If there is one thing we know for sure, it is that the Australian video game industry refuses to play small. The Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) has just dropped the finalist list for the 2026 Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs), and the talent on display is absolutely incredible.
Selecting from dozens of homegrown games released between July 2025 and October 2026, the judges have highlighted a lineup that proves local studios (regardless of their size) are going toe-to-toe with the biggest international developers.
IGEA’s CEO, Ron Curry, summed it up perfectly: “Every year I watch our industry punch above its weight, and every year it finds a way to punch harder.”
The Game of the Year Contenders
At the top of everyone’s watch list is the highly coveted Game of the Year award. Four remarkably different, yet equally captivating titles are battling it out for the top spot.
Aether & Iron (Chaos Theory Games with Seismic Squirrel) Imagine a 1930s New York City where anti-gravitational technology has lifted the streets, cars, and chaos directly into the sky. This decopunk narrative RPG promises a rich story and a wildly inventive setting that will have you hooked from your first airborne taxi ride.
Go-Go Town! (Prideful Sloth) Ever looked at a struggling town and thought, “I could run this better”? Here is your chance. Step into the shoes of a hands-on mayor tasked with building a community from the ground up. You will be managing neighbourhoods, automating logistics, and trying to keep the daily chaos under control. It is city-building with a whole lot of charm.
Mixtape (Beethoven & Dinosaur) Nostalgia hits hard with this one. Three friends embark on one final adventure on their last night together, playing through a mixtape of memories set to a generation-defining soundtrack. It is emotional, story-driven, and already an awards favourite, tying for the most nominations this year with an impressive five nods.
Momento (Fat Alien Cat & Nomo Studio with Screen Queensland & Silver Lining Interactive) Room decoration meets deep narrative. What starts as a cosy interior design game quickly reveals a clever twist: the items you choose to place and the choices you make ripple out to tell the story of a lifetime. It is perfect for players who want to unwind while experiencing a thoughtful, evolving narrative.
Fierce Competition Across the Board
While the Game of the Year race is tight, the rest of the categories are just as competitive. The rhythm-driven Bits & Bops by Tempo Lab Games is sharing the ultimate spotlight with Mixtape, as both titles have scored five nominations each. Bits & Bops is turning heads in Excellence in Visual Art, Gameplay, Sound Design, Accessibility, and Debut.
There is also fantastic ongoing support for titles that keep players coming back month after month. The Excellence in Ongoing category highlights established favourites like Crossy Road Castle by Hipster Whale, Forts by EarthWork Games, and Static Shift Racing by Timbo Jimbo.
And let’s not forget the games making a real-world difference. The Excellence in Impact category features the globally beloved Bluey’s Happy Snaps, rubbing shoulders with The Last Werewolf and The Walks We Used to Take.
When Is It All Happening?
The 2026 AGDAs ceremony is shifting to a streamlined afternoon format. The celebration kicks off at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, 7th October, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
If you attended the 2025 awards, you will be pleased to know that hosts Jordan Raskopoulos and Lee Naimo are returning to the stage. They successfully speed-ran last year’s event, and word on the street is they are aiming to be even more efficient this time around.
Tickets are available on the official AGDAs website.
