“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” Wins Five Awards, Including Game of the Year, at GDCA 2026

Sandfall Interactive’s Title Dominates, Chinese Game “and Roger” Takes Audience Award

SAN FRANCISCO — March 12, 2026 — The 26th annual Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA) were unveiled tonight in San Francisco, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from developer Sandfall Interactive and publisher Kepler Interactive emerging as the night’s biggest winner, taking home five awards including Game of the Year.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an innovative turn-based RPG that pays homage to classic JRPGs while incorporating real-time action elements. Its distinctly French-inspired narrative and aesthetic have earned widespread acclaim from players and critics alike. In addition to Game of the Year, the title also won Best Debut, Best Visual Art, Best Narrative, and Best Audio.

Blue Prince, the unique puzzle adventure from developer Dogubomb and publisher Raw Fury, also had a strong showing, capturing the Innovation Award and Best Design. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Kojima Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainment) won Best Technology; Jenny Jiao Hsia’s Consume Me received the Social Impact Award; and and Roger, an interactive visual novel from Chinese studio TearyHand Studio and publisher Kodansha, took home the Audience Award.

Lifetime Achievement and Ambassador Awards Honor Industry Pioneers

This year’s GDCA also paid tribute to two influential industry figures with special honors. Legendary designer Don Daglow, whose career spans over 55 years and more than 100 games, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He is credited with numerous industry firsts, including the first baseball game (1971), the first real-time strategy/simulation game (1981), and the first graphical MMORPG (1991).

The late gaming pioneer Rebecca Ann Heineman (1963–2025) was posthumously awarded the Ambassador Award. She made history as the first U.S. video game tournament champion (1980) and contributed to over 250 games across a 45-year career, including classics such as The Bard’s Tale III, Dragon Wars, Wolfenstein 3D, and Doom (3DO).

Complete Winners List of the 26th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards

About the GDCA

The Game Developers Choice Awards are presented annually by the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and are among the industry’s most prestigious accolades. All awards are voted on by game developers worldwide (with the exception of the Audience Award, which is determined by public vote). This year’s GDCA featured 12 categories recognizing games released in 2025 that demonstrated outstanding achievement in technology, art, narrative, design, and more.

The 26th GDCA ceremony took place on March 12 as part of GDC 2026, alongside the Independent Games Festival (IGF) Awards.