As the anticipation built up leading to the event, it was no surprise that The Game Awards’ Game of the Year accolade went to a major AAA title that practically everyone could enjoy: Astro Bot. It was a choice that was both safe and well-earned. However, the indie scene saw a breakout star in 2024 with Balatro, a standout roguelike deck-builder from solo developer LocalThunk. Despite being an indie game, it garnered a lot of attention and was a serious contender due to its significant impact. While it cleaned up in The Game Awards’ indie categories, Balatro finally claimed the spotlight with a rightful Game of the Year win at the 2024 Indie Game Awards.
Fortunately, the 2024 Indie Game Awards, which are decided by a diverse group of publications, indie gaming influencers, and industry experts, also recognized a slew of other noteworthy titles. This included games that were overlooked by The Game Awards, bringing deserved praise to unique creations like 1000xResist, Animal Well, and Thank Goodness You’re Here. (Though, to no one’s surprise, UFO 50 was left out again. Such a missed opportunity!)
For those who found themselves disappointed by the blockbuster-heavy list of winners at The Game Awards, there’s some hope and reassurance to be found in the Indie Game Awards’ selections. Here is a rundown of the winners:
Game of the Year
Balatro (Playstack)
Best Debut Game
Little Kitty, Big City (Double Dagger Studio)
Accessibility
Another Crab’s Treasure (Aggro Crab)
Visual Design
Harold Halibut (Slow Bros.)
Best Music
Pacific Drive (Ironwood Studios)
Bite-sized Game
Thank Goodness You’re Here (Coal Supper)
Solo Development
Animal Well (Billy Basso)
Innovation
Cryptmaster (Akupara Games)
Emotional Impact
Neva (Nomada Studio)
Gameplay Design
Balatro (LocalThunk)
Community Management
Aggro Crab
Women-led Game
Mexico, 1921: a Deep Slumber (Mácula Interactive)
Narrative
1000xResist (Sunset Visitor)
These winners highlight the diverse and inspiring innovation happening in the indie gaming industry, offering something for everyone and putting a spotlight on games that might otherwise fly under the radar.
