It is that time of the year again, and speculation is raging among gamers ahead of the twelfth edition of the Game Awards. The annual celebration of video games is scheduled to return on December 11. While this year’s GOTY roster is likely to be packed with critically acclaimed gems, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 seems to have a head start on the competition.
The 2025 Game Awards nominees for Game of the Year are not out yet, which hasn’t stopped the internet from feuding over the projected winner. Websites like IMDb drew up a list of twelve titles that may take the cake in December, ranging from Silent Hill f to Ghost of Yôtei. But if bookies are to be believed, the die is already cast.
According to Polymarket, Sandfall Interactive’s debut title is all set to be crowned Game of the Year at the next TGA. The turn-based RPG congregates more than 80% of the bets on the crypto-based prediction market platform. Using the Polygon blockchain network, Polymarket only allows crypto traders to wager on various events, which makes its scope rather limited. Still, its participants hold an impressive record of accurate predictions, often sensing the cultural and social zeitgeist with more consistency and reliability than pollsters.
Before US voters cast their ballot for their next President, polls showed the race was too close to call, when the odds were decidedly in favor of Donald Trump’s reelection amongst Polymarket bettors. The same punters correctly forecasted the recent election of Zohran Mamdani as NYC mayor.
What is it about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
As well-informed as they may be on politics, crypto speculators may not be as immersed in gaming culture. But the collective wisdom emerging from among people with money on the line may be one solid indication that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 qualifies as the clear frontrunner. Incidentally, the AA RPG already received its first Game of the Year award at Gamescom Asia. Outshining triple-A titles like Death Stranding 2, Expedition 33 leads the Golden Joystick Awards nominations just as comfortably, contending for up to six prizes.
Released in April, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 quickly went from indie underdog to undisputed GOTY pick. The critical and commercial success of this turn-based RPG, fashioned by a small team of mostly junior French developers, sparked many a heated conversation on the creative shortfalls of the gaming industry, coming in sharp contrast with the bold artistic and storytelling direction taken by the Montpellier-based studio.
Gamers almost unanimously agree on the game’s masterful approach to the genre, with Sandfall devs crafting the turn-based RPG many had been dreaming of for years. Some go as far as to claim Clair Obscur changed their entire view on video games, connecting with them on a deeper emotional level than any title before.
Although the Sandfall team knows they’ve developed an award-worthy game, the studio’s execs display more cautious humbleness. When asked about his personal favorite, CEO and creative director Guillaume Broche named Megabonk, the newest sensation on the action roguelike scene. While they trail largely behind Sandfall’s debut title, massive hits like Monster Hunter Wilds and Donkey Kong Bonanza may still have a card to play at the upcoming Game Awards.
From Blue Prince to Hollow Knight: Silksong, other indie entries can also hope to snatch the crown from Expedition 33. Hades II may well echo the resounding success of its predecessor, which received two accolades at The Game Awards 2020. Similarly, Split Fiction could mirror the accomplishment of the co-op classic It Takes Two. Developed by the very studio behind the 2021 GOTY, the cooperative multiplayer-only game stole the hearts of gamers for its clever blend of cyberpunk sci-fi and fantasy.
The action-adventure was equally lauded for its gameplay variety, ranging from puzzle-focused levels to mysterious side stories and minigames, including a secret roulette-style wheel hidden away in the jungle. That said, interacting with this minigame has no gameplay impact and involves no in-game trophy or achievement. Hence, gamers looking to raise the stakes may have better luck online.
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Will Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 snatch gaming’s top prize on December 11? Or else, will its competitors rise to the occasion and change the portended outcome of this year’s Game Awards ceremony? All bets are off on who will succeed Astrobot as GOTY.