Balatro takes the spotlight at the 2025 Game Developers Choice Awards, securing the Game of the Year honor
At the Game Developers Choice Awards, Balatro made a significant impact by securing top honors, including Game of the Year, Best Debut, and Best Design, along with the Innovation accolade.
Astro Bot was honored in both the Audio and Technology sections, while Black Myth: Wukong was celebrated for its Visual Art achievements.
Studio Zero's Metaphor: ReFantazio received the Best Narrative award, and Life is Strange: Double Exposure by Deck Nine Games was recognized with the Social Impact award.
Previously highlighted, Sam Lake, Remedy's creative director, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement honor, with Matthew Porretta, known for roles in Alan Wake and Control, presenting the award.
Lucas Pope was distinguished with the Pioneer Award, recognized for his influential work on games like Paper's, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, as well as his contributions while at Naughty Dog.
At yesterday's Independent Games Festival, Consume Me earned the Seumas McNally Grand Prize. This game, crafted by Jenny Jiao Hsia, AP Thompson, Jie En Lee, Violet W-P, and Ken 'coda' Synder, also won the Nuvo and Wings recognitions.
Excellence in Narrative was awarded to Caves of Qud by Freehold Games, Hauntii by Moonloop Games received the award for Visual Arts, and Tactical Breach Wizards by Suspicious Developments was recognized for Design excellence.
The Audio category saw Despelote, crafted by Julián Cordero and Sebastian Valbuena, earn an award, while Slot Waste by Vinny Roca took home 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)