Game of the Year – Awarded to the game that exemplifies overall excellence and creates a distinct gaming experience across all platforms and genres.
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.
Tabletop Game of the Year – Awarded to the game that exemplifies overall excellence and ingenuity of any tabletop game in any genre.
VR Game of the Year – Awarded to the game that exemplifies overall excellence in gameplay and design across any VR platform.
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.
Excellence in Animation, Art, & Visual Achievement – Awarded to the game with well-designed and stunning visuals including animation effects and graphics.
Excellence in Game Design – Awarded to the game with the best overall design concept, gameplay mechanics, and best execution.
Excellence in Score – Awarded to the game that best exemplifies artistic excellence in musical score and how it progresses the narrative of the game.
Excellence in Multiplayer – Awarded to the game with the best player-to-player interaction experience.
Excellence in Narrative – Awarded to the game with the best storyline and dialogue.
Excellence in Audio Design – Awarded to the game with the most outstanding and impactful sound effects.
Excellence in Technical Achievement – Awarded to the game that pushed the capabilities of technology and programming furthest or most effectively.