Strategies for Developers to Secure Game Award Nominations

4 July 2025

Ever dreamed of hearing your game’s name read out loud at The Game Awards, BAFTA, or IndieCade? Yeah, that spotlight moment with applause and recognition—it’s not just for AAA studios. Whether you’re a solo indie dev or part of a mid-size team, there are concrete strategies you can use to get your game on the radar of award panels. So let’s talk tactics.

Getting a game award nomination isn’t only about having a brilliant title (though that’s a key piece). It’s about packaging, timing, storytelling, and knowing the unwritten rules of the industry. Buckle up, devs. Here's your no-fluff, real-talk guide to snagging that nomination.

1. Start With Award-Worthy Vision From Day One

Let’s be real—you can’t polish up a basic idea at the last second and expect the Game Awards to bite. You need to build with intention. That means crafting a unique hook or vision from the very beginning.

Ask Yourself:

- What makes this game stand out?
- Is it pushing a boundary? Telling a new kind of story?
- Does it blend genres in a fresh way or offer gameplay mechanics no one’s done before?

Award committees aren’t looking for the safest or most familiar—they want innovation, originality, and execution. They want that “whoa, I haven’t seen this before” moment.

> Think of your game like a film pitch. What’s your logline? Can you summarize why your game is nomination-worthy in one sentence?

2. Nail the Aesthetic Identity Early

Let’s not kid ourselves—a strong visual identity turns heads. You don’t need to compete with photorealistic graphics, but your game needs to look like it belongs on a nominee reel. A cohesive color palette, a memorable art style, or even a uniquely expressive UI can be the difference between buzz and oblivion.

Pro Tips:

- Hire concept artists early who understand mood and emotion.
- Stick to your visual language consistently within the narrative, UI, and gameplay.
- Think “gif-able.” Can someone record a 5-second clip and instantly understand the vibe?

In short: curate your visual ‘brand’ like it's your game’s first impression—because it is.

3. Focus on Emotional Storytelling or Game Feel

Now here’s the sauce—emotional connection. Whether your game’s a pixelated platformer or a cinematic drama, if it doesn’t feel anything, it won’t move the judges.

Choose Your Avenue:

- Narrative-Driven? Go deep. Make people cry, laugh, reflect.
- Mechanics-Driven? Make gameplay buttery-smooth and addictive.
- Atmosphere-Heavy? Build immersion so thick you could slice it like cake.

Award panels want to feel something profound—tension, joy, grief, triumph. Emotions stick. They linger long after the credits roll.

4. Build a Killer Demo or Early Access Experience

You don’t need to release a full game before catching attention—just a taste that dazzles. A strong demo or early access version can do all the heavy lifting when it comes to award season buzz.

Why it Matters:

- Most judges won’t finish your full game (harsh, but true).
- A well-polished 30-minute experience shows off your potential and vision.
- It’s your way to hook media AND awards committees early.

Make it tight. Show off your best features. Leave them wanting more.

5. Market Like a Story, Not a Sales Pitch

Sorry, but “just post on Twitter” isn’t a marketing strategy. You need a narrative around your game—one that makes people care and press outlets want to talk about you.

Build a Story Arc:

- What inspired your game?
- Did you overcome challenges to create it?
- Does your small team have a unique background or community origin?

Frame your development journey like a movie storyline. If your game dev story is compelling, so is your game. That’s gold for press kits and award entries.

6. Align With The Right Awards

Not all awards are created equal. Some focus more on indie innovation (IGF, IndieCade), others on production value and big impact (The Game Awards, BAFTA). Research is key.

Do Your Homework:

- Check past nominees. Do you see titles like yours?
- Look for categories (narrative, audio, innovation) where you shine.
- Read the entry guidelines thoroughly—some have niche focuses like LGBTQ+ themes or inclusivity.

There’s no point tossing your hat in the wrong ring. Target the shows where your game naturally fits.

7. Network With Judges and Industry Insiders (Ethically)

Okay, this might sound sleazy—but it’s not. We’re talking about genuine relationship-building, not shady favors. Most award judges are public: devs, journalists, streamers, or industry pros.

Pro Networking Moves:

- Attend game dev events like GDC, PAX, or Devcom.
- Join communities like IGDA or local dev meetups.
- Share your development process publicly (Twitter, Mastodon, LinkedIn).
- Be active in comment sections, forums—be visible.

People remember games and people. Don’t wait until the nomination deadline to show your face.

8. Make the Submission Shine

Submitting your game to an award? Treat it like a job interview. Sloppy submissions = auto-disqualified.

Submission Must-Haves:

- A polished build (no bugs, please).
- A sharp pitch deck (why your game matters).
- Gameplay trailer (30 seconds to 2 minutes).
- Press kit with screenshots, short bio, and standout bullet points.

Add quotes from players, journalists, or influencers if you’ve got them. Testimonials add credibility.

9. Use Press and Influencer Buzz to Build Credibility

Imagine this: a judge Googles your game and sees IGN coverage and a YouTube Let’s Play with 500K views. Suddenly, you’re not just a dev—you’re a contender.

Smart Moves:

- Send early builds to content creators who love your genre.
- Pitch stories to mid-sized publications who cover smaller games.
- Build a mailing list and keep people engaged with dev diaries.

Buzz multiplies your chances of catching a judge’s eye from a crowded submission pile.

10. Timing Is Everything

Submitting too late? You risk being forgotten. Too early? You get ignored because your game isn’t ready. You need that Goldilocks window.

General Rule:

Submit when your game is at its best—but with enough lead time for judges to play it. Follow submission windows closely. Some awards allow builds to be updated post-submission, so check the rules!

Keep a content calendar with award deadlines, marketing dates, and demo drops. Treat it like a campaign, not a side quest.

11. Highlight Audio and Sound Design

Seriously, don’t sleep on your audio.

Games with fantastic sound design often sneak into award categories that others overlook—Best Audio, Best Soundtrack, or Innovation in Audio.

What You Can Do:

- Invest in custom music or dynamic sound effects.
- Use sound to drive story beats or gameplay cues.
- Showcase audio in your trailers and submissions.

Sound is 50% of the experience, but too many devs treat it like an afterthought.

12. Accept Rejections Like a Pro

It happens. You poured your soul into a game, and it didn’t make the list. That sucks, no doubt. But here’s the thing—every rejection is a redirection.

What can you learn? What feedback did you get (some awards offer it)? Which reviewers overlooked your game?

Golden Rule:

Use each rejection to tighten your pitch, improve your build, or refocus where you apply next. Resilience isn't optional in this industry—it's a necessity.

Final Thoughts

Trying to win a game award without a strategy is like expecting to win a marathon without training. Sure, some may get lucky—but most winners planned their route, trained hard, and ran smart.

Approach your game like it’s already a nominee. From your mechanics to your marketing, your submissions to your storytelling—treat every decision as if the panel is already watching. Because eventually, they might be.

And when your game is finally called out on that stage? You’ll know, deep down, it wasn’t luck. It was a strategy.