The eagerly anticipated role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has just achieved a remarkable milestone: it has garnered 12 nominations at The Game Awards 2025 — the highest number ever for a single game in the event’s history.
Sandfall Interactive’s French-developed epic has shattered previous nomination records at The Game Awards. Boasting an impressive 12 nominations, it has officially become the most-nominated game in the event’s twelve-year history.
Breaking the Record
Among its competitors are titans of the industry such as Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and yet none have garnered as many nominations this year.
Industry Recognition
The many nods for Clair Obscur highlight its widespread impact in direction, narrative, art, audio, and performance, showcasing a robust endorsement from both critics and fellow developers.
Supported by publisher Kepler Interactive, Clair Obscur stands as a testament to the dedication of French studio Sandfall Interactive, proving that smaller studios can hold their own against more expensive games on the global stage.
This recognition highlights the revival of turn-based and strategy RPGs in mainstream awards, serving as a powerful reminder to the industry that games rich in narrative and deep in mechanics continue to resonate strongly with gamers.
Key Categories & Nominations
Here are some of the headline categories Clair Obscur is contending in:
- Game of the Year — It’s amongst the elite shortlist, putting it in contention for the top prize.
- Best Game Direction – Recognition for how the game’s vision was executed.
- Best Narrative – Storyline, characters, and setting are clearly getting noticed.
- Best Art Direction / Best Audio Design / Best Score & Music – The visual and audio design are also key parts of this recognition.
- Best Role-Playing Game (RPG) – Fittingly, the game is nominated for one of its genre’s top honours.
With nominations across so many categories, the game is positioned to pick up multiple wins. This could raise the bar for future nominees and broaden what types of games are considered for top-tier awards.
The Game Awards ceremony on December 11, 2025, will determine how many of these nominations translate into wins. With 12 chances, Clair Obscur has one of the strongest odds in the history of the show.
Following the event, stay tuned for exciting updates from Sandfall Interactive: potential free content additions, post-launch expansions, or special editions that capitalize on the increased attention this awards season has generated.
The 12 nominations for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 transcend mere figures as they signify a pivotal moment where style, ambition, and storytelling converged, captivating the industry’s gaze. This is a pivotal moment for gamers and creators alike: a French independent studio is raising the bar at one of the industry’s most significant events. As we approach The Game Awards, this title is set to be a key narrative to watch.
