Just ahead of The Game Awards 2025, it has been officially confirmed that the long-awaited remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time will not be part of the show. The update comes as a disappointment to fans, especially given recent reports suggesting the remake could arrive as early as late January 2026. While that release window may still be possible, players will have to look beyond The Game Awards for any new details about the project.

As the year draws to a close, anticipation for The Game Awards continues to build. The annual event celebrates the standout titles of 2025 while offering developers a platform to reveal new trailers and updates on upcoming projects. Speculation about surprise announcements is already in full swing, but a few studios have confirmed that their major titles will not be featured this year.

Official Confirmation Ends Hopes for a TGA Appearance

One of the latest games to bow out is Ubisoft’s remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Many fans expected it to make an appearance during the December 11 broadcast, but the game’s official X (Twitter) account shut down the rumors on December 3.

“Sorry to disappoint, but can confirm Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time won't be at TGA this year,” the post stated, responding to a fan speculating about a possible reveal.

While Ubisoft never directly hinted at a TGA showcase, expectations were high due to earlier reports claiming the remake was targeting an early 2026 launch.

This news is not entirely surprising. Industry insider NateTheHate previously predicted that the game was unlikely to appear at the event this year. Still, the confirmation stings for fans who have waited years for substantial updates. The remake, based on the beloved 2003 classic, has faced a rocky development cycle, including multiple delays and shifts between studios.

What This Means for the Game’s Release

Although skipping The Game Awards may seem concerning to some, it does not necessarily indicate further delays. Ubisoft has yet to provide a firm release date, meaning the rumored January 2026 launch window remains plausible. However, the prolonged development timeline has left some players understandably anxious about the remake’s progress. Ultimately, fans will have to wait for an official announcement from Ubisoft before assuming the worst—or getting too optimistic.

Other Major Titles Also Skipping the Show

The Sands of Time remake isn’t the only notable absence from the event. CD Projekt Red has confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not debut a new trailer at The Game Awards 2025, despite the game being nominated in the Most Anticipated Game category. Reports also suggest that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet may miss the show as well, though Naughty Dog has not commented on the matter.

Expect Big Reveals Despite Notable Absences

Even with several major games declining to appear, The Game Awards 2025 is still expected to deliver plenty of surprises. Geoff Keighley has already teased at least one major reveal tied to a mysterious statue discovered in the Mojave Desert. Fans have been speculating wildly about its meaning, but the project connected to it remains a closely guarded secret.

With December 11 fast approaching, audiences won’t have to wait long to see what surprises the show has in store. As for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, players will have to remain patient until Ubisoft is finally ready to share more—including a long-awaited release date.

The Players’ Voice nominees for The Game Awards 2025 have been revealed, bringing with them the unexpected return of Megabonk to the ceremony. Competition is fierce this year, with 30 games included on the list for fans to vote on.

Players’ Voice Nominees Arrive With Fan Favorites and Big Surprises

Most of The Game Awards categories were announced on November 17, but the Players’ Voice list traditionally arrives a bit later. Fans can now head to the official website to support their favorite titles. The lineup features many of 2025’s biggest releases — and some from previous years — such as ARC Raiders, Elden Ring Nightreign, Helldivers 2, Hades 2, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Final Fantasy 14.

The list also gives Megabonk a surprising second chance. Despite being initially nominated and later withdrawn from the main awards, the game has now appeared among the Players’ Voice contenders.

The Game Awards 2025 — Players’ Voice Nominees

• ARC Raiders
• Battlefield 6
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Delta Force
• Dispatch
• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Doom: The Dark Ages
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Final Fantasy 14
• Fortnite
• Genshin Impact
• Ghost of Yotei
• Hades 2
• Helldivers 2
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
• Mario Kart World
• Marvel Rivals
• Megabonk
• Ninja Gaiden 4
• No Man’s Sky
• Peak
• REPO
• Silent Hill f
• Sonic Racing: Crossworlds
• Split Fiction
• Warframe
• Wuthering Waves

Voting Timelines and How the Rounds Work

Those interested in voting will need to act fast.

• Round 1 ends on December 2 at 6 PM PT, allowing players to vote for up to 10 games.
• The top 10 titles will advance to Round 2, where players can choose five nominees.
• The final round will feature the last five contenders, with the most-voted game declared the winner.

Megabonk’s Unexpected Return

The developer behind Megabonk celebrated the nomination in the Players’ Voice category, calling it a welcome second opportunity. The studio had previously withdrawn the game from the main 2025 Game Awards categories after revealing they had developed other titles under different studio names — meaning Megabonk could not truly compete as a debut indie game. Despite this, the developer encouraged fans to show support by voting.

A Fierce Competition Ahead

Whether Megabonk can stand against major contenders remains uncertain. Co-op hits like Peak, REPO, Helldivers 2, and ARC Raiders are likely to command strong fan support, alongside major blockbuster titles such as Silent Hill f, Mario Kart World, Battlefield 6, and Doom: The Dark Ages.

Meanwhile, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 continues to dominate awards season with 13 nominations across 11 categories, including an impressive three nominations for Best Performance. With this level of recognition, many viewers are eager to see how many awards the title can secure.

When to Watch The Game Awards

Fans won’t have to wait much longer to find out the final results. The Game Awards 2025 will air on December 11 at 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET. The ceremony will stream live on the official YouTube and X channels, as well as through numerous co-streamers across various platforms.

It’s been a year since Vessel of Hatred, the first expansion for Diablo 4, hit the shelves — and it looks like Blizzard is gearing up for another big reveal. The studio has already delivered almost everything promised in its early-year roadmap, yet the next major update remains officially unannounced. That might change soon, though — all signs point to December 12, the date of The Game Awards 2025.

The buzz started when YouTuber Rob2628 unearthed an image hidden in the game’s files, showing the date “December 12” written in Chinese. Interestingly, that date aligns perfectly with the ceremony’s broadcast window across time zones. When Rob reached out to Diablo 4’s Associate Director, Zaven Haroutunian, asking if fans should tune in, Haroutunian gave a knowing smile and said, “Everyone should watch it. We’re all gamers — we’ll be watching.”

That cryptic comment was enough to spark excitement across the community, fueling speculation that Blizzard is preparing to unveil the next Diablo 4 expansion. If the announcement really happens at TGA, it would mark the first time the company reveals a major project outside of BlizzCon — a move that could suggest the new DLC is slated for release before the end of 2026.

Details remain scarce, but fans can expect a new character class and a continuation of the story following Vessel of Hatred. According to leaks, the Paladin might make a comeback — references to the class were reportedly found in a test build. Developers have also hinted at a significant overhaul of the skill tree system, making it more dynamic and adaptable to diverse playstyles.

Meanwhile, Diablo 4’s next season kicks off in early December and may serve as a narrative prologue to this long-awaited expansion.