International Mobile Gaming Awards
The International Mobile Gaming Awards ("IMGA") is an annual competition and awards ceremony that honors outstanding games made for mobile devices. It is the longest standing international competition for mobile games. Notable IMGA winners include Candy Crush Saga and Monument Valley.
The best mobile games submissions are awarded at the prize-giving IMGA ceremony, which takes place in various cities across the United States and Asia. IMGA was founded by Maarten Noyons in 2004 and is headquartered in Marseilles, France.
History
In 2004 the mobile games industry was still finding its feet. As developers began carving out a space in the market, the French division of Discreet announced the first "International 3D Mobile Gaming Competition."[1] With over $50,000 of prizes to be won, the contest was designed by NCC Partners CEO Maarten Noyons to help showcase young mobile games and was supported by Nokia, Orange, Intel, IBM and more.[2]
With 85 entries, the awards took place on 3 February 2004, at the IMAGINA festival in Monte Carlo. There were four categories: Grand Prix, 16MB, 1MB, 200K/native, and 200K/Java. Later that year, Discreet was acquired by Autodesk who decided to close the French office – and thus the competition. However, Noyons convinced Discreet to let him take full control of the event and in doing so he founded IMGA as it's known today.[3]
Renaming the event the International Mobile Gaming Awards, Noyons has grown IMGA into a worldwide competition. Each year, the awards now receive around 1,000 submissions, 600 of which are usually submitted to the jury. Over a two-day judging process, the entrants are whittled down to 60 nominees.[4]
For ten years the winners were announced at the GSMA's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, but the 11th IMGA saw the ceremony moved to GDC in San Francisco,[5][6][7] during the Game Developers Conference and Game Connection.
In 2016, the competition added a new category for VR games[8] and announced 102 nominations and 11 categories.[9] Sam Barlow won the Grand Prix that year with Her Story, a detective game.[10]
After Europe and the US, the IMGA has launched its program in China in 2015 and Southeast Asia in 2016 creating two additional competitions: IMGA Southeast Asia[11] in partnership with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and IMGA China[12] in partnership with Migu – China Mobile's digital content entity, and co-hosted by MyGamez,[13] a publisher for foreign mobile games in China.
Judging session
The judging process takes place in Marseilles, France in January every year. Jury members are invited to review and play all submitted games and select the nominees. The main judging criteria are the mechanics of the gameplay, the quality of the sound design and visual art and the originality in storytelling.[14]
IMGA is open to entries from all mobile games developers. Past participants include students, researchers, artists, individual developers and publishers. The winners of each of eight category are decided by an international jury of experts and journalists from Asia, the US and Europe.
Past judges include industry veterans such as King's former games guru Tommy Palm, Dean Takahashi[15] of VentureBeat, and Unity Evangelist Oscar Clark[16]
Award categories
The awards celebrate innovation and creativity in mobile games worldwide. Based on their merit, games are recognized in a variety of categories that are decided on by the jury, when they meet each year for the judging process. The categories for the 2020 International Mobile Gaming Awards included:[17]
- Best AR Game
- Best Game for 5G
- Best Meaningful Play
- Best Quickplay Game
- Best Technical Achievement
- Best VR Game
- Excellence in Art
- Excellence in Audio
- Excellence in Design
- Excellence in Gameplay
- Excellence in Innovation
- Excellence in Storytelling
Winners
The following games won the "Grand Prix" at their respective IMGA ceremonies, the award that recognises the best mobile game of that year's nominees.
Aside from the main categories and the Grand Prix, there are two more prizes. These include the "People's Choice" award, which was introduced in 2008, for the game that receives the most votes from the general public; while the jury's "Honorable Mention" was introduced in 2012, for the game the judges believe deserves extra credit.
2020
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Sky: Children of the Light | Thatgamecompany | [17][18] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Sayonara Wild Hearts | Annapurna Interactive | |
| People's Choice | Hados 2 | Mehdi Peighaminasab | |
| Excellence in Art | The Gardens Between | The Voxel Agents | |
| Best Game for 5G | Dragon Raja | Loong Entertainment | |
| Best AR Game | Angry Birds AR: Isle of Pigs | Rovio Entertainment | |
| Excellence in Innovation | What the Golf? | Triband | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Archero | Habby | |
| Excellence in Audio | Alien: Blackout | D3 Go | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Call of Duty: Mobile | Activision | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | Forgotton Anne | Hitcents | |
| Best Meaningful Play | Dear Reader | Local No. 12 | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Call of Duty: Mobile | Activision | |
| Best VR Game | Acron: Attack of the Squirrels! | Resolution Games | |
| Excellence in Design | Figment: Journey Into the Mind | Mobaso |
2019
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Florence | Annapurna Interactive | [19][20] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Flipping Filip | Deema Games | |
| People's Choice | Cooking Diary: Restaurant Game | Mytona | |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Brawl Stars | Supercell | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Oddman | JoyPac | |
| Best Feel Good Game | Valleys Between | Little Lost Fox | |
| Excellence in Audio | Eloh | Broken Rules | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Bring You Home | Alike Studio | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | Florence | Annapurna Interactive | |
| Excellence in Visual Art and Design | Chuchel | Amanita Design | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Gladiabots | GFX47 | |
| Best Meaningful Play | Florence | Ustwo | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Asphalt 9: Legends | Gameloft | |
| Best VR Game | Narrows | Resolution Games | |
| Guilty Pleasure | Bacon - The Game | Kamibox | |
| Best Upcoming Game | Agatha Knife | Plug In Digital |
2018
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | N/A | ||
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Hidden Folks | Adriaan de Jongh | [21] |
| People's Choice | Life Is Strange | Square Enix | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Splitter Critters | RAC7 | |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Arena of Valor | TiMi Studio Group | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Tiny Bubbles | Pine Street Codeworks | |
| Excellence in Audio | Virtual Virtual Reality | Tender Claws | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Framed 2 | Loveshack Entertainment | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | The Witch's Isle | Cocosola | |
| Excellence in Art | Tokaido | Asmodee | |
| Best Meaningful Play | Bury Me, My Love | Arte France | |
| Best VR Game | Virtual Virtual Reality | Tender Claws | |
| Guilty Pleasure | Death Coming | NExT Studios | |
| Best Upcoming Game | The Enchanted World | Noodlecake Studios | |
| Best Port to Mobile | The Witness | Thekla, Inc | |
| Game Artist of 2017 | Old Man's Journey | Broken Rules | |
2017
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Pokémon Go | Niantic, Inc. | [22][23] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Mekorama | Martin Magni | |
| People's Choice | Skygarden: Farm In Paradise | VNG Games Studio | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Human Resource Machine | Experimental Gameplay Project | |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Clash Royale | Supercell | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Conduct This! | Northplay | |
| Excellence in Visual Art | Invisible, Inc. | Klei Entertainment | |
| Excellence in Audio | Crypt of the NecroDancer | Brace Yourself Games | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | The Battle of Polytopia | Midjiwan | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | Reigns | Devolver Digital | |
| Best Meaningful Play | 1979 Revolution: Black Friday | iNK Stories | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Dawn of Titans | NaturalMotion | |
| Best VR Game | Wands | Multivrses AB | |
| Guilty Pleasure | Steppy Pants | Super Entertainment | |
| Best Upcoming Game | Steamburg | Mariusz Szypura | |
| Game Artist of 2016 | Dawn of Titans | NaturalMotion |
2016
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Her Story | Sam Barlow | [24][10] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | LongStory | Miriam Verburg | |
| People's Choice | Shadowmatic | Triada Studio | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Her Story | Sam Barlow | |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Agar.io | Miniclip | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Smashy Road: Wanted | Bearbit Studios | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Badland 2 | Frogmind Games | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | Her Story | Sam Barlow | |
| Best Meaningful Play | This War of Mine | 11 bit studios | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Shadowmatic | Triada Studio | |
| Best VR Game | Land's End | Adrienne Law | |
| Guilty Pleasure | Fallout Shelter | Bethesda Softworks | |
| Best Upcoming Game | Clash Royale | Supercell | |
| Excellence in Audio, Visual Art & Design | Lumino City | State of Play Games |
2015
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Monument Valley | Ustwo | [25][26] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Threes! | Sirvo LLC | |
| People's Choice | Vainglory | Super Evil Megacorp | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Bounden | Game Oven | |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Soccer Physics | Otto-Ville Ojala | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Crossy Road | Hipster Whale | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Hearthstone | Blizzard Entertainment | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | 80 Days | inkle | |
| Best Meaningful Play | Papers, Please | Lucas Pope | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Vainglory | Super Evil Megacorp | |
| Guilty Pleasure | 2048 | Gabrielle Cirulli | |
| Best Upcoming Game | Prune | Polyculture | |
| Excellence in Audio, Visual Art & Design | Tengami | Nyamyam |
2014
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Badland | Frogmind Games | [27] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Luxuria Superbia | Tale of Tales | |
| People's Choice | Tiny Thief | Rovio Stars | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Blek | Kunabi Brother | |
| Best Quickplay Game | Colossatron: Massive World Threat | Halfbrick Studios | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Rymdkapsel | Grapefrukt | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | République | Camouflaj | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Clumsy Ninja | Natural Motion | |
| Best Upcoming Game | Framed | Loveshack Entertainment | |
| Best Serious Game | Artistico: The Game for Art Lovers | PlayArt Labs | |
| Best Shared Experience in a Game | Heads Up! | Warner Bros | |
| Excellence in Sound Design | Papa Sangre II | Somethin' Else | |
| Excellence in Art Design | Year Walk | Simogo |
2013
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | The Walking Dead | Telltale Games | [28] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Devil's Attorney, Zombies Run! | 1337 Game Design, Six to Start | |
| People's Choice | The Room | Fireproof Games | |
| Excellence in Innovation | Spaceteam | Henry Smith | |
| Excellence in Visuals | The Room | Fireproof Games | |
| Excellence in Storytelling | The Walking Dead | Telltale Games | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Fairway Solitaire | Big Fish Games | |
| Best Social Game | Candy Crush Saga | King | |
| Best Serious Game | DragonBox Algebra 5+ | WeWantToKnow |
2012
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Infinity Blade II | Epic Games | [29][30] |
| Jury's Honorable Mention | Contre Jour | Chillingo | |
| People's Choice | Flick Tennis: College Wars | Rolocule Games | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Infinity Blade II | Epic Games | |
| Most Innovative Game | Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP | Capybara Games | |
| Best Sports Game | Touchgrind BMX | Illusion Labs | |
| Best Real World Game | Meatspace Invasion | C4M & Mekensleep | |
| Best Mobile Social Game | Charadium II | On5 | |
| Best Casual Game | Sprinkle | Mediocre AB |
2011
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Beyond Ynth | FDG Entertainment | [31] |
| People's Choice | Perfect Cell | Mobigame | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Beyond Ynth | FDG Entertainment | |
| Operators Choice | Snowboard Hero | Fishlabs | |
| Excellence in Design | Infinity Blade | Epic Games | |
| Most Innovative Game | Papa Sangre | Somethin' Else | |
| Best Sports Game | Snowboard Hero | Fishlabs | |
| Best Real World Game | AR Invaders | Soulbit7 | |
| Best Casual Game | Plants vs. Zombies | PopCap Games |
2009
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Labyrinth 2 | Illusion Labs | [32] |
| People's Choice | Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior | Digital Legends | |
| Operators Choice | Krazy Kart Racing | Polarbit | |
| Excellence in Connectivity | Sniper vs. Sniper | Com2uS | |
| Excellence in Design | Ancient Frog Jr. | Ancient Workshop | |
| Best Real World Game | Ulrike and Eamon Compliant | Blast Theory | |
| Best Casual Game | Wire Way | Now Production | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | MiniSquadron | Supermono |
2008
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | N/A | [33] | |
| People's Choice | Kroll | Digital Legends | |
| Excellence in 3D | Zen Bound | Secret Exit | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Edge | Mobigame | |
| Special Innovation | Kodo Evolved | Jadestone | |
| Operators Choice | Edge | Mobigame | |
| Excellence in Connectivity | Real Racing | Firemint | |
| Best Real World Game | Fastfoot Challenge | Urban Team | |
| Best Casual Game | Tropical Towers | Mr.Goodliving | |
2007
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Metal Gear Solid Mobile | IdeaWorks3D | [34] |
| People's Choice | WRC 3D | Firemint | |
| Best Licensed IP-Based Game | Furby Island | LemonQuest | |
| Excellence in 3D | ONE Sequel | Digital Legends | |
| Operators Choice | Metal Gear Solid Mobile | IdeaWorks3D | |
| Excellence in Connectivity | N/A | ||
| Best Real World Game | N/A | ||
| Best Casual Game | Treasure Arm | Tequila Mobile | |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Dirk Spanner and The Fallen Idol | Jadestone |
2006
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Triangler | TNO | [35] |
| Best Use of Flash | Crazy Matches | iks Mobile | |
| Best Interactive Experience | 3D Tilt-A-World | Super Happy Fun Fun | |
| Best Use of Connectivity | Anima Wars | Anino Mobile | |
| Excellence in 3D | Mega Monster | Firemint | |
| Most Innovative Game | Triangler | TNO |
2005
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | AR Tennis | Human Interface Technology Laboratory NZ | [36] |
| Excellence in Gameplay | Monkey Pole Climb | Paul Carruthers | |
| Best Artwork | 3D World Warriors | Vaka | |
| Achievement | AR Tennis | Human Interface Technology Laboratory NZ |
2004
| Award | Winner | Manufacturer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Burt | Exkee | [37] |
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