At the Game Awards 2023 ceremony in Los Angeles on December 8, the jury crowned Baldur’s Gate 3, the storied RPG from Belgian studio Larian, as the Game of the Year. This distinction came with a spread of recognitions that underscored the game’s broad appeal across communities and platforms in North America. The win highlighted Baldur’s Gate 3 as a flagship title for both storytelling and player agency, resonating with audiences from the United States to Canada who value deep world-building and strategic combat.
The Game of the Year trophy was just the centerpiece of Baldur’s Gate 3’s haul that night. The title also earned trophies for Best Community Support, Best RPG, Best Multiplayer, Best Acting, and Player Voice, cementing its status as a standout in multiple facets of game development. In a ceremony that featured high-profile contenders such as Alan Wake 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Resident Evil 4 Remake, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Baldur’s Gate 3 emerged as the top winner in the main category. It competed fiercely with other celebrated titles and was mentioned alongside notable releases including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Wonder as part of the year’s most influential games. This collection of awards illustrates how Baldur’s Gate 3 bridged single-player depth with cooperative and competitive experiences loved by Canadian and American players alike.
In addition to the main honors, a broad set of category winners reflected the year’s diverse gaming landscape. The award for Best Game Support went to Cyberpunk 2077, while Best Art was claimed by Alan Wake 2. The Best Soundtrack and Score went to Final Fantasy XVI, and Sea of Stars earned Best Indie Game. Cocoon was recognized as Best Breakthrough Indie Game, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom took Best Action Adventure. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon won Best Action, and Alan Wake 2 dominated several technical and direction categories, including Best Game Director and Best Narration. Street Fighter 6 earned Best Fighting Game, Super Mario Bros. Wonder captured Best Family Game, Pikmin 4 secured Best Simulation or Strategy, and Forza Motorsport was named Best Sports or Racing Game. Hi-Fi RUSH earned Best Sound Design, Honkai: Star Rail was named Best Mobile Game, and Resident Evil Village VR Mod took Best VR/AR Game. The Most Anticipated Game award went to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, underscoring the anticipation around major franchises among North American fans.
Beyond traditional game categories, the event also spotlighted the eSports ecosystem. Valorant led the Best E-Sports Game category, while Faker was celebrated as Best E-Sports Player. JD Gaming, a League of Legends squad, earned the Best E-Sports Player honor, and Potter, recognized as a sports team figure, took home Best Coach. The 2023 League of Legends World Championship awards were acknowledged by the juries as a benchmark for competitive gaming in the region. These recognitions reflect how the ceremony recognizes not just single titles, but the broader cultural footprint of competitive gaming in North America.
Critics reacted with tempered enthusiasm to a film-like adaptation based on the prior Avatar films, noting a disconnect between blockbuster branding and the expectations of dedicated gamers. The reception underscored a prevailing truth in the North American market: critical opinion and community sentiment can diverge when a game enters a wider media conversation. This dynamic remains a key point for developers and publishers aiming to align cinematic ambition with strong, sustained player engagement in the years ahead.