Published on October 2nd, 2024 | by Adrian Gunning
SXSW SYDNEY 2024 Games & Screen Awards
With under two weeks to go until SXSW Sydney officially lands in Darling Harbour, the Games Festival is excited to release its shortlist for the 2024 Games & Screen Awards.
The Awards honour standout indie games from the festival’s showcase, recognising excellence in mechanical design, gameplay, narrative, and creative direction.
Below is a summary of all the shortlisted awards and you can see videos for all games here, which you are welcome to share.
Here are the nominees for 2025:
Best International Game
This award highlights an exceptional game created by a team outside Australia and New Zealand, and celebrates standout achievements from international developers.
Shortlist includes:
-
Until Then – Polychroma Games
-
Airborne Empire – The Wandering Band
-
1000 x RESIST – Sunset Visitor 斜陽過客
-
Botany Manor – Balloon Studios
-
Boxes: Lost Fragments – Big Loop Studios
Discovery Award
The Discovery Award honours a remarkable title from emerging developers or new studios featured in the SXSW Sydney Games Showcase.
Shortlist includes:
-
Death of the Reprobate – Joe Richardson Games
-
No Case Should Remain Unsolved – Somi
-
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure – Furniture & Mattress
-
Dungeon Clawler – Stray Fawn Studios
-
Wax Heads – Patattie Games
Game of the Year
The SXSW Sydney Game of the Year celebrates the highest achievement in outstanding artistry and design. It honours a title that blends technical skill with creative brilliance into a remarkable experience
Shortlist includes:
-
INDIKA – Odd Meter Games
-
Demonschool – Necrosoft Games
-
Arco -Franek, Max Cahill, Bibiki, Fáyer
-
Crab God – Chaos Theory Games
-
The Many Pieces of Mr Coo – Nacho Rodríguez
Join us at Fortress Sydney on Saturday, 19 October at 7pm where we will crown the winners.
On this evening we will also have three other award categories for games, including
-
People’s Choice Award – People’s Choice Award voting will open on 14 October 2024 and close 19 October 2024 where you can vote for your favourite game in the showcase.
-
Tabletop Award – This award celebrates a predominantly non-digital game, such as card games, board games, and roleplaying games, that excels in thoughtful design and offers a compelling solo or social experience.
-
Best Student Game – This award celebrates a student game featured in the Student Showcase, recognising the creativity, innovation, and dedication of emerging developers.