Wednesday, 28 August 2024 - The Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) has announced the finalists for the 2024 Australian Game Developer Awards (The AGDAs). The field is led by Game of the Year nominees CONSCRIPT (six nominations, Catchweight Studio), Diets & Deities (four nominations, Larrikin Interactive) and KILL KNIGHT (four nominations, PlaySide Studios).
The AGDAs will be celebrated on 9 October 2024, 18:30 AEDT at The Forum Melbourne, as part of Melbourne International Games Week celebrations. The event will also be live-streamed on the IGEA Twitch channel. This year’s game awards span 12 categories, highlighting the contributions of Australia’s local talent to a global industry.
“This year’s The AGDAs finalists demonstrate the continued originality and creativity of Australian game developers,” said Ron Curry, CEO of IGEA. “In spite of global industry trends, Australian game studios continue to produce excellent games that will continue to enhance their reputation worldwide.”
“State and federal government funding across Australia has helped many of this year’s finalists develop their games. Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and the North Territory are all represented, with some great projects in development in other jurisdictions. We are thrilled to see a great mix of experienced and emerging developers in Australia producing successful, original IP and the Australian games ecosystem expanding. The AGDAs continue to be a wonderful celebration of the world-class talent in this country,” said Curry.
This year’s Game of the Year nominees showcase the unique creativity on display in Australian studios. CONSCRIPT, by solo developer Jordan Mochi, Catchweight Studio, is a survival horror game about a lone French soldier in the trenches of World War One. Diets & Deities, by Larrikin Interactive, is a rhythm cooking game about a deity who must dance and dodge their way through forgotten cultures, move to the beat, and eat their weight in long-lost dishes. KILL KNIGHT, developed by PlaySide Studios, is an ultra-responsive arcade-inspired isometric action shooter where players wield an arsenal of devastating weaponry to obliterate swarms of otherworldly horrors.
IGEA is delighted to see the return of Gemma Driscoll and Harry Jun, presenters and producers at ABC Gamer, as the 2024 AGDAs hosts. Tickets to attend The AGDAs can be purchased here. Games Connect Asia Pacific ticket holders also receive entry to The AGDAs.
This year has been one of the closest judging processes in the event’s history. IGEA believes in a transparent and fair judging system, click here to learn more about how we strive to achieve this.
The AGDAs 2024 Finalists
Excellence in Art – Sponsored by Ultimate Studio
CONSCRIPT by Catchweight Studio (VIC)
KILL KNIGHT by PlaySide Studios (VIC)
Wild Bastards by Blue Manchu, Maximum Entertainment (ACT)
Excellence in Gameplay
Capes by Spitfire Interactive, Daedalic Entertainment (QLD)
Max Mustard by Toast Interactive (QLD)
Wild Bastards by Blue Manchu, Maximum Entertainment (ACT)
Excellence in Narrative
Capes by Spitfire Interactive, Daedalic Entertainment (QLD)
CONSCRIPT by Catchweight Studio (VIC)
The Ruby Court by Dana McKay (VIC)
Excellence in Sound Design – Sponsored by APRA AMCOS
CONSCRIPT by Catchweight Studio (VIC)
Cozy Caravan by 5 Lives Studios, Supertonic (QLD)
KILL KNIGHT by PlaySide Studios (VIC)
Excellence in Music – Sponsored by APRA AMCOS
Crab God by Chaos Theory Games, Firesquid (NSW)
Diets & Deities by Larrikin Interactive (NT)
KILL KNIGHT by PlaySide Studios (VIC)
Excellence in Accessibility – Presented by VicScreen
Bears In Space by Broadside Games, Ravenscourt (QLD)
CONSCRIPT by Catchweight Studio (VIC)
Diets & Deities by Larrikin Interactive (NT)
Excellence in Mobile
Dumb Ways to Survive by Playside Studio, Netflix Games (VIC)
Earn to Die Rogue by Not Doppler (NSW)
Tingus Goose - Weird Idle Game by Sweaty Chair (NSW)
Excellence in Mixed Reality
Max Mustard by Toast Interactive (QLD)
Neon Squad Tactics by Tin Man Games (VIC)
Umurangi Generation VR by ORIGAME DIGITAL (VIC)
Excellence in Impact
Beyond Blue VR by Chaos Theory Games, E-line Media (NSW)
Crab God by Chaos Theory Games, Firesquid (NSW)
Diets & Deities by Larrikin Interactive (NT)
Excellence in Emerging– Sponsored by Screen Queensland
Catto’s Post Office by In Shambles Studio (QLD)
CONSCRIPT by Catchweight Studio (VIC)
Pond Scum by Universal Weebs Unlimited PTY LTD (VIC)
Excellence in Live Service – Sponsored by Sledgehammer Games
Crossy Road by Hipster Whale (VIC)
RISK: Global Domination by SMG Studio (NSW)
The Sims FreePlay by EA Firemonkeys Studio (VIC)
Game of the Year
CONSCRIPT by Catchweight Studio (VIC)
Diets & Deities by Larrikin Interactive (NT)
KILL KNIGHT by PlaySide Studios (VIC)