Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Crowned Game of the Year at 2026 DICE Awards
A sweeping victory for Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 marked the 29th annual DICE Awards, held during the 2026 DICE Summit. The title secured the coveted Game of the Year award, alongside four additional accolades, solidifying its position as a standout achievement in interactive entertainment.
Sandfall Interactive Dominates the Awards
Sandfall Interactive’s success wasn’t limited to the top prize. The studio earned a total of five awards, recognizing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as Role-Playing Game of the Year and celebrating its Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction, Story, and Game Direction. This comprehensive recognition underscores the game’s holistic excellence in design and execution.
Ghost of Yōtei and Death Stranding 2 Also Recognized
While Clair Obscur led the pack, other titles also garnered significant praise. Sucker Punch Productions’ Ghost of Yōtei received four awards, including Adventure Game of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction and Character. The latter award specifically honored Erika Ishii’s performance as Atsu, the game’s central character.
Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was also a winner, taking home two awards for Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design and Technical Achievement. The indie title Blue Prince impressed judges, earning Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game and Outstanding Achievement in Game Design.
Additional Winners and Industry Recognition
Beyond the major award recipients, several other games were celebrated for their contributions to the industry. Arc Raiders was named Online Game of the Year, while Hades 2 secured the title of Action Game of the Year.
The ceremony also honored industry veteran Evan Wells, former co-president of Naughty Dog, with induction into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. A keynote tribute was also held for the late Vince Zampella, co-founder of Respawn and co-creator of Call of Duty.
Industry Leaders Praise Innovation and Creativity
“The games recognised at this year’s DICE Awards showcase the extraordinary range of talent and creativity that define our industry,” stated a representative from the AIAS. “It’s inspiring to see how these developers continue to elevate interactive entertainment through innovation, storytelling, and meaningful player experiences.”
Full List of 2026 DICE Award Winners
Here is a complete rundown of the winners across all categories:
- Game of the year: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
- Action game of the year: Hades 2 (Supergiant Games)
- Adventure game of the year: Ghost of Yōtei (Suckerpunch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Family game of the year: Lego Party (SMG Studio/Fictions)
- Fighting game of the year: Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection (Digital Eclipse/Atari)
- Racing game of the year: Mario Kart World (Nintendo EPD/Nintendo)
- Role-playing game of the year: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Sports game of the year: Rematch (Sloclap/Kepler Interactive)
- Strategy/simulation game of the year: The Alters (11 Bit Studios)
- Online game of the year: Arc Raiders (Embark Studios/Nexon)
- Immersive reality game of the year: Ghost Town (Fireproof Studios)
- Mobile game of the year: Persona 5: The Phantom X (Black Wings Game Studio/Sega)
- Outstanding achievement in animation: South of Midnight (Compulsion Games)
- Outstanding achievement in art direction: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Outstanding achievement in character: Atsu (Ghost of Yōtei, Erika Ishii)
- Outstanding achievement in original music composition: Ghost of Yōtei
- Outstanding achievement in audio design: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Outstanding achievement in story: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Outstanding technical achievement: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Outstanding achievement for an independent game: Blue Prince (Dogubomb/Raw Fury)
- Outstanding achievement in game design: Blue Prince
- Outstanding achievement in game direction: Clair Obscur: Expedition 3
- Immersive reality technical achievement: Hotel Infinity (Studio Chyr)
The 2026 DICE Awards serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing innovation and artistic ambition driving the video game industry forward.
