The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) has officially unveiled the nominees for the 28th annual DICE Awards, set to honor the most outstanding achievements in gaming from 2024. The ceremony, which will take place in Las Vegas on Thursday, February 13, 2025, promises to celebrate both major blockbuster hits and indie gems that defined the past year in gaming.
Game of the Year: The Big Contenders
The nominees for the coveted Game of the Year award reflect a diverse array of experiences and genres. This year’s contenders are:
- Astro Bot by Team Asobi/PlayStation
- Balatro by LocalThunk
- Black Myth: Wukong by GameScience
- Helldivers II by Arrowhead Game Studios/PlayStation
- Indiana Jones & the Great Circle by MachineGames/Xbox
Astro Bot, Helldivers II, and Indiana Jones & the Great Circle lead the pack, each earning six nominations across categories such as Animation, Art Direction, and Technical Achievement.
Other Top Nominees
While the spotlight shines on the Game of the Year nominees, other titles have also made a significant impact:
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II and Balatro each garnered five nominations, solidifying their status as critical favorites.
- In total, 60 games from 2024 received nominations across various categories, highlighting the industry’s breadth and creativity.
Highlight Categories and Nominees
Here’s a look at some key categories and their standout nominees:
Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction:
- 1000xResist (Sunset Visitor/Fellow Traveler)
- Animal Well (BillyBasso/Big Mode)
- Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (Simogo/Annapurna Interactive)
- Riven (Cyan Worlds)
- Thank Goodness You’re Here! (Coal Supper/Panic)
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design:
- Animal Well (BillyBasso/Big Mode)
- Astro Bot (Team Asobi/PlayStation)
- Balatro (LocalThunk)
- Helldivers II (Arrowhead Game Studios/PlayStation)
- UFO 50 (Mossmouth)
Online Game of the Year:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Treyarch/Activision Blizzard)
- Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred (Blizzard Entertainment)
- Helldivers II (Arrowhead Game Studios/PlayStation)
- Marvel Rivals (NetEase Games)
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (Saber Interactive)
Outstanding Achievement in Character:
- Watcher (1000xRESIST)
- Yuffie Kisaragi (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth)
- Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle)
- Indika (Indika)
- Senua (Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II)
Mobile Game of the Year:
- Balatro (LocalThunk)
- Halls of Torment (Chasing Carrots)
- Monument Valley 3 (Ustwo Games/Netflix Games)
- Paper Trail (Newfangled Games)
- Wuthering Waves (Kuro Games)
Immersive Reality Technical Achievement:
- Alien: Rogue Incursion (Survios)
- Batman: Arkham Shadow (Camouflaj/Oculus)
- Skydance’s BEHEMOTH (Skydance)
- Starship Home (Creature)
- UNDERDOGS (One Hamsa)
A Year of Gaming Excellence
From cutting-edge graphics to innovative gameplay mechanics, the nominees reflect the best the gaming industry had to offer in 2024. Games like Black Myth: Wukong and Indiana Jones & the Great Circle demonstrate the power of storytelling and technical brilliance, while indie darlings such as Animal Well and Balatro showcase the creativity and ingenuity of smaller studios.
The Countdown to February 13
As the 2025 DICE Awards approach, excitement builds among fans and developers alike. Who will take home the top honors? With such a rich and diverse lineup of nominees, this year’s ceremony is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Be sure to tune in on February 13 to see which games claim victory and celebrate the incredible artistry and innovation that defined gaming in 2024.