The Game Awards 2026

Recognizing a game that delivers the absolute best experience across all creative and technical fields.

Awarded for outstanding creative vision and innovation in game direction.

For outstanding storytelling and narrative development.

For outstanding creative and artistic design.

For outstanding music, inclusive of score, original song and/or licensed soundtrack.

For the best game audio and sound design.

For a thought-provoking game with a pro-social meaning or message.

For outstanding creative and technical achievement in a game made outside the traditional publisher system.

For the best game playable on a mobile device.

For the best game experience playable in virtual or augmented reality, irrespective of platform.

For the best game in the action genre focused primarily on combat.

For the best action/adventure game, combining combat with traversal and puzzle solving.

For the best game designed with rich player character customization and progression.

For outstanding online multiplayer gameplay and design, including co-op and massively multiplayer experiences.

For the best game appropriate for family play, irrespective of genre or platform.

Best game focused on real-time or turn-based simulation or strategy gameplay.

For the best traditional or non-traditional sports or racing game.

For the best game in the fighting genre.

Best debut game created by an independent studio or individual.

Recognizing software and/or hardware that is pushing the medium forward by adding features, technology, and content to help games be played by an even wider audience.

For the best adaptation of a video game property to another medium (film, TV, etc.).

For an upcoming game that has generated significant excitement and anticipation.