The Game Awards is back for another year, and it’s happening in December 2025. If you love gaming, this is the show you really need to watch and vote on. The event brings together the biggest games of the year, new announcements, and a chance to see which titles take home the top prizes. Let’s break down what you need to know about The Game Awards 2025, including its release date and where to watch the stream.
- When to Watch The Game Awards 2025
- Where to Watch
- The Game Awards 2025 Nominees
- How Voting Works
- What to Expect During the Show
When to Watch The Game Awards 2025
The Game Awards 2025 will stream live on Thursday, December 11th, 2025, at 4:30 PM PT . Here’s a quick look at the schedule if you want to watch the show in different regions:
| Region | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| PT (Pacific Time) | December 11 – 4:30 PM |
| ET (Eastern Time) | December 11 – 7:30 PM |
| CET (Central Europe) | December 12 – 1:30 AM |
| IST (India) | December 12 – 6:00 AM |
| JST (Japan) | December 12 – 9:30 AM |
| AEST (Australia) | December 12 – 10:30 AM |
No matter where you are in the world, you can tune in and watch the show live. If you’re wondering exactly how much time you have left before the show starts, there are about three weeks until The Game Awards 2025 goes live. Here is the countdown timer to help you:
Where to Watch
You can watch The Game Awards 2025 on almost every major streaming platform, so you can pick whichever one you prefer. Here are all the places where you can catch the show:
- YouTube
- Twitch
- Twitter/X
- TikTok
- Steam
The show is completely free to watch on all of these platforms
The Game Awards 2025 Nominees
The biggest award of the night is Game of the Year, and this year’s lineup is really strong. You’ve got three indie games competing against some massive titles, which is pretty cool to see.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is making history here. With 12 nominations, it’s the most-nominated game in The Game Awards history. That’s a pretty big deal, and it shows just how much this indie title impressed people this year. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Ghost of Yotei also had strong showings with 7 nominations each, while Hades II grabbed 6 nominations overall.
Want to see the complete list of nominees across all categories? Check out the Game Awards 2025 nominations , where we break down every category and share our picks for who might take home the wins.
How Voting Works
You can actually vote for Game of the Year yourself . Fan votes count toward the final results, though a jury of gaming media outlets makes up most of the voting power. If you want your voice heard, head to The Game Awards website and cast your vote before December 10th, 2025 .
The voting is open for Game of the Year and several other categories. It only takes a few minutes, and you can support your favorite games from 2025.
What to Expect During the Show
The Game Awards isn’t just about handing out trophies. Just like other events, such as State of Play and Xbox Games Showcase , there will be a lot of world premiere trailers, gameplay reveals, and announcements for games coming in 2026 and beyond. Past shows have revealed massive titles, and this year should be no different.
Host Geoff Keighley usually packs the show with surprises. Musical performances, celebrity appearances, and unexpected announcements are all part of the fun. The show typically runs around three hours, so settle in for a long night of gaming goodness.
The Game Awards 2025 saved its biggest surprise for last. Instead of closing with a massive franchise sequel or anticipated remake, host Geoff Keighley unveiled Highguard, a brand-new fantasy hero shooter from debut studio Wildlight Entertainment. The twist? It launches in just over a month on January 26, 2026.
Who’s Making Highguard?
Wildlight Entertainment was founded in 2021 by former Respawn Entertainment developers . The studio includes 61 team members who previously worked on Apex Legends, Titanfall, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Studio co-founder and CEO Dusty Welch emphasized the team’s focus on “creating a new gaming universe of epic scale and quality,” while game director Chad Grenier highlighted a studio culture built around creative freedom and design-led decision making. After four years of quiet development, Highguard represents the team’s first project since leaving Respawn.
What is Highguard?
Highguard is a “ PvP raid shooter ” where players take on the role of Wardens – arcane gunslingers fighting for control of a mythical continent. The gameplay loop revolves around battling rival Warden crews for possession of a powerful sword called the Shieldbreaker, then using it to summon a giant battering ram to raid and destroy the enemy’s base.
The debut trailer showcased a wild blend of mechanics that mix elements from Overwatch, Paladins, and Marvel Rivals. Players leave their homebase on horseback, engage in mounted combat, and use hero abilities ranging from ground slams and electric spears to ice walls and lava summoning.
HighguardReleaseDate
Highguard launches January 26, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S a s a free-to-play title with cross-play and cross-progression across all platforms. The short wait between announcement and release is unusual for Game Awards reveals, which typically showcase games years away from launch.
Time will tell if Highguard can turn around public perception and carve out its own space in the crowded market. With the January 26 release date approaching fast, we won’t have to wait long to find out.
