GDC: 2012 Independent Games Festival award winners

Last night’s 2012 Independent Games Festival awards show was totally refreshing. It wasn’t some flashy television event where scantily-clad dancers and lasers give way to booming game trailers. Each of the night’s winners were actual game makers that were humble and thankful, and not some braindead celebrities that had nothing to do with games. Best of all, there were no advertisements, holograms or ridiculous tie-ins accompanying their acceptance speeches. Even the host, Monaco creator Andy Schatz, was a breath of fresh air. Great people were celebrated for their great games, with no unnecessary bullsh*t. It was nice.

Here are last night’s winners:

• Seumas McNally Grand Prize: Fez
• Audience Award: Frozen Synapse
• Best Mobile Game: Beat Sneak Bandit
• Technical Excellence: Antichamber
• Excellence in Design: Spelunky
• Excellence in Audio: Botanicula
• Excellence in Visual Art: Dear Esther
• Student Game Award: Way
• Nuovo Award: Storyteller

Find the full list of 2012 IGF finalists here.