With the Game Developers Conference fast approaching, the nominees for this year’s IGF Awards have been announced, with 60 finalists competing for accolades across seven distinct categories.
The Independent Games Festival (IGF), which takes place on March 1, pulled together a panel of judges to review more than 650 submissions — down from last year’s 750 — and it’s Inside, Virginia and Hyper Light Drifter that have emerged as the early frontrunners. Fullbright dev Nina Freeman will host the ceremony, who is currently busy developing the studio’s sophomore title Tacoma. Expect the event to be livestreamed through the official GDC Twitch channel, while you’ll be able to find the full, comprehensive list of nominees down below.
Best Student Game
Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor (Sundae Month)
Lily, Colors of Santa Luz (Lily, Colors of Santa Luz Team)

Un Pas Fragile (PAF team)

FAR: Lone Sails (Mr. Whale’s Game Service/Mixtvision)

Frog Climbers (TeamCrew)

Bamboo Heart (Sokpop Collective)
Honorable Mentions: Awkward Dimensions Redux (StevenHarmonGames), DYO (Team DYO), Code 7 ? Episode 0: Allocation (Goodwolf Studio) and You Must be 18 or Older to Enter (Seemingly Pointless).
Excellence in Audio
The Flame in the Flood (The Molasses Flood)

GoNNER (Art in Heart)

Virginia (Variable State)

Hyper Light Drifter (Heart Machine)

Everything (David OReilly)

Inside (Playdead)
Honorable Mentions: 1979 Revolution: Black Friday (iN...