The SXSW Gaming Awards entry process opens on October 20. Sign up to receive important SXSW updates.

The SXSW Gaming Awards honor excellence throughout the industry, celebrating the talents that influence and advance the medium and culture of gaming.

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For more information on the SXSW Gaming Awards, please reach out to gaming@sxsw.com.

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The Gaming Awards are open for entry from October 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.

Mark your calendar — the 2021 SXSW Gaming Awards winners announcement will then take place during SXSW Online: A Digital Experience from March 16–20, 2021.

View the full list of previous winners.

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.