[Event News] Develop:Star Awards 2026: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yōtei Lead Nominations Ahead of Industry Voting

Why It Matters

The awards serve as a peer‑validated benchmark of creative and technical excellence, shaping studio reputations and influencing investment and marketing decisions across the games sector.

Key Takeaways

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yōtei each have six nominations
• Develop:Star Awards adds new Best Ongoing Game category
• Sony leads studio nominations with Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yōtei
• Early‑bird tickets discount up to £400 ($508) ends June 3
• Winners announced July 15 at Develop:Brighton ceremony

Pulse Analysis

The Develop:Star Awards, hosted by Tandem Events during the annual Develop:Brighton conference, have released their 2026 shortlists across 18 categories. Industry peers in the Develop:Brighton community can cast votes until 3 June, with the ceremony slated for 15 July. The awards have become a barometer for creative excellence in game development, offering studios a platform to showcase technical prowess, narrative depth, and artistic innovation. By crowdsourcing the winners, the event reflects the collective judgment of developers, publishers, and service providers rather than a single jury.

Two titles dominate the conversation: Sandfall Interactive’s *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* and Sucker Punch’s *Ghost of Yōtei*, each securing six nominations, including Best Game, Best Visual Art, and Best Narrative. Sony Interactive Entertainment leads studio nominations, buoyed by *Death Stranding 2: On The Beach* and the *Ghost of Yōtei* partnership, underscoring the publisher’s continued influence. Notably, the ceremony introduces a Best Ongoing Game category, acknowledging the financial clout of live‑service titles such as *FINAL FANTASY XIV Online* and *Rust*. This shift mirrors the industry’s pivot toward sustained revenue models.

The outcomes will affect marketing strategies and talent recruitment for the coming year. Studios that earn nominations often see heightened visibility, which can translate into stronger publisher deals and investor confidence. Early‑bird tickets, discounted by up to £400 (approximately $508), encourage attendance, fostering networking at the three‑course dinner and after‑party. As the awards spotlight both established powerhouses and emerging indie talent, they also signal which creative directions—such as immersive storytelling and technical innovation—are resonating with peers, guiding future development pipelines.