How to Bet on the D.I.C.E. Awards: Game of the Year, Genre Races & Studio Hot Streaks

December 2025 has arrived, bringing the curtain down on a year that defied expectations. We started the year bracing for the arrival of Grand Theft Auto VI, only to see Rockstar shift its behemoth to 2026. That delay, while painful for fans, blew the awards race wide open. Instead of a coronation for Vice City, we now have a bloodbath of a competition where no single title has a lock on the trophy.

As the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences prepares for the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards in Las Vegas next February, the betting lines are shifting daily. The peers who vote on these awards tend to favor design innovation and technical mastery over pure sales figures. With that specific voter profile in mind, we can analyze the field.

The Vacuum Left by Rockstar

When GTA VI vacated the 2025 slot, the narrative shifted immediately to Ghost of Yotei. Sucker Punch Productions delivered a stunning follow-up to their samurai epic, expanding the scope beyond Tsushima to the wilds around Mount Yōtei. The game is a technical marvel on the PlayStation 5, and D.I.C.E. voters love polished, open-world design that respects the player’s time. Atsu’s journey offers the kind of grounded, historical fiction that plays well with the Academy, making it the safe money for Game of the Year.

However, safety rarely guarantees a win. The “safe” bet often loses to the “bold” bet at D.I.C.E., which brings us to the year’s most divisive masterpiece.

Kojima’s Beachhead

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is the wildcard. Hideo Kojima has always been a darling of the Academy, and his sequel doubled down on the bizarre, connecting systems that made the original so unique. While general audiences might have been split on the pacing, industry developers often revere Kojima’s willingness to take expensive risks. If the voting body is feeling particularly appreciative of auteur-driven design, DS2 could easily upset Ghost of Yotei. It is the high-risk, high-reward option for your ballot.

The Hunter’s Triumph

Capcom has been on an unstoppable run, and Monster Hunter Wilds might be their crowning achievement. Released back in February, it has had arguably the most staying power of any 2025 title. The seamless open-world integration and the new Focus Mode mechanics were widely praised by designers for streamlining the “hunt” without losing the complexity veterans adore.

Recency bias is a real danger in awards voting; games released in Q1 often get forgotten by December. But Wilds has maintained a massive player base, keeping it fresh in voters’ minds. Watch for this title to sweep the RPG and Online Game of the Year categories, even if it misses the big prize.

Nintendo’s Late-Year Haymaker

For years, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was a vaporware myth. Its arrival this year didn’t just meet expectations; it shattered them. Retro Studios managed to modernize the first-person adventure format while retaining the isolation and atmospheric storytelling that defines the series.

Nintendo titles often struggle to win the top D.I.C.E. award against cinematic Sony blockbusters, but Metroid is different. It is a “designer’s game”, pure mechanics, level design, and pacing. It stands a very strong chance in the Adventure Game of the Year category and could be the dark horse for the main title if the voters split between Yotei and DS2.

The Strategy and Shooter Locks

While the big prize is a toss-up, the genre categories look clearer. Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is the undisputed heavyweight for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year. Firaxis successfully reinvented their own wheel, and the “Ages” mechanic provided a fresh layer of depth that peers will respect.

Similarly, DOOM: The Dark Ages is the heavy favorite for Action Game of the Year. id Software’s pivot to a slower, tankier combat rhythm, complete with a shield-saw and dragon riding, was a masterclass in subverting player expectations. It is visceral, loud, and mechanically perfect, exactly the type of game that cleans up in technical and action-specific categories.

The Independent Juggernaut

Finally, we cannot ignore Hades II. Supergiant Games faced the impossible task of following up a perfect rogue-like, and they succeeded by expanding the narrative scope and deepening the magic systems. The original Hades swept awards season years ago. While sequels rarely capture the same lightning, Hades II feels distinct enough to compete. Expect it to dominate the Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game category and potentially sneak into the Game of the Year finalists list.

Clash of Philosophies

This year’s D.I.C.E. Awards will be defined by a clash of philosophies: the polished historical open world of Ghost of Yotei, the avant-garde strangeness of Death Stranding 2, and the mechanical purity of Metroid Prime 4. Without a Rockstar title to suck the oxygen out of the room, every vote will count. Place your bets on Ghost of Yotei for the win, but don’t be shocked if Sam Porter Bridges or Samus Aran walks away with the hardware.