Key Facts
- ✓ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 received eight nominations at the Game Developers Choice Awards, missing only the Social Impact category.
- ✓ The Game Developers Choice Awards ceremony will take place on March 12 at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
- ✓ Ghost of Yōtei earned five nominations and an honorable mention, while Blue Prince and Donkey Kong Bananza each secured four nominations.
- ✓ The Independent Game Festival awards will precede the GDC ceremony by one day on March 11, marking a significant scheduling change.
- ✓ Baby Steps received five nominations at the Independent Game Festival awards, including for the Seumas McNally Grand Prize.
- ✓ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 did not receive any nominations in the Independent Game Festival awards despite discussions about its indie status.
A Near-Perfect Sweep
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has achieved an extraordinary milestone in the 2026 awards season, earning nominations for nearly every category at the prestigious Game Developers Choice Awards. The title from Sandfall Interactive secured eight of the nine possible nominations, a remarkable achievement that underscores the game's critical acclaim across multiple disciplines.
The nominations were announced today, positioning the game as the frontrunner for the ceremony scheduled to take place in March. This recognition comes as the gaming industry prepares for one of its most anticipated annual events, where developers celebrate their peers' achievements.
The Complete Nomination List
The Game Developers Choice Awards revealed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 received nominations in eight distinct categories, demonstrating excellence across the entire spectrum of game development. The only category where the title did not receive a nomination was the Social Impact award.
The full list of nominations for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 includes:
- Best Audio - Recognizing exceptional sound design and musical composition
- Best Debut - Honoring the studio's first major release
- Best Design - Celebrating innovative gameplay mechanics
- Innovation Award - Acknowledging groundbreaking approaches
- Best Narrative - For compelling storytelling and writing
- Best Technology - For technical excellence and implementation
- Best Visual Art - Recognizing artistic achievement
- Game of the Year - The top honor for overall excellence
Each nomination represents recognition from industry peers across different specializations, from audio engineers to narrative designers.
The Competitive Landscape
While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominates the nomination field, several other titles have also received significant recognition. Ghost of Yōtei earned five nominations and an honorable mention, while Blue Prince and Donkey Kong Bananza each secured four nominations across various categories.
The competition in the Game of the Year category remains particularly fierce, with six titles vying for the top honor:
- Blue Prince (Dogubomb / Raw Fury)
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive / Kepler Interactive)
- Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo EPD / Nintendo)
- Ghost of Yōtei (Sucker Punch Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry)
- Split Fiction (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
Notably, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Ghost of Yōtei both received honorable mentions in this category, highlighting the depth of competition this year.
Ceremony Details & Context
The Game Developers Choice Awards ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. This year marks a significant scheduling change, as the Independent Game Festival (IGF) awards will now take place the day before on Wednesday, March 11, rather than on the same day as in previous years.
Interestingly, despite ongoing discussions about whether Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 qualifies as an "indie" game, the title received no nominations in the IGF awards. This absence could be due to eligibility requirements or a decision by the studio not to submit the game for consideration in that particular competition.
The IGF awards themselves feature Baby Steps as the most-nominated game with five nominations, including the prestigious Seumas McNally Grand Prize.
Industry Recognition & Impact
The nominations for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 represent validation from the development community itself, as the Game Developers Choice Awards are voted on by industry professionals. This peer recognition carries particular weight in an industry where creative and technical excellence are constantly evolving.
The breadth of nominations—from Best Audio to Best Technology—suggests that Sandfall Interactive has achieved a rare balance of artistic vision and technical execution. The studio's ability to compete across such diverse categories indicates a comprehensive achievement rather than excellence in isolated areas.
For Kepler Interactive, the publisher, these nominations reinforce their portfolio strategy of supporting innovative and ambitious projects from independent studios.
Looking Ahead to March
As the Game Developers Conference approaches in March, all eyes will be on whether Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 can convert its eight nominations into actual awards. The ceremony represents one of the most anticipated moments in the gaming industry calendar, where the year's most celebrated titles receive their due recognition.
The competition remains open, with strong contenders in every category and particularly in the Game of the Year race. The final results will be determined by votes from game developers worldwide, making the outcome a true reflection of industry consensus.
Regardless of the final tally, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already secured its place as one of the most decorated games of 2026, with its eight nominations standing as a testament to its comprehensive excellence across all aspects of game development.
