The SXSW Gaming Awards celebrate the year’s most impressive new titles as judged on specific elements of this genre (such as art, audio, design, narrative, gameplay, cultural innovation, and more).

New releases are invited to apply in one or more categories. All Gaming Awards entries are reviewed and graded by SXSW staff on a set of criteria ranging from originality to innovation to ability to move this industry forward.

Winners of the 2023 SXSW Gaming Awards are honored at a fun-filled ceremony that occurs on the evening of Sunday, March 12. As in previous years, this ceremony will be streamed to maximize viewership.

Stay tuned for more 2023 SXSW Gaming Awards application information coming in August.

The Gaming Awards are open for entry from August to December of each year. All entries must be completed titles released during that calendar year.

Once all entries are received, the judging process will begin for SXSW staff and an advisory board. Once the judging process concludes, SXSW will announce the final nominees for each category in February. View previous winners.

Video Game of the Year

Awarded to the game that exemplifies overall excellence and creates a distinct gaming experience across all platforms and genres.

Winner:

Indie Game of the Year

Awarded to the indie game that exemplifies overall excellence and creates a distinct gaming experience across all platforms and genres.

Winner:

Tabletop Game of the Year

Awarded to the game that exemplifies overall excellence and ingenuity of any tabletop game in any genre.

Winner:

VR Game of the Year

Awarded to the VR game that exemplifies overall excellence in gameplay and design across any VR platform.

Winner:

Matthew Crump Cultural Innovation Award

Awarded to the game that best challenges the “norm” of everyday gaming and offers a culturally innovative view of a game world, character, or gameplay.

Winner:

Excellence in Animation, Art, & Visual Achievement

Awarded to the game with the most well-designed and stunning visuals, including animation effects and graphics.

Winner:

Excellence in Game Design

Awarded to the game with the best overall design concept, gameplay mechanics, and best execution.

Winner:

Excellence in Score

Awarded to the game that best exemplifies artistic excellence in musical score and how it progresses the narrative of the game.

Winner:

Excellence in Multiplayer

Awarded to the game with the best player-to-player interaction experience.

Winner:

Excellence in Narrative

Awarded to the game with the best storyline and dialogue.

Winner:

Excellence in Audio Design

Awarded to the game with the most outstanding and impactful sound effects.

Winner:

Excellence in Technical Achievement

Awarded to the game that pushed the capabilities of technology and programming furthest or most effectively.

Winner:

Congrats to all 2022 SXSW Gaming Awards recipients!

Game of the Year

Awarded to the game that exemplifies overall excellence and creates a distinct gaming experience across all platforms and genres.

Nominees

Indie Game of the Year

Awarded to the indie game that exemplifies overall excellence and creates a distinct gaming experience across all platforms and genres.

Nominees

Tabletop Game of the Year

Awarded to the game that exemplifies overall excellence and ingenuity of any tabletop game in any genre.

Nominees

VR Game of the Year

Awarded to the game that exemplifies overall excellence in gameplay and design across any VR platform.

Nominees

Matthew Crump Cultural Innovation Award

Awarded to the game that best challenges the “norm” of everyday gaming and offers a culturally innovative view of a game world, character, or gameplay.

Nominees

Excellence in Animation, Art, & Visual Achievement

Awarded to the game with well-designed and stunning visuals including animation effects and graphics.

Nominees

Excellence in Game Design

Awarded to the game with the best overall design concept, gameplay mechanics, and best execution.

Nominees

Excellence in Score

Awarded to the game that best exemplifies artistic excellence in musical score and how it progresses the narrative of the game.

Nominees

Excellence in Multiplayer

Awarded to the game with the best player-to-player interaction experience.

Nominees

Excellence in Narrative

Awarded to the game with the best storyline and dialogue.

Nominees

Excellence in Audio Design

Awarded to the game with the most outstanding and impactful sound effects.

Nominees

Excellence in Technical Achievement

Awarded to the game that pushed the capabilities of technology and programming furthest or most effectively.

Nominees