Gamescom 2023 came to an end on Sunday 27 August 2023 but the one topic that has reverberated is the Gamescom Award Show which happened on 25 August 2023. Like every award show, there are always commentaries about the losers that deserved the award and Gamescom Awards 2023 was no different.
For example, Matt Gardner, a senior contributor for Forbes, thought Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon was robbed of the Best Xbox Game award which was given to Mortal Kombat 1.
“I honestly feel like Armored Core VI was robbed here; it was by far my favorite of the bunch, and among the best triple-As at Gamescom,” Gardner wrote.
ALSO READ: Baldur’s Gate 3 Drops From Top 10 Highest-Rated Games. Hits New Concurrent Player High
As they say, “Different strokes for different folks”. Fans of a particular game will always feel denied when the game loses out to another nominee in that category. The big question that fans tend to ask when their preferred game fails to clinch the trophy is, “What are the criteria for picking a winner”.
The process for picking Gamescom Award winners
The long process of selecting Gamescom award winners started on 10 July 2023 when developers were invited to submit their games for the different categories. In total, there were 16 award categories. That process ended on 28 July 2023.
All the submitted games were evaluated by a jury consisting of 19 members. The jury evaluated the games based on a point system and picked 5 nominees for each category. The nominees for all the categories were announced on 21 August 2023. Eventually, winners emerged through a combined voting system by both the jury and the audience.
The Gamescom Award is an initiative by the Digital Gaming Culture Foundation that happens annually as part of Gamescom. This year’s award honored “outstanding games, expansions, exhibitors, announcements, and trailers” that were presented at the event.
ALSO READ: Nicki Minaj Operator Bundle In COD Features Too Much Pink, Butt, And Badass
The daunting selection and voting process
Gamescom Award winners “are determined by both an expert jury of gaming professionals and the community”. Firstly, “the submissions for the Gamescom Awards are evaluated by an independent and internationally composed jury, who nominate the favorites”.
Once that is done, the nominees are thrown to visitors and fans of Gamescom who can vote on-site or remotely “to determine their favorites among the nominees”. In other words, most of the winners at the Gamescom Awards emerge by popular vote.
Fans of games that missed out on nominations would easily question the jury composition too. Well, this year’s jury “includes representatives of German and international media and social media companies, industry representatives, representatives of gaming communities, testers from the German Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), and journalists”.
One of the awards—Gamescom Green Studio of the Year—was announced at the Gamescom 2023 Opening Night Live. Xbox took the award and Phil Spenser was present to collect the award—unlike the August 25 award show where most of the winners were busy at their booths and unable to pick up the awards.
All the nominees and winners at the Gamescom Awards 2023
The Gamescom Awards 2023 categories were divided into four groups namely ‘Arts’, ‘Platform’, ‘Global’, and the ‘Gamescom Green Studio of the Year’. Game developers were invited to apply in more than one category under the Arts and Platform groups.
Below are the different categories and respective winners of the Gamescom Award 2023. We will also highlight what the jury looked out for in each of the categories while picking the nominees.
Best Visuals
Reserved for the game with the most “outstanding graphics, aesthetic design, and impressive visual effects” that provide both an immersive and captivating gaming experience.
- Black Myth: Wukong – Winner
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- REKA
- Sand Land
- The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo
Best Audio
Given to digital games with stunning “sound design, including sound effects, dialogue, and musical composition” that transports the gamer into the virtual world.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Winner
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Headbangers: Rhythm Royale
- REKA
- Savant – Ascent REMIX
Best Gameplay
Awarded to games that offer smooth gameplay that is both challenging and entertaining, particularly those with “innovative gameplay mechanics, smooth controls, and a balanced blend of challenge and enjoyment”.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Winner
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Paper Trail
- Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew
- The Wandering Village
ALSO READ: Armored Core VI: Fires Of Rubicon Started Strong But Falling Through The Cracks
Most Entertaining
This category acknowledges titles with engaging and entertaining gaming experiences, especially those that “enthrall players in special ways such as exciting storytelling, humorous elements, or captivating gameplay”.
- Payday 3 – Winner
- AK-xolotl
- Core Keeper
- Headbangers: Rhythm Royale
- Pizza Possum
Most Epic
This category is arguably the most subjective because it honors “games that captivate players with epic narratives, breathtaking graphics, and intense gameplay” that leaves a lasting impression.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Winner
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Black Myth: Wukong
- Dwarf Fortress
- Sand Land
Most Wholesome
The games in this category are those that create a “positive and loving atmosphere, providing players with a sense of warmth and joy”.
- Pikmin 4 – Winner
- Pioneers of Pagonia
- Smushi Come Home
- The Wandering Village
- Tiny Book Shop
Games for Impact
This category is for games that take on serious issues including “social, political, or cultural message and contribute to raising awareness or promoting positive changes in society”.
- Sky: Children of the Light – Winner
- A Space for the Unbound
- Belonging
- Dead Pets Unleashed
- Fall of Porcupine
Best Microsoft Xbox Game
The game was chosen by the jury and the community.
- Mortal Kombat 1 – Winner
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Enotria: The Last Song
- The Wandering Village
- Towerborne
ALSO READ: Mortal Kombat 1 Kombat Pack And Expanded Roster Revealed At SDCC
Best Nintendo Switch Game
The game was chosen by the jury and the community.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Winner
- Fall of Porcupine
- Figment 2: Creed Valley
- Paper Trail
- The Smurfs 2 – The Prisoner of the Green Stone
Best PC Game
The game was chosen by the jury and the community.
- Payday 3 – Winner
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Dwarf Fortress
- REKA
- Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew
Best Sony PlayStation Game
The game was chosen by the jury and the community.
- Tekken 8 – Winner
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Enotria: The Last Song
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Sand Land
Best Mobile Game
The best iOS and Android game was chosen by the jury and the community.
- Sky: Children of the Light – Winner
- Genshin Impact
- Marvel Snap
- Monster Hunter Now
- Paper Trail
Best Trailer/Announcement
This category is open for votes from fans visitors and the jury based on the “coolest game trailer or the best game announcement during Gamescom”.
- Little Nightmares 3 – Winner
Best of Show Floor
This category honors the best “booth presentation in the entertainment area”.
- Bandai Namco Entertainment – Winner
HEART OF GAMING award
This award is open to not just games but also “add-ons, technologies, people, institutions, companies, concepts, or terms”.
- GAME:IN – Winner
Which of the Gamescom 2023 Awards do you think the winner was most deserving? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
Remember to share and bookmark this website to stay up to date on all the hottest news in the gaming industry.
