It’s that time of year when we begin to wind down and talk about what the best games of the year were. That’s a tall order in 2023, but games media will take it on nonetheless. The Shacknews Awards will be coming soon enough, but ahead of that, Geoff Keighley and The Game Awards organizers are taking on the task, and that means sharing the award category finalist nominations. What’s more, voting has opened up so audiences can chime in and share their favorites. Want to know what games got nominated for each category and where to vote for them? We have you covered here.
UPDATE (9:43 a.m. PT): All nominees have been announced and the list of finalists and categories are complete.
How to vote for The Game Awards 2023 nominees
If you’re looking to cast your vote and make your voice heard in The Game Awards 2023, then you need to head over to the official Game Awards website. Like previous years, would-be voters can log in and cast their vote for their favorite games via Twitch, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter/X accounts. Click the login button of your choice and then get off and on your way with the votes.
Once you’re logged in, you can begin voting for your favorite finalists in each Game Awards category. Bear in mind that you only get one chance to vote for each category, so make sure your decisions are final before you cast your ballot.
The Game Awards 2023 nominees
The Game Awards 2023 nominees were announced on November 13 ahead of the main event on December 7. Source: The Game Awards
Below are the full list of Game Awards categories and finalist nominations. The list is broken down alphabetically with the exception of the most-sought award, Game of the Year, at the top.
Game of the Year
Alan Wake 2
Baldur's Gate 3
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Resident Evil 4
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best Action Game
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
Dead Island 2
Ghostrunner 2
Hi-Fi Rush
Remnant 2
Best Action/Adventure Game
Alan Wake 2
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Resident Evil 4
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Most Anticipated Game
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Hades 2
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Star Wars: Outlaws
Tekken 8
Best Adaptation
Castlevania Nocturne
Gran Turismo
The Last of Us
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Twisted Metal
Best Art Direction
Alan Wake 2
Hi-Fi Rush
Lies of P
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best Audio Design
Alan Wake 2
Dead Space remake
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Resident Evil 4
Best Community Support
Baldur's Gate 3
Cyberpunk 2077
Destiny 2: Lightfall
Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker
No Man's Sky
Content Creator of the Year
Iron Mouse
People Make Games
Quackity
Spreen
SypherPK
Best Debut Indie Game
Cocoon
Dredge
Pizza Tower
Venba
Viewfinder
Best Esports Coach
Potter
Homme
Gunba
XTQZZZ
Zonic
Best Esports Event
League of Legends Worlds 2023
Blast TV Paris Major 2023
EVO 2023
Dota 2: The International 2023
Valorant Champions 2023
Best Esports Game
Counter-Strike 2
Dota 2
League of Legends
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds Mobile
Valorant
Best Esports Athlete
Demon1
Faker
Hyrdra
Imperial-Hal
Ruler
ZywOo
Best Esports Team
Evil Geniuses (Valorant)
Fnatic (Valorant)
Gaimin Gladiators (Dota 2)
JD Gaming (League of Legends)
Team Vitality (Counter-Strike 2)
Best Family Game
Disney Illusion Island
Party Animals
Pikmin 4
Sonic Superstars
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Best Fighting Game
God of Rock
Mortal Kombat 1
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
Pocket Bravery
Street Fighter 6
Best Game Direction
Alan Wake 2
Baldur's Gate 3
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Games for Impact
A Space for the Unbound
Chants of Sennaar
Goodbye Volcano High
Tchia
Terra Nil
Venba
Best Indie Game
Cocoon
Dave the Diver
Dredge
Sea of Stars
Viewfinder
Innovation in Accessibility
Diablo 4
Forza Motorsport
Hi-Fi Rush
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Mortal Kombat 1
Street Fighter 6
Best Mobile Game
Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis
Honkai: Star Rail
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Monster Hunter Now
Terra Nil
Best Multiplayer Game
Baldur's Gate 3
Diablo 4
Party Animals
Street Fighter 6
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Best Narrative
Alan Wake 2
Baldur's Gate 3
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Final Fantasy 16
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Best Ongoing Game
Apex Legends
Cyberpunk 2077
Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker
Fortnite
Genshin Impact
Best Performance
Ben Starr (Clive - Final Fantasy 16)
Cameron Monaghan (Cal Kestis - Star Wars Jedi: Survivor)
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Sound Team)
Best Sports/Racing Game
EA Sports FC 24
EA Sports F1 23
Forza Motorsport
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
The Crew: Motorfest
Best Strategy/Sim Game
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Cities: Skylines 2
Company of Heroes 3
Fire Emblem Engage
Pikmin 4
Best VR/AR Game
Gran Turismo 7
Humanity
Horizon Call of the Mountain
Resident Evil Village
Synapse
That covers all nominees for this year’s event. Get to the Game Awards website if you want to make your voice heard and get your voting done before the actual show goes live on December 7, 2023. Want a refresher on how The Game Awards 2022 played out? Be sure to stop by our winners and announcements list to see!