Cologne, Germany — The nominees for the 2025 Gamescom awards have been revealed, showcasing a competitive lineup of upcoming and current video games across multiple categories. Chosen by an international jury comprised of leading gaming journalists and influencers, the selections highlight the most innovative and promising titles of the year.
The awards will feature three major categories: ARTS, PLATFORM, and GLOBAL. Topping the list is Resident Evil Requiem, which received five nominations, including Best Visuals, Best Audio, and Best Gameplay. Following closely are Borderlands 4 and Crimson Desert, each with four nominations. Other notable contenders, such as Donkey Kong Bonanza, Hela, and Mario Kart World, have each garnered three nominations.
Within the PLATFORM category, titles competing for prestigious awards include Borderlands 4 by Gearbox Software, Crimson Desert from Pearl Abyss, and Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree by Brownies Inc. and Bandai Namco Entertainment.
This year, the GLOBAL category has seen an expansion. In addition to the existing HEART OF GAMING Award, new categories include Best Lineup, Best Booth (Jury Award), and Best Business Booth. In consumer categories, awards for Best Trailer/Announcement, Best Merch, and Best Booth (Consumer Award) rely solely on community votes, emphasizing fan engagement.
Gamescom will officially kick off tomorrow with the Opening Night Live presentation, running from August 21 to August 24. Attendees can vote both on-site and online, enhancing participation in the event.
Nominees in the ARTS category are vying for various honors. For Best Visuals, contenders include Borderlands 4, Bye Sweet Carole, Crimson Desert, MIO: Memories In Orbit, and Resident Evil Requiem. The Best Audio category features Cairn, Little Nightmares 3, Phantom Blade Zero, Resident Evil Requiem, and Rockbeasts. When it comes to Best Gameplay, nominees include Donkey Kong Bonanza, Hela, Mario Kart World, PVKK: Planetenverteidigungskanonenkommandant, and once again, Resident Evil Requiem.
In the Most Entertaining and Most Epic categories, games like Dispatch, Grounded 2, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 are in contention for honors. Additionally, the Most Wholesome category pays tribute to games that promote positivity, with titles like Hela, Is This Seat Taken?, and Tiny Bookshop making the list.
For the PLATFORM category, a broad spectrum of games is represented. Best Microsoft Xbox Game contenders include Borderlands 4, Crimson Desert, and Grounded 2. In the Best PC Game category, titles such as Anno 117: Pax Romana and World of Warcraft are also in the running. Meanwhile, the Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game category features Donkey Kong Bonanza and Mario Kart World.
The GLOBAL category will also highlight exceptional exhibitions, recognizing booths, lineups, and merchandise as judged by a jury and community votes. This year’s introductions of new consumer awards signal a growing emphasis on community engagement in the voting process.
As Gamescom prepares to launch, fans worldwide await the announcements and performances that will unfold during this prominent gaming event. Through their votes, attendees can influence the recognition of the year’s standout titles.
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