Independent Games Festival finalists News

The organisers of the Independent Games Festival have announced their shortlist of finalists for 2009.

The awards are usually a source of great interest, often plucking a stone-cold-classic from the depths of obscurity. Previous years have brought the likes of Braid, Castle Crashers, N+ and World of Goo to wider attention.

You've probably heard of at least a few of this year's contenders, but we're willing to bet that there's secret treasure to unearth. Don't expect a finished product from everything on the list, however, as some of these don't even have websites. Links are included where appropriate. (We're keeping a particular eye on Zeno Clash, Dyson and Machinarium because we're suckers for pretties.)

Thanks to Rock, Paper, Shotgun for doing the hard work collecting the links.

Seumas McNally Grand Prize

• Blueberry Garden (Erik Svedang)
• Osmos (Hemisphere Games)
• Carneyvale Showtime (Singapore-MIT Gambit Game Lab)
• Night Game (Nicalis)
• Dyson (Rudolf Kremers/Alex May)

Excellence In Visual Art

• Zeno Clash (ACE Team)
• PixelJunk Eden (Q-Games)
• Machinarium (Amanita Design)
• Cletus Clay (TunaSnax)
• Feist (Filthy Grip)

Excellence In Audio

• Musaic Box (KranX Productions)
• Blueberry Garden (Erik Svedang)
• BrainPipe (Digital Eel)
• PixelJunk Eden (Q-Games)
• Retro/Grade (24 Caret Games)

Excellence In Design

• Retro/Grade (24 Caret Games)
• Snapshot (Six AM)
• Night Game (Nicalis)
• Musaic Box (KranX Productions)
• Osmos (Hemisphere Games)

Innovation Award

• Between (Jason Rohrer)
• Mightier (Ratloop)
• The Graveyard (Tale Of Tales)
• Coil (From The Depths)
• You Have To Burn The Rope (Mazapan)

Technical Excellence

• PixelJunk Eden (Q-Games)
• Cortex Command (Data Realms)
• Osmos (Hemisphere Games)
• The Maw (Twisted Pixel Games)
• Incredibots (Grubby Games)