Balatro is named Best Game of 2024 by The Indie Game Awards

The organisers of The Indie Game Awards have summed up the year and named the Best Game and winners in a number of other categories.

Here's What We Know

The best game from independent developers was named the notorious card roguelike Balatro, which is actively receiving awards at many other events. We would like to remind you that Balatro was recognised as the best indie game at The Game Awards 2024, and its sales exceeded 3.5 million in just ten months.

Here are the winners and nominees in the main categories:

Best Debut Game

• Arranger
• Lil' Guardsman
  
• Little Kitty, Big City is the winner!
• Loddlenaut
• MULLET MADJACK
• Worldless

Best innovation in accessibility

• Another Crabʼs Treasure - Winner!
• Elsie
• Periphery Synthetic
• Pine Hearts
• SteamWorld Heist II
• Surmount: A Mountain Climbing Adventure.

Best Artwork

• Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
• Crow Country
  
• Harold Halibut is the winner!
• Hauntii
• The Plucky Squire
• Ultros

Best Soundtrack

• Core Keeper
• Flock
  
• Pacific Drive is a winner!
• The Cub
• Thrasher
• Wild Bastards

Best Short Game

• Buckshot Roulette
• Clickolding
• Duck Detective: The Secret Salami
• Minami Lane
• Please Touch the Artwork 2
  
• Thank Goodness Youʼre Here is the winner!

Best game by a solo developer

• Aerial_Knightʼs We Never Yield
  
• Animal Well - Winner!
• Children of the Sun
• Crypt Custodian
• Knuckle Sandwich
• Magical Delicacy

Best Innovative Gameplay

• Cryptmaster is the winner!
• KarmaZoo
• Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
• ODDADA
• Rustyʼs Retirement
• UFO 50

Best Emotional Impact

• In Stars and Time
• Kind Words 2
• Neva is the winner!
• Selfloss
• Thirsty Suitors
• Until Then

Best Gameplay Design

• Balatro - Winner!
• Grunn
• Minishoot Adventures
• Nine Sols
• Tiny Glade
• Victory Heat Rally

Best Narrative

• 1000xRESIST is the winner!
• ARCO
• Caravan SandWitch
• Fear The Spotlight
• Last Time I Saw You
• Mouthwashing

Broadcast recording

Source: IGN