So here I am, a humble gamer, watching the 2026 Game Awards season unfold, and the biggest drama isn't about who's winning—it's about who's not even showing up. Team Cherry, the brilliant, patient minds behind the long-awaited and finally released Hollow Knight: Silksong, have basically looked at the glittering stage, shrugged, and said, "Nah, we're good." Their reasoning? They, along with what seems like the entire gaming community, are already convinced that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has the Game of the Year trophy on lock. It's like showing up to a race where everyone already knows Usain Bolt is going to win. Why bother with the awkward small talk?

Let's rewind a bit. Silksong had a mountain of hype to climb. After years of radio silence and eager anticipation that rivaled the wait for, say, GTA 6 or the mythical Half-Life 3, it finally launched in 2025. And you know what? The darn thing actually stuck the landing. It was a critical and fan darling, a masterclass in metroidvania design that proved the wait was worth it. Fast forward to the 2026 awards (honoring 2025's games), and it rightfully earned a nomination alongside other heavyweights like Hades 2, Death Stranding 2, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. A true "bangers only" lineup.

But then, the plot twist. When Bloomberg cornered Team Cherry's co-founder, William Pellen, and asked if the team was packing their bags for LA, he dropped the most casually confident line of the year: "Maybe not. We’re pretty busy." Busy doing what, you ask? Well, apparently, busy working on more Silksong content instead of practicing their "I'd like to thank the Academy" face. The audacity! The sheer, beautiful, antisocial genius of it!

The interviewer, probably sensing a story, pressed further: Had they at least pre-recorded an acceptance speech, just in case? Pellen's response was the equivalent of a mic drop. He called the result a "foregone conclusion" and declared Expedition 33 the surefire winner. "This year I think we’re safe. I think Expedition 33," he said. "It’s exceptional and broadly palatable. Whereas we’re on that knife’s edge, where it appeals to some and infuriates others."

And you know what? He's not wrong. Let's break down the cold, hard facts of this virtual popularity contest:

Pellen hit the nail on the head. Silksong is a game for a certain type of masochist—I mean, enthusiast. 😉 You either embrace the brutal, beautiful dance of its combat or you throw your controller in frustration. Expedition 33, while no casual stroll, managed to craft an experience that captured a wider audience without sacrificing depth. It became the cultural touchstone of the year. In the arena of public voting and broad critical consensus, that's the golden ticket.

So, what does this mean for the awards show? Well, it means we might have the most predictable GOTY announcement in recent memory. The other nominees are probably sitting there, sipping their drinks, thinking, "Yeah, fair." It also sets a hilarious precedent: the ultimate power move is not campaigning for an award, but openly endorsing your competitor because you respect the game—and the inevitable outcome—that much.

Part of me admires Team Cherry's stance immensely. It's a blend of self-awareness, respect for a fellow developer's achievement, and a refreshing lack of ego. They made their art, it's out in the world being loved, and now they're back in the cave (cherry tree?) doing what they do best: making more of it. The awards circuit is just noise to them. The real prize is the game itself and the players exploring Hallownest... err, Pharloom.

On the other hand, a tiny, dramatic part of me is screaming for an upset. Imagine the host opening the envelope and saying "...and the winner is... Hollow Knight: Silksong!" The camera cuts to an empty seat at Team Cherry's table. The trophy just sits there, lonely. Their pre-recorded "busy working" message plays on the big screen. The chaos! The memes! It would be iconic.

But let's be real. Pellen is almost certainly right. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will likely take the crown. And you know what? That's okay. In a year stacked with incredible sequels and new IPs, the fact that we can have this conversation—that the competition feels so stiff a nominee bows out gracefully—is a testament to how strong 2025 was for games. We all win for getting to play these masterpieces.

So, on December 10th, 2026, when the music swells and the winner is announced, I'll be thinking of the developers at Team Cherry. Not in LA, but probably at their desks, deep in the zone, crafting some new nightmare for me to lovingly overcome. And honestly? I respect that more than any trophy. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go fail a boss fight for the 50th time. Some traditions are sacred. 🗡️🪲