It was the year of the bear and the writer. Honestly, if you didn't see Baldur’s Gate 3 or Alan Wake 2 coming for the crown, you weren't paying attention. 2023 was a monster year for games, maybe the best in a decade. But when the dust settled at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, a few names stood much taller than the rest.
The big one? Baldur’s Gate 3 took home Game of the Year. It wasn't even a shocker by the time Geoff Keighley announced it. Larian Studios basically spent the year proving that a deep, complex, turn-based RPG could actually be a massive mainstream hit. They didn't just win; they swept. Six awards in total. That's a "dominant" performance by any definition.
The Real Story of Gaming Awards 2023 Winners
Most people focus on the shiny trophies, but the 2023 ceremony felt different. It was long. Too long for some. People were actually timed during their acceptance speeches—a move that sparked a lot of "really?" looks from the audience. Swen Vincke, the head of Larian, even wore a full suit of armor.
While Baldur's Gate 3 was the heavyweight champion, Alan Wake 2 was the artistic darling. Remedy Entertainment managed to snag Best Narrative, Best Game Direction, and Best Art Direction. It’s rare to see a game so weird and experimental get that much love. They even staged a full musical performance of "Herald of Darkness" on stage. It was bizarre. It was Finnish. It was perfect.
Who Actually Won What?
Let's look at the heavy hitters. If you’re looking for a specific name among the gaming awards 2023 winners, here is how the top categories shook out:
- Game of the Year: Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
- Best Game Direction: Alan Wake 2 (Remedy Entertainment)
- Best Narrative: Alan Wake 2
- Best Performance: Neil Newbon (Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3)
- Best RPG: Baldur’s Gate 3
- Best Action/Adventure: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Best Independent Game: Sea of Stars
- Best Ongoing Game: Cyberpunk 2077 (The ultimate redemption arc)
Neil Newbon winning for his role as Astarion felt like a win for the fans. His performance was everywhere on TikTok and YouTube for months. It’s one of those rare times where the "internet's favorite" actually got the professional nod.
The Snubs and Surprises
Not everyone left happy. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 had seven nominations and went home with zero wins. Zero. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a game that polished. It just had the misfortune of being released in the same window as a generational RPG and a mind-bending horror sequel.
Then you have The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. In any other year, this is a locked-in GOTY winner. In 2023? It took home Best Action/Adventure and sort of faded into the background of the Baldur's Gate hype train. Nintendo also picked up Best Family Game for Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which felt right. It’s Mario. It’s colorful. It works.
A lot of people forget that Cyberpunk 2077 finally got its flowers. After the disastrous 2020 launch, winning Best Ongoing Game felt like CD Projekt Red finally finished their apology tour.
The Indie Scene Stole the Show
While the AAA giants were fighting, Sea of Stars quietly took Best Independent Game. It beat out heavy hitters like Dave the Diver (which sparked a whole debate about whether it was "actually" an indie game since it was funded by Nexon) and Dredge.
Cocoon won Best Debut Indie. If you haven't played it, you should. It's from the lead gameplay designer of Limbo and Inside, and it’s basically a puzzle game where you carry entire worlds on your back inside little glass orbs. It's smart. It's short. It's exactly what indie games are supposed to be.
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Why These Wins Still Matter
The 2023 winners list tells us a lot about where gaming is heading. We're moving away from "safe" sequels and moving toward games that take massive risks. A 100-hour CRPG based on Dungeons & Dragons wasn't supposed to be the most popular game in the world. A meta-narrative horror game about a writer in a dark dimension wasn't supposed to win Best Direction.
But they did.
It shows that players—and the critics who vote—are hungry for something that doesn't feel like a corporate product. They want soul. They want weirdness.
Actionable Next Steps for Gamers
If you haven't touched the 2023 roster yet, start with these three based on your vibe:
- If you want a life-consuming epic: Get Baldur’s Gate 3. Give it 10 hours before you decide if you like it. The learning curve is a cliff, but the view from the top is incredible.
- If you want a "playable movie": Alan Wake 2 is the one. Turn the lights off, put on headphones, and enjoy the madness.
- If you have limited time: Play Cocoon. You can beat it in a weekend and you'll feel like a genius by the end.
Check the digital storefronts like Steam or the PlayStation Store; these winners almost always go on sale during the anniversaries of their wins. Keep an eye on the "Game of the Year" editions which usually bundle in the DLC.
Detailed Winner Breakdown (The Rest of the Pack)
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- Best Fighting Game: Street Fighter 6
- Best Sim/Strategy: Pikmin 4
- Best Sports/Racing: Forza Motorsport
- Best Multiplayer: Baldur’s Gate 3
- Best Adaptation: The Last of Us (HBO)
- Innovation in Accessibility: Forza Motorsport
- Most Anticipated Game: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
The esports side saw Faker winning Best Esports Athlete. The guy is a legend for a reason. Valorant took Best Esports Game, and JD Gaming was named Best Esports Team. Even in the competitive scene, the winners felt like they earned their spots through sheer grit.
2023 was a year that wouldn't quit. Whether you're a fan of the massive RPGs or the small, quiet puzzles, the winners list represents a high-water mark for the medium.
Go play Baldur’s Gate 3. Even if you think you hate turn-based games, just try it. It’s the kind of game that happens once every ten years, and seeing it win so big was a reminder of why we play these things in the first place.