FOR BUSINESS | gamescom: 21.–25.08.2024 ONL: 20.08.2024

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The award for the best games of the year

gamescom award

gamescom award Logo

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.

Discover the winners & nominees for this years gamescom award:

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.

Best Visuals

Black Myth: Wukong

WINNER

Black Myth: Wukong

Game Science Interactive Technology

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

From Software / Bandai Namco Entertainment

REKA

REKA

Emberstorm Entertainment / Fireshine Games

Sand Land

Sand Land

ILCA, Inc. / Bandai Namco Entertainment

The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo

The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo

Gammera Nest / Meridiem Games

Best Audio

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

WINNER

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Nintendo

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

From Software / Bandai Namco Entertainment

Headbangers: Rhythm Royale

Headbangers: Rhythm Royale

Glee-Cheese / Team17 Digital

REKA

REKA

Emberstorm Entertainment / Fireshine Games

Savant - Ascent REMIX

Savant - Ascent REMIX

D-Pad Studio

Best Gameplay

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

WINNER

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Nintendo

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

From Software / Bandai Namco Entertainment

Paper Trail

Paper Trail

Newfangled Games

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew

Mimimi Games

The Wandering Village

The Wandering Village

Stray Fawn Studio

Most Entertaining

PAYDAY 3

WINNER

PAYDAY 3

Starbreeze Studios / Plaion

AK-xolotl

AK-xolotl

2Awesome Studio / Playstack

Core Keeper

Core Keeper

Pugstorm / Fireshine Games

Headbangers: Rhythm Royale

Headbangers: Rhythm Royale

Glee-Cheese / Team17 Digital

Pizza Possum

Pizza Possum

Cosy Computer / Raw Fury

Most Epic

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

WINNER

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Nintendo

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

From Software / Bandai Namco Entertainment

Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong

Game Science Interactive Technology

Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress

Bay 12 Games / Kitfox Games

Sand Land

Sand Land

ILCA / Bandai Namco Entertainment

Most Wholesome

Pikmin 4

WINNER

Pikmin 4

Nintendo

Pioneers of Pagonia

Pioneers of Pagonia

Envision Entertainment

Smushi Come Home

Smushi Come Home

Mooneye Publishing

The Wandering Village

The Wandering Village

Stray Fawn Studio

Tiny Bookshop

Tiny Bookshop

neoludic games

Games for Impact

Sky: Children of the Light

WINNER

Sky: Children of the Light

thatgamecompany

A Space for the Unbound

A Space for the Unbound

Mojiken / Toge Productions

Belonging

Belonging

Farbspiel Interactive

Dead Pets Unleashed

Dead Pets Unleashed

Triple Topping Games

Fall of Porcupine

Fall of Porcupine

Critical Rabbit / Assemble Entertainment

Best Microsoft Xbox Game

Mortal Kombat 1

WINNER

Mortal Kombat 1

NetherRealm Studios / Warner Bros. Entertainment

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

From Software / Bandai Namco Entertainment

Enotria: The Last Song

Enotria: The Last Song

Jyamma Games

The Wandering Village

The Wandering Village

Stray Fawn Studio

Towerborne

Towerborne

Stoic / Xbox Game Studios

Best Nintendo Switch Game

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

WINNER

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Nintendo

Fall of Porcupine

Fall of Porcupine

Critical Rabbit / Assemble Entertainment

Figment 2: Creed Valley

Figment 2: Creed Valley

Bedtime Digital Games

Paper Trail

Paper Trail

Newfangled Games

The Smurfs 2 - The Prisoner of the Green Stone

The Smurfs 2 - The Prisoner of the Green Stone

Osome Studio / Microids

Best PC Game

PAYDAY 3

WINNER

PAYDAY 3

Starbreeze Studios / Plaion

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

From Software / Bandai Namco Entertainment

Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress

12 Games / Kitfox Games

REKA

REKA

Emberstorm Entertainment / Fireshine Games

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew

Mimimi Games

Best Sony PlayStation Game

Tekken 8

WINNER

Tekken 8

Bandai Namco Entertainment

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

From Software / Bandai Namco Entertainment

Enotria: The Last Song

Enotria: The Last Song

Jyamma Games

Mortal Kombat 1

Mortal Kombat 1

NetherRealm Studios / Warner Bros. Entertainment

Sand Land

Sand Land

ILCA / Bandai Namco Entertainment

Best Mobile Game

Sky: Children of the Light

WINNER

Sky: Children of the Light

thatgamecompany

Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact

HoYoverse

Marvel Snap

Marvel Snap

Second Dinner Studios / Nuverse

Monster Hunter Now

Monster Hunter Now

Niantic / Capcom

Paper Trail

Paper Trail

Newfangled Games

gamescom Global Awards

Little Nightmares 3

WINNER

Best Announcement

Little Nightmares 3

Supermassive Games / Bandai Namco Entertainment

Bandai Namco Entertainment

WINNER

Best of Show Floor

Bandai Namco Entertainment

GAME:IN

WINNER

HEART OF GAMING Award

GAME:IN

Xbox

WINNER

gamescom Green Studio of the Year

Xbox

Categories

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.

"Arts" Group

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.

Best Visuals

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.

Best Audio

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.

Best Gameplay

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.

Most Entertaining

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.

Most Epic

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.

Most Wholesome

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

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.

"Platform" Group

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.

Best Microsoft Xbox Game

The jury and community will award the best game for the Microsoft Xbox at gamescom 2023.

Best Nintendo Switch Game

The jury and community will award the best game for the Nintendo Switch at gamescom 2023.

Best PC Game

The jury and community will award the best game for PC at gamescom 2023.

Best Sony PlayStation Game

The jury and community will award the best game for the Sony PlayStation at gamescom 2023.

Best Mobile Game

The jury and community will award the best mobile game (typically iOS and/or Android) at gamescom 2023.

"Global" Group

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.

Best Trailer/Announcement

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.

Best of Show Floor

In this category, the most compelling booth presentation in the entertainment area is honored.

HEART OF GAMING award

Any gamescom highlight is eligible for this extraordinary award: not only games, add-ons, and technologies, but also people, institutions, companies, concepts, or terms.

Procedure and Deadlines

  • From July 10, 2023 to July 28, 2023, game developers can submit their games for the different categories of the gamescom award.
  • The jury will nominate five favorites in each category. The evaluation is based on a points system.
  • The nominees will be announced on August 21, 2023 in a press release and here on the gamescom award page.
  • The nominees for the category groups are chosen by the jury. The winners are determined through a combined vote of the jury and the audience.
  • The winners will be announced live during the award show on August 25, 2023.

The Jury

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.

The gamescom award is presented by:

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Take a look at the winners of recent years:

Contact and Press

  • Benjamin Rostalski

    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

    Write an e-mail

  • Tobias Lo Coco

    Tobias Lo Coco Submission Support gamescom award
    c/o Stiftung Digitale Spielekultur gGmbH

    Tel. +49 30 23 62 58 94 17

    Write an e-mail

Press information

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.

Info for Press & Creator