Geoff Keighley’s annual celebration of interactive entertainment was gearing up for its biggest night yet, and the official list of The Game Awards 2023 nominees sent the gaming world into a frenzy. With the ceremony set to take place on Thursday, December 7, 2023, fans were already clearing their schedules, ready to watch their favorite titles battle it out across dozens of categories — and, of course, to feast on a parade of world premiere trailers.

Let’s be real: the Game of the Year category was the main event, and it was absolutely stacked. Six extraordinary titles managed to capture the collective imagination in 2023, each one a legitimate contender in its own right. The chosen few were Alan Wake 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the Resident Evil 4 remake, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. For weeks leading up to the show, watercooler conversations were dominated by one question: which masterpiece would take the crown?

You’d have to be living under a rock not to notice the buzz around Baldur’s Gate 3 and Tears of the Kingdom. Both were hailed as landmark releases, boasting near-perfect review scores and reshaping what fans expected from their respective genres. Larian Studios’ sprawling RPG practically rewrote the rulebook for player freedom and reactive storytelling, while Nintendo’s latest Hyrule adventure built a sky-high playground that begged to be broken. Frankly, the smart money was on one of these two, even though Alan Wake 2 had been quietly creeping up behind them with a cinematic horror experience that didn’t just knock on the door — it kicked it down.

Of course, a great game isn’t much without a great performance, and the Best Performance category was overflowing with talent. Ben Starr exuded raw anger and vulnerability as Clive in Final Fantasy 16, while Cameron Monaghan poured heart and resilience into Cal Kestis in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Idris Elba brought steely gravitas to Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and Melanie Liburd grounded Alan Wake 2 with her portrayal of Saga Anderson. Then there was Neil Newbon, whose take on Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3 turned a charismatic vampire spawn into an overnight fan-favorite. Rounding out the list was Yuri Lowenthal, whose dual performance as Peter Parker and Spider-Man elevated Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 to new emotional heights. Talk about a stacked lineup!

Beyond the flagship honors, every category told its own story about a year defined by variety and passion. The Best Ongoing Game nominees reflected communities still thriving: Apex Legends, Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy 14, Fortnite, and Genshin Impact all proved that a launch is only the beginning. The Best Indie Game field was equally inspiring, with Cocoon, Dave the Diver, and Dredge proving that smaller teams could craft experiences just as memorable as any blockbuster. Meanwhile, the debut of the Best Adaptation category acknowledged how Castlevania: Nocturne, The Last of Us, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie had bridged the gap between pixels and screens everywhere.

Looking toward the future, the Most Anticipated Game category had fans practically vibrating with excitement. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Hades 2, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Star Wars Outlaws, and Tekken 8 all promised to keep the momentum rolling well into 2024. It was entirely possible, many noted, that one of these titles would find itself vying for Game of the Year at the very next ceremony. And given the trail of excellence already laid down, who could doubt it?

Esports and community-driven categories added yet another layer of celebration. League of Legends, Valorant, and Counter-Strike 2 battled for Best Esports Game, while legends like Faker and Demon1 stood among the nominees for Best Esports Athlete. Creator of the Year even featured trailblazers like Iron Mouse and People Make Games, highlighting just how diverse the gaming ecosystem had become.

Taken as a whole, the 2023 nominee list painted a portrait of an industry hitting a creative peak. From family-friendly delights like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pikmin 4 to heart-pounding action in Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon and Hi-Fi Rush, there was truly something for everyone. Looking back from 2026, it is clear that this particular awards season captured lightning in a bottle — a moment when giant RPGs, daring indies, and electrifying debuts all shared the same stage, and the whole world watched. The eventual winners may have been crowned, but the conversation sparked by these nominees still echoes in studios and living rooms today.