Today, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has announced the nominees for the 24th annual D.I.C.E. Awards. A total of 57 games from 2020 have received a nomination. The Last of Us Part II leads this year’s nominees with 11 nominations. Ghost of Tsushima follows with 10 nominations followed by Hades with 8 nominations. Half-Life: Alyx, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps are tied with 5 nominations. The Nominees for Game of the Year are Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Ghost of Tsushima, Hades, and The Last of Us Part II. The 24th annual D.I.C.E. Awards will be presented virtually on April 8, 2021.

We’re pleased to announce the nominees for our 24th Annual #DICEAwards! A total of 57 games received nominations this year, led by The Last of Us Part II with 11, Ghost of Tsushima with 10, and Hades with 8. See the full list of nominated titles here: https://t.co/SPM5EYkX3Z pic.twitter.com/QOYeqFAhv6

— Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (@Official_AIAS) January 26, 2021

“I want to sincerely thank all of our peer panelists, who continue to dedicate their time, energy, and expertise in evaluating and selecting this past year’s D.I.C.E. Awards nominees,” said Meggan Scavio, President of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. “And to all of our finalists-a-well-deserved congratulations in continuing to expand the boundaries of creativity, storytelling and technical innovation. We look forward to celebrating your achievements at the 24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards!” The full list of nominees are as follows:

Outstanding Achievement in Animation

• Final Fantasy VII Remake
• The Last of Us Part II
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps
• Spiritfarer

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction

• Ghost of Tsushima
• Hades
• The Last of Us Part II
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Outstanding Achievement in Character

• Evior Varinsdottir (Assassin’s Creed Valhalla)
• Zagreus (Hades)
• Abby (The Last of Us Part II)
• Ellie (The Last of Us Part II)
• Miles Morales (Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales)

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition

• Carrion
• Ghost of Tsushima
• Little Orpheus
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps
• The Pathless

Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design

• Dreams
• Ghost of Tsushima
• The Last of Us Part II
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Outstanding Achievement in Story

• 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
• Ghost of Tsushima
• Hades
• Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition
• The Last of Us Part II

Outstanding Technical Achievement

• Dreams
• Ghost of Tsushima
• The Last of Us Part II
• Mario Kart Live
• Microsoft Flight Simulator

Action Game of the Year

• Doom Eternal
• Hades
• Half-Life: Alyx
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
• Nioh 2

Adventure Game of the Year

• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
• Ghost of Tsushima
• Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition
• The Last of Us Part II
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Family Game of the Year

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons
• Astro’s Playroom
• Dreams
• Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Fighting Game of the Year

• EA Sports UFC 4
• Granblue Fantasy Versus
• Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
• Them’s Fightin’ Herds

Racing Game of the Year

• DIRT 5
• F1 2020
• Mario Kart Live

Role-Playing Game of The Year

• Cyberpunk 2077
• Final Fantasy VII Remake
• Persona 5 Royal
• Wasteland 3
• Yukuza: Like a Dragon

Sports Game of the Year

• EA Sports FIFA 21
• MLB The Show 20
• NBA 2K21
• PGA Tour 2K21
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2

Strategy /Simulation Game of the Year

• Crusader Kings III
• Desperados III
• Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Monster Train
• Per Aspera

Immersive Reality Technical Achievement

• Half-Life: Alyx
• Mario Kart Live
• Museum of Other Realities
• Paper Beast
• Tempest

Immersive Reality Game of the Year

• Down the Rabbit Hole
• Half-Life: Alyx
• Paper Beast
• The Room VR: A Dark Matter
• The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners

Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game

• Coffee Talk
• Hades
• If Found…
• Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition
• Noita

Mobile Game of the Year

• HoloVista
• Legends of Runeterra
• Little Orpheus
• Song of Bloom
• South of the Circle

Online Game of the Year

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons
• Call of Duty: Black Ops – Cold War
• Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
• Ghost of Tsushima
• Tetris Effect: Connected

Outstanding Achievement in Game Design

• Ghost of Tsushima
• Hades
• Half-Life: Alyx
• The Last of Us Part II
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction

• Ghost of Tsushima
• Hades
• Half-Life: Alyx
• Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition
• The Last of Us Part II

Game of the Year

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons
• Final Fantasy VII Remake
• Ghost of Tsushima
• Hades
• The Last of Us Part II

3/24 Update

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences has announced that the 24th Annual DICE Awards will be held virtually in an all-new format on April 22, 2021. This year’s hosts include the return of Greg Miller and Jessica Chobot who have hosted the event previously. Joining them to host is Kahlief Adams. The Awards show will be live streamed on IGN.

We’re excited to celebrate the 24th Annual #DICEAwards virtually on April 22nd in an all-new format! Honoring some of the top games from 2020, the show will be hosted by @GameOverGreggy, @JessicaChobot, and @Kahjahkins and livestreamed via @IGN. More info: https://t.co/XvpqmJspvW pic.twitter.com/r80eSRUeeS

— Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (@Official_AIAS) March 24, 2021