Game conferences are a large part of the game industry — although the people who get the most out of these sort of events are people interested in the game industry in some regard. Whether it’s journalists, aspiring developers, or organisations — or just regulars like you and me.
People who just love games.
It’s very important that we connect with the developers because, ultimately, we are in a symbiosis: one can’t live without the other, and as of right now, the trust between some fans and some developers have taken a grave hit.
To just mention two instances, er have the “Battlefront II microtransaction controversy” and the “singleplayer is dead statement”, which shook many gamers around the globe.
Are we in a gaming crisis? No, I don’t think so. But, I do think that sites like Kickstarter and Fig have brought some of the connection back between developers and fans — however, we can do better!
And what places are better than the places where game developers meet? So, without further ado, let’s jump into this sort-of announcement, sort-of gaming community commentary!
Nordic Game Awards…
Is an award show, held in Malmö, Sweden between the 23rd and 25th May, and beside its award show, Nordic Game also has Europe’s largest game industry conference with speakers and attendees from around the world!
To just mention a few of its speakers (and to ultimately show that Nordic Game assures a diverse group of speakers from all walks of life).
- Recruitment Manager, Ubisoft Blue Byte’s Andrew Brand.
- Executive Producer, Guerilla Games’ Angie Smets.
- CEO & Creative Director, Valiant Game Studio’s Anna Jenelius.
- Game Designer, Transcenders Media’s Bobbi Augustine Sand.
- Director, Feminist Frequency’s Anita Sarkeesian.
- Head of IP Development, Nordisk Film Games’ Christian Fonnesbech.
And the list goes on with people from Paladin Studios, Avalanche Studios, Xbox/Microsoft — well, the list goes on!
If you want the full thing: click here.
Time is Running Out…
Well, as said, the conference and show are still on from the 23rd to 25th May — so, if you want to join in on the fun, experience the Nordic Game spirit and community, then you can register here.
But Let’s Talk Awards
This year’s award show is hosted by composer and, according to my source, “world record holder of the highest number of games sound-tracked at a single game jam”. Elie Abraham is the host, but when Elie isn’t hosting, they is DJing, voice acting, designing sound, and doing stand-up comedy.
There will be awarded out prizes in eight categories, and these are:
- Nordic Game of the Year
- Nordic Game of the Year (Small Screen)
- Best Art
- Best Game Design
- Best Technology
- Best Audio
- Best Fun for Everyone
- Best Debut
What I’m going to do now is list the different games from the eight categories, including a snip of information about each game! So, if you want to stick around for this, please do, but if you just want the tickets: here is the registration again!
Now, let’s get into the finalists!
Finalists…
*Formula: Game by Developer
“Short description of the game most prominent feature.”
Nordic Game of the Year
A Hat in Time by Gears for Breakfast
“A Kickstarter-funded 3D platformer that reached almost 1000% of its original goal combines cuteness with a 3D platformer with 5 explorable worlds, a giant open world, and Cooperative play!”.
ECHO by Ultra Ultra
“Is a third-person game built in the Unreal 4 Engine: a game set in a sci-fi world, driven by a journey of discovery, and with gameplay revolving around stealth and action as you explore The Place and fight off Echoes — beings such as yourself.”
Little Nightmares by Tarsier Studios
“Little Nightmares is about confronting your childhood fears inside an explorable dollhouse, which is both a prison and a playground. Embark on a journey into Six’s world: part dream… part nightmare!”
Nex Machina by Housemarque
“For something different, we have Nex Machina’s intense arcade twin-stick shooter. Pure action, pure competition, pure destruction.”
SteamWorld Dig 2 by Image & Form
“From the developers who brought you SteamWorld Dig is back again with its underworld platform mining adventure: mixing exploration, combat, and upgradeable gear to dig deeper to forge a platformer adventure in the Metroidvania style flames!”
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus by MachineGames
“In Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, we’re back fighting Nazis in order to free America. You’re wielding devastating weaponry along with future tech, which you can upgrade during your heart-pounding journey.
Nordic Game of the Year (Small Screen)
Milkmaid of the Milky Way by Machineboy
“This is a point-and-click adventure, where you play as a young woman, living in 1920’s Norway, and Ruth’s (the protagonist) world is turned upside down as a spaceship suddenly arrives on her remote farm.”
OCMO by Team OCMO
“Being the first iOS game on this list, OCMO challenges hardcore players with its ninja rope platformer where you have to learn to use the momentum of your swings to gain the advantage!”
Pako 2 by Three Men Games
“If arcade driving, twin-stick shooting, and heist mechanics sound good to you, then this game might be something for you, as you’re the getaway driver, performing robberies with your crew all while evading the law.”
Returner 77 by Fantastic, Yes!
“Returner 77 brings back 3D puzzles games, where you, as the player needs to save mankind. The game is set in a sci-fi setting, where you wake up inside an alien spaceship with no memory — you’ll have to figure out what happened in order to fulfil your mission.”
SteamWorld Dig 2 by Image & Form
“This title returns for a second time!”
Best Art
ECHO by Ultra Ultra
“This title returns for a second time!”
Little Nightmares by Tarsier Studios
“This title returns for a second time!”
Milkmaid of the Milky Way by Machineboy
“This title returns for a second time!”
Nex Machina by Housemarque
“This title returns for a second time!”
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus by MachineGames
“This title returns for a second time!”
Best Game Design
A Hat in Time by Gears for Breakfast
“This title returns for a second time!”
ECHO by Ultra Ultra
“This title returns for the third time!”
Little Nightmares by Tarsier Studios
“This title returns for the third time!”
SteamWorld Dig 2 by Image & Form
“This title returns for the third time!”
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus by Machine Games
“This title returns for the third time!”
World to the West by Rain AS
“Is a 3D action adventure game, and according to its Steam Page, it’s the standalone follow-up of Teslagrad: set in a world of the bluest skies, with games just waiting to be explored.”
Best Technology
ECHO by Ultra Ultra
“This title returns for the fourth time!”
Fugl by Muunluun
“‘Fugl’ in some Scandinavian countries means ‘bird’, and Fulg is a meditative bird flying game, according to its website, where you can feel the breeze under your wings in an ever-changing, voxel-style world.”
Sparc by CCP
“Is the first VR game on this list, and it’s a skill-based game, where you can play online with friends or get your game on and play the matchmaking — or you can hone your skills in the single-player challenges!”
Star Wars Battlefront II by EA DICE
“Star Wars Battlefront II lets you play through the shiny prequel trilogy in an all-out battle, where you can play either as the popular clones or the ‘roger, roger’-droids. Battlefront II also offers a single-player, taking place just before Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus MachineGames
“This title returns for the fourth time!”
Best Audio
ECHO by Ultra Ultra
“This title returns for the fifth time!”
Figment by Bedtime Digital Games
“Figment is a hand-drawn puzzle game, making it a stunning game, but the reason it’s on this list is that the game features beautifully orchestrated songs, and the game is generally a musical adventure.”
Want to know more, I wrote an article about the game due to its soon Switch release: Figment.
Little Nightmares by Tarsier Studios
“This title returns for the fourth time!”
Nex Machina by Housemarque
“This title returns for the third time!”
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus by MachineGames
“This title returns for the fifth time!”
Best Fun for Everyone
A Hat in Time by Gears for Breakfast
“This title returns for the third time!”
Fugl by Muuluun
“This title returns for a second time!”
Little Police by Filimundus
“Little Police is exactly what the titles describes: little and police. It’s a detective game, having you solve different cases to catch criminals.”
OCMO by Team OCMO
“This title returns for a second time!”
Passpartout: The Starving Artist by Flamebait Games
“Is the purest ‘Starving Artist’ game, where you play a French artist, working his way to fulfilling his desire… what that desire is: whether it’s becoming a critically acclaimed sellout or passionate creator on an empty stomach!”
Best Debut
A Hat in Time by Gears for Breakfast
“This title returns for a second time!”
ECHO by Ultra Ultra
“This title returns for the sixth time!”
Milkmaid of the Milky Way by Machineboy
“This title returns for the third time!”
OCMO by Team OCMO
“This title returns for the third time!”
Passpartout: The Starving Artist by Flamebait Games
“This title returns for a second time!”
Frederik Becker
https://www.frederikbecker.com/
fjdb@outlook.dk