Winning a game development award can boost your reputation, visibility, and network in the industry. But how do you apply to the most influential and prestigious events and competitions? In this article, we'll guide you through the process of finding, preparing, and submitting your game to some of the most recognized game development awards in the world.
The first step is to research the various game development awards that suit your game's genre, platform, audience, and goals. Some of the most well-known awards include the Independent Games Festival (IGF), the Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA), the BAFTA Games Awards, the DICE Awards, and the Game Awards. Each award has its own eligibility criteria, submission deadlines, fees, and categories. You can find these information on their official websites or social media channels. You should also check out the previous winners and nominees to get a sense of the quality and diversity of the games that are recognized.
The second step is to polish your game as much as possible before applying to any award. This means fixing any bugs, glitches, or errors that might affect the gameplay, graphics, sound, or performance. You should also test your game on different devices , platforms, and settings to ensure compatibility and accessibility. Additionally, you should optimize your game's loading time, file size, and memory usage to avoid any technical issues. Remember that the judges and reviewers will have limited time and patience to play your game, so you want to make a good first impression.
The third step is to create a press kit for your game that showcases its features, story, art, and design. A press kit is a collection of materials that you can use to promote your game to the media, the public, and the award organizers. A press kit typically includes a short description of your game, a trailer or gameplay video, a logo and icon, some screenshots or concept art, a fact sheet with key information, a developer bio and contact details, and any press coverage or accolades your game has received. You should also include a link to your game's website or store page where people can download or buy your game.
The fourth step is to write a compelling pitch for your game that explains why it deserves to win an award. A pitch is a short and persuasive statement that summarizes your game's unique selling points, its target audience, its development process, and its achievements. A pitch should be clear, concise, and catchy, and highlight your game's innovation, creativity, and impact. You should also tailor your pitch to the specific award and category you are applying for, and address the criteria and expectations of the judges. A pitch is usually written in a cover letter or an online form that accompanies your submission.
Well known game awards often receive hundreds of pitches, so the time they can dedicate to each of them is relatively limited. For this reason, when writing a pitch, try and answer the question "Why would I play this game, instead of the other likely great ones in this list?". Imagine to be on the receiving end of the proposal, and how you would react to it. Does it spark your interest and immediately make you want to learn more about it? If not, iterate further until you find the right angle.
The fifth step is to submit your game to the award of your choice before the deadline. You should follow the instructions and guidelines of the award organizers carefully, and provide all the required information and materials. You should also check if you need to pay any fees, sign any agreements, or provide any additional documents. You should also confirm that your submission has been received and processed, and keep a record of your confirmation number or receipt. After submitting your game, you should wait patiently for the results, and be prepared to answer any questions or requests from the award organizers.
The sixth and final step is to network and promote your game and yourself as a game developer. You should use social media, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, and forums to spread the word about your game and your award application. You should also engage with other game developers, journalists, influencers, and fans who might be interested in your game or your award. You should also attend any events, webinars, workshops, or ceremonies that are related to the award, and use them as opportunities to showcase your game, learn from others, and make new contacts. You should also celebrate your achievements, whether you win or not, and thank everyone who supported you.
If your game is nominated for an award and there's an awards ceremony or event, make plans to attend if possible. This can be a valuable opportunity to network with industry professionals, gain exposure for your game, and celebrate your achievements.