Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker by Square Enix took home numerous awards at the 2022 SXSW Gaming Awards, including video game of the year. This year’s SXSW Gaming Awards featured 40 nominations in 12 categories, After more than a month of voting, the results are in.
Astrid and Lilly Save the World‘s Jana Morrison and Samantha Aucoin hosted the event this year. The purpose of the event was to recognize those titles that were regarded as the best video games of the year, as well as their creators, by recognizing the technological, aesthetic, and design achievements of the previous year in numerous categories. SXSW Gaming Awards streamed live on twitch.
The complete list of winners can be found below.
Video Game of the Year
This was awarded to the game that exemplifies overall excellence and creates a distinct gaming experience across all platforms and genres.
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker — SQUARE ENIX
Indie Game of the Year
This was awarded to the independently-developed game that exemplifies overall excellence and creates a distinct gaming experience across all platforms and genres.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits — Ember Lab
Tabletop Game of the Year
This was awarded to the game that exemplifies the overall excellence and ingenuity of any tabletop game in any genre.
Dune: Imperium — Dire Wolf Digital / Dire Wolf Digital
VR Game of the Year
This was awarded to the VR game that exemplifies overall excellence in gameplay and design across any VR platform.
Resident Evil 4 VR — Armature Studio / Oculus Studios
Matthew Crump Cultural Innovation Award
This was awarded to the game that best challenges the “norm” of everyday gaming and offers a culturally innovative view of a game world, character, or gameplay.
Unpacking — Witch Beam / Humble Games
Excellence in Animation, Art, & Visual Achievement
This was awarded to the game with the most well-designed and stunning visuals, including animation effects and graphics.
Forza Horizon 5 — Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios
Excellence in Game Design
This was awarded to the game with the best overall design concept, gameplay mechanics, and best execution.
Inscryption — Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital
Excellence in Original Score
This was awarded to the game that best exemplifies artistic excellence in its original musical score and how it progresses the narrative of the game.
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker — SQUARE ENIX
Excellence in Multiplayer
This was awarded to the game with the best player-to-player interaction experience.
It Takes Two — Hazelight / Electronic Arts
Excellence in Narrative
This was awarded to the game with the best storyline and dialogue.
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker — SQUARE ENIX
Excellence in Audio Design
This was awarded to the game with the most outstanding and impactful sound effects.
Resident Evil Village — Capcom
Excellence in Technical Achievement
This was awarded to the game that pushed the capabilities of technology and programming furthest or most effectively.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart — Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment
If you want to read about all the nominated games in all the categories, head to their official blog
