Indie Game Awards 2024: Nominees Announced Across 15 Categories

The inaugural Indie Game Awards has officially unveiled its nominees for 2024, recognizing standout achievements in independent gaming.

The awards span 15 categories, including Game of the Year, Debut Game, Bite-Sized Game, and Solo Development, ensuring a broad representation of the diverse indie scene.

Organized by Six One Indie, known for its Six One Indie Showcase, the awards shine a light on games that may not have received attention at larger mainstream events, such as The Game Awards, whose nominees were announced earlier this week.

How the Nominees Were Selected

According to the awards’ official website, the nominees were chosen by a panel of professionals and media outlets specializing in indie games. This includes organizations like Women-Led Games, Latin American Games Showcase, Wholesome Games, The Indie Informer, and MinnMax, alongside other notable entities such as Giant Bomb, Spawn on Me, and Playcrafting.

The Indie Game Awards 2024 ceremony will take place on December 19 at 7 p.m. EST, with a livestream accessible globally via YouTube.

The Indie Game Awards 2024 All Nominees

Debut Game

Celebrating the innovation and creativity of a studio’s first commercial release.

• Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure (Furniture & Mattress)
• Lil’ Guardsman (Hilltop Games)
• Little Kitty, Big City (Double Dagger Studio)
• Loddlenaut (Moon Lagoon)
• MULLET MADJACK (HAMMER95)
• Worldless (Noname Studios)

Notable Achievement in Accessibility

Honoring games that prioritize inclusivity through thoughtful adjustments and equitable experiences.

• Another Crab’s Treasure (AggroCrab)
• Elsie (Knight Shift Games)
• Periphery Synthetic (shiftBacktick)
• Pine Hearts (Hyper Luminal Games)
• SteamWorld Heist II (Thunderful Development)
• Surmount (Jasper Oprel and Indiana-Jonas)

Music

Recognizing outstanding musical compositions that elevate the gaming experience.

• Core Keeper (Pugstorm)
• Flock (Hollow Ponds)
• Pacific Drive (Ironwood Studios)
• The Cub (Demagog Studio)
• THRASHER (Puddle)
• Wild Bastards (Blue Manchu)

Visual Design

Celebrating unique and captivating art styles that leave a lasting impression.

• Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus (Squid Shock Studios)
• Crow Country (SFB Games)
• Harold Halibut (Slow Bros.)
• Hauntii (Moonloop Games)
• The Plucky Squire (All Possible Futures)
• ULTROS (Hadoque)

Bite-Sized Game

Highlighting games that deliver impactful experiences in a shorter format.

• Buckshot Roulette (Mike Klubnika)
• Clickholding (Strange Scaffold)
• Duck Detective: The Secret Salami (Happy Broccoli Games)
• Minami Lane (Doot, Blipbloop)
• Please Touch the Artwork 2 (Thomas Waterzooi)
• Thank Goodness You’re Here! (Coal Supper)

Innovation

Recognizing unique premises or gameplay twists that redefine expectations.

• Cryptmaster (Paul Hart, Lee Williams, Akupara Games)
• KarmaZoo (Pastagames)
• Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (Simogo)
• ODDADA (Sven Ahlgrimm, Mathilde Hoffman, Bastian Clausdorff)
• Rusty’s Retirement (Mister Morris Games)
• UFO 50 (Mossmouth)

Emotional Impact

Honoring games that resonate deeply with players through thematic and emotional experiences.

• In Stars and Time (insertdisc5)
• Kind Words 2 (lofi city pop) (Popcannibal)
• Neva (Nomada Studio)
• Selfloss (Goodwin Games)
• Thirsty Suitors (Outerloop Games)
• Until Then (Polychroma)

Gameplay Design

Celebrating exceptional mechanics that enhance gameplay flow and immersion.

• Balatro (LocalThunk)
• Grunn (Sokpop Collective)
• Minishoot’ Adventures (SoulGame)
• Nine Sols (Red Candle Games)
• Tiny Glade (Pounce Light)
• Victory Heat Rally (Skydevilpalm)

Community Management

Recognizing efforts in fostering inclusive and vibrant gaming communities.

• Aggro Crab
• Black Tabby Games
• LocalThunk
• Massive Monster
• NPC Studio
• Pounce Light

Narrative

Honoring games with compelling characters and thought-provoking stories.

• 1000xRESIST (sunset visitor)
• ARCO (Arco Team)
• Caravan SandWitch (Studio Plane Toast)
• Fear the Spotlight (Cozy Game Pals)
• Last Time I Saw You (Maboroshi Artworks)
• Mouthwashing (Wrong Organ)

Women-Led Game

Celebrating games developed by women-led studios, showcasing diverse perspectives and innovation.

• Gourdlets (AuntyGames)
• Keylocker: Turn Based Cyberpunk Action (Moonana)
• Love, Ghostie (Janbeh Games, LLC)
• Mexico, 1921. A Deep Slumber. (Macula Interactive)
• Nightmare Kart (LWMedia)
• The Crimson Diamond (Julia Minamata)

Solo Development

Honoring developers who create entire games independently.

• Aerial_Knight’s We Never Yield (Aerial_Knight)
• Animal Well (Billy Basso)
• Children of the Sun (Rene Rother)
• Crypt Custodian (Kyle Thompson)
• Knuckle Sandwich (Andy Brophy)
• Magical Delicacy (Skaule)

Game of the Year

Celebrating games with significant impact through storytelling, design, and gameplay.

• 1000xRESIST (sunset visitor)
• Animal Well (Billy Basso)
• ARCO (Franek, Max Cahill, Bibiki, Fayer)
• Balatro (LocalThunk)
• Crypt Custodian (Kyle Thompson)
• Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (Simogo)
• Mouthwashing (Wrong Organ)
• Neva (Nomada Studio)
• Nine Sols (Red Candle Games)
• UFO 50 (Mossmouth)

Storyteller

Recognizing exceptional narrative creators.

• (Recipient to be announced during the ceremony.)

Industry Impact

Acknowledging individuals or organizations making meaningful contributions to the indie scene.

• (Recipients to be announced during the ceremony.)

Which one above are you supporting let me know in the comments. For more information, you can visit the official website and subscribe to GAMING FOODLE for more news.