Tonight’s ninth annual South by Southwest® Gaming Awards (SXSW®) celebrated the technical, artistic and design achievements of this year’s best video game titles and their creators. A total of 40 unique games were in contention for honors in 12 categories — see the winners below.

The virtual award ceremony was co-hosted by Jana Morrison (“Astrid”) and Samantha Aucoin (“Lilly”), the heroic leads of Syfy’s new Astrid & Lilly Save the World, and was livestreamed on the SXSW TV App, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV and Android TV. The ceremony was produced by Executive Producer Laurie Lockliear of Georgia-based Peach Maria Productions.

“The last two years of the pandemic have been hard for so many — the entertainment industry was among those affected, but played a key role in providing adventure and escape for all — so we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the gaming industry and its many creators through tonight’s event,” said Hugh Forrest, SXSW Chief Programming Officer. “We’d like to thank our production partner Peach Maria Productions, our hosts and presenters; and all of you in the gaming and esports community for continuing to bring the best in creativity and innovation to this industry.

SXSW Gaming Awards Winners

VIDEO GAME OF THE YEAR
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
SQUARE ENIX®

INDIE GAME OF THE YEAR
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Ember Lab

TABLETOP GAME OF THE YEAR
Dune: Imperium
Dire Wolf Digital

VR GAME OF THE YEAR
Resident Evil 4 VR
Armature Studio

MATTHEW CRUMP CULTURAL INNOVATION AWARD
Unpacking
Witch Beam

EXCELLENCE IN ANIMATION, ART & VISUAL ACHIEVEMENT
Forza Horizon 5
Playground Games

EXCELLENCE IN GAME DESIGN
Inscryption
Daniel Mullins Games

EXCELLENCE IN ORIGINAL SCORE
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
SQUARE ENIX®

EXCELLENCE IN MULTIPLAYER
It Takes Two
Hazelight

EXCELLENCE IN NARRATIVE
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
SQUARE ENIX®

EXCELLENCE IN AUDIO DESIGN
Resident Evil Village
Capcom

EXCELLENCE IN TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Insomniac