29th Annual DICE Awards Nominees Announced

The 29th Annual DICE Awards, hosted by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, will take place on February 12, 2026. This year, a total of 64 games have received nominations, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yotei leading the nominations with eight each. Following closely are ARC Raiders and Dispatch, both securing six nominations. All four titles are also contenders for the prestigious Game of the Year award.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ghost of Yotei, ARC Raiders and Dispatch Lead 29th DICE Awards Nominations

In addition to the leading nominees, Blue Prince has garnered five nominations, including one for Game of the Year. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach follows with four nominations. Other noteworthy mentions include Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hades 2, which were notably absent from the Game of the Year category, receiving only one and three nominations, respectively. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Donkey Kong Bananza also received limited recognition, with three and two nominations, respectively.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ghost of Yotei, ARC Raiders and Dispatch Lead 29th DICE Awards Nominations

The DICE Awards differ from other major gaming awards by being determined by industry professionals rather than media critics. This approach aims to celebrate the achievements of developers and highlight the best in the gaming industry, contrasting with events like The Game Awards, which some critics argue focus more on popularity than merit.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ghost of Yotei, ARC Raiders and Dispatch Lead 29th DICE Awards Nominations

Last year's DICE Awards saw Astro Bot emerge as a significant winner, taking home five awards, including Game of the Year. Other winners included Helldivers 2, Balatro, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which received multiple awards, showcasing a diverse range of successful titles.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ghost of Yotei, ARC Raiders and Dispatch Lead 29th DICE Awards Nominations

The DICE Awards feature various categories, including Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction, Original Music Composition, Audio Design, and Game Design. Specific games are nominated across these categories, reflecting their strengths in different aspects of game development.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ghost of Yotei, ARC Raiders and Dispatch Lead 29th DICE Awards Nominations

While the DICE Awards are celebrated for their developer-centric approach, some critics argue that the exclusion of popular titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hades 2 from the Game of the Year nominations raises questions about the selection criteria and the representation of diverse gaming experiences.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ghost of Yotei, ARC Raiders and Dispatch Lead 29th DICE Awards Nominations

As the awards ceremony approaches, anticipation builds within the gaming community regarding the outcomes and potential surprises in the final results. The event promises to be a significant occasion for recognizing excellence in the gaming industry.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ghost of Yotei, ARC Raiders and Dispatch Lead 29th DICE Awards Nominations

• “Basically, if you think that The Game Awards are nothing but a popularity contest and that the games' media critics who make up the judging panel don't know what they're talking about and/or you think they're only focused on trailers for new games and not focused enough on the actual awards themselves, then the DICE Awards are what you'll want to pay attention to.” — Wccftech

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ghost of Yotei, ARC Raiders and Dispatch Lead 29th DICE Awards Nominations

• “Similar to the GDC Awards, this is an awards show that is chosen by the developers, and made for developers to celebrate each other's work and lift up the latest and greatest in the video game industry.” — Wccftech

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ghost of Yotei, ARC Raiders and Dispatch Lead 29th DICE Awards Nominations

The 29th Annual DICE Awards will undoubtedly highlight the evolving landscape of video games and the contributions of those who create them.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ghost of Yotei, ARC Raiders and Dispatch Lead 29th DICE Awards Nominations