The sci-fi cooperative FPS Deep Rock Galactic also scored big points during the ceremony this year with awards in both categories in which it was nominated, meaning it has won trophies for Indie Game of the Year and Excellence in Multiplayer. Both categories faced stiff competition, with 9 other titles competing for the Indie Game of the Year award, including Bugsnax and Risk of Rain 2.
With 43 nominees in 12 categories, many other winners were announced during the event. Awards went to The Search for Planet X, Half-Life: Alyx, The Last of Us Part II, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Ghost of Tsushima, DOOM Eternal, Microsoft Flight Simulator and Dreams, which won the Matthew Crump . Cultural Innovation Award for its community-oriented creativity tools.
The complete list of winners of the SXSW 2021 Gaming Awards follow:
Video game of the year
Awarded for gameplay that illustrates overall excellence and creates a clear gaming experience across all platforms and genres.
- Hades (Super Giant Games) – WINNER
- Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Moon Studios / Xbox Game Studios)
- DOOM Eternal (id Software / Bethesda Softworks)
Indie Game of the Year
The indie game is awarded which is an excellent example of overall excellence and creates a clear gaming experience on all platforms and genres.
- Bugsnax (young horses)
- Cloudpunk (Ion Lands)
- Raji: An Ancient Epic (Nodding Heads Games / Super.com)
- Ikenfell (Happy Ray Games / Humble Games)
- Monster Sanctuary (Moi Rai Games / Team17)
- Crown Trick (NExT Studios / Team17)
- Deep Rock Galactic (Ghost Ship Games / Coffee Stain Publishing) – WENNER
- The Last Campfire (Hello Games)
- Huntdown (Easy Trigger Games / Coffee Stain Publishing)
- Risk of Rain 2 (Hopoo Games / Gearbox Publishing)
Table top game of the year
Awarded for the game that illustrates the general excellence and ingenuity of any table game in any genre.
- Oceans (North Star Games)
- Fort (Leader Games)
- Calico (Flatout Games)
- The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine (KOSMOS)
- The Search for Planet X (Renegade Game Studios / Foxtrot Games) – WINNER
VR game of the year
Awarded for the VR game that illustrates general excellence in gameplay and design on any VR platform.
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners (Skydance Interactive)
- Half-life: Alyx (valve) – WINNER
- Star Wars: Squadrons (Motive Studios / Electronic Arts)
- Medal of Honor: Bo and Beyond (Respawn Entertainment / Electronic Arts)
- Down the Rabbit Hole (Cortopia Studios / Beyond Frames Entertainment)
Excellence in narration
Awarded to the game with the best storyline and dialogue.
- Hades (Super Giant Games)
- Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog / Sony Interactive Entertainment) – WENNER
- Immortals Fenyx Rise (Ubisoft Quebec / Ubisoft)
- Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Excellence in game design
Awarded for the game with the best overall design concept, game mechanics and best execution.
- Hades (Super Giant Games) – WINNER
- Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time (Toys for Bob / Activision)
- Desperados III (Mimimi Games / THQ Nordic)
- Watch Dogs: Legion (Ubisoft Toronto / Ubisoft)
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Moon Studios / Xbox Game Studios)
Matthew Crump Cultural Innovation Award
Awarded for the game that best challenges the “norm” of everyday games and offers a culturally innovative look at a game world, character or game.
- If found … (Dreamfeel / Annapurna Interactive)
- The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Dreams (Media Molecule / Sony Interactive Entertainment) – WENNER
- Astro’s Playroom (Team ASOBI! / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Tell Me Why (DONTNOD Entertainment / Xbox Game Studios)
Excellence in score
The game is awarded for the best example of artistic excellence in musical music and how it unfolds the story of the game.
- Cyberpunk 2077 (CD Project Red / CD Project)
- DOOM Eternal (id Software / Bethesda Softworks)
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Moon Studios / Xbox Game Studios) – WENNER
- Final Fantasy VII Remake (SQUARE ENIX)
- Trials of Mana (Xeen / SQUARE ENIX)
Excellence in multiplayer
Awarded to the game with the best player-to-player interaction experience.
- Star Wars: Squadrons (Motive Studios / Electronic Arts)
- VALORANT (Riot Games)
- Huntdown (Easy Trigger Games / Coffee Stain Publishing)
- Deep Rock Galactic (Ghost Ship Games / Coffee Stain Publishing) – WENNER
- Risk of Rain 2 (Hopoo Games, Gearbox Publishing)
Excellence in animation, art and visual achievements
Awarded for the game with the most well-designed and beautiful visuals, including animation effects and graphics.
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft)
- Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainment) – WENNER
- Cloudpunk (Ion Lands)
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Moon Studios / Xbox Game Studios)
- Final Fantasy VII Remake (SQUARE ENIX)
Excellence in sound design
Awarded to the game with the most outstanding and effective sound effects.
- Bugsnax (young horses)
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 (Vicarious Visions / Activision)
- Star Wars: Squadrons (Motive Studios / Electronic Arts)
- Observer: System Redux (Bloober Team)
- DOOM Eternal (id Software / Bethesda Softworks) – WENNER
Excellence in technical performance
Awarded to the game that has fueled the most advanced or effective capabilities of technology and programming.
- Genshin Impact (miHoYo)
- Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Dreams (Media Molecule / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Astro’s Playroom (Team ASOBI! / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Microsoft Flight Simulator (Asobo Studio / Xbox Game Studios) – WENNER