Balatro Clinches Game of the Year at the 2024 Indie Game Awards

As many anticipated, the Game of the Year accolade at The Game Awards went to a AAA title that almost everyone could dive into: Astro Bot. It was a choice that felt safe but undoubtedly deserved. Meanwhile, the indie game realm had its breakout star with Balatro, a 2024 hit in the roguelike deck-building genre, crafted by the solo developer LocalThunk. It gathered critical acclaim and dominated the indie categories at The Game Awards. Balatro eventually claimed the rightful Game of the Year title at the 2024 Indie Game Awards as well.

The 2024 Indie Game Awards, featuring votes from various publications, indie gaming figures, and industry experts, made room for several other exceptional titles that didn’t get the spotlight at The Game Awards. This inclusivity led to recognition for games such as 1000xResist, Animal Well, and Thank Goodness You’re Here. However, it was a bit disappointing to see UFO 50 once again miss out on the accolades.

For those feeling a bit disheartened by the big-budget favorites in The Game Awards winners list, the Indie Game Awards held plenty of solace. Let’s take a closer look at the celebrated titles:

Game of the Year

• Balatro (Playstack)

Best Debut Game

• Little Kitty, Big City (Double Dagger Studio)

Accessibility

• Another Crab’s Treasure (Aggro Crab)

Visual Design

• Harold Halibut (Slow Bros.)

Best Music

• Pacific Drive (Ironwood Studios)

Bite-sized Game

• Thank Goodness You’re Here (Coal Supper)

Solo Development

• Animal Well (Billy Basso)

Innovation

• Cryptmaster (Akupara Games)

Emotional Impact

• Neva (Nomada Studio)

Gameplay Design

• Balatro (Local Thunk)

Community Management

• Aggro Crab

Women-led Game

• Mexico, 1921: a Deep Slumber (Mácula Interactive)

Narrative

• 1000xResist (Sunset Visitor)

These awards each tell a story of creativity, passion, and innovation in the gaming world, celebrating those who push boundaries and bring new experiences to players everywhere.