The nominations for the annual DICE (Design Innovate Communicate Entertain) Awards have been announced, and while some familiar names top the list, they aren’t necessarily in the order we’re accustomed to. Thus far, the nominations for most video game awards have been led by Elden Ring followed by God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West, but the DICE Awards are doing things the other way around – God of War Ragnarok has snagged 12 noms, followed by 8 for Horizon Forbidden West, and 7 for Elden Ring. A number of other titles, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Tunic, Immortality, and Vampire Survivors have managed to grab 4 nominations.

　　The DICE Awards, which are organized by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, are different than some other gaming awards, as they reflect what the gaming industry, rather than critics or fans, think the best games of the year are. Perhaps the many nods for God of War Ragnarok shouldn’t be a surprise, as the last game in the series cleaned up at the 2019 DICE Awards. You can check out the full list of DICE Award nominations, below.

　　Outstanding Achievement in Game Design

　　Elden RingGod of War RagnarökMarvel SnapTunicVampire SurvivorsOutstanding Achievement in Game Direction

　　Elden RingGod of War RagnarökHorizon Forbidden WestImmortalityTunicGame of the Year

　　Elden RingGod of War RagnarökHorizon Forbidden WestStrayVampire SurvivorsOutstanding Achievement in Animation

　　Cuphead - The Delicious Last CourseElden RingGod of War RagnarökHorizon Forbidden WestMoss: Book IIOutstanding Achievement in Art Direction

　　Call of Duty: Modern Warfare llGod of War RagnarökHorizon Forbidden WestStrayThe Callisto ProtocolOutstanding Achievement in Character

　　Call of Duty: Modern Warfare ll - Alejandro VargasGod of War Ragnarök - AtreusGod of War Ragnarök - KratosHorizon Forbidden West - AloyReturn to Monkey Island - Guybrush ThreepwoodOutstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition

　　A Plague Tale: RequiemGod of War RagnarökHorizon Forbidden WestMetal: HellsingerMoss: Book IIOutstanding Achievement in Audio Design

　　A Plague Tale: RequiemCall of Duty: Modern Warfare llGod of War RagnarökGotham KnightsSomervilleOutstanding Achievement in Story

　　Elden RingGod of War RagnarökI Was a Teenage ExocolonistImmortalityNorcoOutstanding Technical Achievement

　　A Plague Tale: RequiemElden RingGod of War RagnarökHorizon Forbidden WestTeardownAction Game of the Year

　　Bayonetta 3GroundedNeon WhiteSifuVampire SurvivorsAdventure Game of the Year

　　God of War RagnarökHorizon Forbidden WestNorcoStrayTunicFamily Game of the Year

　　Disney Dreamlight ValleyKirby's Dream BuffetLost in PlayMario + Rabbids Sparks of HopeTrombone ChampFighting Game of the Year

　　JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle RMultiVersusRumbleverseSpiderHeckThe King of Fighters XVRacing Game of the Year

　　F1 22Gran Turismo 7Need for Speed UnboundRole-Playing Game of the Year

　　Citizen SleeperElden RingWeird WestWorld of Warcraft: DragonflightXenoblade Chronicles 3Sports Game of the Year

　　FIFA 23Mario Strikers: Battle LeagueMLB The Show 22NBA 2k23OlliOlli WorldStrategy/Simulation Game of the Year

　　Dwarf FortressIxionMarvel's Midnight SunsPotion Craft: Alchemist SimulatorWarhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - DaemonhuntersImmersive Reality Technical Achievement

　　Among Us VRCosmonious HighMoss: Book IIRed Matter 2The Last ClockwinderImmersive Reality Game of the Year

　　Cosmonious HighMoss: Book IIRed Matter 2TentacularThe Last ClockwinderOutstanding Achievement for an Independent Game

　　ImmortalityNeon WhiteTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's RevengeTunicVampire SurvivorsOnline Game of the Year

　　Call of Duty: Modern Warfare llFIFA 23Final Fantasy XIV: EndwalkerMarvel SnapRumbleverseThe DICE Awards will be livestreamed on February 23 with Kinda Funny founder Greg Miller and IGN’s Stella Chung acting as hosts. What do you think of this year’s nominations? Any surprises or snubs?