Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has officially taken home Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025, a remarkable achievement for the small indie team at Sandfall and Kepler Interactive. The win isn’t exactly shocking, as the game has captivated players worldwide with its emotional story and incredibly immersive world-building, setting a new standard in the industry. Nominated for 12 awards in total, the GOTY victory might have been expected by those who’ve experienced the unforgettable RPG, but it’s still an outstanding milestone for a brand-new indie studio competing against big-budget AAA titles this year. Clair Obscur Beats Out Some Great ContendersIt Was A Stellar Year For Indie Games & RPGsClair Obscur: Expedition 33 taking home GOTY wasn’t a big surprise for fans of the Belle Époque-inspired indie sensation, but it was far from an easy win. This year’s lineup was packed with incredible titles, including the must-play 2025 RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 from Warhorse Studios, which spent much of the year overshadowed by Clair Obscur. RPG lovers shouldn’t overlook KCD2—it’s well worth the time. Other heavy hitters included Hideo Kojima’s cinematic marvel, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, the one game that could match Clair Obscur’s emotional depth. The competition was fierce, with the nominee list serving as inspiration for developers worldwide, especially those working with fewer resources than big-budget AAA studios. Clair Obscur held its own against Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight: Silksong and Supergiant Games’ Hades 2, making half of this year’s contenders products of relatively small indie teams. Last but not least, Donkey Kong Bananza was a major 2025 release that won over both critics and fans, and is arguably the Switch 2’s biggest and most successful title to date, showcasing the new console’s full potential. Why Clair Obscur Des?erves To Win GOTY 2025Clair Obscur Hits On Another LevelFew games pull you into their worlds as effortlessly and beautifully as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. From the very first moments of the prologue, it’s clear this is something unique and special. Its gripping story is brought to life by unforgettable characters you grow to love—or despise—through each act. The emotional backstories and sharp, heartfelt dialogue hit harder than most games in recent memory, tackling some of the toughest human experiences of our time. While every GOTY nominee has its strengths, none match Clair Obscur’s blend of rich storytelling and engaging gameplay, mixing classic Final Fantasy-style turn-based combat with just a touch of soulslike dodge-and-parry mechanics that enhance rather than frustrate. It’s amazing to see how far the game has come since its modest launch earlier this year, with Sandfall Interactive—a tiny studio with limited resources—proving what’s possible when a passionate, creative team has a clear vision. If any game deserves 2025’s Game of the Year, it’s this one.

I can hardly contain my excitement when I say this: The Witcher 4 is on its way! It’s a real game in development, and someday it’ll be in my hands. As someone who’s spent nearly 500 hours exploring The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, this is fantastic news. In a recent update from CD Projekt, we got a glimpse into the progress of the next chapter in The Witcher series, and it’s sounding incredibly thrilling. Given that The Witcher 3 is arguably one of the greatest RPGs ever made, the expectations for the sequel are sky-high. The Witcher 4 Is Full Steam AheadAll hands on deck CD Projekt’s latest update reveals that 447 developers are working on The Witcher 4, while another 135 are focused on the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel. For context, joint CEO Michał Nowakowski noted that just over 200 in-house developers worked on The Witcher 3. NOTE It’s worth noting that this doesn’t necessarily mean The Witcher 4 will be more than twice the size of The Witcher 3 — that’s not how it works! Still, it’s a promising sign when it comes to the game’s scope and ambition. The release date for The Witcher 4 is still anyone’s guess. Nowakowski recently set expectations, confirming the RPG won’t be making an appearance at The Game Awards this year. “I’m very happy to see The Witcher 4 nominated in the Most Anticipated Game category at The Game Awards,” Nowakowski said. “Thanks to everyone who has already voted – your support means a lot to us. We won’t be sharing any new content at TGA this year, but we’re, as always, excited to watch the show and celebrate this amazing industry’s big night with all of you.” From this, it’s clear The Witcher 4 won’t be arriving in 2026 and is likely still a few years away. Cyberpunk 2077's Sequel Is Also Coming OnAll this waiting is hardIf you think waiting for The Witcher 4 is tough, imagine being a Cyberpunk 2077 fan. There’s virtually no chance we’ll be returning to Night City this decade, and even though development is picking up, it’s hard to believe Cyberpunk 2 will arrive before the mid-2030s at the earliest. Game development is no easy task. For now, all we can do is revisit the small glimpses of The Witcher 4 we have and hope they’re enough to carry us through the long nights ahead.

A sneak peek at the new Tomb Raider has surfaced ahead of the Game Awards, revealing a redesigned Lara Croft, the game’s possible title, and a few gameplay screenshots. Tomb Raider Is Going Back To Its RootsAll the way back to the beginning Rumor has it the new game is titled Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, serving as a reimagining of the original 1996 release while blending in aspects of the character from the recent reboot trilogy. Some reports even hint that Legacy of Atlantis might not be the only Tomb Raider project revealed at The Game Awards, but we’ll have to wait to find out. The leaked cover art shows Lara striking the exact same pose as in The Game Awards’ official teaser, fueling speculation that these leaks could be legit. The screenshots reveal a Lara that more closely mirrors her rebooted counterpart, while still incorporating clear elements of the classic Tomb Raider design. Beyond that, there are vibrant jungle settings, ancient ruins, and plenty of impressive acrobatic feats. In short, it’s classic Tomb Raider through and through. We'll Have To Tune Into The Game AwardsNot long to go nowIf you want to know for sure whether these leaks are real (my money’s on yes), you’ll need to catch The Game Awards tonight. The 2025 show kicks off on December 11 at 4:30 PM Pacific/7:30 PM Eastern, with most people likely tuning in on the official YouTube or Twitch streams. Alongside the return of Tomb Raider, we’ll get a fresh look at the PlayStation-exclusive Saros and finally learn what that mysterious statue has been hinting at. It’s almost certainly a new Divinity game from Larian—but let’s all pretend to be surprised when it’s announced.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is often hailed as one of the best Star Wars game series ever, so fans were thrilled when a remake was announced at Aspyr Media in 2021. But with ongoing development issues and little news over the years, many have started to wonder about its status. A recent leak from Game File claims that Mad Head Games is now working on full remakes of both the original KOTOR and its sequel, Knights of the Old Republic 2, updating them with modern visuals and gameplay while keeping the classic story and characters intact. The original remake is reportedly still in development and could be revealed at The Game Awards 2025, according to a deposition from Lucasfilm Games VP Douglas Reilly earlier this year. Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic 2 Is Getting A Remake Too Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is apparently still in development, though not where most expected. Reports suggest leadership and development have shifted over the past few years, with Mad Head Games now leading the project. Alongside the original KOTOR remake, KOTOR 2 is allegedly set for an official announcement soon, possibly even during this year’s The Game Awards on Thursday, December 11. Earlier this year, it was believed Saber Interactive was developing the remake and making good progress, but it’s unclear what led to the change or if Saber is still involved. While news of KOTOR 2 might excite fans, many are eager to finally see the first remake released after such a long wait, ideally with an official launch date before any sequel news. Star Wars: KOTOR Remake Still In Development The official remake of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is still in the works, though its release date remains up in the air. Speculation has been swirling about Geoff Keighley’s mysterious statue and The Game Awards 2025, with nearly every major franchise, including KOTOR 2, thrown into the mix. While a TGA 2025 announcement for KOTOR 2 isn’t impossible, it’s unlikely to be tied to the desert statue mystery. In the meantime, fans can look forward to some exciting modern remakes, though the timing is uncertain—KOTOR could drop out of nowhere or still be months from release, and while KOTOR 2 hasn’t been confirmed yet, a reveal trailer is expected soon.

Where Winds Meet has only been out in North America for a few weeks, but it’s already set to get a massive content update this week. True to its free-to-play roots, the game is big and only getting bigger, aiming to keep players engaged daily for months or even years. According to the December roadmap shared on the official X account, several major additions are coming on December 11. With the global mobile launch, players can look forward to exploring the new Roaring Sands zone, taking on the bosses River Master and Feng Ruzhi, and enjoying limited-time events like “Fortune Beyond Parlor” and “The Great Faceologist,” all debuting the same day. Where Winds Meet Gets New Content This WeekThe Roaring Sands Zone Is A Huge Addition Where Winds Meet offers a wide variety of locations spread across Qinghe and Kaifeng, but the Roaring Sands zone promises a refreshing change from the mountains, forests, temples, and villages that dominate much of the game, drawing inspiration from the Chinese desert landscapes often seen in wuxia films. Although the Roaring Sands zone has been visible on the map since the game’s global launch, it was initially locked with no clear timeline for when it would open. While already accessible in the Chinese version, publisher NetEase has been releasing global content gradually according to its schedule. Where Winds Meet is Going From Strength To StrengthKeeping Up The Momentum While 2025 might not bring any surprises as big as the Roaring Sands zone for Where Winds Meet, there’s still plenty of content rolling out through the end of the year. On December 14, the Velvet Shade sect arrives, followed by Sword Trial: Scarlet Shock and Hero’s Realm: Blazing Gale Dance on December 21 for some endgame fun. Then, on December 30, a Fireworks Festival will light things up ahead of the new year. For those taking a more relaxed approach, there’s a good chance the new content is still out of reach. With only casual playtime, there’s plenty left to explore. But for dedicated players, diving into the Roaring Sands zone could be the perfect holiday adventure. Either way, the game seems set on keeping players engaged for a while. Judging by the December roadmap, January and beyond may bring an equally fast pace of updates.

On November 17, the nominees for The Game Awards 2025 will be revealed live. Last year, Astro Bot claimed the coveted Game of the Year title along with Best Game Direction, Best Family Game, and Best Action/Adventure Game. Balatro and Metaphor: ReFantazio also scored big wins and continue to be popular topics of conversation today. Game of the Year 2025Nominee Developer Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Sandfall Interactive Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Kojima Productions Donkey Kong Bonanza Nintendo Hades 2 Supergiant Games Hollow Knight: Silksong Team Cherry Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Warhorse Studios Best Game DirectionNominee Developer Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sandfall Interactive Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Kojima Productions Ghost of Yotei Sucker Punch Productions Hades II Supergiant Games Split Fiction Hazelight Studios Best PerformanceNominee Game Ben Starr Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Charlie Cox Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Erika Ishi Ghost of Yotei Jennifer English Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Konatsu Kato Silent Hill F Troy Baker Indiana Jones & The Great Circle Best Ongoing GameNominee Developer Final Fantasy XIV Square Enix Fortnite Epic Games Helldivers 2 Arrowhead Game Studios Marvel Rivals NetEase Games No Man's Sky Hello Games Best Mobile GameNominee Developer Destiny Rising NetEase Games Persona 5: The Phantom X Black Wings Game Studio Sonic Rumble Rovio Entertainment, Sonic Team Umamusume: Pretty Derby Cygames Wuthering Waves Kuro Games Best Art DirectionNominee Developer Clair Obscure Expedition 33 Sandfall Interactive Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Kojima Productions Ghost of Yotei Sucker Punch Productions Hades 2 Supergiant Games Hollow Knight: Silksong Team Cherry Best Score & MusicNominee Game Christopher Larkin Hollow Knight: Silksong Darren Korb Hades 2 Lorien Testard Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Toma Otowa Ghost of Yotei Woodkid & Ludvig Forssell Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Best Audio DesignNominee Developer Battlefield 6 Battlefield Studios Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sandfall Interactive Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Kojima Productions Ghost of Yotei Sucker Punch Productions Silent Hill f NeoBards Entertainment Best AdaptationNominee Studio A Minecraft Movie Legendary Pictures Devil May Cry (Netflix) Studio Mir Splinter Cell Deathwatch Netflix Animation The Last Of Us Season 2 HBO Until Dawn Sony Pictures Releasing Best NarrativeNominee Developer Clair Obsur Expedition 33 Sandfall Interactive Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Kojima Productions Ghost of Yotei Sucker Punch Productions Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Warhorse Studios Silent Hlil F NeoBards Entertainment Best Community SupportNominee Developer Baldur’s Gate 3 Larian Studios Final Fantasy XIV Square Enix Fortnite Epic Games Helldivers 2 Arrowhead Game Studios No Man’s Sky Hello Games Games For ImpactNominee Developer Consume Me Jenny Jiao Hsia/AP Thomson/Hexacutable Despelote Julián Cordero/Sebastián Valbuena/Panic Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Don’t Nod Montreal/Don’t Nod South of Midnight Compulsion Games/Xbox Game Studios) Wanderstop Ivy Road/Annapurna Interactive Best MultiplayerNominee Developer Arc Raiders Embark Studios Battlefield 6 Battlefield Studios Elden Ring Neightreign FromSoftware Peak Aggro Crab: Landfall Split Fiction Hazelight/EA Best Independent GameNominee Developer Absolum Guard Crush Games/Supamonks/Dotemu Ball x Pit Kenny Sun/Devolver Digital Blue Prince Dogubomb/Raw Fury Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sandfall Interactive Hades 2 Supergiant Games Hollow Knight: Silksong Team Cherry Best Debut Indie GameNominee Developer Blue Prince Dogubomb/Raw Fury Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sandfall Interactive Despelote Julián Cordero/Sebastián Valbuena/Panic Dispatch AdHoc Studio Megabonk Vedinad Best VR/AR GameNominee Developer Alien: Rogue Incursion Survios Arken Age VitruviusVR Ghost Town Fireproof Games Marvel's Deadpool VR Twisted Pixel Games/Oculus Studios The Midnight Walk MoonHood/Fast Travel Games Content Creator Of The YearNominee MoistCr1TiKaL Caedrel Kai Cenat Sakura Miko The Burnt Peanut Most Anticipated GameNominee Developer 007 First Light IO Interactive Grand Theft Auto 6 Rockstar Games Marvel's Wolverine Insomniac Games Resident Evil Requium Capcom The Witcher IV CD Projekt Red Best Fighting GameNominee Developer 2XKO Riot Games Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Capcom Fatal Future: City Of The Wolves SNK Corporation Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection Digital Eclipse/Atari Virtua Fighter 5: REVO World Stage Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio/Sega Best Action GameNominee Developer Battlefield 6 Battlefield Studios Doom: The Dark Ages id Software Hades 2 Supergiant Games Ninja Gaiden 4 Platinum Games/Team Ninja Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance Lizardcube/Sega Innovation In AccessibilityNominee Developer Assassin’s Creed Shadows Ubisoft Atomfall Rebellion Doom: The Dark Ages Id Software EA Sports FC 26 EA Canada South of Midnight Compulsion Games Best Family GameNominee Developer Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo LEGO Party! SMG Studios LEGO Voyagers Light Brick Studios Mario Kart World Nintendo Sonic Racing: Crossworlds Sonic Team Split Fiction Hazelight Studios Best Sports/Racing GameNominee Developer EA Sports FC 26 EA Canada F1 25 Codemasters Mario Kart World Nintendo Rematch Sloclap Sonic Racing: Crossworlds Sonic Team Best eSports GameNominee Developer Counter-Strike 2 Valve DOTA 2 Valve League of Legends Riot Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Moonton Valorant Riot Best esports AthleteNominee Game brawk - Brock Somerhalder Valorant Chovy - Jeong Ji-hoon League of Legends f0rsakeN - Jason Susanto Valorant Kakeru - Kakeru Watanabe Street Fighter MenaRD - Saul Leonardo Street Fighter Zyw0o - Mathieu Herbaut Counter-Strike 2 Best esports TeamNominee Game Gen.G League of Legends NRG Valorant Team Falcons DOTA 2 Team Liquid PH Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Team Vitality Counter-Strike 2 Who Are The Game Awards 2025 Nominees?The Overall Category Is Competitive As expected, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hades II, and Hollow Knight: Silksong are among the biggest contenders, all vying for the 2025 Game of the Year title. Usually, games with multiple nominations across categories have the best shot at winning, but surprises can happen. I could see Donkey Kong Bonanza or even Kingdom Come: Deliverance II pulling off an upset due to vote-splitting. Best Performance is especially intriguing, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominating half the nominations. Best Action Game could also be a tight race, with Ninja Gaiden 4 potentially edging out Hades II, which already boasts plenty of nods. And with DLC, remakes, and expansions eligible since 2024, some unexpected entries made the cut. We’ll find out the winners when The Game Awards kicks off on December 11.

Treyarch Studios has mysteriously pulled Blackheart, a beloved multiplayer map, from Call of Duty: Black Ops 7’s rotation less than two hours into Season 1. One of the game’s fifteen original launch maps, Blackheart quickly won over players with its well-balanced three-lane layout that gave every weapon type—from Assault Rifles and SMGs to LMGs, Shotguns, and Snipers—a chance to shine. December 4 was a huge day for Call of Duty fans, marking the start of Black Ops 7 and Warzone Season 1. The update delivered a slew of new maps, weapons, modes, and Operator bundles, while fully integrating Warzone with Black Ops 7. Now, players can level up weapons and characters across both games, letting anyone who’s been grinding since the game’s November 14 launch bring their upgraded loadouts into Warzone and dive right into the new Resurgence map, Haven’s Hollow. Not long after Season 1 kicked off, Treyarch Studios unexpectedly pulled the Blackheart map from the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 rotation. According to the Call of Duty Updates Twitter account, the map has been temporarily taken out of both Public and Private pools while the studio looks into an issue. There’s no clear timeline for its return, with the statement only mentioning it’ll be back in a future update. Since Season 1 just launched today, December 4, it might be at least a few days before Treyarch is ready to roll out another update. The exact issue isn’t clear, but fans aren’t thrilled about the temporary removal of the Blackheart map. One player called it their “favorite map” and questioned what could be wrong, noting it’s been fine since launching with the game on November 14. Another reacted with, “BRUH HUH?!? One of the best maps?!?” showing clear disappointment. On the bright side, Season 1 is packed with content, giving players plenty of new maps to enjoy while Treyarch sorts out the problem. Since December 4, three fresh maps and a remastered classic have been added, with even more coming in next month’s mid-season update. For now, players can dive into Fate, Utopia, Odysseus, or Standoff, the latter being a remaster from Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. While nothing’s confirmed yet, another remastered map might be coming to Black Ops 7 soon—and this one’s stirring up some debate. A recent leak suggests Stakeout, the polarizing Strike map from last year’s Black Ops 6, could be making a comeback. A data miner reportedly found files listing it as a Black Ops 7 map, even though it’s not currently in the game. Some players hated its tight, close-quarters action, while others loved it for grinding weapons and unlocking camos, so its return wouldn’t be all that shocking.

Ubisoft’s long-rumored Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag remake is reportedly just a few months away. In its latest financial report, the company listed games slated for release before the fiscal year ends on March 31, 2026, leaving one project “unannounced.” According to Insider Gaming, that mystery title is the Black Flag remake, aiming for launch the week of March 23, 2026. While Ubisoft hasn’t officially confirmed the game despite years of leaks, speculation, and hints from its lead actor, fans have been keeping close tabs and think they know what to expect. The remake is said to feature major visual and gameplay upgrades to match Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ quality with a stronger RPG focus, plus brand-new missions for Edward Kenway. However, modern-day gameplay sections are reportedly being cut — a change that’s not sitting well with some fans. Rumor has it that Ubisoft Singapore is leading development on the new Black Flag remake, after previously releasing the long-delayed Skull and Bones, which originally spun off from Black Flag’s naval gameplay. Ubisoft is doubling down on Assassin’s Creed, its flagship series, with this year’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows and a recent Saudi Arabia-funded free update to 2023’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Alongside the Black Flag remake, next year is expected to see a second major Shadows expansion. Further ahead, Ubisoft has confirmed a multiplayer Assassin’s Creed title and its next big project, the witchcraft-themed Assassin’s Creed Hexe. Earlier today, the company credited “strong performance” from the franchise for its positive financial results, noting that Mirage has surpassed 10 million sales, though no update was given on sales for Shadows.