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2020 has ended, but we’re not finished celebrating the year’s games. The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences has announced the nominees for this year’s 24th annual D.I.C.E. Awards, and Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II leads the way with 11 total nods, including Game of the Year.
In total, 57 different games received nominations in 2020, but it was The Last of Us Part II that led all others with 11 nominations. In addition to Game of the Year, The Last of Us Part II was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Animation, Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction, Outstanding Achievement in Character (for Abby and Ellie), Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design, Outstanding Achievement in Story, Outstanding Technical Achievement, Adventure Game of the Year, Outstanding Achievement in Game Design, and Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction.
Another Sony exclusive, Ghost of Tsushima, follows behind with 10 nominations. Games that received five nominations include Half Life: Alyx, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
The nominees for overall Game of the Year include The Last of Us Part II, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Hades, and Ghost of Tsushima.
The DICE Awards are not connected to the Battlefield and Star Wars developer DICE, as the D.I.C.E. from the game awards stands for Design, Innovate, Communicate, and Entertain.
The winners will be announced during the DICE Awards ceremony on April 8. Due to COVID-19, the awards ceremony will take place virtually this year; it’s normally held in-person in Las Vegas.
The Last of Us Part 2 was also named one of GameSpot’s Best Games of 2020. GameSpot’s Game of the Year was Half-Life: Alyx.
You can see the full rundown of nominees below.
Game of the Year
Animal Crossing: New HorizonsGhost of TsushimaHadesFinal Fantasy VII RemakeThe Last of Us Part II
Outstanding Achievement in Animation
Final Fantasy VII RemakeThe Last of Us Part IIMarvel’s Spider-Man: Miles MoralesOri and the Will of the WispsSpiritfarer
Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
Ghost of TsushimaHadesThe Last of Us Part IIMarvel’s Spider-Man: Miles MoralesOri and the Will of the Wisps
Outstanding Achievement in Character
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Eivor Varinsdottir)Hades (Zagreus)The Last of Us Part II (Abby)The Last of Us Part II (Ellie)Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (Miles Morales)
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
CarrionGhost of TsushimaLittle OrpheusOri and the Will of the WispsThe Pathless
Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design
DreamsGhost of TsushimaThe Last of Us Part IIOri and the Will of the WispsSackboy: A Big Adventure
Outstanding Achievement in Story
13 Sentinels: Aegis RimGhost of TsushimaHadesKentucky Route Zero: TV EditionThe Last of Us Part II
Outstanding Technical Achievement
DreamsGhost of TsushimaMario Kart LiveThe Last of Us Part IIMicrosoft Flight Simulator
Action Game of the Year
Doom EternalHadesHalf-Life: AlyxMarvel’s Spider-Man: Miles MoralesNioh 2
Adventure Game of the Year
Assassin’s Creed ValhallaGhost of TsushimaKentucky Route Zero: TV EditionThe Last of Us Part IIOri and the Will of the Wisps
Family Game of the Year
Animal Crossing: New HorizonsAstro’s PlayroomDreamsFall Guys: Ultimate KnockoutSackboy: A Big Adventure
Fighting Game of the Year
EA Sports UFC 4Granblue Fantasy VersusMortal Kombat 11 UltimateThem’s Fightin’ Herds
Racing Game of the Year
DIRT 5F1 2020Mario Kart Live
Role-Playing Game of the Year
Cyberpunk 2077Final Fantasy VII RemakePersona 5 RoyalWasteland 3Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Sports Game of the Year
FIFA 21MLB The Show 20NBA 2K21PGA TOUR 2K21Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
Crusader Kings IIIDesperadoes IIIMicrosoft Flight SimulatorMonster TrainPer Aspera
Immersive Reality Technical Achievement
Half-Life: AlyxMario Kart LiveMuseum of Other RealitiesPaper BeastTempest
Immersive Reality Game of the Year
Down the Rabbit HoleHalf-Life: AlyxPaper BeastThe Room VR: A Dark MatterThe Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game
Coffee TalkHadesIf Found…Kentucky Route Zero: TV EditionNoita
Mobile Game of the Year
HoloVistaLegends of RuneterraLittle OrpheusSong of BloomSouth of the Circle
Online Game of the Year
Animal Crossing: New HorizonsCall of Duty: Black Ops – Cold WarFall Guys: Ultimate KnockoutGhost of TsushimaTetris Effect: Connected
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design
Ghost of TsushimaHadesHalf-Life: AlyxThe Last of Us Part IIMarvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction
Ghost of TsushimaHadesHalf-Life: AlyxKentucky Route Zero: TV EditionThe Last of Us Part II
