International Mobile Gaming Awards
The International Mobile Gaming Awards ("IMGA") is an annual competition and awards ceremony that honors outstanding games made for mobile devices. It is the longest standing international competition for mobile games. Notable IMGA winners include Candy Crush Saga and Monument Valley.
The best mobile games submissions are awarded at the prize-giving IMGA ceremony, which takes place in various cities across the United States and Asia. IMGA was founded by Maarten Noyons in 2004 and is headquartered in Marseilles, France.
History
editIn 2004 the mobile games industry was still finding its feet. As developers began carving out a space in the market, the French division of Discreet announced the first "International 3D Mobile Gaming Competition."[1] With over $50,000 of prizes to be won, the contest was designed by NCC Partners CEO Maarten Noyons to help showcase young mobile games and was supported by Nokia, Orange, Intel, IBM and more.[2]
With 85 entries, the awards took place on 3 February 2004, at the IMAGINA festival in Monte Carlo. There were four categories: Grand Prix, 16MB, 1MB, 200K/native, and 200K/Java. Later that year, Discreet was acquired by Autodesk who decided to close the French office – and thus the competition. However, Noyons convinced Discreet to let him take full control of the event and in doing so he founded IMGA as it's known today.[3]
Renaming the event the International Mobile Gaming Awards, Noyons has grown IMGA into a worldwide competition. Each year, the awards now receive around 1,000 submissions, 600 of which are usually submitted to the jury. Over a two-day judging process, the entrants are whittled down to 60 nominees.[4]
For ten years the winners were announced at the GSMA's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, but the 11th IMGA saw the ceremony moved to GDC in San Francisco,[5][6][7] during the Game Developers Conference and Game Connection.
In 2016, the competition added a new category for VR games[8] and announced 102 nominations and 11 categories.[9] Sam Barlow won the Grand Prix that year with Her Story, a detective game.[10]
After Europe and the US, the IMGA has launched its program in China in 2015 and Southeast Asia in 2016 creating two additional competitions: IMGA Southeast Asia[11] in partnership with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and IMGA China[12] in partnership with Migu – China Mobile's digital content entity, and co-hosted by MyGamez,[13] a publisher for foreign mobile games in China.
Judging session
editThe judging process takes place in Marseilles, France in January every year. Jury members are invited to review and play all submitted games and select the nominees. The main judging criteria are the mechanics of the gameplay, the quality of the sound design and visual art and the originality in storytelling.[14]
IMGA is open to entries from all mobile games developers. Past participants include students, researchers, artists, individual developers and publishers. The winners of each of eight category are decided by an international jury of experts and journalists from Asia, the US and Europe.
Past judges include industry veterans such as King's former games guru Tommy Palm, Dean Takahashi[15] of VentureBeat, and Unity Evangelist Oscar Clark[16]
Award categories
editThe awards celebrate innovation and creativity in mobile games worldwide. Based on their merit, games are recognized in a variety of categories that are decided on by the jury, when they meet each year for the judging process. The categories for the 2020 International Mobile Gaming Awards included:[17]
- Best AR Game
- Best Game for 5G
- Best Meaningful Play
- Best Quickplay Game
- Best Technical Achievement
- Best VR Game
- Excellence in Art
- Excellence in Audio
- Excellence in Design
- Excellence in Gameplay
- Excellence in Innovation
- Excellence in Storytelling
Winners
editThe following games won the "Grand Prix" at their respective IMGA ceremonies, the award that recognises the best mobile game of that year's nominees.
Aside from the main categories and the Grand Prix, there are two more prizes. These include the "People's Choice" award, which was introduced in 2008, for the game that receives the most votes from the general public; while the jury's "Honorable Mention" was introduced in 2012, for the game the judges believe deserves extra credit.
2020
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Sky: Children of the Light | [17][18] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Sayonara Wild Hearts | |
| People's Choice | Hados 2 | |
| Excellence in Art | The Gardens Between | |
| Best Game for 5G | Dragon Raja | |
| Best AR Game | Angry Birds AR: Isle of Pigs | |
| Excellence in Innovation | What the Golf | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Archero | |
| Excellence in Audio | Alien: Blackout | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Call of Duty: Mobile | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | Forgotton Anne | |
| Best Meaningful Play | Dear Reader | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Call of Duty: Mobile | |
| Best VR Game | Acron: Attack of the Squirrels! | |
| Excellence in Design | Figment: Journey Into the Mind |
2019
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Florence | [19][20] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Flipping Filip | |
| People's Choice | Cooking Diary: Restaurant Game | |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Brawl Stars | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Oddman | |
| Best Feel Good Game | Valleys Between | |
| Excellence in Audio | Eloh | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Bring You Home | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | Florence | |
| Excellence in Visual Art and Design | Chuchel | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Gladiabots | |
| Best Meaningful Play | Florence | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Asphalt 9: Legends | |
| Best VR Game | Narrows | |
| Guilty Pleasure | Bacon - The Game | |
| Best Upcoming Game | Agatha Knife |
2018
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Hidden Folks | [21] |
| People's Choice | Life Is Strange | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Splitter Critters | |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Arena of Valor | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Tiny Bubbles | |
| Excellence in Audio | Virtual Virtual Reality | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Framed 2 | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | The Witch's Isle | |
| Excellence in Art | Tokaido | |
| Best Meaningful Play | Bury Me, My Love | |
| Best VR Game | Virtual Virtual Reality | |
| Guilty Pleasure | Death Coming | |
| Best Upcoming Game | The Enchanted World | |
| Best Port to Mobile | The Witness | |
| Game Artist of 2017 | Old Man's Journey |
2017
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Pokémon Go | [22][23] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Mekorama | |
| People's Choice | Skygarden: Farm In Paradise | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Human Resource Machine | |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Clash Royale | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Conduct This! | |
| Excellence in Visual Art | Invisible, Inc. | |
| Excellence in Audio | Crypt of the NecroDancer | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | The Battle of Polytopia | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | Reigns | |
| Best Meaningful Play | 1979 Revolution: Black Friday | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Dawn of Titans | |
| Best VR Game | Wands | |
| Guilty Pleasure | Steppy Pants | |
| Best Upcoming Game | Steamburg | |
| Game Artist of 2016 | Dawn of Titans |
2016
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Her Story | [24][10] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | LongStory | |
| People's Choice | Shadowmatic | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Her Story | |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Agar.io | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Smashy Road: Wanted | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Badland 2 | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | Her Story | |
| Best Meaningful Play | This War of Mine | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Shadowmatic | |
| Best VR Game | Land's End | |
| Guilty Pleasure | Fallout Shelter | |
| Best Upcoming Game | Clash Royale | |
| Excellence in Audio, Visual Art & Design | Lumino City |
2015
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Monument Valley | [25][26] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Threes! | |
| People's Choice | Vainglory | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Bounden | |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Soccer Physics | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Crossy Road | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Hearthstone | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | 80 Days | |
| Best Meaningful Play | Papers, Please | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Vainglory | |
| Guilty Pleasure | 2048 | |
| Best Upcoming Game | Prune | |
| Excellence in Audio, Visual Art & Design | Tengami |
2014
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Badland | [27] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Luxuria Superbia | |
| People's Choice | Tiny Thief | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Blek | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Colossatron: Massive World Threat | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Rymdkapsel | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | République | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Clumsy Ninja | |
| Best Upcoming Game | Framed | |
| Best Serious Game | Artistico: The Game for Art Lovers | |
| Best Shared Experience in a Game | Heads Up! | |
| Excellence in Sound Design | Papa Sangre II | |
| Excellence in Art Design | Year Walk |
2013
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | The Walking Dead | [28] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Devil's Attorney, Zombies Run! | |
| People's Choice | The Room | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Spaceteam | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | The Walking Dead | |
| Best Social Game | Candy Crush Saga | |
| Best Serious Game | DragonBox Algebra 5+ |
2012
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Infinity Blade II | [29][30] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Contre Jour | |
| People's Choice | Flick Tennis: College Wars | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Infinity Blade II | |
| Most Innovative Game | Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP | |
| Best Sports Game | Touchgrind BMX | |
| Best Real World Game | Meatspace Invasion | |
| Best Mobile Social Game | Charadium II | |
| Best Casual Game | Sprinkle |
2011
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Beyond Ynth | [31] |
| People's Choice | Perfect Cell | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Beyond Ynth | |
| Operators Choice | Snowboard Hero | |
| Excellence in Design | Infinity Blade | |
| Most Innovative Game | Papa Sangre | |
| Best Sports Game | Snowboard Hero | |
| Best Real World Game | AR Invaders | |
| Best Casual Game | Plants vs. Zombies |
2009
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Labyrinth 2 | [32] |
| People's Choice | Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior | |
| Operators Choice | Krazy Kart Racing |
2008
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | N/A | [33] |
| People's Choice | Kroll | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Edge | |
| Special Innovation | Kodo Evolved | |
| Operators Choice | Edge | |
| Excellence in Connectivity | Real Racing | |
| Best Real World Game | Fastfoot Challenge | |
| Best Casual Game | Tropical Towers |
2007
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Metal Gear Solid Mobile | [34] |
| People's Choice | WRC 3D | |
| Best Licensed IP-Based Game | Furby Island | |
| Excellence in 3D | ONE Sequel | |
| Operators Choice | Metal Gear Solid Mobile |
2006
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Triangler | [35] |
| Best Use of Flash | Crazy Matches | |
| Most Innovative Game | Triangler |
2005
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | AR Tennis | [36] |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Monkey Pole Climb | |
| Best Artwork | 3D World Warriors | |
| Achievement | AR Tennis |
2004
edit| Award | Winner | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Burt | [37] |
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