites. Astro Bot may have walked away victorious at The Game Awards (TGA), but plenty argue it unfairly sidelined Black Myth: Wukong. If you’re still nursing that grudge, fear not: the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences’ (AIAS) 28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards is here to give justice (or spark more outrage). This year’s event promises another round of heated debates and unexpected winners. Tune in on 13 February at 8:00 PM PT (14 February, 12:00 PM GMT+8) for what’s sure to be gaming’s next watercooler moment.
Game of the Year
The coveted title of Game of the Year (GotY) is up for grabs with these five contenders:
- Astro Bot – A delightful, charming platformer that won hearts (and arguably stole GotY at TGA 2024).
- Balatro – The indie darling that packs more punch than expected.
- Black Myth: Wukong – The jaw-dropping action-adventure many consider the true champion of 2024.
- Helldivers 2 – Squad-based chaos perfected.
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – A late arrival to the scene but already making waves.
With such a varied lineup, this category is anyone’s game.
Category Highlights
Of course, it’s not all about the GOTY spotlight. From animation to strategy, the D.I.C.E. Awards celebrate every nuance of game development. Let’s dig into some of the juicier categories:
Outstanding Achievement in Animation
- Astro Bot
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
- Neva
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
- Black Myth: Wukong
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Lego Horizon Adventures
- The Plucky Squire
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Outstanding Achievement in Character
- 1000xResist – Watcher
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – Yuffie Kisaragi
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones
- Indika – Indika
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – Senua
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
- Astro Bot
- Helldivers 2
- Monument Valley 3
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- Star Wars Outlaws
Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design
- Frostpunk 2
- Helldivers 2
- Monument Valley 3
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- Still Wakes the Deep
Outstanding Achievement in Story
- 1000xResist
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Still Wakes the Deep
- Thank Goodness You’re Here!
Outstanding Technical Achievement
- Astro Bot
- Batman: Arkham Shadow
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Action Game of the Year
- Batman: Arkham Shadow
- Black Myth: Wukong
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Helldivers 2
- Stellar Blade
Adventure Game of the Year
- 1000xResist
- Animal Well
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Family Game of the Year
- Astro Bot
- Cat Quest III
- Little Kitty, Big City
- The Plucky Squire
- Super Mario Party Jamboree
Fighting Game of the Year
- Blazing Strike
- Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
- Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns
- Tekken 8
- Underdogs
Racing Game of the Year
- F1 24
- MotoGP 24
- Night-Runners Prologue
Role-Playing Game of the Year
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
- Dragon Age: The Veilguard
- Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Metaphor: ReFantazio
Sports Game of the Year
- EA Sports College Football 25
- EA Sports FC 25
- MLB The Show 24
- NBA 2K25
Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
- Balatro
- Caves of Qud
- Frostpunk 2
- Tactical Breach Wizards
- Satisfactory
Immersive Reality Technical Achievement
- Alien: Rogue Incursion
- Batman: Arkham Shadow
- Skydance’s Behemoth
- Starship Home
- Underdogs
Immersive Reality Game of the Year
- Alien: Rogue Incursion
- Batman: Arkham Shadow
- Escaping Wonderland
- Skydance’s Behemoth
- Underdogs
Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game
- Animal Well
- Balatro
- Grunn
- Indika
- Mouthwashing
Mobile Game of the Year
- Balatro
- Halls of Torment
- Monument Valley 3
- Paper Trail
- Wuthering Waves
Online Game of the Year
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred
- Helldivers 2
- Marvel Rivals
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design
- Animal Well
- Astro Bot
- Balatro
- Helldivers 2
- UFO 50
Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction
- 1000xResist
- Animal Well
- Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
- Riven
- Thank Goodness You’re Here!
With the sheer volume of talent on display, it’s shaping up to be a night of surprises, snubs, and standing ovations. Will Black Myth: Wukong get the credit it deserves? Or are you expecting another “rigged” result with Astro Bot taking the W?
All we know is, this year’s D.I.C.E. Awards promises to fuel plenty of debates—and isn’t that half the fun?
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