The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award is "presented to the individual or team whose work represents the highest level of achievement in designing a unified graphic look for an interactive title". Creative/technical Academy members with expertise as an artist, animator or programmer are qualified to vote for this award.
The award's most recent winner is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive.
Art Direction & Animation
The Academy originally offered Outstanding Achievement in Art/Graphics at the first two annual awards ceremonies. This would be separated into the categories of Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction and Outstanding Achievement in Animation at the third annual awards ceremony. Since the categories separated, roughly half of the finalists and winners for "Art Direction" and "Animation" were the same game within its respective release year. The games that had won both awards for "Art Direction" and "Animation" were: Final Fantasy VIII Final Fantasy IX Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus Half-Life 2 Gears of War Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception The Last of Us Ori and the Blind Forest Cuphead Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart God of War Ragnarök
The games that won the "Art Direction" award but were not finalists in the "Animation" category were: Ico The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker BioShock LittleBigPlanet Journey Monument Valley Control Ghost of Tsushima Alan Wake 2 Black Myth: Wukong Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2022 was the only year that the "Art Direction" and "Animation" categories had the same five finalists and winner. 2025 was the only year that the two categories did not have any of the same finalists.
Winners and nominees 1990s + Table keyIndicates the winner YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)1997/1998 (1st) Riven: The Sequel to MystCyan WorldsRed Orb EntertainmentBlade RunnerWestwood StudiosVirgin InteractiveFinal Fantasy VIISquareSoftSony Computer EntertainmentGoldenEye 007RareNintendoOddworld: Abe's OddyseeOddworld InhabitantsGT InteractiveThe Curse of Monkey IslandLucasArtsLucasArts1998/1999 (2nd) Banjo-KazooieRareNintendoGrim FandangoLucasArtsLucasArtsHalf-LifeValveSierra On-LineSpyro the DragonInsomniac GamesSony Computer Entertainment1999/2000 (3rd) Final Fantasy VIIISquareSoftSquare Electronic ArtsDisney's Villains' RevengeDisney InteractiveDisney InteractivePharaohImpressions GamesSierra On-LineSpyro 2: Ripto's Rage!Insomniac GamesSony Computer EntertainmentThe SimsMaxisElectronic Arts
2000s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2000 (4th) Final Fantasy IXSquareSoftSquare Electronic ArtsEscape from Monkey IslandLucasArtsLucasArtsJet Grind RadioSmilebitSegaSpyro: Year of the DragonInsomniac GamesSony Computer Entertainment2001 (5th) IcoJapan StudioSony Computer EntertainmentHalo: Combat EvolvedBungieMicrosoft Game StudiosMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyKonamiKonamiOddworld: Munch's OddyseeOddworld InhabitantsMicrosoft Game StudiosStar Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue LeaderFactor 5LucasArts2002 (6th) Sly Cooper and the Thievius RaccoonusSucker Punch ProductionsSony Computer EntertainmentEternal Darkness: Sanity's RequiemSilicon KnightsNintendoKingdom HeartsSquareSoftSquare Electronic ArtsMetroid PrimeRetro StudiosNintendoRatchet & ClankInsomniac GamesSony Computer Entertainment2003 (7th) The Legend of Zelda: The Wind WakerNintendo EADNintendoFinal Fantasy X-2SquareSoftSquare Electronic ArtsJak IINaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentPrince of Persia: The Sands of TimeUbisoft MontrealUbisoftRatchet & Clank: Going CommandoInsomniac GamesSony Computer Entertainment2004 (8th) Half-Life 2ValveVivendi Universal GamesDoom 3id SoftwareActivisionMetroid Prime 2: EchoesRetro StudiosNintendoPrince of Persia: Warrior WithinUbisoft MontrealUbisoftSly 2: Band of ThievesSucker Punch ProductionsSony Computer Entertainment2005 (9th) Shadow of the ColossusJapan StudioSony Computer EntertainmentGod of WarSanta Monica StudioSony Computer EntertainmentJade EmpireBioWareMicrosoft Game StudiosKing KongUbisoft MontpellierUbisoftUltimate Spider-ManTreyarchActivision2006 (10th) Gears of WarEpic GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosCall of Duty 3TreyarchActivisionFinal Fantasy XIISquare EnixSquare EnixTom Clancy's Rainbow Six: VegasUbisoft MontrealUbisoftViva PiñataRareMicrosoft Game Studios2007 (11th) BioShock2K Boston, 2K Australia2K GamesAssassin's CreedUbisoft MontrealUbisoftCall of Duty 4: Modern WarfareInfinity WardActivisionHeavenly SwordNinja TheorySony Computer EntertainmentTeam Fortress 2ValveValve, Electronic Arts2008 (12th) LittleBigPlanetMedia MoleculeSony Computer EntertainmentDead SpaceEA Redwood ShoresElectronic ArtsFable IILionhead StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosMirror's EdgeDICEElectronic ArtsPrince of PersiaUbisoft MontrealUbisoft2009 (13th) Uncharted 2: Among ThievesNaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentAssassin's Creed IIUbisoft MontrealUbisoftCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2Infinity WardActivisionMachinariumAmanita DesignAmanita DesignResident Evil 5CapcomCapcom
2010s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2010 (14th) Red Dead RedemptionRockstar San DiegoRockstar GamesAlan WakeRemedy EntertainmentMicrosoft Game StudiosEnslaved: Odyssey to the WestNinja TheoryNamco Bandai GamesGod of War IIISanta Monica StudioSony Computer EntertainmentKirby's Epic YarnHAL Laboratory, Good-FeelNintendo2011 (15th) Uncharted 3: Drake's DeceptionNaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentBatman: Arkham CityRocksteady StudiosWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentBattlefield 3DICEElectronic ArtsPortal 2ValveValveRayman OriginsUbisoft MontpellierUbisoft2012 (16th) JourneyThatgamecompanySony Computer EntertainmentBorderlands 2Gearbox Software2K GamesDishonoredArkane StudiosBethesda SoftworksFar Cry 3Ubisoft MontrealUbisoftHalo 4343 IndustriesMicrosoft Studios2013 (17th) The Last of UsNaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentBioShock InfiniteIrrational Games2K GamesPuppeteerJapan StudioSony Computer EntertainmentRayman LegendsUbisoft MontpellierUbisoftTearawayMedia MoleculeSony Computer Entertainment2014 (18th) Monument ValleyustwoustwoAssassin's Creed UnityUbisoft MontrealUbisoftSunset OverdriveInsomniac GamesMicrosoft StudiosThe Vanishing of Ethan CarterThe AstronautsThe AstronautsValiant Hearts: The Great WarUbisoft MontpellierUbisoft2015 (19th) Ori and the Blind ForestMoon StudiosMicrosoft StudiosLara Croft GoSquare Enix Montreal Square Enix EuropeRise of the Tomb RaiderCrystal DynamicsStar Wars BattlefrontDICEElectronic ArtsThe Order: 1886Ready at DawnSony Computer Entertainment2016 (20th) InsidePlaydeadPlaydeadBattlefield 1DICEElectronic ArtsFirewatchCampo SantoCampo SantoThe Last GuardianJapan Studio, GenDesignSony Interactive EntertainmentUncharted 4: A Thief's EndNaughty Dog2017 (21st) CupheadStudio MDHRStudio MDHRHellblade: Senua's SacrificeNinja TheoryNinja TheoryHorizon Zero DawnGuerrilla GamesSony Interactive EntertainmentLittle NightmaresTarsier StudiosBandai Namco EntertainmentThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildNintendo EPDNintendo2018 (22nd) God of WarSanta Monica StudioSony Interactive EntertainmentDetroit: Become HumanQuantic DreamSony Interactive EntertainmentGrisNomada StudioDevolver DigitalMarvel's Spider-ManInsomniac GamesSony Interactive EntertainmentRed Dead Redemption 2Rockstar GamesRockstar Games2019 (23rd) ControlRemedy Entertainment505 GamesCall of Duty: Modern WarfareInfinity WardActivisionConcrete GeniePixelopusSony Interactive EntertainmentDeath StrandingKojima ProductionsResident Evil 2CapcomCapcom
2020s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2020 (24th) Ghost of TsushimaSucker Punch ProductionsSony Interactive EntertainmentHadesSupergiant GamesSupergiant GamesThe Last of Us Part IINaughty Dog Sony Interactive EntertainmentMarvel's Spider-Man: Miles MoralesInsomniac GamesOri and the Will of the WispsMoon StudiosXbox Game Studios2021 (25th) Ratchet & Clank: Rift ApartInsomniac GamesSony Interactive EntertainmentCall of Duty: VanguardSledgehammer GamesActivisionDeathloopArkane StudiosBethesda SoftworksKena: Bridge of SpiritsEmber LabEmber LabResident Evil VillageCapcomCapcom2022 (26th) God of War RagnarökSanta Monica StudioSony Interactive EntertainmentCall of Duty: Modern Warfare IIInfinity WardActivisionHorizon Forbidden WestGuerrilla GamesSony Interactive EntertainmentStrayBlueTwelve StudiosAnnapurna InteractiveThe Callisto ProtocolStriking Distance StudiosKrafton2023 (27th) Alan Wake 2Remedy EntertainmentEpic GamesHogwarts LegacyAvalanche SoftwareWarner Bros. GamesMarvel's Spider-Man 2Insomniac GamesSony Interactive EntertainmentStar Wars Jedi: SurvivorRespawn EntertainmentElectronic ArtsStarfieldBethesda Game StudiosBethesda Softworks2024 (28th) Black Myth: WukongGame ScienceGame ScienceIndiana Jones and the Great CircleMachineGamesBethesda SoftworksLego Horizon Adventures Guerrilla Games, Studio Gobo Sony Interactive EntertainmentThe Plucky SquireAll Possible FuturesDevolver DigitalSenua's Saga: Hellblade IINinja TheoryXbox Game Studios2025 (29th) Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Sandfall InteractiveKepler InteractiveDeath Stranding 2: On the Beach Kojima Productions Sony Interactive EntertainmentDispatch AdHoc Studio AdHoc StudioGhost of Yōtei Sucker Punch Productions Sony Interactive EntertainmentThe Midnight Walk MoonHood Fast Travel Games
Multiple nominations and wins Developers and Publishers Sony has published the most nominees and winners in this category; Sony also has published games with multiple back-to-back wins, yet with different developers. The only other publisher with back-to-back wins has been Square Electronic Arts. Nintendo and Microsoft have published two non-consecutive wins each. Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, Ubisoft, and Square Enix Europe have the distinction of publishing multiple nominees within the same year. Ubisoft is the most nominated publisher without a win in this category (12 nominations, 0 win).
Several of Sony's developing subsidiaries have developed multiple nominees and winners. Insomniac Games has developed the most nominees, but only one of its nominated games has won (Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart). Sony subsidiary Naughty Dog is the studio who has developed the most winners in this category. Sony's second party studios Sucker Punch Productions and Santa Monica Studio, as well as Sony's in-house Japan Studio, have all won this award category twice. The only developer with back-to-back wins has been SquareSoft. Ubisoft Montreal is the most nominated developer without a single win in this category (8 nominations, 0 win).
+ Developer Nominations WinsNaughty Dog 6 3SquareSoft/Square Enix 6 2Japan Studio 4 2Santa Monica Studio 4 2Sucker Punch Productions 4 2Remedy Entertainment 3 2Insomniac Games 10 1Valve 4 1Rare 3 1Media Molecule 2 1Moon Studios 2 1Nintendo EAD/EPD 2 1Ubisoft Montreal 8 0DICE 4 0Infinity Ward 4 0Ninja Theory 4 0Ubisoft Montpellier 4 0LucasArts 3 0Capcom 3 0Guerrilla Games 3 02K Boston/Irrational Games 2 0Arkane Studios 2 0Bethesda Softworks 2 0Kojima Productions 2 0Retro Studios 2 0Treyarch20
+ Publishers Publisher Nominations WinsSony Computer/Interactive Entertainment 40 12Electronic Arts 12 2Microsoft/Xbox Game Studios 11 2Nintendo 8 2SquareSoft/Square Enix 5 2Rockstar Games 2 1Ubisoft 12 0Activision 7 0LucasArts 4 02K Games 3 0Bandai Namco Entertainment 3 0Bethesda Softworks 3 0Capcom 3 0Devolver Digital 20Oddworld Inhabitants 2 0Sierra On-Line 2 0Square Enix Europe 2 0Valve 2 0
Franchises The most nominated franchises are Call of Duty (six nominations) and Final Fantasy (five nominations). Final Fantasy, God of War, and Uncharted are the only franchises to have won more than once. The Call of Duty franchise has not won any award in this category despite receiving the most nominations.