2021 D.I.C.E. Awards Finalists

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) announced the nominees for its 24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Finalists on January 26.

A total of 57 games from 2020 received a nomination. The Last of Us Part II leads with 11 nominations followed by Ghost of Tsushima with 10 and Hades with 8. Tying for 5 nominations each are Half-Life: Alyx, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Finalists for 2020’s top honor, 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 winners will be revealed at the D.I.C.E. Awards ceremony, happening virtually on April 8, 2021. 

The 23 categories of nominees follow the jump.

24th Annual DICE Awards Finalists

Outstanding Achievement in Animation

  • Final Fantasy 7 Remake
  • The Last of Us Part 2
  • 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

  • Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Eivor Varinsdottir
  • Hades – Zagreus
  • The Last of Us Part 2 – Abby
  • The Last of Us Part 2 – Ellie
  • Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales – 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 2
  • 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 2

Outstanding Technical Achievement

  • Dreams
  • Ghost of Tsushima
  • The Last of Us Part 2
  • 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 2
  • 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 7 Remake
  • Persona 5 Royal
  • Wasteland 3
  • Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Sports Game of the Year

  • 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 3
  • Desperadoes 3
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator
  • Monster Train
  • Per Aspera

Immersive Reality Technical Achievement

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

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 2
  • 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 2

Game of the Year

  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons
  • Final Fantasy 7 Remake
  • Ghost of Tsushima
  • Hades
  • The Last of Us Part 2