ABOUT THE
CEREMONY
Our first ever IRL awards show dedicated to indie games and the people who make them, spotlighting the best and the brightest globally – Possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of PressEngine
NOMINATIONS
PROCESS
Some categories saw studios nominating themselves, while others were nominated by the public*
Submissions for all categories were open until 31 December 2023, and shortlisted nominees were announced on 2 January 2024
AWARD CATEGORIES
Award for Mental Health
Award for Accessibility
Best Voice Acting
Best Soundtrack
Best Sound Design
Best Art Direction
Best Gameplay
Best Narrative
Best VR Game
Innovation & Creativity Award
Physical Release of the Year
Free Play Award
Retro World Award
ICYMI Award *
Best New Studio
Subscribers’ Choice Award *
Most Anticipated Award *
Debug Game of the Year
WHERE
The Indie Game Awards – Sponsored by PressEngine
The Indie Game Awards 2024 took place on 2 February 2024
Location: Metronome, Nottingham, UK
THE IGA STORY
On 2 February 2024, Debug hosted the very first Indie Game Awards, marking a new chapter in the magazine’s mission to celebrate independent creativity in all its forms. Held as a dedicated in-person event for the indie community, the ceremony shone a well-deserved spotlight on the developers, artists, and storytellers shaping the future of games.
First announced in November 2023, the Indie Game Awards were conceived as a space to recognise the best and brightest from around the world, from solo creators to small teams daring to do things differently. Supported by the generous sponsorship of PressEngine, the event gathered developers, journalists, and fans under one roof to honour a year of remarkable work and innovation.
The nomination process reflected Debug’s commitment to openness and community. Some categories invited studios to put themselves forward, while others were nominated by the public, ensuring a broad and inclusive representation of the indie scene. Submissions remained open until 31 December 2023, after which a panel of Debug editors and contributors carefully curated a shortlist announced on 2 January 2024.
By the time February arrived, anticipation across the indie community was palpable. The winners revealed at the ceremony were chosen not only for their technical brilliance, but for their originality, emotional impact, and the spirit of independence they embodied.
The Indie Game Awards 2024 set the stage for what is already becoming a defining annual celebration of creativity in gaming—a night that reminded everyone why indie games matter, and why Debug remains at the heart of that conversation.
