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The German Computer Game Awards were presented before a live audience for the first time since 2019. Around 600 guests from the game industry and the cultural, social and political spheres accepted the invitation to celebrate the best German computer and video games, as well as their makers, in Berlin.

The attendees were joined by hundreds of thousands of additional viewers who followed the event via live stream. A total of 800,000 euros in prize money was given out. ‘Chained Echoes’ from Matthias Linda and Deck13 Spotlight was honoured as Best German Game. The award for Studio of the Year went to Paintbucket Games of Berlin. The studio, founded in 2018, has in a period of just a few years made a name for itself with games that take up, and inspire players to reflect on, socially relevant topics through compelling experiences.

Examples include the games ‘Through the Darkest of Times’ and ‘Beholder 3’, the latter of which won in the category Best Serious Game this year. The award in the unendowed category Best International Game went to ‘God of War Ragnarök’ from Santa Monica Studio and Sony Interactive Entertainment. The jury and the community chose Pia Scholz, aka Shurjoka, as Player of the Year. Via live stream, she discusses with her fans not only games but also a broad range of current issues – from diversity to the problems of right-wing radicalism and sexism to mental health and her career as an influencer. With the German Computer Game Awards, the year’s best German-produced computer and video games are honoured by the federal government, represented by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), jointly with game – the German Games Industry Association.

‘Congratulations to all winners of the German Computer Game Awards! Finally, we were able to present these awards before a large audience again. This year in particular, the creative minds behind the games more than deserve this large stage, because the nominated games were all created under the difficult conditions of the coronavirus pandemic. And despite these challenges, this period gave rise to outstanding games that have attracted a great deal of attention both in Germany and abroad,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – the German Games Industry Association.

Overview of all winners

Best German Game (endowed with 100,000 euros for the winning game)

Chained Echoes (Matthias Linda / Deck13 Spotlight)

The other two nominees each receive 30,000 euros:

Beholder 3 (Paintbucket Games / Alawar Entertainment)

SIGNALIS (rose-engine / Humble Games)

Best Family Game (endowed with 40,000 euros)

Die magische Bretterbudenburg (Meander Books)

Newcomer Award – Best Debut (endowed with 60,000 euros for the best debut)

SIGNALIS (rose-engine / Humble Games)

The other two nominees each receive 25,000 euros:

Chained Echoes (Matthias Linda / Deck13 Spotlight)

Dome Keeper (Bippinbits / Raw Fury)

Newcomer Award – Best Prototype (endowed with 50,000 euros for the best prototype)

Light of Atlantis (Alina Fasen, Luisa Höhne, Vincent Krenzke, Simone Mayer, Alexander Nham / HAW Hamburg)

The other four nominees each receive 25,000 euros:

A Sister’s Journey (Florian Lackner)

Mail Tail (Robin Heisterkamp)

Ova Magica (Claudia Gorsky)

Thief of Smiles (Robert Brand, Lars Hinnerk Grevsmühl, Alina Hies, Felix Kosian, Marcel Zurawka)

Best Innovation and Technology (endowed with 40,000 euros)

BEETHOVEN // OPUS 360 (agon e. V.)

Best Graphic Design (endowed with 40,000 euros)

ABRISS – Build to Destroy (Randwerk Games)

Best Audio Design (endowed with 40,000 euros)

SIGNALIS (rose-engine / Humble Games)

Best Game Design (endowed with 40,000 euros)

Dome Keeper (Bippinbits / Raw Fury)

Best Serious Game (endowed with 40,000 euros)

Beholder 3 (Paintbucket Games / Alawar Entertainment)

Best Mobile Game (endowed with 40,000 euros)

Dungeons of Dreadrock (Christoph Minnameier)

Best Expert Game (endowed with 40,000 euros)

Touch Type Tale – Strategic Typing (Pumpernickel Studio / Epic Games)

Best International Game (not endowed)

God of War Ragnarök (SIE Santa Monica Studio / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Player of the Year (not endowed)

Pia Scholz (aka Shurjoka)

Studio of the Year (endowed with 50,000 euros)

Paintbucket Games (Berlin)

Special Jury Award (endowed with 10,000 euros)

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