Nordic Game Awards 2019: Hauptpreis ging an A Way Out

Auf der Nordic Game Conference 2019 sind die Gewinner der diesjährigen Nordic Game Awards verliehen worden. Der Hauptpreis “Game of the Year” ging an A Way Out. Das Spiel von Hazelight aus Schweden setzte sich gegen Battlefield 5, Brawl Stars, Forgotton Anne, Pode by Henchman & Goon und Warhammer: Vermintide 2 durch. Für die Preise durfen nur Spiele vorgeschlagen werden, die von Studios aus Dänemark, Finnland, Island, Norwegen und Schweden entwickelt wurde. Die Gewinner wurden von einer Jury bestimmt.

2019 Nordic Game of the Year winner: A Way Out by Hazelight (SE)
Jury’s motivation: The story told through this year’s Best Nordic Game of the Year can only be done through video games. What happens on the screens is just a part of the experience in A Way Out, as weighty moral decisions linger between you and your “partner in crime” long after the choice is made. The end result is an experience laden with powerful metaphors for life and human values.

2019 Nordic Game of the Year nominees also included:

• Battlefield 5 by EA DICE (SE)
• Brawl Stars by Supercell (FI)
• Forgotton Anne by Througline Games (DK)
• Pode by Henchman & Goon (NO)
• Warhammer: Vermintide 2 by Fatshark (SE)

: Holedown by Grapefrukt (SE)
Jury’s motivation: Based around a simple concept, Holedown turns this premise into an extremely rewarding gameplay experience, which is engrossing, relaxing and thrilling all at the same time. In fact, the game draws on the concept of black holes in more than one way, because not only is that where the action takes place it’s also certain to suck you in.

2019 Nordic Game of the Year – Small Screen nominees also included:

• Cosmic Top Secret by Klassefilm (DK)
• Fly THIS! by Northplay (DK)
• My Child: Lebensborn by Sarepta Studio & Teknopilot AS (NO)
• Spitkiss by Triple Topping Games (DK)

: Pode by Henchman & Goon (NO)
Jury’s motivation: Dark themes or light thoughts, art elicits emotion. In Pode the beauty grows from barren geometry, brought to life with lush flora and shiny crystals. Games are an art form that demand collaboration between the player and the game. That is demonstrated perfectly in Pode as together, you create.

2019 Best Art nominees also included:

• Battlefield 5 by EA DICE (SE)
• Fe by Zoink (SE)
• Planet Alpha by Planet Alpha Game Studio (DK)
• Unravel 2 by Coldwood Interactive (SE)

: A Way Out by Hazelight (SE)
Jury’s motivation: Truth is a matter of perspective, or at least that is what they say. A Way Out certainly sets out to prove this point, which is exactly why this game’s design is so striking. So simple in its concept, but yet elegant and surprising in execution.

2019 Best Game Design nominees also included:

• Brawl Stars by Supercell (FI)
• Hitman 2 by IO Interactive (DK)
• Iconoclasts by Joakim Sandberg (NO)
• Pode by Henchman & Goon (NO)
• Warhammer: Vermintide 2 by Fatshark (SE)

: Hitman 2 by IO Interactive (DK)
Jury’s motivation: With its vast array of variables and plethora of permutation, HITMAN 2 achieves a sense of emergence really experienced. When the player’s creativity is constantly matched by the intelligence game’s artificial agents, the technological steps made to create this virtual world become obvious. This game combines its many technological achievements in a way that is not only impressive but also fun.

2019 Best Technology nominees also included:

• Battlefield 5 by EA DICE (SE)
• Budget Cuts by Neat Corporation (SE)
• My Child: Lebensborn by Sarepta Studio & Teknopilot AS (NO)
• Youropa by Frecle (DK)

: Battlefield 5 by EA DICE (SE)
Jury’s motivation: Some say that audio is 50 per cent of the experience. However, the sound designers of Battlefield V were clearly not satisfied with just half of the pie. Their efforts have turned this game into a masterclass in ambience, action and attention to detail. The audio succeeds perfectly in embedding you into its diverse environments and nail-biting action gameplay.

2019 Best Audio nominees also included:

• Just Cause 4 by Avalanche Studios (SE)
• Planet Alpha by Planet Alpha Game Studio (DK)
• Shrug Island – The Meeting by Tiny Red Camel (DK)
• Warhammer: Vermintide 2 by Fatshark (SE)

: Unravel 2 by Coldwood Interactive (SE)
Jury’s motivation: This game is the equivalent a beautiful sunset that you want to share with a person you love. Unravel 2 shows that, with communication and trust, you can solve all the puzzles it holds.

2019 Best Fun for Everyone nominees also included:

• Chimparty by Napnok Games (DK)
• Claybook by Second Order (FI)
• Moomin Match & Explore by Snowfall Ltd. (FI)
• Pode by Henchman & Goon (NO)

: Planet Alpha by Planet Alpha Game Studio (DK)
Jury’s motivation: The game brings you a cosmic adventure, far from the world we know, that makes you hold your breath. The magical views of Planet Alpha combined with its lonely score to give you goosebumps and truly take your breath away.

2019 Best Debut nominees also included:

• A Way Out by Hazelight (SE)
• Budget Cuts by Neat Corporation (SE)
• Cosmic Top Secret by Klassefilm (DK)
• Raft by Redbeet Interactive (SE)