At the 2025 Game Developers Choice Awards, "Balatro" takes center stage, securing the Game of the Year title
At the recent Game Developers Choice Awards, Balatro emerged as the leading title, securing wins in multiple categories including Game of the Year, Best Debut, Best Design, and the Innovation award.
Astro Bot secured accolades for both Audio and Technology. Meanwhile, Black Myth: Wukong earned recognition for Best Visual Art.
The award for Best Narrative went to Metaphor: ReFantazio from Studio Zero. Life is Strange: Double Exposure by Deck Nine Games received the Social Impact award.
Previously highlighted, Sam Lake, a creative director at Remedy, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, handed over by Matthew Porretta, known for his roles in Alan Wake and Control.
Lucas Pope was celebrated with the Pioneer Award for his distinguished contributions to the gaming industry, notably for his work on Paper's, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, as well as his time at Naughty Dog.
Simultaneously, the Independent Games Festival recognized Consume Me with the Seumas McNally Grand Prize. Crafted by Jenny Jiao Hsia, AP Thompson, Jie En Lee, Violet W-P, and Ken 'coda' Synder, this title also won both the Nuovo and Wings awards.
Caves of Qud by Freehold Games was awarded for Excellence in Narrative, while Moonloop Games took Excellence in Visual Arts for Hauntii. Tactical Breach Wizards from Suspicious Developments was honored with Excellence in Design.
Despelote by Julián Cordero and Sebastian Valbuena was acknowledged for Excellence in Audio, and Vinny Roca's Slot Waste was awarded Best Student Game.
GDCA 2025 winners
- Game of the Year: Balatro (Local Thunk, Playstack)
- Best Debut: Balatro
- Best Visual Art: Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
- Best Audio: Astro Bot (Team Asobi, Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Best Narrative: Metaphor: ReFantazio (Studio Zero, Atlus, Sega)
- Best Technology: Astro Bot
- Best Design: Balatro
- Social Impact Award: Life is Strange: Double Exposure (Deck Nine Games, Square Enix)
- Innovation Award: Balatro
- Pioneer Award: Lucas Pope
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Sam Lake
IGF 2025 winners
- Seumas McNally Grand Prize: Consume Me (Jenny Jiao Hsia, AP Thompson, Jie En Lee, Violet W-P, Ken 'coda' Synder)
- Excellence in Visual Art: Hauntii (Moonloop Games, Firestoke)
- Excellence in Audio: Despelote (Julián Cordero, Sebastian Valbuena, Panic)
- Excellence in Design: Tactical Breach Wizards (Suspicious Developments)
- Excellence in Narrative: Caves of Qud (Freehold Games, Kitfox Games)
- Nuovo Award: Consume Me
- Wings Award: Consume Me
- Best Student Game: Slot Waste (Vinny Roca)