Death Stranding 2: On the Beach just earned a major honor. The game clinched a Game of the Year nomination at The Game Awards 2025. Director Hideo Kojima’s sci-fi epic competes against five other powerhouse titles. The ceremony airs Dec. 11 with voting already underway.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Death Stranding 2 earned 8 nominations total across multiple categories.
- PlayStation 5 exclusive released on June 26, 2025.
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads with 12 nominations this year.
- GOTY competitors include Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and others.
- Winners announced December 11, 2025 during the live ceremony.
What Happened at The Game Awards 2025 Nominations
The Game Awards revealed its 2025 nominees on November 17. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach claimed a spot among the six Game of the Year finalists. This marks a huge win for Director Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions.
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The game competes alongside Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. Death Stranding 2 earned additional nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Performance.
“The six GOTY nominees line up with our own predictions for this year’s frontrunners. Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yōtei were both nominated for seven awards each.”
Why This Matters for Gaming’s Premier Awards Show
The Game Awards represents the biggest night in the gaming calendar. Being nominated for Game of the Year is an enormous achievement for any studio. This recognition validates Kojima’s ambitious vision for the franchise.
The nomination puts Death Stranding 2 in legendary company. Past winners include Elden Ring, Baldur’s Gate 3, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Winning tonight would cement the game’s place in industry history.
For PlayStation, this is major coverage. Sony has multiple titles nominated this year. Ghost of Yōtei also secured eight nominations, giving the publisher significant presence.
Breakdown of Death Stranding 2’s Eight 2025 Nominations
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach earned eight total nominations across various categories. The game demonstrates strength across production, direction, and performance.
| Category | Status |
| Game of the Year | Nominated |
| Best Game Direction | Nominated |
| Best Art Direction | Nominated |
| Best Performance | Nominated |
| Additional Categories | 4 More Nominations |
Norman Reedus anchors the ensemble cast, reprising his role as Sam Porter Bridges. New talents like Elle Fanning bring fresh energy to the sequel. Filmmaker cameos add prestige throughout the experience.
What Happens Next with The Game Awards 2025 Winners
Winners will be revealed on December 11, 2025 during the live ceremony. Viewers can watch The Game Awards broadcast across multiple platforms worldwide. Fans are already voting through the official website.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads as the frontrunner with 12 nominations. Industry analysts split predictions between several frontrunners. The race remains competitive and unpredictable heading into December.
Other momentum games include Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and Hades II. Each brought critical acclaim and player passion this year. The GOTY category represents the industry’s best achievements.
Can Death Stranding 2 Win Game of the Year?
Death Stranding 2 holds genuine chances against its competition. The game boasts critical acclaim, innovative gameplay, and star power. Kojima’s name alone carries significant awards voting power.
The sequel improved upon the original in player reception. Reviewers praised its ambition and unique genre-blending mechanics. Its PlayStation 5 showcase performance impressed technical critics.
Will Kojima’s vision triumph on December 11? Only voters know for sure. You won’t want to miss this year’s results.
Sources
- Polygon – Game Awards 2025 nominees announcement
- Crunchyroll Games – Death Stranding 2 nomination coverage
- GameSpot – All nominations and categories breakdown
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.