Gait Games

# Highlights from the 2026 Independent Games Festival Awards

The Independent Games Festival (IGF) Awards have consistently been a guiding light for the exploration of inventive and distinctive indie games. The 2026 event presented an extraordinary selection, showcasing the ingenuity and skill of independent creators. With categories that highlight the diverse aspects of game design, this year’s finalists and victors exemplify the lively indie landscape.

## Best Student Game
– **Poco (Whalefall, Micah Boursier)**
– BubbleBeast DigiDungeon (EchoLane)
– Kiloton (Jack Morehart)
– Prší (Herdek)
– Sip Fisher (Syphon Software)
– SPRKLS.exe (PesiiDom)

## Excellence in Audio
– **Baby Steps (Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch, Bennett Foddy, Devolver Digital)**
– BALL x PIT (Kenny Sun & Friends, Devolver Digital)
– Blippo+ (YACHT, Telefantasy Studios, Noble Robot, Panic)
– Eclipsium (Housefire, CRITICAL REFLEX)
– Morsels (Furcula, Annapurna Interactive)
– Wheel World (Messhof, Annapurna Interactive)

## Excellence in Design
– **Titanium Court (AP Thomson, Fellow Traveller)**
– Angeline Era (Analgesic Productions)
– Baby Steps (Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch, Bennett Foddy, Devolver Digital)
– Öoo (NamaTakahashi, tiny cactus studio, Tsuyomi)
– Skin Deep (Blendo Games, Annapurna Interactive)
– Time Flies (Playables, Panic)

**Titanium Court** distinguished itself as a tactical RPG deckbuilding puzzle that seamlessly integrates surreal storytelling with breathtaking visuals and animations. On the other hand, **Öoo** presents a creative puzzle challenge where players maneuver through a universe as a bomb-laden caterpillar, evolving into a complex and gratifying gameplay experience.

**Time Flies** grants a distinctive viewpoint as participants embody a fly with a finite lifespan, encouraging interaction in a whimsical setting filled with unexpected delights.

## Excellence in Narrative
– **Perfect Tides: Station to Station (Three Bees)**
– Baby Steps (Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch, Bennett Foddy, Devolver Digital)
– Promise Mascot Agency (Kaizen Game Works)
– Titanium Court (AP Thomson, Fellow Traveller)
– Type Help (William Rous)
– Wednesdays (The Pixel Hunt, ARTE France)

**Perfect Tides: Station to Station** garnered acclaim for its narrative richness, receiving a well-earned accolade. This title has struck a chord with audiences through its immersive storytelling, solidifying its reputation as a significant game.

## Excellence in Visual Arts
– **Eclipsium (Housefire, CRITICAL REFLEX)**
– Blippo+ (YACHT, Telefantasy Studios, Noble Robot, Panic)
– CARIMARA: Beneath the forlorn limbs (Bastinus Rex, CRITICAL REFLEX)
– Loco Motive (Robust Games, Chucklefish)
– Morsels (Furcula, Annapurna Interactive)
– Skate Story (Sam Eng, Devolver Digital)

**Eclipsium** captivated viewers with its lo-fi artistic style, crafting a visually compelling atmosphere that enhances its gameplay, ultimately securing the Excellence in Visual Arts award.

## Nuovo Award
– **HORSES (Andrea Lucco Borlera, Santa Ragione)**
– Baby Steps (Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch, Bennett Foddy, Devolver Digital)
– Blippo+ (YACHT, Telefantasy Studios, Noble Robot, Panic)
– Mini Mini Golf Golf (Three More Years) Plum Road Tea Dream (Reveal Game Studio)
– Titanium Court (AP Thomson, Fellow Traveller)
– kevin’s PLAYING in berlin (Kevin Du)
– Wednesdays (The Pixel Hunt, ARTE France)

## WINGS Award (Women and Gender-Marginalized Led Games)
– **13Z: The Zodiac Trials (Mixed Realms Pte Ltd)**
– Ambrosia Sky (Soft Rains)
– Backpack Battles (PlayWithFurcifer, IndieArk)
– The Wandering Village (Stray Fawn Studio, Stray Fawn Publishing, Whisper Games)
– Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall (Brave at Night)

**Ambrosia Sky** triumphed in this category, recognized for its innovative gameplay that combines elements from **Prey** and **PowerWash Simulator**, alongside a distinctive narrative approach.

## Audience Award
– **Wednesdays (Pierre Corbinais, The Pixel Hunt, exaheva, Christophe Galati)**

## Seumas McNally Grand Prize
– **Titanium Court (AP Thomson, Fellow Traveller)**
– Baby Steps (Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch, Bennett Foddy, Devolver Digital)
– Angeline

The key to boss battles

The post 10 Ways to Get Boss Keys in Sailor Piece appeared first on Gamezebo.

Do you remember the days when we didn’t need to talk about generative AI? Whatever side of the pro or anti fence you sit on, or even indeed if your buttocks are firmly planted on those white picket panels, you may be tired of hearing about which games do or don’t feature AI-created artworks. Even the US supreme court seems done with the whole business, as they recently refused to take a case about copyrighting AI art.

I wish, instead, developers would avoid the whole kerfuffle and do what Slay The Spire 2’s developers Mega Crit Games have done: just bodge it in Paint.

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Two very different items with the same problem.

The post How to Get Imperfect Aja and Enchanted Stones in Bizarre Lineage appeared first on Gamezebo.

Microsoft have shared some more details about the hardware Xbox’s next-gen console – the PC game-running Project Helix – will be packing. The new box is set to run on AMD-built tech with support for FSR upscaling, and should start to rock up on developers’ desks as of 2027. That last bit means it’ll likely release in 2028 at the very earliest.

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The people behind RoboCop: Rogue City may have accidentally released an early version of an unannounced Hunter: The Reckoning game, set in the same World Of Darkness universe as Vampire: The Masquerade. The files in question were shared as an update for Rogue City, in what could be either a coded message from Hunter-Net’s witness1, or a classic case of backend butterfingers.

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Something tells me this hospital is not going to improve my health.

The post Pocong Cursed Hospital Walkthrough appeared first on Gamezebo.

Put down your pencil case and get ready to answer when your name’s called. Or prepare to pancake a bunch of rolling wrecks. Either way, early access banger Wreckfest 2‘s latest major update’s delivered a school bus. It’s far from the lone addition either, with the sequel’s first crack and car upgrading and waypoint races arriving alongside the usual extra cars and tracks.

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Subtractive Runemixer is a work-in-progress RPG by Starbage, recently released for free on Itch.io. I know about it because artist and writer Oma Keeling shared it on Bluesky. It’s a first-person RPGMaker production in you are a gloomy automaton called Caster, who is searching a labyrinth of religious icons and technology for another automaton who wants to kill you.

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**The Legend of California: Jeff Kaplan’s Fresh Endeavor in Game Development**

Jeff Kaplan, celebrated for his contributions in crafting iconic games at Blizzard Entertainment, has initiated a new path with his studio, Kintsugiyama. His newest creation, *The Legend of California*, departs from traditional fantasy and science fiction, exploring a unique historical backdrop. This game is a survival crafting simulation that channels the essence of *Red Dead Redemption 2*, but with a unique twist.

### Overview of the Game

*The Legend of California* is set in the gold rush period, providing players with a multiplayer, action-survival first-person shooter experience. Participants will traverse a fantastical version of California, where teamwork or solo exploration in the wilderness to collect resources is vital. The game promotes the construction of ranches featuring stables, mines, and various necessary structures for survival.

Kaplan’s game is crafted to foster a lively environment; each server will present a distinct arrangement of the world map, enhancing replayability. Players will face varying difficulty levels across different regions, and points of interest will change as the game unfolds, enriching the adventure and uncertainty.

### Artistic Influence and Design Philosophy

The visual style of *The Legend of California* is particularly striking, significantly influenced by the artwork of painter Albert Bierstadt. Kaplan underscores that both the soundtrack and illumination are crucial for creating the game’s ambiance. He aspires to develop an experience that encapsulates the spirit of the 19th century while innovating within the genre.

A notable shift from Kaplan’s previous role as a designer for *World of Warcraft* and *Overwatch*, this game signifies Kintsugiyama’s goal to establish its own presence rather than create a “pseudo-Blizzard game.” With a team of 34 developers, including fellow veteran Tim Ford, the emphasis is on crafting a unique game style that strays from the typical conventions associated with Blizzard titles.

### Release Information

Currently, there is no official release date for *The Legend of California*. However, the studio has revealed intentions for a public alpha, which is set to commence later this month, followed by an Early Access launch on Steam. This plan highlights Kaplan’s aim to adopt a careful approach to development, favoring quality over expediency, a significant contrast to the corporate pressures that influenced the launch of *Overwatch 2*.

Players keen on getting an early look can apply for access to the forthcoming alpha test via Steam, providing an early glimpse into what promises to be an ambitious and captivating adventure.

### Conclusion

Jeff Kaplan’s transition to developing *The Legend of California* signifies a major progression in his career as a game designer. With an emphasis on survival elements in a carefully crafted historical context, Kaplan intends to establish a new niche in the gaming realm, inviting players to explore a distinct mix of cooperative gameplay, crafting, and exploration. As the release date approaches, anticipation continues to grow within the gaming community, eager to see how Kaplan’s vision unfolds.