SXSW Gaming Awards Honor 7 Excellence Category Winners

Excellence is all around us and that was again evident at the 2021 SXSW Gaming Awards, which were announced virtually. Of the 12 categories, seven winners were recognized for Excellence. We like that. –By Brian Hurlburt, Founder and Host, Magnifying Excellence Podcast.

The SXSW Gaming Awards recognized “the most creative and influential titles, teams, and individuals in the industry. The winners were announced in partnership with IGN and presented by Discord. This year’s SXSW Gaming Awards included 43 nominees across 12 different categories, with winners determined by a weighted total between staff and advisory board input as well as public voting.

The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference & Festivals celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW® is the premier destination for discovery. As part of the 2021 offerings, the SXSW Online digital experience was held March 16-20.

Below are the 7 Categories honored for Excellence

Excellence in Animation, Art, & Visual Achievement

Awarded to the game with the most well-designed and stunning visuals, including animation effects and graphics.

Winner: Ghost of Tsushima — Sucker Punch Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainment

Excellence in Game Design

Awarded to the game with the best overall design concept, gameplay mechanics, and best execution.

Winner: Hades — Supergiant Games

Excellence in Score

Awarded to the game that best exemplifies artistic excellence in musical score and how it progresses the narrative of the game.

Winner: Ori and the Will of the Wisps — Moon Studios / Xbox Game Studios

Excellence in Multiplayer

Awarded to the game with the best player-to-player interaction experience.

Winner: Deep Rock Galactic — Ghost Ship Games / Coffee Stain Publishing

Excellence in Narrative

Awarded to the game with the best storyline and dialogue.

Winner: The Last of Us Part II — Naughty Dog / Sony Interactive Entertainment

Excellence in Audio Design

Awarded to the game with the most outstanding and impactful sound effects.

Winner: DOOM Eternal — id Software / Bethesda Softworks

Excellence in Technical Achievement

Awarded to the game that pushed the capabilities of technology and programming furthest or most effectively.

Winner: Microsoft Flight Simulator — Asobo Studio / Xbox Game Studios

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Article was written at SXSW.com by Jordan Roberts and photo by Shannon Johnston.