INDIE Live Expo Awards Nominees
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Most Stream-Friendly Game Award
This award is given to a game that has entertained people through the internet.
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Best New Characters Award
This award is given to a game which introduced a character that has that charisma
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Cult of the Lamb
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NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD
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Stray
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Stray
This game must be the most powerful cat simulator game ever released to the world. In the game, you will see a variety of lively feline gestures. The main character is so cute that cat lovers cannot resist her, even if she is very different from any character they have ever known.
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DEEEER Simulator: Your Average Everyday Deer Game
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Best Game Feel Award
This award is given to a game which feels lovely to play with tight controls and you know it is a creation of an artisan
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Have a Nice Death
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Neon White
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Neon White
If you are looking for a taste of the RTAs and speedruns that have become popular in recent years, "Neon White" is the perfect entry-level title. The game system is simple and clear, and the routes are designed to be concise and easy to understand. Also, each stage is very short, which makes it a pleasure for trial and error without pain. This is one of the most stylish and comfortably designed indie games we have played in recent years
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Rogue Legacy 2
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F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch
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Theme of the Year Award
This award is given to a game which fits the theme of this current year
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Fashion Police Squad
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Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk
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NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD
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OMORI
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OMORI
OMORI is an RPG that deals with serious topics such as social withdrawal, suicide, and depression. Through his adventures, players will face the past and present of Omori, a awkward boy/hikikomori.
Some people may think that the theme "social withdrawal" means that the player will see the boy grow stronger both mentally and physically through the story, but in this game, the "change of the main character" is depicted in a very serious manner. The game also deals with the reality that makes you want to turn away, the trauma that gnaws at your heart, and other such painful things. It may not be a game for everyone, but I would like to nominate this game for making us face this theme.
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Rules of Play Award
This award is given to a game with groundbreaking mechanics or rules that get you hooked for hours
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7 Days to End with You
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7 Days to End with You
Stepping forward from a language decoding game, the game presented a model of language decoding and the storytelling that accompanies it. Considering that it can already be seen to be influencing subsequent game development, it is safe to say that the game presented a new form of "language decoding storytelling game".
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A=B
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Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate
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Who's Lila?
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Local Cultural Representation Award
This award is given to a game that portrays the creator's culture and shows the charm and history of their home
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RPG Time: The Legend of Wright
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The witch of the Ihanashi
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A Perfect Day
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A Perfect Day
The protagonist travels back in time to December 31, 1999, to achieve "A Perfect Day," as the title suggests.
The game depicts the Chinese landscape at the end of the 20th century in a hand-drawn art style like a picture book. It is full of scenes that shows China at that time such as students in jerseys attending classes and streets lined with stalls. In addition, there are elements of Japanese culture, such as the appearance of Japanese toy "Mini 4WD".
We would like to nominate this game for the Local Culture Award for its nostalgic feeling in its exotic scenery. -
Paper Bride
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Trailer of the Year Awards
This award goes to the game with the best trailer.
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Fashion Police Squad Launch Trailer
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Kenny Washmore - PowerWash Simulator Infomercial
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STRAY | Launch Trailer
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STRAY | Launch Trailer
Both the cuteness of the character and the dangerous gameplay were presented in a compact format.
A single trailer has attracted the attention of countless players. The producers have a strong understanding - cats is Justice. -
Trek to Yomi | Launch Trailer
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Best Short Game Award
This award goes to the game with a fantastic experience under 5 hours.
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Unpacking
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Unpacking
In just three or four hours, this game shows the protagonist's background and emotional changes at different life stages through the simple movement of "unpacking and arranging furniture". Many of the smaller properties resonate with the player. As the house changes, or as the people around arrive and depart, the protagonist "changes". It can be called a "Zen" thought process game for the new age.
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Vampire Survivors
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Open the Door: A Short Story About Life
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彼女系生命進化論パーフェクト☆ガール
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Rediscovery Award
"This award goes to the game that not necessarily created a new genre but broadened an existing genre and perfected it for gamers to comfortably purchase the game."
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ElecHead
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Happy Game
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Songs of Conquest
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Potato Flowers in Full Bloom
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Potato Flowers in Full Bloom
3D dungeon RPGs is a genre that Japanese people in particular have a very special attachment to. This game does not have the obtrusive level design, the muddiness and darkness of the early 1980s, when foreign medieval fantasy and Japanese medieval fantasy were still undifferentiated, nor does it have a game system intentionally designed to be unfriendly to the player in order to give a sense of importance for a choice, much less abandon the visualization of the characters. The fact that it still manages to give users a good time should be enough to make us rediscover that the aforementioned aspects are not the core of the genre.
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Late Bloom Award
This award goes to the game that recently went viral long after their release.
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ANNO: Mutationem
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Raft
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Raft
Many games have been released since "Subnautica" in which players collect, craft, and solve problems, but this game is interesting in that it makes collecting resources semi-automatic (at least in the early stages). Unlike other games where players walk or swim to collect supplies, in this game, which is played on a raft, "supplies just drift in. In addition, there are many things to do, such as securing food and making equipment, and you will spend all your time on the raft collecting supplies and crafting. The game is seems like a tough survival game, but in fact it is not that hard, and time just flies by as you do whatever you want to do. You can go on forever.
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RPG Time: The Legend of Wright
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Yumeiri
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Most Addictive Game Award
One more turn, one more day, one more run. Then you hear the birds chirping in the morning sun. This award goes to the game with replayability and fun.
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Farthest Frontier
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Raft
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Vampire Survivors
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Vampire Survivors
1 play is a maximum of 30 minutes. So, it can be played twice for a maximum of one hour. If this game is this easy to manage time, surely it is easy to pick up. However, there is a lovely trap. If the game offers fun that can be experienced in a short time, what awaits you next is the temptation to play "1 more game. The game's repeated upgrades and unlock elements, as well as the fun derived from these elements, made the game "addictive" for many, this year.
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Yugo Puzzle
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Viewfinder
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Viewfinder
"Viewfinder" is a puzzle game where you project a 2D landscape captured in photographs onto three-dimensional spaces, transforming the space itself.
The game was developed by Matt Stark, who was a student at the time. Around 2020, he posted a demo video on social media about Polaroid photos being used to project spaces captured in one location onto another which went viral. This concept drew supporters, and with the help of a diverse group of people, the game was released.
A single idea connected various individuals, leading to the creation of a wonderful game. We have decided "Viewfinder" is worthy of the INDIE Live Expo Grand Prize.
INDIE Live Expo Awards Nominees
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Local Cultural Representation Award
This award is given to a game that portrays the creator's culture and shows the charm and history of their home
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Dordogne
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Sanfu
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Venba
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Venba
An exquisite work that delicately and richly crafts episodes surrounding culture, such as language and family friction, while using local themes like Indian cuisine and its recipes.
While everyone has experiences where meals are tied to events and emotions, "Venba"offers 'that unforgettable taste' in its portrayal.
（IGN Japan） -
WW2 Rebuilder
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Best Game Feel Award
This award is given to a game which feels lovely to play with tight controls and you know it is a creation of an artisan
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Blasphemous 2
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Blasphemous 2
Blasphemous 2 is a blast, with precise controls, good animations and a certain flow to minute-to-minute gameplay that makes the combat and platforming feel fun. Also, the visual style is good on the eyes, creating a experience for the ages.
(Pizza Fria) -
Madness/Endless
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Pizza Tower
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Turbo Overkill
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Best New Characters Award
This award is given to a game which introduced a character that has that charisma
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Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly
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Party Animals
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Sea of Stars
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Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars' compelling protagonists Valere and Zale represent a new generation of unforgettable JRPG heroes. With nuanced backstories and complementary moon and sun abilities, these expertly-crafted characters resonate strongly with players and critics. Through its memorable heroes and innovative combat, this pixel art indie RPG modernizes retro JRPG mechanics into a smooth, thrilling adventure, marking a high point for the genre. (CGMagazine)
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Internet Viral Award
This award is given to a game that has entertained people through the internet.
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Choo-Choo Charles
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The Outlast Trials
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Party Animals
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Party Animals
Its a cute and adorable party game that anyone can get into. Even if you've played it 100 times, every chance you get to play with friends is a new game where anyone can win.
(Bleeding Cool)
At the risk of recency bias, my nod has to go to Party Animals. After years of development, the Internet finally has the chance to go crazy over this wild, fun game about animals whose heads flop around like they're mascot costumes. And as it turns out, it's a fun game too: my many rounds in Party Animals have left me clutching my sides as chaos ensues on my screen. It's silly, it's fun, and it's the highlight of any time spent with friends. For sure, this game deserves merit for its viral appeal.
（Anime News Network） -
Pineapple on pizza
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Rules of Play Award
This award is given to a game with groundbreaking mechanics or rules that get you hooked for hours
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Inkulinati
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The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
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Viewfinder
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Viewfinder
A picture frames a landscape, and in 『Viewfinder』 you can literally cut and frame a scene.
Just that makes it such a fun game should receive the Rules of Play Award.
Once you start the puzzles, you brain feels like a glitch, and when you solve them looking from different perspectives it feels so good.
(denfaminicogamer)
A fabulous idea & implementation creates a one & only game experience.
"Creating an in-game object from an area on the photograph", making this into a 3D puzzle game, with gimmicks like optic illusion & teleports makes it not just a single idea game gives a great impression.
I enjoyed its creativity until the end.
(GameMakers) -
Your Only Move Is HUSTLE
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Trailer of the Year Awards
This award goes to the game with the best trailer.
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Bomb Rush Cyberfunk Official Release Trailer
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『HUMANITY』Reveal Trailer
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『HUMANITY』Reveal Trailer
One Shiba and numerous humans, the first impression of the 『HUMANITY』 trailer successfully made people think "I don't know how it works, but I want to play it."
It caught my eye and stayed there.
(A9VG) -
SEASON: A letter to the future - Launch Trailer
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薔薇と椿テーマソング「華の淑女」VHS録画風
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Best Short Game Award
This award goes to the game with a fantastic experience under 5 hours.
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GOODBYE WORLD
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Terra Nil
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Viewfinder
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Viewfinder
The puzzle game "Viewfinder" is a game where you materialize objects from photos or pictures to solve stages. The way landscapes silently materialize in front of your eyes when you hold up a photo into openspace is truly astonishing. The continuous stream of unique gimmicks keeps players entertained throughout. For offering a brief yet magical experience, I would like to award this game the "Best Short Game Award."
(4Gamer.net) -
Enjoy the Diner
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Rediscovery Award
"This award goes to the game that not necessarily created a new genre but broadened an existing genre and perfected it for gamers to comfortably purchase the game."
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Cassette Beasts
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OXENFREE II: Lost Signals
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OXENFREE II: Lost Signals
While all the games in this category were fascinating, Oxenfree II's ability to do thematic, narrative horror is second-to-none. It created genuinely horrifying moments with the smallest things. Whether a quiet voice in the distance, a distorted voice, or something brief. It didn't need intense gore to creep players out. Oxenfree II: Lost Signals showed just how unsettleing atmospheric, psychological horror can be.
(Sportskeeda) -
Pocket City 2
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Volcano Princess
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Late Bloom Award
This award goes to the game that recently went viral long after their release.
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Barotrauma
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Golf It!
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Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
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Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord is the prime example of a game improving over time. From its strong-but-bare launch, TaleWorlds has created an all-time great you’ll spend thousands of hours in. Bravo! （Gfinityesports）
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Stone Story RPG
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Most Addictive Game Award
One more turn, one more day, one more run. Then you hear the birds chirping in the morning sun. This award goes to the game with replayability and fun.
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Brotato
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EVERSPACE™ 2
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EVERSPACE™ 2
This game is an intense beautiful open-world space flight shooter. Its greatest appeal lies in its "Loot" element. While it's enjoyable as a straightforward flight shooter, the real depth comes from the variety of equipments with skills, and even selecting ships themselves which lets you play endlessly and never get tired of.
（Game*Spark） -
Shadows of Doubt
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The Awards Selection Committee
What is INDIE Live Expo Awards
We will announce and award indie games of excellence chosen by the general votes and selected judges.
INDIE Live Expo Awards
Charter
Our goal is to find games worth sharing.
This is the very root from which the idea to present these awards has grown.
These awards shall be given to games that are true to the indie tradition,
true to what makes indie games so special.
We have no interest in establishing a clear definition of what an "indie game" is.
We all know that what counts most is not the form of the thing, but the spirit behind it.
This indie spirit is the force that enables what creators strive to express to reach players' hearts.
We like to call it "Creativity Unbound".
Playing games, we can feel the spirit imparted by their creators.
We wish to share the games brimming with this spirit, and experience them together.
With hopes of passing this indie spirt on to gamers everywhere,
we proudly present to you the Indie Live Expo Awards.
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NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD
It is not uncommon for an indie game to portray "streamers" in its game content, but never before has a game taken a theme from the real world into the digital world and then brought it back into the real world. The Internet experience that it developed was a reflection of the game, from the trailer's strong debut to social media and streams of the main character, was nothing short of breathtaking. Perhaps in the next few years, there will be no other game that fits the category better than this one