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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Dominates DICE Awards 2026 with Five Wins, Including Game of the Year
February 15, 2026Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 swept the 2026 DICE Awards, claiming Game of the Year along with four other major honours, while standout winners also included Ghost of Yōtei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and indie title Blue Prince.
The 27th annual DICE (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Awards, hosted by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), saw Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerge as the ceremony’s top achiever. The critically acclaimed title secured a total of five awards: Game of the Year, Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction, Outstanding Achievement in Story, Role-Playing Game of the Year, and Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction. This continued its streak as the industry’s most celebrated release in 2026.
DICE Awards 2026: Winners and Major Highlights
The 2026 DICE Awards ceremony, hosted by AIAS, recognised standout achievements across gaming. Ghost of Yōtei, created by Sucker Punch, earned three awards: Adventure Game of the Year, Outstanding Achievement in Character (for Atsu), and Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach took home Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design and Outstanding Technical Achievement, further cementing Kojima Productions’ reputation for technical artistry.
Indie puzzle adventure Blue Prince was another notable winner, capturing Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game and Outstanding Achievement in Game Design. Each award speaks to the game’s originality and distinctive player experience.
AIAS president Meggan Scavio underscored the significance of these wins, stating, “The games recognised at this year’s DICE Awards showcase the extraordinary range of talent and creativity that define our industry. It’s inspiring to see how these developers continue to elevate interactive entertainment through innovation, storytelling, and meaningful player experiences.”
The ceremony also saw Evan Wells, co-founder of Naughty Dog, inducted into the AIAS Hall of Fame. Wells joined a select group that includes Double Fine’s Tim Schafer. The event featured a tribute to Respawn co-founder and Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella, who died in a car accident in December 2025.
The Impact of the DICE Awards on the Gaming Industry
The DICE Awards are considered one of the most prestigious recognitions in the video game sector, analogous to the Oscars for interactive entertainment. Winning Game of the Year at DICE, as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 did, places a game into a rarefied echelon and often predicts broader critical and commercial success. This year’s results highlight strong trends in RPG storytelling, technical excellence, and independent creativity, with titles like Clair Obscur, Death Stranding 2, and Blue Prince each setting new benchmarks in design and narrative accomplishment.
DICE Awards 2026 Winners
- Outstanding Achievement in Animation – South of Midnight
- Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Outstanding Achievement in Character – Ghost of Yōtei – Atsu
- Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition – Ghost of Yōtei
- Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Outstanding Achievement in Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Outstanding Technical Achievement – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Action Game of the Year – Hades 2
- Adventure Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Family Game of the Year – Lego Party
- Fighting Game of the Year – Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
- Racing Game of the Year – Mario Kart World
- Role-Playing Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Sports Game of the Year – Rematch
- Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year – The Alters
- Online Game of the Year – Arc Raiders
- Immersive Reality Technical Achievement – Hotel Infinity
- Immersive Reality Game of the Year – Ghost Town
- Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Mobile Game of the Year – Persona 5: The Phantom X
- Outstanding Achievement in Game Design – Blue Prince
- Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
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