The record number of entrants has been whittled down to a list of worthy finalists competing for indie developer prestige.

The 12th annual Independent Games Festival will be taking place over 9 – 13 March in San Francisco. The event not only gives independent game developers from around the world an opportunity to showcase their projects and make valuable industry contacts, but also plays host to a competition with over US$40 000 (±R310 000) in prizes up for grabs.

The record number of entrants for 2010 – 306 to be exact – has been reduced to a list of finalists after a lengthy qualifying judging process, listed below.

Seumas McNally Grand Prize

Joe Danger
Monaco
Rocketbirds: Revolution!
Super Meat Boy!
Trauma

Excellence in Visual Art

Limbo
Owlboy
Rocketbirds: Revolution!
Shank
Trauma

Excellence in Audio

Closure
Rocketbirds: Revolution!
Shatter
Super Meat Boy!
Trauma

Excellence in Design

AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! — A Reckless Disregard For Gravity
Cogs
Miegakure
Monaco
Star Guard

Nuovo Award

A Slow Year
Closure
Enviro-Bear 2000
Today I Die
Tuning

Technical Excellence

Closure
Limbo
Heroes of Newerth
Joe Danger
Vessel

Be sure to visit the IGF (http://www.igf.com/02finalists.html) website for a detailed look at what each finalist has to offer.
Related articles: http://www.mygaming.co.za/news/news/4774-Independent-Games-Festival-2010-biggest-yet.html