Award season is fast approaching, and while most gamers will be waiting for Geoff Keighley to announce the nominees for the Game Awards later today, we already have the picks for the Indie Game Awards, organised by Six One Indie, a grassroots collective with their own showcase and publishing support for indie developers.
The Indie Game Awards, which is scheduled for December 18th, 3:30 pm PT/6:30 pm ET/11:30 pm BST, will be aired via the IGN, GameSpot, and Six One Indie YouTube and Twitch channels.
The FAQ page on the official Indie Game Awards website describes the event as “an annual awards-only ceremony dedicated to honoring excellence in indie gaming. Featuring categories that celebrate innovation, storytelling, artistry, and more, The IGAs spotlight compelling and groundbreaking titles from around the world. The ceremony is developer-focused, with game creators taking center stage to present awards, recognize their peers, and openly speak without the pressure of time constraints.”
Now, let’s get to the nominees, which you can see listed below, or you can watch the Nominee Announcement video on the official Six One Indie YouTube channel.
The Indie Game Awards Nominees
Achievement In Accessibility Award
Recognizing a game that has made a significant impact in the industry through its unique storytelling, artistic vision, and gameplay mechanics.
- Abiotic Factor
- Barista
- Calm the Storm
- PEAK
- Spray Paint Simulator
- Squeakross: Home Squeak Home
African Indie Game Award
Curated by the Playtopia Festival, this category honors outstanding achievements of indies based in the African region.
- Bru & Boogie – Get Da Milk!
- Fibbius McDoogle and the Mysterious Flying Machine
- Finding Father
- Ikeelya
- Metavoidal
- Stick It to the Stickman
ANZ Indie Game Award
Curated by Frosty Games, this category honors outstanding achievements for indies based in Australia. New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
- Abiotic Factor
- The Drifter
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Mars First Logistics
- PROXIMATE
- Tempopo
Bite-Sized Game Award
Recognizing a standout title that delivers an impactful and engaging experience within a brief playtime of five hours or less.
- CARIMARA – Beneath the Forlorn Limbs
- The Dark Queen of Mortholme
- Flyknight
- Many Nights a Whisper
- this game will end in 205 clicks
- Time Flies
Black Voice In Gaming Award
Curated by Black Voices in Gaming, this category honors outstanding achievements for indies crafted by black developers from around the world.
- Advent Neon
- Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi
- Sorry We’re Closed
- Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To
- Sunken Stones
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Showdown
Community Management Award
Recognizing a studio that excels in fostering a vibrant and inclusive community through exceptional engagement, support, and communication that enhances player experience and builds lasting connections.
- ALL DAY ALL NIGHT
- Game Smithing Limited
- Jenny Jiao and AP Thompson
- Sssy Chap Games
- Strange Scaffold
- Team PEAK
Debut Game Award
Recognizing the innovation, creativity, and impact of a studio that has set a high standard right from the start with its first commercial launch.
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Discounty
- Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson
- ILA: A Frosty Glide
- Sorry We’re Closed
- Tyrant’s Realm
Emotional Impact Award
Recognizing a game that profoundly resonates with players through personal, emotional, and thematic experiences, leaving a lasting impression and fostering deep connections with their audience.
- Afterlove EP
- and Roger
- Don’t Get Your Hopes Up
- Henry Halfhead
- Wanderstop
- Wednesdays
Gameplay Design Award
Recognizing a game with exceptional gameplay mechanics that contribute to the overall flow, challenge, and enjoyment of the game, encouraging players to immerse themselves fully in the experience.
- Absolum
- BallxPit
- Dawnfolk
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Keep Driving
- Look Outside
- Öoo
- Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
- The King is Watching
Innovation Award
Recognizing a game that pushes boundaries with its unique premise, development technique, or gameplay twist; an experience that captivates players and redefines expectations in the industry.
- Blue Prince
- FREERIDE
- Gas Station Story
- PBJ The Musical
- Ruffy and the Riverside
- Taria & Como
Latin American Indie Game Award
Curated by the Latin American Games Showcase, this category honors outstanding achievements of indies based in the Latin American region.
- Adventures of Samsara
- Despelote
- Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo
- Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
- Taria & Como
- Tormented Souls II
Music Award
Recognizing a game with captivating musical compositions that enhance immersion, evoke emotions, and leave a memorable impact on players.
- Everhood 2
- Herdling
- Rift of the NecroDancer
- SONOKUNI
- Sword of the Sea
- Wheel World
Narrative Award
Recognizing a game that delivers a powerful narrative with compelling characters, immersive worlds, and/or thought-provoking themes.
- Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
- Consume Me
- The Drifter
- Promise Mascot Agency
- The Roottrees are Dead
- The Séance of Blake Manor
Solo Development Award
Recognizing a game crafted by a single full-time developer, as well as the dedication, creativity, and passion that go into bringing a vision to life from concept to completion.
- Lushfoil Photography Sim
- Megabonk
- Naiad
- Spilled!
- Tail Trails
- Vile: Exhumed
Southeast Asian Indie Game Award
Curated by the Southeast Asian Games Showcase, this category honors outstanding achievements of indies based in the Southeast Asian region.
- Afterlove EP
- Artis Impact
- Glyphica – Typing Survival
- SEDAP! A Culinary Adventure
- Urban Jungle
- Whisper Mountain Outbreak
Visual Design Award
Recognizing a game that exemplifies a unique, powerful, and captivating art style, honoring the creativity and artistry that elevate the visual experience and leave a lasting impression on players.
- 30 Birds
- Artis Impact
- Cat Detective Albert Wilde
- Eclipsium
- Mashima
- Slime Rancher 2
Women-Led Indie Game Award
Curated by the Women-Led Games, this category recognizes the outstanding achievements of a game developed by women-led indie studios.
- Cabernet
- Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping
- Gemporium
- Spilled!
- Urban Myth Dissolution Center
- White Knuckle
Game Of The Year Award
Recognizing a game that has made a significant impact in the industry through its unique storytelling, artistic vision, and gameplay mechanics.
- Absolum
- and Roger
- Blue Prince
- Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Consume Me
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Keep Driving
- Pipistrello & the Cursed Yoyo
Alongside the categories listed above, there are a few other awards that will be given out during the Indie Game Awards, including Community Picks, where the public can submit their favorite Indie games. Submissions for Community Picks close on November 24th and are made through the official Indie Game Awards website. Three other awards, the Indie Vanguard, the Mohammad Fahmi Storyteller Award, and the Industry Impact, which were picked by the IGAs Curation Jury, will be announced during the ceremony.
Check out the official Indie Game Awards website for more details regarding the presenters and judges, and frequently asked questions.
We know that 2025 has been a fantastic year for Indie games, but looking over the categories and their nominations at the Indie Game Awards does a great job of highlighting the variety in both genre and developer, shining a light on those who might otherwise be overlooked.
Having done such a good job with last year’s Indie Game Awards and their impressive Showcases, we here at the GSC have every faith that the Six One Indie team will put on a hell of a show, and a wonderful celebration of Indie games on December 18th!
What would be your winners for each category at the Indie Game Awards? Do you think any games have been snubbed from this year’s event? Come and join the Gamer Social Club Discord to chat with other gamers about it and share your Community Picks!
