Los Angeles was the stage for the video game industry’s annual year-end celebration, a glitzy spectacle blending award presentations with a barrage of high-profile game reveals. The night, however, belonged to a single title that defied expectations.
The acclaimed French role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the undisputed champion of the evening. Entering the ceremony with a record number of nominations, the title secured nine major awards, including the coveted Game of the Year honor. The fantasy adventure also earned accolades for its direction, artistic vision, narrative, and a standout performance by actor Jennifer English. The win marks a significant achievement for its modestly budgeted development team.
The awards ceremony also served as a platform for major announcements from leading publishers. The storied Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic franchise is set for a revival with Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a new narrative-driven adventure helmed by the original director. In another major reveal, the iconic Tomb Raider series will see two new projects: a ground-up remake of the 1996 classic and a brand-new sequel.
Further announcements included a mysterious new project from Larian Studios, the acclaimed developer behind Baldur’s Gate 3, teased with an enigmatic trailer. Capcom showcased its latest survival horror entry, Resident Evil Requiem, featuring the return of a fan-favorite character. The event also highlighted promising new independent projects, such as the stylized puzzle-platformer Coven of the Chicken Foot from a studio founded by a veteran of major franchises.
Other premieres spanned a wide range of genres, from cooperative shooters and sci-fi mysteries to a major sequel to the hit supernatural action game Control and a new free-to-play title from industry veterans.
While the event itself remains a subject of debate within the gaming community, this year’s ceremony will be remembered for a clear narrative: a breakthrough title from a passionate independent studio successfully competing against—and ultimately overshadowing—the industry’s most expensive and heavily marketed blockbusters.