The 2024 Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDA), a night-long celebration of the local video games industry, is fast approaching and the finalists are out. Leading the way is Conscript, which earned six nominations, including the coveted Game of the Year award.
Sponsored by the industry’s peak body, the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA), AGDA recognizes the best work of local developers across a variety of fields. Held during Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW), the event leads into PAX Aus, a massive gathering of all things video games.
In addition to Conscript, Game of the Year nominees also include Diets and Deities and Kill Knight.
Created by Melbourne-based developer Jordan Mochi, Conscript depicts World War I from a survival horror perspective. The game is inspired by classic genres such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill, and players play as a French soldier who faces the horrifying realities of war in the Battle of Verdun.
GamesHub’s Leah Williams called Conscript an “incredibly impactful war story” in her five-star review. You’re forced to follow the whispers of hope, gathering strength not for glory but out of pure survival instinct. ”
Meanwhile, Diets & Deities is part of Larrikin Interactive, an independent team based in the Northern Territory. A rhythm cooking game that brings together gods and cultures from around the world. It also includes real-world recipes inspired by the cultures depicted in the game, so you’re sure to get hungry.
Rounding out the Game of the Year nominations is Kill Knight by PlaySide Studios, the same studio behind Age of Darkness’ brutal strategy style. Kill Knight is a flashy arcade shooter that throws you hordes of terrifying enemies.
AGDA 2024 Finalist
Excellence in Art – Sponsored by Ultimate Studio Excellence in Gameplay Capes by Spitfire Interactive, Daedalic Entertainment (QLD) Max Mustard by Toast Interactive (QLD) Wild Bastards by Blue Manchu, Maximum Entertainment (ACT) Excellence in Narrative Excellence in Sound Design Excellence – Sponsored by APRA AMCOS Excellence in Music – Sponsored by APRA AMCOS Excellence in Accessibility – Powered by VicScreen Excellence in Mobile Excellence in Mixed Reality Excellence in Impact Excellence in Emerging – Sponsored by Screen Queensland Excellence in Live Services – Sponsored by Sledgehammer Games Game of the Year
The 2024 AGDA includes a number of games, with one glaring omission. Thorium Infernum from struggling Melbourne studio League of Geeks missed out on one nomination.
Either way, this is an impressive list that shows the breadth of talent in the local industry. AGDA 2024 winners will be announced during the awards night on October 9th at 6:30pm AEDT and streamed live on IGEA’s Twitch channel.
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