The Game Awards 2021

The Game Awards is a celebration of video game excellence and achievements. The winners are listed below by category.

Game of the Year

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

“It Takes Two” developed by Hazelight Studios, published by Electronic Arts

Best Game Direction

Awarded for outstanding creative vision and innovation in game direction and design.

“Deathloop” developed by Arkane Studios, published by Bethesda

Best Narrative

For outstanding storytelling and narrative development in a game.

“Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy” developed by Eidos Montreal, published by Square Enix.

Best Art Direction

For outstanding creative and/or technical achievement in artistic design and animation.

“Deathloop” developed by Arkane Studios, published by Bethesda

Best Score and Music

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

“Nier Replicant Ver.1.22474487139” composed by Keiichi Okabe

Best Audio Design

Recognizing the best in-game audio and sound design.

“Forza Horizon 5” developed by Playground Games, published by Xbox Game Studios

Best Performance

Awarded to an individual for voice-over acting, motion and/or performance capture.

Maggie Robertson as Lady Dimitrescu in “Resident Evil Village”

Games for Impact Awarded to a thought-provoking game with a pro-social meaning or message.

“Life is Strange: True Colors” developed by Deck Nine, published by Square Enix

Best Ongoing

Awarded to a game for outstanding development of ongoing content that evolves the player experience over time.

“Final Fantasy XIV Online” developed and published by Square Enix

Best Indie

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

“Kena: Bridge of Spirits” developed and published by Ember Lab

Best Mobile Game

For the best game playable on a mobile device.

“Genshin Impact” developed and published by MiHoYo

Best Community Support

Recognizing a game for outstanding community support, transparency and responsiveness, inclusive of social media activity and game updates/patches.

“Final Fantasy XIV Online” developed and published by Square Enix

Innovation in Accessibility

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

“Forza Horizon 5” developed by Playground Games, published by Xbox Game Studios

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

“Resident Evil 4” developed by Armature Studio and Campcom, published by Oculus Studios.

Best Action Game

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

“Returnal” developed by Housemarque, published by Sony Interactive Entertainment

Best Action/Adventure

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

“Metroid Dread” developed by MercurySteam, published by Nintendo

Best Role Playing

For the best game designed with rich player character customization and progression, including massive multiplayer experiences.

“Tales of Arise” developed and published by Bandai Namco

Best Fighting

For the best game designed primarily around head-to-head combat.

“Guilty Gear-Strive” designed and developed by ARC System Works

Best Family

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

“It Takes Two” developed by Hazelight Studios, published by Electronic Arts.

Best Sim/Strategy

Best game focused on real time or turn-based simulation or strategy gameplay, irrespective of platform. “Age of Empires IV” developed by Relic Entertainment, published by Xbox Game Studios

Best Sports/Racing

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

“Forza Horizon 5” developed by Playground Games, published by Xbox Game Studios

Best Multiplayer

For outstanding online multiplayer gameplay and design, including co-op and massive multiplayer experiences, irrespective of game genre or platform.

“It Takes Two” developed by Hazelight Studios, published by Electronic Arts.

Content Creator of the Year

For a streamer or content creator who has made an important and positive impact in the community in 2021.

Dream

Best Debut Indie

For the best debut game created by a new independent studio.

“Kena: Bridge of Spirits” developed and published by Ember Lab

Most Anticipated Game

Recognizing an announced game that has demonstrably illustrated potential to push the gaming medium forward.

“Elden Ring” developed by FromSoftware, published by Bandai Namco

Best Esports Game

For the game that has delivered the best overall esports experience to players (inclusive of tournaments, community support and content updates), irrespective of genre or platform.

“League of Legends” developed and published by Riot Games

Best Esports Athlete

The esports athlete judged to be the most outstanding for performance and conduct in 2021, irrespective of game.

Oleksandr “S1mple” Kostyliev

Best Esports Team Recognizing a specific esports team (not the full organization) judged the most outstanding for performance and conduct in 2021.

Team “Natus Vincere” playing “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive”

Best Esports Coach

The esports coach judged to be the most outstanding for performance and conduct in 2021.

Kim “kkOma” Jeong-Gyun for DWG KIA “League of Legends” team

Best Esports Event

Recognizing an event (across single or multiple days) that delivered a best-of-class experience for participants and the broadcast audience.

2021 “League of Legends” World Championship