The 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, organized by The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), concluded during the 2022 D.I.C.E. Summit in Las Vegas, honoring the best games released in 2021 across 23 categories. The ceremony recognized both creative achievements and industry leadership, with high-profile accolades for developers and platform holders alongside category winners.
Industry recognition at the event included a Hall of Fame induction and a Lifetime Achievement Award. In journalistic terms, IGN reported that the ceremony honored NetherRealm Studios cofounder Ed Boon as the AIAS 2022 Hall of Fame inductee and presented Microsoft executive Phil Spencer with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
On the awards front, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart emerged as the evening's top winner with four awards, while It Takes Two secured two wins including Game of the Year. Other multiple winners included Marvels Guardians of the Galaxy, Returnal, and Lone Echo II, each taking home two awards. These results reflect the strength of single-player narrative and technical accomplishments among 2021 releases.
Nintendo registered wins in two notable categories. Mario Golf: Super Rush claimed Sports Game of the Year, prevailing over nominees that included EA SPORTS FIFA 22, NBA 2K22, Riders Republic, and The Climb 2. Pokémon UNITE, which is available on Nintendo Switch in addition to mobile platforms, won Mobile Game of the Year. Both wins represent Nintendo's continued presence across console and mobile markets, including the Switch and its eShop ecosystem.
Despite those successes, Nintendo did not take home Family Game of the Year. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart won in that category, beating out Nintendo entries such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise, Mario Party Superstars, and Warioware: Get It Together, as well as Cozy Grove, which was also nominated and had launched on Nintendo Switch.
For a complete list of winners and category details, readers can consult the official AIAS D.I.C.E. Awards results page. The 2022 ceremony underscored both Nintendo's cross-platform footprint and the broader industry's focus on storytelling, technical innovation, and studio leadership.