Announcing the winners of the eighth annual SXSW Gaming Awardsrecognizing the most creative and influential titles, teams and individuals in the industry in 12 different categories.
The winners were announced during the virtual SXSW Gaming Awards show produced in partnership with IGN and presented by Discord. The ceremony also highlighted exclusive parts of the creative process behind the games, the talent that influenced and promoted the culture of gaming in 2020, and previews of exciting upcoming projects.
This year’s SXSW Gaming Awards included 43 nominees in 12 different categories, with winners determined by a weighted total between staff and advisory board as well as public voting.
2021 SXSW Awards for Category Awards Category
Video game of the year
Awarded for gameplay that illustrates overall excellence and creates a clear gaming experience across all platforms and genres.
Winner: Hades – Super Giant Games
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.
Winner: Deep Rock Galactic – Ghost Ship Games / Coffee Spot 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.
Winner: The Search for Planet X – Renegade Game Studios / Foxtrot Games
VR game of the year
Awarded for the VR game that illustrates general excellence in gameplay and design on any VR platform.
Winner: Half-life: Alyx – Valve
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.
Winner: Dreams – Media Molecule / Sony Interactive Entertainment
Excellence in animation, art and visual achievements
Awarded for the game with the most well-designed and beautiful visuals, including animation effects and graphics.
Winner: Ghost of Tsushima – Sucker Punch Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainment
Excellence in game design
Awarded for the game with the best overall design concept, game mechanics and best execution.
Winner: Hades – Super Giant Games
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.
Winner: Ori and the Will of the Wisps – Moon Studios / Xbox Game Studios
Excellence in multiplayer
Awarded to the game with the best player-to-player interaction experience.
Winner: Deep Rock Galactic – Ghost Ship Games / Coffee Spot Publishing
Excellence in narration
Awarded to the game with the best storyline and dialogue.
Winner: The Last of Us Part II – Naughty Dog / Sony Interactive Entertainment
Excellence in sound design
Awarded to the game with the most outstanding and effective sound effects.
Winner: DOOM Eternal – software id / Bethesda Softworks
Excellence in technical performance
Awarded to the game that has fueled the most advanced or effective capabilities of technology and programming.
Winner: Microsoft Flight Simulator – Asobo Studio / Xbox Game Studios
Congratulations on all the 2021 SXSW Gaming Awards!
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Game Awards at SXSW 2019 – Photo by Shannon Johnston.