If you follow gaming even a little, you already know that the Game Awards season feels like the Oscars of our world. Every year, developers hold their breath, fans argue on social media, and at least one person complains about why their favorite RPG didn’t win. The Game of the Year award isn’t just a trophy. It’s a statement about what shaped the year in gaming, what pushed boundaries, and what made millions of players stay up way past bedtime.
In this guide, we’ll go through every Game of the Year winner at The Game Awards since the show started in 2014, along with what made each title stand out. The idea here is simple. You get a clean, trusted reference list with real facts, short paragraphs, and search-engine-friendly structure.
What Counts as Game of the Year at TGA?
Before jumping into the list, it’s worth mentioning how this award works. The Game Awards (TGA) launched in 2014, created by Geoff Keighley, and since then it has become the biggest global gaming awards show. According to the official TGA rulebook, nominations are selected by a voting jury made up of major media outlets. Then the winner comes from a mix of jury votes (90 percent) and fan votes (10 percent).
So no, your 48 votes for your favorite indie title don’t guarantee a win. But they do help in spirit.
All Game of the Year Winners at The Game Awards (2014 – 2024)
Below is a complete list of all Game of the Year winners at The Game Awards, from 2014 to 2024, explained in simple, readable language with real facts and clear context.
1. 2014 – Dragon Age: Inquisition
BioWare opened The Game Awards era with Dragon Age: Inquisition, a massive RPG built as a direct sequel to Dragon Age II. The game spread its story across large open environments, offered memorable characters, and allowed players to choose between a cinematic third-person view or a classic top-down tactical camera.
Players loved the combat system, the party interactions, and the freedom to customize almost everything. Reviewers praised its scale, and fans called it the true successor to the original Dragon Age: Origins.
The game sold over 12 million copies, and when it won Game of the Year, it outperformed: Bayonetta 2, Dark Souls II, Hearthstone, and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.
2. 2015 – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
If one game redefined modern RPGs, it’s this one. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt turned the franchise into a cultural phenomenon. CD Projekt adapted Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels into an open-world adventure filled with emotional storytelling, incredible side quests, and an atmosphere built for exploration.
The game’s cinematic approach pushed expectations for the genre. Almost every quest felt handcrafted, and Geralt’s journey set a new benchmark for RPG quality.
More than 60 million copies have sold, which confirms its legendary status. It won Game of the Year over: Bloodborne, Fallout 4, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, and Super Mario Maker.
3. 2016 – Overwatch
When Overwatch launched in 2016, it didn’t take long before everyone and their teammates’ teammates were talking about it. Blizzard delivered a bright, fast hero shooter with an immediate hook – a colorful cast with unique abilities and personalities.
The game pushed teamwork over raw shooting skill and built one of the biggest multiplayer communities of its time. Cross-platform support and frequent updates kept the momentum going for years.
Overwatch sold over 50 million copies, and Blizzard earned more than $1 billion from the game in its first year. It won Game of the Year over: Doom, Inside, Titanfall 2, and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
4. 2017 – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Some games follow a formula. Breath of the Wild tore the formula up and rebuilt Zelda from the ground up. Nintendo introduced an open world full of physics-driven puzzles, hidden secrets, climbable mountains, and a sense of freedom that became the standard for modern exploration games.
The world felt alive. Weapons broke, weather affected gameplay, and players could approach challenges in countless ways. It didn’t just update the series – it reinvented it.
The game sold over 33 million copies and won Game of the Year against: Horizon Zero Dawn, Persona 5, PUBG, and Super Mario Odyssey.
5. 2018 – God of War
In 2018, Santa Monica Studio took Kratos – a character previously known for anger, chaos, and more anger – and gave him a deeper, more emotional story. The new God of War shifted to Norse mythology, introduced Atreus, and used a one-shot camera style that made every moment cinematic.
While the franchise kept its brutal combat, it added layers of storytelling that helped broaden its audience. Fans and critics agreed it was one of the most polished PlayStation exclusives ever made.
It sold about 23 million copies and won Game of the Year over: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Celeste, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Monster Hunter: World, and Red Dead Redemption 2.
6. 2019 – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
FromSoftware left the Souls formula behind and crafted a fast, precise action-adventure set in a fantasy version of Japan’s Sengoku era. Players controlled Wolf, a shinobi navigating loyalty, resurrection, and war in a world filled with references to Japanese culture and Buddhist philosophy.
Sekiro’s parry-based combat forced players to think differently. It wasn’t about grinding levels – it was about timing, patience, and skill.
The game sold over 10 million copies and won against: Control, Death Stranding, The Outer Worlds, Resident Evil 2, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
7. 2020 – The Last of Us Part II
Naughty Dog’s sequel took on the impossible task of following one of gaming’s most beloved stories – and delivered something bold, emotional, and unforgettable. The Last of Us Part II split fans with its narrative decisions, but critics praised its storytelling depth, character development, and technical mastery.
The game used perspective shifts, moral ambiguity, and cinematic design to push narrative boundaries in gaming. It also featured some of the best stealth and combat mechanics of its generation.
More than 10 million copies have sold. It won Game of the Year over: Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Doom Eternal, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Ghost of Tsushima, and Hades.
8. 2021 – It Takes Two
Hazelight Studios built an entire game around cooperation, and the result was one of the most creative co-op experiences ever made. It Takes Two followed a couple turned into dolls who had to fix their relationship through teamwork, humor, and puzzle-solving.
The game mixed genres – platforming, mini-games, shooters, and more – while keeping everything fresh from start to finish. Players praised how well it balanced fun with emotional storytelling.
It sold more than 23 million copies and won Game of the Year over: Deathloop, Metroid Dread, Psychonauts 2, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and Resident Evil Village.
9. 2022 – Elden Ring
Elden Ring became an instant classic. FromSoftware took its Soulslike formula and expanded it into a massive open world built around discovery, danger, and freedom.
Players jumped into six huge regions full of secrets, dungeons, terrifying bosses, and mysterious characters shaped by the worldbuilding of George R. R. Martin.
The game sold over 30 million copies and won Game of the Year over: A Plague Tale: Requiem, God of War Ragnarök, Horizon Forbidden West, Stray, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
10. 2023 – Baldur’s Gate III
Larian Studios didn’t just adapt Dungeons & Dragons – they perfected it. Baldur’s Gate III offered deep role-playing, cinematic storytelling, branching paths, and a gigantic amount of content.
A standard playthrough can easily hit 100+ hours, and that’s without touching the dozens of alternate storylines. The game’s reactivity made every choice feel meaningful, which players and critics loved.
It sold over 15 million copies and won Game of the Year over: Alan Wake 2, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Resident Evil 4, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
11. 2024 – Astro Bot
Team Asobi returned with another cheerful platformer, but this time they hit masterpiece status. Astro Bot sent players on a mission to rescue lost robots while celebrating decades of PlayStation history.
Reviewers praised its creativity, tight platforming, and joyful design. Many even compared its quality to Nintendo’s best platformers – which is no small compliment.
The game earned the highest Metacritic rating of 2024 and sold over 2.3 million copies. It won Game of the Year over: Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Metaphor: ReFantazio.
What These GOTY Winners Have in Common
Although each year brings a different type of game, a few patterns always show up. These trends come from patterns identified by major outlets like IGN, Polygon, and The Game Awards jury commentary.
- Innovation – Every winner changed something. Breath of the Wild redefined open worlds. Elden Ring reshaped how exploration feels. Overwatch shifted multiplayer design. The GOTY award usually rewards bold steps, not safe bets.
- Strong Identity – These games don’t try to look like anything else. Sekiro has a distinct combat rhythm. God of War had its iconic story direction. The Witcher 3 lived on its writing. Players remember games that feel unique.
- Consistent Quality – Even with different genres, one thing stays constant. High-level polish. When a game nails performance, pacing, audio, story, controls, and world design all at once, it stands above the competition.
Why The GOTY Award Matters
Awards don’t always determine the “best” game for everyone. Gamers are a diverse crowd. But GOTY winners influence the entire industry. Here’s why:
- Developers Get Funding and Support – When a studio wins GOTY, publishers gain confidence and invest more into future projects. This is why releases like God of War Ragnarök and The Witcher 4 became high-priority titles.
- Players Discover New Genres – Many gamers tried co-op storytelling because of It Takes Two. Many tried hardcore action thanks to Sekiro. The GOTY spotlight pulls new audiences into new experiences.
- Developers Learn What Works – The industry watches these results closely. Studios study Elden Ring’s open world. They look at Baldur’s Gate 3’s storytelling. They analyze Overwatch’s hero design.
GOTY winners shape the next decade of game development.
Final Thoughts
Looking at all these winners, one thing becomes clear. The Game Awards doesn’t reward just popularity. It celebrates innovation, storytelling, emotional impact, and games that leave a mark on the industry.
From BioWare’s sprawling fantasy worlds to Team Asobi’s joyful platforming magic, each winner represents the best of its year – and often pushes gaming forward for years to come.
