Each year the Independent Games Festival (IGF), held in conjunction with the Game Developers Conference (GDC), provides a platform for indie developers to showcase their labours of love. The IGF saw a whopping 301 competition entrants this year.<\/p>\n
The competition was conceived with the goal of giving unpublished developers a chance to shine at an event that attracts the biggest names in the business. The grand prize winner receives US$20 000, the Direct2Drive winner US$10 000, and the rest US$2500 each.<\/p>\n
Over 170 indie gaming luminaries were on hand to judge the best of the finalists. Numerous titles from previous competitions have since become commercial hits, so be sure to take note of the names below – they are the next household names in indie gaming.<\/p>\n
Seumas McNally Grand Prize: Monaco<\/a>, by Pocketwatch Games<\/p>\n GF Nuovo Award: Tuning<\/a>, by Cactus<\/p>\n Excellence in Visual Art: Limbo<\/a>, by PlayDead<\/p>\n Excellence in Audio: Closure<\/a>, by Closure Team<\/p>\n Technical Excellence: Limbo<\/a>, by PlayDead<\/p>\n Excellence in Design: Monaco<\/a>, by Pocketwatch Games<\/p>\n Student Showcase Award: Continuity<\/a>, by Ragtime Games<\/p>\n IGF Mobile Best Game: Spider: The Secret Of Bryce Manor<\/a>, by Tiger Style<\/p>\n Audience Award: Heroes Of Newerth<\/a>, by S2 Games<\/p>\n