The 2025 Indie Game Awards nominee announcement was published on November 13, 2025. It named 12 contenders for Game of the Year and listed nominees in 18 categories. The second annual show, presented by Six One Indie, took place on December 18, 2025.
Who was nominated for Indie Game Awards 2025 Game of the Year?
The announcement named these 12 nominees:
- Absolum — Dotemu, Guard Crush Games, and Supamonks
- Roger — TearyHand Studio
- Blue Prince — Dogubomb
- Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector — Jump Over the Age
- Constance — GODD Games
- Dungeons of Hinterberg — Microbird Games
- Littlelands — Hyper MegaPixel
- Mars First Logistics — Shape Shop
- Pine Hearts — Hyper Luminal Games
- RKGK / Rakugaki — Wabisabi Games
- The Crush House — Nerial
- World of Goo 2 — 2D BOY / Tomorrow Corporation
These are the nominees as listed in Insider Gaming’s November 13 announcement; the list is not a ranking.
Which other categories had nominees?
The announcement reported 21 main awards and published nominee lists for 18 categories. Beyond Game of the Year, the listed categories covered accessibility, regional indie games, bite-sized games, Black voices in gaming, community management, debut games, emotional impact, gameplay design, innovation, music, narrative, solo development, visual design, and women-led games.
For the full category-by-category nominee lists, see the complete announcement. Three special awards—the Indie Vanguard, Mohammad Fahmi Storyteller Award, and Industry Impact award—did not have nominee lists in that announcement; the curation jury selected their recipients for announcement during the show.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Start your own cult in a land of false prophets
- Venture out into diverse and mysterious regions to build a loyal community of woodland Followers
- Repay your debt by building a loyal following
- Spread your Word to become the one true cult!
When and where was the 2025 ceremony?
The second annual Indie Game Awards were presented by Six One Indie. The ceremony was scheduled for December 18, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT, and has since taken place. GameSpot’s viewing guide said it would carry a stream, alongside the show’s online distribution.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What were the 2025 Indie Game Awards intended to recognize?
The show aimed to highlight independent games that might otherwise be overlooked. Its award categories ranged from craft-focused areas such as gameplay design, music, and visual design to recognition of specific communities and development approaches. The Indie Game Awards are a separate event from The Game Awards.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Explore a captivating universe, full of wonder and artistic curiosities. Interact with the Vessel’s environments to learn more about its past and memories.
- Earn game-changer abilities to help MIO progress through this twisted and interconnected space. Climb walls like a spider or float through the air with your Glide power. Master precision, rhythm, and timing to find the perfect flow!
- Face off a diverse array of over 30 enemy units and 15 formidable guardian bosses. Use your arsenal of powers to adapt to every encounter. Evade foes using your Hook, unleash orbs as powerful projectiles, and even create decoy clones to strike from unexpected angles. It’s always your choice!
- Enhance and customize MIO abilities by scavenging components. Spice up your fighting skills with many Modifiers and transform MIO into a formidable force tailored to your playstyle.
Rank #4
- Play 2 beloved and critically acclaimed masterpieces
- Experience the complete journey of Ori
- Master new skills and face larger-than-life bosses
- Get bonus physical items: set of art cards and digital soundtracks
Rank #3
- In collaboration with Panic and House House, iam8bit is proud to release Untitled Goose Game "in a box," packed with exclusive collectible goodies:
- Physical Edition of the Game
- The Spring/Summer Plaza Catalog, a 24-page mail-order style circular
- 11" x 17" Village Map Poster
- Premium “No Goose" Sticker
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
