The TIGA Games Industry Awards 2023 are divided into two groups: the ‘Games Awards’ (1 – 15) which are open to the entire industry, and the ‘Business Of Games Awards’ (16 – 31) which are reserved for TIGA members.

There are also two special Awards: ‘Outstanding Employer’ and ‘Outstanding Individual Of The Year’, which are chosen by TIGA; and ‘Game Of The Year’, which will be chosen by attendees at the awards ceremony.

Games Categories >>

Our games categories are open to all relevant games businesses.

Social Game

The judges will be looking for:

• creative, innovative and engaging social games;
• strong visual design;
• great sound design;
• excellent game design.

Winner:

Disney Games/Dlala Studios: Disney Illusion Island

Shortlist

• Disney Games/Dlala Studios: Disney Illusion Island 
• Dovetail Games: CATAN – Console Edition 
• FuturLab: PowerWash Simulator 
• GameXPlosion Ltd: Ultimate Supremacy
• Gearbox Publishing: Tribes of Midgard 
• Gearbox Publishing: Homeworld Mobile
• Gearbox Publishing: Blanc
• Hugecalf Studios: Turbo Golf Racing 
• Outright Games: DC’s Justice League: Cosmic Chaos 

Casual Game

The judges will be looking for:

• creative, innovative and engaging casual games;
• strong visual design;
• great sound design;
• excellent game design.

Winner:

FuturLab: PowerWash Simulator

Shortlist

• Awaceb: Tchia 
• Deadpan and Gaziter: Wildfrost 
• Exient: Ultimate Sackboy
• FuturLab: PowerWash Simulator
• Gearbox Publishing: Blanc 
• Kwalee: Hunt and Seek 
• Outplay Entertainment: Subway Surfers Blast 
• Outright Games: DC’s Justice League: Cosmic Chaos 
• Space Ape Games: Chrome Valley Customs 
• Terahard Studios: Monster Mop Up 

Educational, Serious or Simulation Game

The judges will be looking for:

• games that are enjoyable and educational – these can be advergames, charity or educational games, simulation games, games with serious content, games with an educational or training purpose or games that are designed to raise awareness about a particular subject;
• creative, innovative and engaging educational games;
• strong visual design;
• great sound design;
• excellent game design.

Winner:

BBC /Mobile Pie: Planet Planners

Shortlist

• Auroch Digital: Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator 
• BBC /Mobile Pie: Planet Planners 
• BBC / Playerthree: Operation Ouch! It Takes Guts! 
• Charles Games: Beecarbonize 
• FuturLab: PowerWash Simulator 
• Fish in a Bottle / BBC: Divided Islands 
• Frontier Developments: F1 Manager 2023 
• Frontier Developments/Haemimont Games: Stranded: Alien Dawn 
• Slitherine Software UK Ltd: Command: Modern Operations 
• Somewhat Unsettling: The Longest Walk 

Strategy Game

The judges will be looking for:

• creative, innovative and exciting strategy games;
• strong visual design;
• great sound design;
• excellent game design.

Winner:

Slitherine Software UK Ltd: Starship Troopers: Terran Command

Shortlist

• Abylight: One Military Camp 
• Deadpan & Gaziter: Wildfrost 
• Dovetail Games: CATAN – Console Edition 
• Gearbox Publishing: Homeworld Mobile 
• Kraken Empire: Toy Tactics 
• Only4Gamers: Space Menace 
• Slitherine Software UK Ltd: Starship Troopers: Terran Command 
• The Iterative Collective: Homeseek 
• Thing Trunk: Hellcard 

Role Playing Game

The judges will be looking for:

• creative, innovative and exciting role playing games;
• strong visual design;
• great sound design;
• excellent game design.

Winner:

BBC / Jollywise: Silverpoint: The Game

Shortlist

• BBC / Jollywise: Silverpoint: The Game 
• GameXPlosion Ltd: Ultimate Supremacy
• Gearbox Publishing: Tribes of Midgard
• Imperia Online JSK: Crush Them All
• Pentakill Studios: The Occultist
• The Iterative Collective: Knight Crawlers
• Ustwo Games: Desta: The Memories Between

Puzzle Game

The judges will be looking for:

• creative, innovative and engaging puzzle games;
• strong visual design;
• great sound design;
• excellent game design.

Winner:

Trailmix: love and pies

Shortlist

• ARTE France: How to say Goodbye  
• Chanko Studios: It’s a Wrap! 
• Disney Games/Dlala Studios: Disney Illusion Island 
• Max Inferno: A Little to the Left 
• Outplay Entertainment: Gordon Ramsay’s Chef Blast 
• Space Ape Games: Chrome Valley Customs 
• Staffordshire University: Mental Block 
• Supersolid: Cook & Merge 
• Trailmix: Love & Pies 
• Wired Productions: Tin Hearts

Arcade Game

The judges will be looking for:

• creative, innovative and engaging arcade games;
• strong visual design;
• great sound design;
• excellent game design.

Winner:

Staffordshire University: MechHead

Shortlist

• Exient: Ultimate Sackboy 
• Island Bender Games: Island Bender 
• Ping Creates: Super Stretchy Chicken Legs
• Secret Base Pte Ltd: Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons 
• Staffordshire University: MechHead 
• Sumo Digital Academy: Zool Redimensioned 
• Supermassive Games: The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR 

Creativity In Games Awards

The judges will be looking for:

• creativity and originality in a game;
• a game that reflects British creativity.

Winner:

Ustwo Games: Desta: The Memories Between

Shortlist

• Disney Games/Dlala Studios: Disney Illusion Island 
• Fireshine Games: Shadows of Doubt 
• FuturLab: PowerWash Simulator 
• Hugecalf Studios: Turbo Golf Racing 
• Jump Over the Age: Citizen Sleeper 
• Noun Town: Noun Town: VR Language Learning 
• Supermassive Games: The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR 
• Supermassive Games: The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil In Me 
• Ustwo Games: Desta: The Memories Between 
• Wired Productions: Tin Hearts 

Heritage in Games Award

The judges will be looking for:

• creativity and innovation;
• a game that reflects a British or EEA subject matter and heritage.

Winner:

Sugar Creative: 878 AD: Winchester Revealed

Shortlist

• Cave Monsters: Lord Winklebottom Investigates 
• D’Avekki Studios: Murderous Muses 
• Frogwares: Sherlock Holmes The Awakened 
• The Parasight: Blacktail 
• Sugar Creative: 878 AD: Winchester Revealed 
• Sumo Digital Academy: Zool Redimensioned
• Ustwo Games: Desta: The Memories Between
• Wales Interactive, Dead Pixel Productions, Good Gate Media: Mia and the Dragon Princess
• Wales Interactive and Good Gate Media: Ten Dates 

VR/AR/XR/MR Game

The judges are looking:

• an outstanding game within this genre of games development.
• excellence in creativity, innovation and user experience within a VR, AR, XR or MR game.

Winner:

nDreams: Synapse

Shortlist

• Maze Theory: Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom 
• nDreams: Synapse 
• Noun Town: Noun Town: VR Language Learning 
• Squido Studio: No More Rainbows 
• Sony Interactive Entertainment/Guerilla: Horizon Call of the Mountain 
• Sugar Creative: 878AD Winchester Revealed 
• Supermassive Games: The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR 
• Wired Productions: The Last Worker 
• XR Games: Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded

Action and Adventure Game

The judges will be looking for:

• creative, innovative and exciting action and adventure games;
• strong visual design;
• great sound design;
• great game design.

Winner:

Supermassive Games: The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil In Me

Shortlist

• Auroch Digital: Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
• Out of the Bit Ltd: Full Void 
• Pentakill Studios: The Occultist 
• Rain Games: Teslagrad 2
• Sloclap: SiFU 
• Sony Interactive Entertainment/Guerilla: Horizon: Call of the Mountain 
• Sony Interactive Entertainment/Santa Monica Studio: God of WarRagnarök 
• Supermassive Games: The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil In Me 
• The Parasight: Blacktail 

Diversity Award

The judges will be looking for:

• diversity within the characters of the game, i.e. gender, age, socio-economic background, ethnicity, disability, religion;
• diversity within the development team backed up by company goals to be more inclusive;
• organisations that promote diversity within the games industry;
• initiatives or projects that promote diversity within the games industry, or allow a more diverse range of players to be able to take part.

Winner:

Ustwo Games: Desta: The Memories Between

Shortlist

• Awaceb: Tchia
• D’Avekki Studios: Murderous Muses 
• DON’T NOD: Harmony: The Fall of Reverie 
• GameXPlosion Ltd: Ultimate Supremacy 
• Sony Interactive Entertainment/Santa Monica Studio: God of WarRagnarök 
• Staffordshire University: Staffordshire University Games Development 
• Trailmix: Love & Pies 
• Ustwo Games: Desta: The Memories Between 
• Wales Interactive and Good Gate Media: Ten Dates
• Women in Games

Audio Design

The judges will be looking for:

• creative, high quality audio design in music and in sound effects which enhance the player’s game experience.

Winner:

Sony Interactive Entertainment/Santa Monica Studio: God of War Ragnarök

Shortlist

• Air Edel Associates Ltd/ Take-Two Interactive Software Inc./ Piccolo Studio: After Us
• Auroch Digital: Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 
• Dovetail Games: Train Sim World 3
• Frontier Developments: F1 Manager 2023 
• Frontier Developments: Deliver Us Mars 
• Sony Interactive Entertainment/Santa Monica Studio: God of WarRagnarök 
• Sony Interactive Entertainment/Guerilla: Horizon Call of the Mountain 
• Supermassive Games: The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil In Me 
• TiMi Studio Group: Honor of Kings – Mayene 
• Wired Productions: Tin Hearts 

Visual Design

The judges will be looking for:

• creative, imaginative and high quality visual design that provides players with an exciting game experience.

Winner:

Sony Interactive Entertainment/Guerilla: Horizon Call of the Mountain

Shortlist

• Arte France: To Hell with Ugly
• DON’T NOD: Harmony: The Fall of Reverie 
• Gearbox Publishing: Blanc 
• Max Inferno: A Little to the Left 
• Plot Twist: The Last Case of Benedict Fox 
• Sony Interactive Entertainment/Guerilla: Horizon Call of the Mountain 
• The Parasight: Blacktail 
• Trailmix: Love and Pies 
• Wales Interactive, Dead Pixel Productions, Good Gate Media: Mia and the Dragon Princess
• Wired Productions: The Last Worker

Small Studio

The judges will be looking for evidence of a small studio (49 or fewer staff) that:

• develops great games;
• has a track record of commercial and critical success.

Winner:

Dlala Studios

Shortlist

• D’Avekki Studio 
• Dlala Studios 
• Exient 
• Fireshine Games 
• Huge Calf Studios 
• Party for Introverts 
• Purple Yonder 
• Trailmix
• Ustwo Games 
• Wired Productions 

Business Categories

Business Categories >>

Our business categories are exclusive to TIGA members, if you’re not a member why notjoin today?

TIGA Members Only

 Audio Services Supplier

The judges will be looking for the company to provide evidence of:

• excellent audio work;

• sound business processes; and

• excellent commercial results.

Winner:

PitStop Productions

Shortlist

• PitStop Productions 
• SIDE
• Sony Interactive Entertainment/PlayStation Studios/Creative Arts
• Soundcuts Ltd
• Tazman-Audio

TIGA Members Only

Outstanding Leadership Award

The judges will be looking for evidence of a CEO/MD who

• displays vision and commercial acumen;
• delivers tangible results;
• demonstrates business, commercial and creative success;
• develops the effectiveness of his/her team.

Winner:

John Tearle, CEO Flix Interactive

Shortlist

• Ben Forrester, Head of PC and Console, Kwalee 
• Ben Lavery, Studio Head TrailerFarm 
• Bobby Thandi CEO XR Games 
• John Sanderson, CEO PitStop Productions 
• John Tearle, CEO Flix Interactive 
• Nathan Burlow Studio Director and Darius Sadeghian Studio Production Director, Rocksteady Studios. 
• Patrick O’Luanaigh, CEO nDreams 
• Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor Staffordshire University 
• Russ Clarke, CEO, Co-Founder and Creative Director, Payload Studios 
• Simon Iwaniszak, Studio Director Red Kite Games 
• Trevor Williams, Studio Head, Playground Games 
• Viki Freeman, Chief Strategy Officer Airship Interactive and Tim Horton, Chief Commercial Officer Airship Interactive

TIGA Members Only

Publisher

The judges will be looking for evidence of an organisation that:

• publishes great games/content that is either their own or is owned by another party;
• has a track record of commercial success;
• works positively and constructively with independent developers (if a third party publisher).

Winner:

Rebellion

Shortlist

• Curve Games 
• Kwalee
• nDreams
• Rebellion
• Secret Mode
• Sony Interactive Entertainment

TIGA Members Only

Educational Institution

The judges will be looking for evidence of an educational institution that:

• delivers a high proportion of its students into graduate level jobs, particularly into the games sector;
• has strong links with industry; and
• has a track record in research and innovation.

Winner:

Norwich University of the Arts

Shortlist

• Birmingham City University 
• Bournemouth University
• London College of Communication, University of the Arts, London 
• Norwich University of the Arts
• Staffordshire University
• University of Gloucestershire
• University of Greenwich
• University of Hertfordshire 
• University of Portsmouth 
• University of the West of England 
• University of the West of Scotland 

TIGA Members Only

Commitment to Workplace Wellbeing

The judges will be looking for the studio or company that has shown a commitment to excellence in workplace wellbeing initiatives/programmes, including:

• Evidence of HR policies that specifically promote employee wellbeing, work-life balance, diversity and inclusion, and mental health support (i.e. employee assistance programmes, flexible working, diversity and inclusion training, or mental health awareness campaigns); and/or
• Demonstrate a high level of employee engagement and satisfaction, as measured through surveys, testimonials, or other relevant metrics; and/or
• Showcase the positive impact of their HR and wellbeing initiatives on the broader games industry, including contributions to industry standards, collaborations with other organisations, or the development of best practices.

Winner:

Playground Games

Shortlist

• Airship Interactive
• Dovetail Games
• nDreams
• Outplay Entertainment
• Payload Studios
• Playground Games
• PlayStation London Studio
• Rebellion
• Rocksteady Studios
• Sumo Group
• TrailerFarm
• Ubisoft Reflections and Ubisoft Leamington 

TIGA Members Only

Commitment to ESG Award

The judges will be looking for the studio or company that has shown a commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance initiatives in order to improve society and promote the common good via any of the following:

• Reducing its carbon footprint; or
• Showing a commitment to sustainability; or
• Charitable efforts; or
• Working with its local community; or
• Working with education

Winner:

Rocksteady Studios

Shortlist

• Airship Interactive
• Behaviour Interactive
• London College of Communication, University of the Arts, London
• PlanetPlay 
• Rebellion
• Rocksteady Studios
• Santa Monica Studio
• Sumo Group
• Testronic 
• Ubisoft Reflections and Ubisoft Leamington 
• University of Portsmouth

TIGA Members Only

Large Studio

The Judges will be looking for evidence of a large studio (50 or more staff) which:

• develops great games;
• has a track record of commercial and critical success.

Winner:

Sumo Digital

Shortlist

• Auroch Digital 
• Dovetail Games
• Flix Interactive 
• Guerrilla 
• Kwalee 
• nDreams 
• Outplay Entertainment 
• Rebellion 
• Santa Monica Studio 
• Space Ape Games 
• Sumo Digital 
• Supermassive Games 

TIGA Members Only

Legal Services Supplier

The judges will be looking for the company to provide evidence of:

• excellent legal work;
• excellent customer service;
• excellent commercial results for clients.

Winner:

Lewis Silkin LLP

Shortlist

• Charles Russell Speechlys
• Eaton Smith LLP
• Lewis Silkin LLP 
• Stevens & Bolton LLP
• Wiggin LLP 

TIGA Members Only

QA and/or Localisation Provider

The judges will be looking for the company to provide evidence of:

• excellent QA and/or localisation work;
• excellent customer service;
• excellent commercial results for clients;
• a track record of business success.

Winner:

Testronic

Shortlist

• PTW
• Testronic 
• Universally Speaking

TIGA Members Only

Recruitment Agency

The judges will be looking for the company to provide evidence of:

• excellent recruitment work;
• excellent customer service;
• excellent commercial results for clients;
• a track record of business success.

Winner:

Amiqus

Shortlist

• Aardvark Swift
• Amiqus
• Avatar
• Big Planet

TIGA Members Only

Education Initiative

The judges will be looking for evidence of an educational initiative that:

• delivers high proportions of students into graduate level jobs; or
• delivers outstanding initiatives to prepare students for work (e.g. student
  internships, strong links with industry, work on industry projects, etc);
• advances innovation, knowledge and research; or
• promotes student studio start-ups.

Winner:

Birmingham City University

Shortlist

• Birmingham City University STEAMhouse
• London College of Communication, University of the Arts, London 
• Norwich University of the Arts
• Staffordshire University
• University of Hertfordshire
• University of Portsmouth

TIGA Members Only

Technical Innovation

The judges will be looking for:

• evidence of technical innovation in the development of a video game carried out by a UK team (if the game is developed by several studios around the world then it will be necessary to show that the innovation was due to the UK team);
• technical innovation in engines, middleware, tools and technology by a technology business relating to the video games industry.

Winner:

Speech Graphics

Shortlist

• CGHero
• Rebellion 
• Speech Graphics
• TrailerFarm & Big Farmer

TIGA Members Only

Services Provider

The judges will be looking for the service company to provide evidence for:

• excellent customer service;
• excellent commercial results for clients;
• a track record of business success.

Winner:

Airship Interactive

Shortlist

• Airship Interactive
• Big Planet
• Flix Interactive 
• Liquid Crimson
• Magic Media
• Maverick Media
• PitStop Productions
• PTW Family of Brands
• Testronic
• TrailerFarm
• Sky Life Accountancy
• RSM

TIGA Members Only

Talent Development

The judges will be looking for evidence of a games company that contributes to the future supply of good quality personnel available to work in the games industry via initiatives such as:

• working closely with educational institutions;
• providing learning & development initiatives; or
• supporting community-driven talent development organisations.

Winner:

Sumo Group

Shortlist

• Dlala Studios
• Dovetail Games
• Flix Interactive
• Grads in Games
• nDreams Academy
• PlayStation London Studio
• Rocksteady Studios
• Sumo Group
• XR Games

TIGA Members Only

Best Art/Animation/Trailer Supplier

The judges will be looking for:

• excellent work;
• excellent customer service;
• excellent commercial results for clients;
• a track record of business success.

Winner:

TrailerFarm

Shortlist

• Airship Interactive
• Atomhawk
• Liquid Crimson 
• Maverick Media
• Sony Interactive Entertainment/PlayStation Studios/Creative Arts
• TrailerFarm
• 1518 Studios

Special Awards

Special Awards >>

Employer of the Year 2023

This Award is open to TIGA STAR accredited organisations. The judges will be looking for evidence of best practice in terms of: strategy and leadership; recruitment, selection and training and a commitment to equality and diversity; continuous improvement; and an effective recognition and reward strategy.

Winner:

Dovetail Games

Shortlist

• Dovetail Games 
• Rebellion 
• Sumo Group

Outstanding Individual Award

This Award will be presented at the awards ceremony.

• This is non-enterable and will be awarded to a TIGA member who has made an important contribution to the work of TIGA and to the industry.

Winner:

Geraldine Cross, Head of HR at Playground Games.

Game of the Year

• The winner will be chosen by attendees of the awards ceremony.
• Further details to follow!

Winner:

Disney Games/Dlala Studios: Disney Illusion Island