The 26th annual DICE (Design Innovate Communicate Entertain) Awards takes place at Resorts World in Las Vegas on February 23. The nominees, chosen by the industry experts and developers who make up the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, are led by God of War Ragnarök, which is up for 12 awards, followed by Horizon Forbidden West (eight) and Elden Ring (seven). Fighting with those three titles in the Game of the Year category is post-apocalyptic cat-based adventure Stray and the incredibly popular roguelike shoot ’em up Vampire Survivors. The 2018 God of War reboot took top honors at the DICE awards in 2019, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if its sequel walked away with the GOTY award in 2023. Vampire Survivors is one of several games nominated in four categories; Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Tunic, and Immortality also have four nominations. A glance at the nominees shows a tough ‘Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year’ category. Dwarf Fortress might be the favorite, though this writer thinks the excellent Marvel’s Midnight Suns—PC Gamer’s GOTY runner-up—should win. It’s good to see the thoroughly enjoyable Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters also nominated. At last month’s Game Awards, Elden Ring won four awards, including Game of the Year, while God of War won seven. This year’s DICE awards will be co-hosted by Kinda Funny’s Greg Miller and Stella Chung from IGN; the publication is the official media partner of the event and will be livestreaming the entire show.

Complete list of nominees and categories

Outstanding Achievement in Animation

Cuphead - The Delicious Last Course Elden Ring God of War Ragnarok Horizon Forbidden West Moss: Book 2

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 God of War Ragnarok Horizon Forbidden West Stray The Callisto Protocol

Outstanding Achievement in Character

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Alejandro Vargas God of War Ragnarok - Atreus God of War Ragnarok - Kratos Horizon Forbidden West - Aloy Return to Monkey Island - Guybrush Threepwood

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition

A Plague Tale: Requiem God of War Ragnarok Horizon Forbidden West Metal: Hellsinger Moss: Book 2

Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design

A Plague Tale: Requiem Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 God of War Ragnarok Gotham Knights Somerville

Outstanding Achievement in Story

Elden Ring God of War Ragnarok I Was a Teenage Exocolonist IMMORTALITY NORCO

Outstanding Technical Achievement

A Plague Tale: Requiem Elden Ring God of War Ragnarok Horizon Forbidden West Teardown

Action Game of the Year

Bayonetta 3 Grounded Neon White Sifu Vampire Survivors

Adventure Game of the Year

God of War Ragnarok Horizon Forbidden West NORCO Stray TUNIC

Family Game of the Year

Disney Dreamlight Valley Kirby’s Dream Buffet Lost in Play Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Trombone Champ

Fighting Game of the Year

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R MultiVersus Rumbleverse SpiderHeck THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV

Racing Game of the Year

F1 22 Gran Turismo 7 Need for Speed Unbound

Role-Playing Game of the Year

Citizen Sleeper Elden Ring Weird West World of Warcraft: Dragonflight Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Sports Game of the Year

EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Mario Strikers: Battle League MLB The Show 22 NBA 2k23 OlliOlli World

Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year

Dwarf Fortress IXION Marvel’s Midnight Suns Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator Warhammer 40,000: CHaos Gate - Demonhunters

Immersive Reality Game of the Year

Cosmonious High Moss: Book 2 Red Matter 2 Tenatcular The Last Clockwinder

Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game

IMMORTALITY Neon White Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge TUNIC Vampire Survivors

Mobile Game of the Year

Diablo Immortal Gibbon: Beyond the Trees IMMORTALITY MARVEL SNAP Poinpy

Online Game of the Year

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 EA SPORTS FIFA 23 FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker MARVEL SNAP Rumbleverse

Outstanding Achievement in Game Design

Elden Ring God of War Ragnarok MARVEL SNAP TUNIC Vampire Survivors

Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction

Elden Ring God of War Ragnarok Horizon Forbidden West IMMORTALITY TUNIC

Game of the Year

Elden Ring God of War Ragnarok Horizon Forbidden West Stray Vampire Survivors