October 3, 2024
Beeld & Geluid, Hilversum

Dutch Game Awards

2024

Dutch Game Awards 2023 is a wrap! See you next year!

The Dutch Game Awards

The Dutch Game Awards 2024 will take place on October 3rd at Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid in Hilversum, and will feature an evening filled with networking opportunities. This 2024 edition has a total of 9 regular awards + 4 special awards (by nomination only). Nominees and winners will be chosen by a dedicated jury of experts from the game industry. Find all the rules and criteria here.

Categories 2024

Best Game
First release between July 1st 2023 and June 30th 2024. Open Beta releases are also allowed. (a more specific description can be found in the Rules of Entry)

Best Innovation
For this award, we use the word innovation in a broad sense. It can be an innovative use of hardware and/or software technology, but it can also be game design that has never been seen before, significant improvements in accessibility or usability.

Best Student Game (powered by GameForce)
Submitted game needs to be developed by a student or group of students at a Dutch university, as part of the study curriculum. The game needs to be finished and (beta) published.

Best Debut Game
First game/project of a game studio located in the Netherlands. Experience level and background of all team members will be taken into account, next to the game quality and originality.

Best Audio (powered by Audiokinetic)
From beautiful game soundtrack or great quality in voice acting to game-enhancing audio effects. The Best in Audio has the power to enhance a game experience and truly move people.

Best Art
A game that shows excellence in gameplay art, animation, cutscenes or any other form of visual art and the way it enhances the gameplay experience. Innovative application as well as polish and quality will be taken into account.

Best Technology
Best use of hardware/software technology in game development. Pushing the boundaries and showing the path forward in optimal use of game tech.

Best Game Design (powered by Go!Gaming)
Game Design that takes the user to the edge of their seat, shows groundbreaking controls and user onboarding, unique gameplay and puzzles, novel design implementation or a compelling story or narrative. Innovative game design as well as depth and quality will be taken into account.

Best Applied Game (powered by City of Rotterdam)
Best game developed not for the primary purpose of entertainment, but for education, training, medical appliance, therapy. Criteria include the achieved impact and general excellence in concept and execution. The jury will need to be able to play the game (by themselves or on location) so exhibitions that were only playable for a limited time are excluded.

Special Awards (by nomination only)

Best Studio
This award is not about making the best games, but more about being the best place to make games. Criteria include (but are not limited to) employee health/benefits, creative environment, good leadership, teamwork. The studio doesn’t need to have a physical location, a remote studio is also eligible for this award
Applicant does not need to own (part of) the studio, but they do need to have a clear link with the studio. For example, being an employee or client.

Awesome Achievement
An achievement in cultural or economic growth, marketing or business excellence or another form of measurable success within the game industry (for example an exceptional ROI, high ARPDAU/retention, explosive active player base growth, crazy viral campaigns, etc). This award is to celebrate games, projects, people or companies who do awesome things, but generally speaking fly under the radar. Games can be submitted for this category, but it is also possible to nominate projects, people or companies through the Nomination form.

Inclusion (powered by Discord)
Given to an initiative, person, organization or company that has significant impact in improving inclusivity for the game industry. We accept nominations for this award, and we will also be on the lookout for nominees ourselves.

Lifetime/Career Achievement
Given to a person who has made a significant contribution to the Dutch game industry, either through their leadership, guidance, or their projects. This award is meant to celebrate their lifetime’s work, but does not necessarily have to be given at the end of their career.

Sponsors & Patrons

Do you want to support the Dutch Game Awards 2024? We are looking for sponsors and patrons!  Find all the info here or get in touch via email and we will send you our deck. 

Partners

Sponsors

Patrons Plus

Patrons

Contributing partners

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