The Game Awards: "Elden Ring" and "God of War: Ragnarok" clean up

The Game Awards are the Oscars of the video game industry. Every year, the best games are awarded in a total of 31 categories. The biggest winners in 2022 include "Elden Ring" and "God of War: Ragnarok".

You can find all the winners of the evening below. Rather know what new games were announced at the awards show? This way:

The winners in the highlight categories

. The nominations were determined by an international jury of over 100 media professionals and influencers. The jury's votes count for 90 percent of the winners. However, the results of an open vote also count for 10 percent . Following you will find all the winners from the most important categories. Do you agree with the selection? Which games do you think deserved to win? Post it in the comments.

Game of the Year: "Elden Ring"

Other nominees:

• "A Plague Tale Requiem"
• "God of War: Ragnarok"
• "Horizon: Forbidden West"
• "Stray"
• "Xenoblade Chronicles 3"

Even though "God of War: Ragnarok" took home the most awards, "Elden Ring" took home the biggest award of the night. My vote went to God of War in this category. And yet I have to admit: No other game has fascinated the gaming community as much this year and caused as much discussion as "Elden Ring". Now I just have to finish playing the game.

A special highlight of the show was the epic medley of all the Game of the Year nominees' theme songs. It was performed live on stage by the Game Awards Orchestra. Goosebumps guaranteed:

Here you can find our game reviews of "A Plague Tale Requiem", "Elden Ring", "God of War: Ragnarok", "Horizon: Forbidden West" and "Stray".

Best Game Direction: "Elden Ring"

Other nominees:

• "God of War: Ragnarok"
• "Horizon: Forbidden West"
• "Immortality"
• "Stray"

The award for Best Direction of a Video Game is arguably the most prestigious award of the night after the award for Best Game of the Year. Hidetaka Miyazaki's dark vision of an open-world Souls was also able to prevail here against the big contender of the evening, "God of War: Ragnarok".

Best Narrative: "God of War: Ragnarok"

Other nominees:

• "A Plague Tale Requiem"
• "Elden Ring"
• "Horizon: Forbidden West"
• "Immortality"

The emotional father-son story of "God of War: Ragnarok" came out on top in this heavily populated category. Quite rightly, in my opinion. No game this year has touched me as emotionally as Kratos' epic journey through Norse mythology.

Best Score and Music: "God of War: Ragnarok"

Other nominees:

• "A Plague Tale Requiem"
• "Elden Ring"
• "Metal: Hellsinger"
• "Xenoblade Chronicles"

Bear McReary's bombastic soundtrack wins. "Elden Ring" and "Horizon: Forbidden West" I would have liked it too.

Here you can watch a live performance of a song from the game:

Best Performance: Christopher Judge - "God of War: Ragnarok"

Other nominees:

• Ashly Burch - "Horizon: Forbidden West"
• Charlotte McBurney - "A Plague Tale Requiem"
• Manon Cage - "Immortality"
• Sunny Suljic - "God of War: Ragnarok"

The award for best acting performance was presented by acting legend Al Pacino. Christopher Judge won for his taciturn role as Kratos. His emotional speech was the opposite of taciturn - he was driven off stage with music.

Innovation in Accessibility: "God of War: Ragnarok"

Other nominees:

• "As Dusk Falls"
• "Return to Monkey Island"
• "The Last of Us Part I"
• "The Quarry"

"God of War: Ragnarok" wins an award for its many accessibility options for people with motor, auditory and visual disabilities. But is the game really as accessible as the award might suggest?

Phil and I played the game with Daniele Corciulo and tested how accessible it really is. Daniele is a passionate gamer. And he is blind. You can read his verdict on "God of War: Ragnarok" here:

Best Action Game: "Bayonetta 3"

Other nominees:

• "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II"
• "Neon White"
• "Sifu"
• "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge"

The brawling witch can hold her own against the best-selling game this year. Quite rightly, in my opinion. The award was presented by "The Last of Us" cast from the series and games. Kind of surreal to see two Ellies and two Joels next to each other.

You can find our game review of "Bayonetta 3" here:

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Best Adaptation: "Arcane: League of Legends"

Other nominees:

• "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners"
• "The Cuphead Show"
• "Sonic the Hedgehog 2"
• "Uncharted"

A new award, given for the first time this year due to the increasing number of video game adaptations. I'm sure next year's award will go to "The Last of Us".

All other categories summarised

. In addition to the big highlights, there are also many smaller categories at the Game Awards that recognise particular genres, aspects of games or people from the gaming community. These are awarded in the pre-show or between big announcements without a show on stage.

You can find a summary of all the other categories below.

Player's Voice (100% determined by public voting): "Genshin Impact"

Other nominees:

• "Elden Ring"
• "God of War: Ragnarok"
• "Sonic Frontiers"
• "Stray"

Best Multiplayer: "Splatoon 3"

Other nominees:

• "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II"
• "Multiversus"
• "Overwatch 2"
• "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge"

Best Audio Design: "God of War: Ragnarok"

Other nominees:

• "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II"
• "Elden Ring"
• "Gran Turismo 7"
• "Horizon: Forbidden West"

Games for Impact: "As Dusk Falls"

Other nominees:

• "A Memoir Blue"
• "Citizen Sleeper"
• "Endling - Extinction is Forever"
• "Hindsight"
• "I was a Teenage Exocolonist"

Best Ongoing Game: "Final Fantasy XIV"

Other nominees:

• "Apex Legends"
• "Destiny 2"
• "Fortnite"
• "Genshin Impact"

Best Debut Indie: "Stray"

Other nominees:

• "Neon White"
• "NORCO"
• "Tunic"
• "Vampire Survivors"

Best Indie: "Stray"

Other nominees:

• "Cult of the Lamb"
• "Neon White"
• "Sifu"
• "Tunic"

Best Mobile Game: "Marvel Snap"

Other nominees:

• "Apex Legends Mobile"
• "Diablo Immortal"
• "Genshin Impact"
• "Tower of Fantasy"

Best Fighting: "Multiversus"

Other nominees:

• "DNF Duel"
• "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R"
• "The King of Fighters XV"
• "Sifu"

Best Action Adventure: "God of War: Ragnarok"

Other nominees:

• "A Plague Tale Requiem"
• "Horizon: Forbidden West"
• "Stray"
• "Tunic"

Best RPG: "Elden Ring"

Other nominees:

• "Live A Live"
• "Pokémon Legends: Arceus"
• "Triangle Strategy"
• "Xenoblade Chronicles"

Best Art Direction: "Elden Ring"

Other nominees:

• "God of War: Ragnarok"
• "Horizon: Forbidden West"
• "Scorn"
• "Stray"

Best Community Support: "Final Fantasy XIV"

Other nominees:

• "Apex Legends"
• "Destiny 2"
• "Fortnite"
• "No Man's Sky"

Best VR/AR Game: "Moss: Book II"

Other nominees:

• "After the Fall"
• "Among Us VR"
• "Bonelab"
• "Red Matter 2"

Best Sim/Strategy: "Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope"

Other nominees:

• "Dune: Spice Wars"
• "Total War: Warhammer III"
• "Two Point Campus"
• "Victoria 3"

Best Sports/Racing Game: "Gran Turismo 7"

Other nominees:

• "F1 22"
• "FIFA 23"
• "NBA 2K23"
• "Olli Olli World"

Best Family Game: "Kirby and the Forgotten Land"

Other nominees:

• "Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga"
• "Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope"
• "Nintendo Switch Sports"
• "Splatoon 3"

Content Creator of the Year: Ludwig

Other nominees:

• Karl Jacobs
• Nibellion
• Nobru
• QTCinderella

Most Anticipated Game: "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom"

Other nominees:

• "Final Fantasy XVI"
• "Hogwarts Legacy"
• "Resident Evil 4"
• "Starfield"

Best Esports Game: "Valorant"

Other nominees:

• "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive"
• "Dota 2"
• "League of Legends"
• "Rocket League"

Best Esports Athlete: Yay

Other nominees:

• Chovy
• Faker
• Karrigan
• S1mple

Best Esports Team: Loud

Other nominees:

• Darkzero Esports
• Faze Clan
• Gen.G
• LA Thieves

Best Esports Coach: BZKA

Other nominees:

• B1AD3
• D00MBR0S
• Robban
• Score

Best Esports Event: 2022 League of Legends World Championship

Other nominees:

• Evo 2022
• PGL Major Antwerp 2022
• The 2022 Mid-Season Invitational
• Valorant Champions 2022