It was a triumphant night for Counter-Strike 2 and Team Vitality at the Game Awards 2025. Valve’s renowned FPS game and the French esports powerhouse emerged victorious, marking significant achievements in the esports industry.
Counter-Strike 2’s Impressive 2025
Counter-Strike 2 clinched the Best Esports Game award, standing out among well-known competitors such as Dota 2, League of Legends, VALORANT, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. The CS2 esports scene in 2025, highlighted by the ongoing Budapest Major, has been bustling with top-tier events globally. Reports suggest that seven events have surpassed a peak viewership of 1 million, with Team Vitality, Team Spirit, and FURIA each claiming victories at different tournaments. Team Vitality’s CS2 roster has secured seven Tier 1 trophies this year, vying for an eighth at the Budapest Major. Notably, Team Vitality’s nomination for Best Esports Team was well-deserved, facing off against teams like NRG and Team Liquid PH.
Gen.G Esports’ prowess was also acknowledged, with their mid laner, Jeong Ji ‘Chovy’ Hoon, earning the title of Best Esports Athlete.
Which Games Won at the Game Awards 2025?
Beyond the esports spotlight, the Game Awards 2025 celebrated a variety of outstanding games. Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 dominated the awards, securing nine trophies, including the coveted Game of the Year. Arc Raiders took home Best Multiplayer, surpassing contenders like Battlefield 6, which delayed its REDSEC esports plans to 2026. No Man’s Sky triumphed in the Best Ongoing Game category, besting Marvel Rivals and Fortnite.
In the realm of fighting games, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves emerged victorious, while Mario Kart World raced ahead of EA Sports FC 26 and F1 25 to win Best Sports/Racing Game. The accolade for Best Content Creator went to Charles ‘MoistCr1TiKaL’ White Jr, co-owner of the esports organization Shopify Rebellion, with Marc Robert ‘Caedrel’ Lamont also among the nominees.