As many anticipated, the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards went to a popular AAA title: Astro Bot, a choice that felt both safe and well-deserved. However, amidst this familiar territory, Balatro, the standout roguelike deck-builder from indie developer LocalThunk, emerged as a serious contender. Despite not clinching the top prize at TGAs, Balatro didn’t go unnoticed; it excelled in the indie categories and dominated the stage at the 2024 Indie Game Awards, where it truly shone by winning the coveted Game of the Year award.
Fortunately, the 2024 Indie Game Awards, which gathered votes from a mix of publications, indie influencers, and industry experts, managed to spotlight several other remarkable games that The Game Awards had overlooked. This opened the door for well-deserved recognition for titles like 1000xResist, Animal Well, and Thank Goodness You’re Here. (Though, the consistent snubbing of UFO 50 raised quite a few eyebrows!)
For those who find themselves unimpressed by the blockbuster-favoring outcomes at TGAs, the list of winners from the Indie Game Awards is a breath of fresh air. Here’s a look at the celebrated titles:
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Game of the Year: Balatro (Playstack)
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Best Debut Game: Little Kitty, Big City (Double Dagger Studio)
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Accessibility: Another Crab’s Treasure (Aggro Crab)
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Visual Design: Harold Halibut (Slow Bros.)
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Best Music: Pacific Drive (Ironwood Studios)
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Bite-sized Game: Thank Goodness You’re Here (Coal Supper)
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Solo Development: Animal Well (Billy Basso)
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Innovation: Cryptmaster (Akupara Games)
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Emotional Impact: Neva (Nomada Studio)
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Gameplay Design: Balatro (Local Thunk)
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Community Management: Aggro Crab
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Women-led Game: Mexico, 1921: a Deep Slumber (Mácula Interactive)
- Narrative: 1000xResist (Sunset Visitor)
This assortment of winners genuinely showcases the talent and creativity flourishing within the indie game scene. Each title here represents a unique voice and vision, proving that innovation is alive and well, fueling a rich and diverse gaming landscape.
