Sonic the Hedgehog left The Game Awards 2025 without wins or new announcements, deflating fan expectations after weeks of speculation about a major video game reveal.

Zoom in: SEGA made no Sonic-related announcements during the show. Its only major presence was tied to a Total War reveal marking that series' 25th anniversary.

  • Sonic Racing CrossWorlds was nominated for Best Family Game and Best Racing Game. Both awards went to Nintendo titles, Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World.
    • Some viewers noted a positive crowd reaction when CrossWorlds was mentioned for Best Racing Game, followed by audible disappointment when Mario Kart World was named the winner.
  • Sonic Rumble was nominated for Best Mobile Game but lost to Umamusume: Pretty Derby, a result widely expected given the latter's popularity.
  • But hey, Mega Man's back.

Between the lines: Anticipation was high due to Sonic's history with the show, including the 2021 unveiling of Frontiers.

  • Sonic creative officer Takashi Iizuka was spotted in the audience, further fueling speculation.

What they're saying: Social media manager Katie Chrznowski sought to reassure fans after the event.

  • "We've had several amazing years at Sonic and we're gearing up for more, please stay tuned until we're ready to share," she said in a social media post.

The big picture: The lack of awards or announcements did little to slow the franchise down.

  • Sonic is coming off a strong 2025 that included the release of its third feature film, new game launches in CrossWorlds and Sonic Rumble, and multiple third-party collaborations.