Inaugural Indie Game Awards Release Hype Teaser

The Game Awards get a lot of flack, some deserved and some unwarranted. That said, one thing I think is clear is that focusing on marketing and trailers puts some smaller studios and devs at a disadvantage. To combat the money and influence AAA studios have and to give some much-needed love to indie games, the Indie Game Awards will take place this week for the first time ever. To excite fans of indie games all over the world, a new hype teaser shows a bit of what we can expect from the inaugural event.

Per the collective hosting the awards, Six One Indie, the Indie Game Awards are built on genuine collaboration, bringing together voices from games media, content creators, showcases, and game development who share a passion for independent games. The group states that the developers are at the heart of the ceremony and remain the focal point as we celebrate their creativity and contributions to the gaming world.

The IGAs will feature presenters from Black Salt Games, Raw Fury, Wishes Unlimited, Yacht Club Games, Toge Productions, and InnerSloth. Nominees were selected by a curation jury that includes Six One Indie, Women-Led Games, Latin American Games Showcase, Wholesome Games, Dames-4-Games, The Indie Informer, and MinnMax. The judging committee also includes Giant Bomb, IGDA, Wanderbots, AshSaidHi, Playcrafting, and other prominent voices from the indie space.

The full list of Indie Game of the Year nominees includes:

1000xRESIST – sunset visitor
Animal Well – Billy Basso
ARCO – Arco Team
Balatro – LocalThunk
Crypt Custodian – Kyle Thompson
Lorlei and the Laser Eyes – Simogo
Mouthwashing – Wrong Organ
Neva – Nomada Studio
Nine Sols – RedCandleGames
UFO 50 – Mossmouth

The Indie Game Awards will premiere today, December 19th at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET via IGN and the Six One Indie YouTube Channel. Those in the greater New York City area are welcome to attend the free NYC Viewing Party at BrookLAN, New York’s home for gaming and esports. Let us know in the comments if you’re excited to check out this celebration of indie games for 2024!