The 2022 SXSW Gaming Awards announce the winners.
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. This year’s SXSW gaming awards went free and virtual this year via web, mobile and TV platforms, allowing the world to watch live as the hosts and talent announced the 12 winners. Fans can rewatch the SXSW Gaming Awards ceremony here.
Jana Morrison (“Astrid”) and Samantha Aucoin (“Lilly”), the heroic leads of Syfy’s new Astrid & Lilly Save the World, co-hosted the virtual ceremony which 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.
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“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. 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.”
Hugh Forrest, SXSW Chief Programming Officer.
A complete list of the awards and winners are below.
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® |
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| 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 |
The awards feel pretty apt. Personally, I would have given It Takes’s Two game of the year, but I have a soft spot for co-op, especially great co-op. On top of the wards, there were a number of debuts including the trailers Grit and Superior from Gala Games. Overall it was an exciting night for gaming that celebrated the previous year and gives us a look at what is to come. SXSW is currently going on now until March 20, 2022. Be sure to check back with us for more SXSW updates.
What did you think about the winners of this year’s SXSW Gaming Awards? Are there any winners you disagree with? Do you have any predictions for next year’s winners? Let us know what you think in the comments below and share your thoughts on next year’s winners with us on Twitter.
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