Every year, amazing new games are presented at gamescom. In terms of craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation the game developers deserve recognition for their achievements – that's why we honor the best new games presented at gamescom as well as other highlights of the show with the gamescom award in 16 categories.
The winners of the award are determined by both an expert jury of gaming professionals and the community.
Join us to experience the best computer, console, and online games, the most epic announcements and reveals, the most entertaining streams and the most innovative new releases – get ready for the gamescom award 2023!
About the Award
Every year, the gamescom award ceremony is organized by the Digital Gaming Culture Foundation as part of gamescom. The gaming award honors outstanding games, expansions, exhibitors, announcements, and trailers that are presented at gamescom 2023.
The winners of the gamescom awards 2023 have been announced. On Friday, August 25th, the coveted gamescom awards were presented in a total of 15 categories at the gamescom studio powered by IGN. The gamescom Green Studio of the Year Award was already awarded Tuesday evening and was received by Head of Xbox Phil Spence during the Opening Night Live.
The gamescom award selects the event's highlights in 16 categories overall, divided into the groups Arts, Platform, Global and the gamescom Green Studio of the Year award. Game producers can apply for one or more categories from the Arts and Platform groups.
The category group "Arts" honors games that are selected from submissions and are nominated by the jury and decided through a joint vote of the jury and the community.
Games in the "Best Visuals" category are characterized by outstanding graphics, aesthetic design, and impressive visual effects. The category recognizes games that are visually impressive and provide a more immersive and captivating gaming experience.
The "Best Audio" category awards digital games that demonstrate outstanding achievements in sound design, including sound effects, dialogue, and musical composition, creating a particularly immersive audio experience.
Games in the "Best Gameplay " category stand out for their exceptional player experience, which is both entertaining and challenging. It recognizes games that offer innovative gameplay mechanics, smooth controls, and a balanced blend of challenge and enjoyment.
Titles submitted for this category excel in providing an engaging and entertaining gaming experience. This category recognizes games that captivate and enthrall players in special ways such as exciting storytelling, humorous elements, or captivating gameplay.
The "Most Epic" game is characterized by an unrivaled sense of grandeur, scope, and awe-inspiring experiences. This category brings together games that captivate players with epic narratives, breathtaking graphics, and intense gameplay, leaving a lasting impact that resonates long after the game is over.
Games submitted for the "Most Wholesome" category shine in creating a particularly positive and loving atmosphere, providing players with a sense of warmth and joy. These games are also distinguished by their inspiring stories, charming characters, and uplifting messages.
Games for Impact are video games that convey a significant social, political, or cultural message and contribute to raising awareness or promoting positive changes in society. These games harness the power of the medium to address socially relevant issues and encourage players to reflect and take action.
Some award categories are based on the platform for which the games were developed: Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, Sony PlayStation, or mobile platforms such as iOS and Android. Submissions are nominated by the jury, and the winners are determined through a combined vote of the jury and the community.
The jury and community will award the best game for the Microsoft Xbox at gamescom 2023.
The jury and community will award the best game for the Nintendo Switch at gamescom 2023.
The jury and community will award the best game for PC at gamescom 2023.
The jury and community will award the best game for the Sony PlayStation at gamescom 2023.
The jury and community will award the best mobile game (typically iOS and/or Android) at gamescom 2023.
The Global category group recognizes exhibitors at gamescom 2023 who impress with the best trailer, announcement, or booth presentation. Additionally, the HEART OF GAMING award is presented as a special prize by the jury.
Fans and visitors of gamescom, as well as the jury, vote on the coolest game trailer or the best game announcement during gamescom. The options for voting include all trailers and announcements showcased during gamescom: Opening Night Live.
In this category, the most compelling booth presentation in the entertainment area is honored.
Any gamescom highlight is eligible for this extraordinary award: not only games, add-ons, and technologies, but also people, institutions, companies, concepts, or terms.
The submissions for the gamescom award are evaluated by an independent and internationally composed jury, who nominate the favorites. Fans and visitors of gamescom then have the opportunity to vote on-site and remotely to determine their favorites among the nominees.
Among others, the jury includes representatives of German and international media and social media companies, industry representatives, representatives of gaming communities, testers from the German Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), and journalists.
Benjamin Rostalski
Director Award Office gamescom award
c/o Stiftung Digitale Spielekultur gGmbH
Tel. +49 30 23 62 58 94 14
Mobil +49 173 4826862
Tobias Lo Coco
Submission Support gamescom award
c/o Stiftung Digitale Spielekultur gGmbH
Tel. +49 30 23 62 58 94 17
Do you have any questions about entering in the gamescom award, or do you need a press kit for your coverage? You can find all the information here.
