The 26th annual DICE Awards unfolded in Las Vegas, delivering the kind of buzz only a celebration of interactive storytelling can generate. While anticipation built around two heavyweights, Elden Ring and God of War: Ragnarok, it was FromSoftware that secured the Game of the Year prize, a moment that underscored the studio’s enduring impact on the medium. Santa Monica Studio also roared to prominence, collecting seven awards and further cementing its reputation for crafting immersive, emotionally resonant experiences.
Best animations:
The event showcased notable craftsmanship in animation, with the winners aligning to vibrant visuals, fluid motion, and character expression that heightened immersion across genres and platforms.
Artistic Achievement:
Artistic achievement recognized the bold creative choices that pushed the boundaries of design, color, and atmosphere, highlighting titles that blended aesthetics with meaningful gameplay.
Best Character:
Character design and portrayal were celebrated for depth, arc, and memorable presence, emphasizing how narrative and performance intersect to define a playable hero or antagonist.
The best music:
Music categories honored compositions that amplified mood, pacing, and world-building, with orchestration and thematic motifs guiding players through pivotal moments.
Best Audio Design:
Audio design acknowledged the artistry of soundscapes, from environmental ambience to the precise cues that heighten tension and clarity during gameplay.
Best Story:
Story awards celebrated compelling narratives, character growth, and how plot structure and world lore converge to sustain player engagement over long journeys.
Technology performance:
Technology performance recognized how technical innovations, engine efficiency, and platform integration translate into responsive, smooth experiences for players across devices.
Best Action:
Best action highlights frenetic, skillful combat design, where timing, feedback, and risk-reward mechanics create thrilling, repeatable play sessions.
Best Adventure Game:
Adventure game honors celebrated exploration, puzzle design, and narrative-driven journeys that reward curiosity and player agency in expansive worlds.
Best Game for Family:
Family-friendly titles were recognized for accessibility, cooperative play, and content suitable for a broad audience, balancing fun with responsible themes.
Best Fighting Game:
Fighting game awards underscored precise mechanics, balance, and competitive depth, rewarding titles that combine strategic planning with exciting, decisive skirmishes.
Best Breed:
Honors in this category highlighted standout developments in character creation, design language, and the distinct personality traits that set one title apart.
Best RPG:
Role-playing games earned praise for expansive worlds, meaningful choices, and systems that reward long-term planning and character progression.
Best Sports Game:
Sports-inspired experiences were acknowledged for realism, engaging competition, and the ability to capture the thrill of athletic performance within interactive play.
Best Strategy/Simulation:
Strategy and simulation titles were celebrated for depth, automation, and strategic nuance, rewarding thoughtful planning and adaptive tactics under pressure.
Best VR Game:
Virtual reality achievements recognized immersion, comfort, and intuitive interaction that bring convincing, legs-free worlds to life for players wearing headsets.
Performance in VR:
Performance in VR measured how well a game leverages headset hardware, provides comfort during movement, and sustains narrative flow within immersive environments.
Indie Achievement:
Indie accolades celebrated inventive design, daring scope, and the ability of smaller teams to deliver memorable experiences with limited resources.
Best Mobile Game:
Mobile game recognition highlighted accessibility, optimization for touch, and the way compact experiences deliver high replay value on handheld devices.
Best Online Game:
Online game honors focused on ongoing service, community engagement, and evolving content that keeps players returning to shared worlds.
Achievement in game design:
Game design achievements celebrated innovative mechanics, intuitive systems, and the orchestration of player freedom within a cohesive framework.
Performance in game direction:
Direction awards recognized visionary leadership, pacing, and the ability to steer a project from concept to finish with a distinct, compelling voice.
Wow — and the rumor around the hall is that Warner Bros has already started development on the movie adaptation of the stage-play titled “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” (VG Times)