At the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences in Las Vegas tonight Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took home an impressive five of the awards across 23 categories, including Game of the Year.
The Sandfall Interactive game has been a critical hit and a stand out at award shows since it was released in April 2025, and the development team was even given the status of Knight under the French Order of Arts and Letters in recognition of its work.
Ghost of Yotei took home three awards, including Outstanding Achievement in Character, while Arc Raiders won Online Game of the Year. Naughty Dog’s Evan Wells, former president and co-founder at the studio, was inducted into the AIAS Hall of Fame.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 screenshots
“The games recognized at this year’s D.I.C.E. Awards showcase the extraordinary range of talent and creativity that define our industry,” said Meggan Scavio, President of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.
“It’s inspiring to see how these developers continue to elevate interactive entertainment through innovation, storytelling, and meaningful player experiences.”
This year the DICE Summit also marked the passing of Vince Zampella, the co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise, co-founder of Infinity Ward, and co-founder of Respawn Entertainment, who passed in December 2025. Hideo Kojima, Phil Spencer, Todd Howard and others from across the industry spoke about how his work had impacted both the world of video games, and them as people.
DICE Awards 2026 WinnersOutstanding Achievement in Animation – South of MidnightOutstanding Achievement in Art Direction – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Outstanding Achievement in Character – Ghost of Yōtei – AtsuOutstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition – Ghost of YōteiOutstanding Achievement in Audio Design – Death Stranding 2: On the BeachOutstanding Achievement in Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Outstanding Technical Achievement – Death Stranding 2: On the BeachAction Game of the Year – Hades IIAdventure Game of the Year – Ghost of YōteiFamily Game of the Year – LEGO® Party!Fighting Game of the Year – Mortal Kombat: Legacy KollectionRacing Game of the Year – Mario Kart WorldRole-Playing Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Sports Game of the Year – RematchStrategy/Simulation Game of the Year – The AltersOnline Game of the Year – Arc RaidersImmersive Reality Technical Achievement – Hotel InfinityImmersive Reality Game of the Year – Ghost TownOutstanding Achievement for an Independent Game – Blue PrinceMobile Game of the Year – Persona5: The Phantom XOutstanding Achievement in Game Design – Blue PrinceOutstanding Achievement in Game Direction – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Rachel Weber is the Head of Editorial Development at IGN and an elder millennial. She’s been a professional nerd since 2006 when she got her start on Official PlayStation Magazine in the UK, and has since worked for GamesIndustry.Biz, Rolling Stone and GamesRadar. She loves horror, horror movies, horror games, Red Dead Redemption 2, and her Love and Deepspace boyfriends.