Key Highlights:
- Baldur’s Gate 3 wins Game of the Year and 5 other awards at Game Awards 2023
- Awards won also include Best RPG, Best Performance, Best Multiplayer, and Player’s Choice
- Developed by Larian Studios over 6 years, released in summer 2023
- Based on fantasy tabletop RPG Dungeons & Dragons, stars vampires and elves
- Other big winners: Alan Wake 2 with 3 awards, Cyberpunk 2077 for Best Ongoing Game
The clear standout at Thursday night’s Game Awards 2023 ceremony was sweeping fantasy RPG Baldur’s Gate 3, which earned top prize GOTY along with five other trophies. Celebrated for its robust character creation tools, sprawling magical narrative, and multiplayer functionality, Baldur’s Gate 3 has resonated with fans since its long-awaited release this past summer.
A Passion Project Come to Fruition
Held annually in Los Angeles, The Game Awards honour standout achievements across the video game industry as voted on by media outlets and fans. Baldur’s Gate 3 was specifically designed as a faithful adaptation of the classic fantasy tabletop RPG Dungeons & Dragons, transporting players to an immersive realm filled with vampires, magic, and adventure.
Developed over six years by Belgium’s Larian Studios, the title marked the first new Baldur’s Gate release in over two decades when it launched in August 2023. Larian’s founder Swen Vincke accepted the Game of the Year award donning knights armour, stating:
“We poured our hearts into this.”
Racking Up The Awards
On top of Game of the Year, Baldur’s Gate 3 also earned Best RPG, Best Multiplayer Game, Best Performance for actor Neil Newbon, and the Player’s Voice prize determined by fan vote—marking a total of six awards. The huge haul indicates reviewers and regular players alike found the experience to be a triumphant return for the Baldur’s Gate franchise.
Cinematic thriller Alan Wake 2 was another big winner on the night, snagging awards for Best Narrative, Best Game Direction, and Best Art Direction. And Cyberpunk 2077 won Best Ongoing Game in recognition of the developers at CD Projekt Red continuously improving the sci-fi blockbuster through updates since its rocky 2020 launch.
Star-Studded Reveals
The Game Awards also serves as a premiere events for upcoming titles, with celebrities on hand to hype reveals. Actor Matthew McConaughey teased his starring role in 2023 game Exodus, while Wonka star Timothee Chalamet—an avid gamer—announced Baldur’s Gate 3 as GOTY winner.
Legendary designer Hideo Kojima had arguably the biggest unveiling: a new horror project titled Overdose starring Elle Fanning and directed by Jordan Peele. Viewers also got first glimpses at titles like Jurassic World: Survival, Skull & Bones, and cemented release dates for Black Myth: Wukong and the free God of War: Ragnarok DLC entitled Valhalla.
For the full list of every winner on the night, go check out the official website.
With its leading six award wins following years of eager anticipation, Baldur’s Gate 3 definitively established itself as 2023’s pinnacle gaming achievement. The sprawling fantasy epic aims to further build on that momentum by expanding with DLC adventures in the year ahead.
The fact that this title started out as an indie project and its gone on to bag GOTY, just shows amazing inspiration for future developers in a true underdog story kinda way.
Thursday night’s Game Awards sealed its legacy as the rightful continuation of one of gaming’s most treasured franchises.
About The Author
Stephen is the proud owner of a popular gaming news website GLN, where he provides the latest updates on everything gaming-related. With a passion for video games that dates back to his childhood, Stephen is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow gamers around the world.