Tonight’s ninth annual South by Southwest® Gaming Awards (SXSW®) celebrated the technical, artistic and design achievements of this year’s best video game titles and their creators. A total of 40 unique games were in contention for honors in 12 categories — see the winners below. (A complete list of nominees/winners is available here).
The virtual award ceremony was co-hosted by Jana Morrison (“Astrid”) and Samantha Aucoin (“Lilly”), the heroic leads of Syfy’s new Astrid & Lilly Save the World, and was livestreamed on the SXSW TV App, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV and Android TV. The ceremony was produced by Executive Producer Laurie Lockliear of Georgia-based Peach Maria Productions.
“The last two years of the pandemic have been hard for so many — the entertainment industry was among those affected, but played a key role in providing adventure and escape for all — so we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the gaming industry and its many creators through tonight’s event,” said Hugh Forrest, SXSW Chief Programming Officer. “We’d like to thank our production partner Peach Maria Productions, our hosts and presenters; and all of you in the gaming and esports community for continuing to bring the best in creativity and innovation to this industry.
SXSW Gaming Awards Winners
| VIDEO GAME OF THE YEAR | DEVELOPER | PUBLISHER |
| Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Watch Acceptance Speech |
SQUARE ENIX® | SQUARE ENIX® |
| INDIE GAME OF THE YEAR | DEVELOPER | PUBLISHER |
| Kena: Bridge of Spirits Watch Acceptance Speech |
Ember Lab | Ember Lab |
| TABLETOP GAME OF THE YEAR | DEVELOPER | PUBLISHER |
| Dune: Imperium Watch Acceptance Speech |
Dire Wolf Digital | Dire Wolf Digital |
| VR GAME OF THE YEAR | DEVELOPER | PUBLISHER |
| Resident Evil 4 VR Watch Acceptance Speech |
Armature Studio | Oculus Studios |
| MATTHEW CRUMP CULTURAL INNOVATION AWARD Awarded to the game that best challenges the “norm” of everyday gaming and offers a culturally innovative view of a game world, character, or gameplay. |
DEVELOPER | PUBLISHER |
| Unpacking Watch Acceptance Speech |
Witch Beam | Humble Games |
| EXCELLENCE IN ANIMATION, ART & VISUAL ACHIEVEMENT | DEVELOPER | PUBLISHER |
| Forza Horizon 5 Watch Acceptance Speech |
Playground Games | Xbox Game Studios |
| EXCELLENCE IN GAME DESIGN | DEVELOPER | PUBLISHER |
| Inscryption Watch Acceptance Speech |
Daniel Mullins Games | Devolver Digital |
| EXCELLENCE IN ORIGINAL SCORE | DEVELOPER | PUBLISHER |
|---|---|---|
| Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Watch Acceptance Speech |
SQUARE ENIX® | SQUARE ENIX® |
| EXCELLENCE IN MULTIPLAYER | DEVELOPER | PUBLISHER |
| It Takes Two Watch Acceptance Speech |
Hazelight | Electronic Arts |
| EXCELLENCE IN NARRATIVE | DEVELOPER | PUBLISHER |
| Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Watch Acceptance Speech |
SQUARE ENIX® | SQUARE ENIX® |
| EXCELLENCE IN AUDIO DESIGN | DEVELOPER | PUBLISHER |
| Resident Evil Village Watch Acceptance Speech |
Capcom | Capcom |
| EXCELLENCE IN TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT | DEVELOPER | PUBLISHER |
| Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Watch Acceptance Speech |
Insomniac Games | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
