The IGEA has announced the finalists for the 2023 Australian Game Developer Awards across the 13 categories, as well as the nominees for the four Career and Culture awards.
The AGDAs are set to be held on October 4, 6:30pm AEDT at the Forum Melbourne, as a part of Melbourne International Games Week celebrations. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live streamed on the IGEA Twitch channel.
On the event, Ron Curry, CEO of IGEA said the following. “Every year we come together to celebrate local talent and lift them onto the pedestal that they deserve. IGEA is proud of the Australian video games industry and its contribution to the local economy. The AGDAs are our chance to celebrate the creativity and technical capabilities of the teams and individuals making world class games right here in Australia and enjoyed all over the world. This is my favourite event of the year.”
You can find the finalists below.
Excellence in ART
- Gubbins by Studio Folly
- Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical by Summerfall Studios
- The Master’s Pupil by Pat Naoum
Excellence in GAMEPLAY
- Moving Out 2 by SMG Studio, Team17
- Phantom Abyss by Team WIBY
- Vactics by The Lemur Conspiracy
Excellence in NARRATIVE
- Amarantus by ub4q
- Frog Detective 3: Corruption at Cowboy County by Worm Club
- Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical by Summerfall Studios
Excellence in SOUND DESIGN
- Gubbins by Studio Folly
- KILLBUG by Samurai Punk
- Vactics by The Lemur Conspiracy
Excellence in MUSIC
- Frog Detective 3: Corruption at Cowboy County by Worm Club
- Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical by Summerfall Studios
- Vactics by The Lemur Conspiracy
Excellence in TECHNICAL DESIGN
- Moving Out 2 by SMG Studio, Team17
- My Little Pony: Mane Merge by Gameloft Brisbane
- Phantom Abyss by Team WIBY
Excellence in ACCESSIBILITY
- Moving Out 2 by SMG Studio, Team17
- Spin Rhythm XD by Super Spin Digital
- Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical by Summerfall Studios
Excellence in EMERGING GAMES
- Final Profit: A Shop RPG by Brent Arnold
- Partum Artifex by DalaKoala Games
- Rooftop Renegade by Melonhead Games
Excellence in IMPACTFUL GAMES
- Earthlingo by Earthlingo
- Sometimes by Elliot Cox
- The Flying Canoe by Threshold
Excellence in MOBILE GAMES
- Gubbins by Studio Folly
- My Little Pony: Mane Merge by Gameloft Brisbane
- Words Collide by Lamington Games
Excellence in AR/VR Games
- Espire 2: Stealth Operatives by Digital Lode Immersive Media
- Sea of Islands by PHORIA, United Nations DPPA
- Spatial Fusion by PHORIA, Meta, Lusion, Zelig Sound
Excellence in ONGOING Games
- Crossy Road Castle by Hipster Whale
- Kinder World by Lumi Interactive
- Wylde Flowers by Studio Drydock
GAME OF THE YEAR
- Gubbins by Studio Folly
- Moving Out 2 by SMG Studio, Team17
- Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical by Summerfall Studios
- Vactics by The Lemur Conspiracy
Congratulations to all the finalists. With such a strong list of winners to choose from, whoever takes home the trophy will no doubt be a worthy recipient.
Have you played any of these Aussie-made games this year? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
Despite a childhood playing survival horrors, point and clicks and beat ’em ups, these days Zach tries to convince people that Homefront: The Revolution is a good game while pining for a sequel to The Order: 1886 and a live-action Treasure Planet film. Carlton, Burnley FC & SJ Sharks fan. Get around him on Twitter @tightinthejorts
