D.I.C.E. Awards 2026: Clair Obscur and Ghost of Yōtei Lead the Pack

The 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards nominees are here, with Clair Obscur and Ghost of Yōtei grabbing eight nods each. Here is the full breakdown and when to watch in the UAE.

The awards season fatigue might be setting in, but the D.I.C.E. Awards are different. Unlike the fan-voted spectacles that are mostly marketing trailers in disguise, these awards are voted on by industry peers. Developers voting for developers.

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has announced the nominees for the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. The ceremony takes place in Las Vegas on 12 February 2026. For us in the UAE, that means a very early morning stream if you want to catch the winners live.

This year, two titles are sitting comfortably at the top with eight nominations each: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yōtei.

The Heavy Hitters

It’s a strong showing for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The RPG has managed to match Sucker Punch’s highly anticipated Ghost of Yōtei nomination for nomination. Both secured eight nods, setting them up as the clear favourites for the night.

They aren't the only ones with a full trophy cabinet, though. Here is how the top contenders stack up:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: 8 nominations
Ghost of Yōtei: 8 nominations
Arc Raiders: 6 nominations
Dispatch: 6 nominations
Blue Prince: 5 nominations

Interestingly, Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2: On the Beach picked up four nominations, including nods for Animation and Art Direction. This joins a busy period for gaming news, following our look at Avowed features landing on PS5.

The Battle for Game of the Year

The big prize is, of course, Game of the Year. Last year, Astro Bot took home the crown (and three other awards), setting a high bar for polish and fun. This year's list is a mix of massive technical achievements and sharp artistic direction.

The 2026 Game of the Year Nominees:

Arc Raiders
Blue Prince
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Dispatch
Ghost of Yōtei

It is worth noting that the voting body includes over 30,000 Academy members. AIAS President Meggan Scavio called out the "creativity, artistry, and technical achievement" of this year's finalists, thanking the peer panelists for sifting through the best games of 2025.

Nomination Breakdown

If you want to see who is really dominating the conversation, here is the data on the top-performing titles.

Game Name	Nominations	GOTY Nominee?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33	8	Yes
Ghost of Yōtei	8	Yes
Arc Raiders	6	Yes
Dispatch	6	Yes
Blue Prince	5	Yes
Death Stranding 2	4	No

Watching from the UAE

The ceremony takes place in Las Vegas at 8pm PT on 12 February. Because of the time difference, the schedule is a bit rough for Dubai viewers.

UAE Watch Time: Friday, 13 February at 8:00 AM GST.

The event will be streamed live online. Since it's an industry-focused event, expect fewer "World Premieres" and more actual speeches about game design. If you're looking for more entertainment-focused gaming news, check out how South Park is shaking up Fortnite this week.

Is it worth waking up for? Probably not. The D.I.C.E. Awards are prestigious, but they lack the broadcast production value of The Game Awards. We recommend catching the highlights over your morning coffee instead.

FAQs

When are the D.I.C.E. Awards 2026?

The ceremony takes place on 12 February 2026 in Las Vegas. For viewers in the UAE, the live stream begins at 8:00 AM GST on Friday, 13 February.

Which games have the most nominations?

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yōtei are tied for the lead with eight nominations each, followed closely by Arc Raiders and Dispatch with six each.

Who votes for the D.I.C.E. Awards?

Winners are determined by a confidential vote among the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' 30,000+ members, making it a peer-based award show rather than a fan-voted one.