Meet the Winners of the 2024 Belgian Game Awards
sábado, 19 de outubro de 2024 11h 30min
The Belgian Game Awards, organized by FLEGA and BelgianGames, alongside a network of key partners in the Belgian gaming ecosystem, have proudly announced this year's winners. Among the celebrated titles, the spotlight shone brightly on several outstanding games, each earning high praise from the jury for their creativity, innovation, and excellence in various categories. The awards ceremony, filled with applause and excitement, highlighted the best of Belgian game development talent.
One of the night's standout winners was GAZZLERS by Bolt Blaster Games, which took home the award for XR Game of the Year. The jury lauded the game’s universal appeal, noting how it makes losing feel enjoyable and offers an intuitive experience that fully embraces the VR medium. The art direction was described as remarkable, and the polished design, along with sublime voice acting, left a lasting impression. Such elements exemplify the quality and ingenuity that GAZZLERS brings to the virtual reality space.
In the Best Applied Game category, Please, Touch The Artwork 2 by Thomas Waterzooi triumphed. The game impressed the jury with its accessibility, allowing players to engage with it in various settings, from kitchens to museums and schools. It was praised for bringing culture to the masses through the medium of games, demonstrating how interactive experiences can bridge gaps between art, education, and entertainment.
Baldur's Gate 3 by Larian Studios emerged as a key player in this year’s event, taking home several awards, including Best Narrative, Best Audio, Best Game Design, and Game of the Year. The jury commended the game’s deep narrative and impressive character development, stating that the storyline and characters became real for many players. The game's music and voice acting were also hailed as integral to its emotional depth and immersive experience, giving Baldur's Gate 3 a unique edge in the world of RPGs.
Visual art also played a crucial role in the awards, with The Man Came Around by Pipette Inc winning Best Visual Art. The jury emphasized the game’s distinctive and immediately recognizable art style, noting how the minimalist 2D design broke away from conventional trends to establish a strong visual identity. This win further highlights how indie games can stand out through artistic innovation.
For Best Multiplayer, Breachers by Triangle Factory impressed the judges with its engaging VR gameplay. The comparison to iconic games like Counterstrike and Rainbow 6 in the VR space solidified its place as a fan-favorite, with a community of players fully embracing the game’s competitive nature. Its immersive multiplayer experience proved to be a hit among both seasoned gamers and newcomers to the VR genre.
The event also honored the creativity of young talents, awarding Nebelmer by Haute École Albert Jacquard students the Student Game of the Year title. The jury encouraged the developers to finish the project and bring it to market, reflecting the high standards and polish already achieved by this student-led team.
Another category that captured attention was the Most-Anticipated Game, awarded to Laser Dance by Studio Vanbo. The jury highlighted the game's flawless execution and innovative use of mixed reality, which transforms any room into a playable level, making it a brilliant concept that’s eagerly awaited by the community.
With Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3 winning both the prestigious Game of the Year award and the Audience Award, the Belgian Game Awards concluded with a resounding celebration of the country's thriving game development scene. The event has once again showcased the outstanding talent and creativity that continue to shape Belgium's place on the global gaming stage.