Develop:Star Awards Logo

About the Develop:Star Awards

Bringing together the game dev community to celebrate the very best games and talent.

Taking place on the evening of Wednesday 10 July during Develop:Brighton, the Develop:Star Awards 2024 will recognise the very best games and talent within the industry with categories that enable studios of every size to shine.

These awards are all about the game dev community celebrating the creative excellence of the game makers behind the best games of the previous 12 months. 

Entry to the 2024 Awards is now closed. If you have a query about an existing entry please contact:
[email protected]

The Stars Schedule 

  • 31 January - Nominations open
  • Midday 3 April - Entry deadline
  • 8 April to 3 May - Judging for the shortlist
  • 13 May - Shortlist announced and online voting for the winners opens
  • 29 May - Voting closes
  • Early Bird Deadline - 5 June
  • 10 July - Winners announced at the awards ceremony

Categories

The awards are split into 22 different categories, focusing on the achievements of development teams and the success of great games over the previous 12 months. In addition to these categories, one ultimate ‘Develop Star’ will be awarded to honour an extraordinary studio or game developer for outstanding achievement and contribution to the industry.
 

Best Game Design

This award recognises a team responsible for exceptional and creative game design via the use of controls, level design, pacing and mechanics - across all genres and platforms.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why this game deserves the Best Game Design award and what is extraordinary about the team’s work. Give examples from the nominated game and how the team’s work supported the overall goals of the game. What makes this game design stand out?

Judges will look for innovation, creativity and technical achievement.

Best Audio

Rewarding a game that demonstrates distinction in the use of sound or music to improve player experience - across all genres and platforms.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why this game deserves the Best Audio award and what is extraordinary about it. Give examples from the nominated game and how the team’s work supported the overall goals of the game. What makes the audio in this game stand out?

Judges will look for innovation, creativity and technical achievement.

Best Original IP

This award will recognise the creation of the best new intellectual property - across all genres and platforms.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why your nominated game deserves the Best Original IP award and what is extraordinary about it. Give examples from the game, its inspirations and what the goals were. What makes this original IP stand out?

Judges will look for innovation, creativity and technical achievement.

Best Visual Art

Recognising a game which demonstrates exceptional achievement in visual art and/or animation - across all genres and platforms.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why this game deserves the Best Visual Art award and what is extraordinary about the team’s work. Give examples from the nominated game and how the team’s work supported the overall goals of the game. What makes the visual art in this game stand out?

Judges will look for innovation, creativity and technical achievement.

Best Narrative

Rewarding a team who have far exceeded expectation in their storytelling to create an outstanding player experience – through innovative or ground-breaking writing, and across all genres and platforms.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why this game deserves the Best Narrative award and what is extraordinary about the team’s work. Give examples from the nominated game and how the team’s work supported the overall goals of the game. What makes this narrative stand out?

Judges will look for innovation, creativity and technical achievement in dialogue and narrative design.

Best Technical Innovation

The award which recognises technological innovation in the video game space, across all genres and platforms. This could be a pioneering gameplay experience, a breakthrough new development technique, inventive hardware or anything showing true innovation.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why the team responsible for this innovation deserves the Best Technical Innovation award and what’s extraordinary about their work. Explain how they came up with the new idea, what makes it so ground-breaking and why it has been such a success. What makes this project and the achievements of the team stand out?

Judges will look for a real departure from anything that has gone before, plus evidence of critical and/or commercial success.

Sustainability Star

As we all move towards our net zero carbon targets, the Sustainability Star award recognises an individual, team or company that has passionately embraced the cause and put in place significant changes to the way their studio or company works to reduce impact and be more sustainable.

Entry Requirements:

Please submit an overview of the person or group detailing the relevant initiatives and the changes they have achieved within the qualifying period (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024). Please limit your entry to 500 words.

Judges are particularly interested in studios who are involving their players within these initiatives. They may ask more questions after submission.

Diversity Star

This award celebrates an individual who has shown a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the games industry.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why this person deserves the Diversity award and what is extraordinary about what they’ve achieved. Give examples of how they’ve successfully promoted diversity and inclusion. What makes this person stand out? Include any supporting evidence and testimony within the qualifying period (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024)

Judges will look for a trailblazer who has gone above and beyond to further the cause of diversity in our industry.

Marketing Star

Recognising a UK-based individual, in-house team or external agency that has shown outstanding achievement in promoting a game – including marketing, PR, influencer relations and community development.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why you, your team or organisation deserves to be recognised as our Marketing Star. Give us an overview of your strategy, goals and successful execution for a campaign which launched within the qualifying period (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024) including details of the brief, objectives, strategy, tactics, outputs, outcomes and budget.

Please include one testimonial regarding your work on this campaign from another function within your business or from your client.

Judges will look for creativity, innovative approaches, delivery on brief and within budget, plus the resulting commercial success.

NEW - Supporting Star

Recognising the work done by companies in law, accountancy, communications, banking and production that help developers thrive.

These companies have chosen to focus on the developer community and have a deep understanding of the sector and its needs. This award recognises the very best and salutes the efforts they’ve made to help developers and publishers achieve commercial success.

Entry requirements:
Companies must be UK or EU-based with a proven track record of successfully working with development studios.

Judges will be looking for companies that can demonstrate a deep understanding of the sector and who have provided exceptional support to studios enabling them to thrive and prosper.

Best QA and Localisation Provider

Recognising the organisation that has provided the highest quality of service and contributed the most to usability, testing and localisation within the game developer community.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why your organisation deserves the Best QA and Localisation award. What is your core business and how has your product/service supported game developers? Please describe in depth one title that you’re especially proud of helping bring to market within the qualifying period (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024) and why. You may provide up to three customer testimonials.

Judges will look for excellence in service levels, delivery on brief and resulting critical and/or commercial success for the client.

NEW - Best Creative Lead

Recognising the achievements of an outstanding individual working as a Creative Director or equivalent creative leadership position within a game development team.

Entry Requirements:
The individual must be UK or EU-based and have worked in a Creative Director or equivalent creative leadership position leadership position on a video game launched between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.

Please limit your entry to 500 words, telling us why the individual deserves to be recognised for exceptional performance, having displayed leadership qualities that go above and beyond in driving their fellow developers to realising a creative vision for their project.

Judges are particularly interested in individuals that have led teams and projects to outstanding success, whether that is commercial or critical, within the UK and EU.

Best Creative Provider

This award recognises the organisation that has provided exceptional audio assets (voice acting, music or sound effects) or visual assets (porting or creating sections of the game) for the game developer community.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why your organisation deserves the Best Creative Provider award. What is your core business and how has your product/service supported game developers? Please describe in depth one title that you’re especially proud of helping bring to market within the qualifying period (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024) and why. Please provide up to three customer testimonials.

Judges will look for innovation, creativity, excellence in service levels, delivery on brief and resulting critical and/or commercial success for the client.

Best Technology Provider

For this award we’ll be rewarding the organisation that has provided outstanding hardware and/or technological support for UK game developers. This could include third party engines, motion capture tools, dev kits or microprocessors.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why your organisation deserve the Best Technology Provider award. Please describe in depth one title that you’re especially proud of helping bring to market within the qualifying period (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024) and why. Please provide up to three customer testimonials.

Judges will look for innovation, excellence in service levels, delivery on brief and resulting critical and/or commercial success for the client.

Talent Development Star

Recognising an in-house team that has shown outstanding policies and initiatives, and produced impressive results in successfully recruiting, retaining and developing talent within their team.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why your team deserves to be recognised as our Talent Development Star. Give us an example of your achievements within the qualifying period (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024) and tell us how you contributed to your company's success. 

Judges will look for innovative, inclusive approaches and the resulting success.

Recruitment Star

Recognising an external organisation that has shown outstanding policies and initiatives, and produced impressive results in successfully recruiting new team members for development studios.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why your organisation deserves to be recognised as our Recruitment Star. Give us an example of your best placement within the qualifying period (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024) and tell us how you contributed to your client's success. Please provide up to three client testimonials.

Judges will look for innovative approaches and the resulting success.

Tomorrow's Star

The Tomorrow's Star award will recognise the achievements of new talent in the games industry. Nominees should be below senior management or director level.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why this person deserves the Tomorrow's Star award and what is extraordinary about what they’ve achieved. Give examples of how they’ve successfully contributed to your organisation. What makes this person stand out? Include any supporting evidence and testimony within the qualifying period (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024)

Judges will look for an individual who strives to achieve success and results, inspires others and has the potential to become a future leader in our industry.

Publishing Star

Recognising an organisation that has shown outstanding support helping developers get their game published. This can include via funding, discoverability, research or anything else that helped secure a successful route to market for new games.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why your organisation deserves to be recognised as our Publishing Star. Give us examples of a game or games you’re really proud to have supported within the qualifying period (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024) and tell us how you contributed to their success. Please provide up to three testimonials from developers you’ve worked with.

Judges will look for innovative approaches and the resulting critical and/or commercial success for the developer.

Best Mobile Game

This award will be given to the game that offers best overall player experience on a mobile phone or tablet.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why this game deserves the Best Mobile Game award and what’s extraordinary about it. Give examples from the nominated game & explain what makes this game and the team’s achievements stand out?

Judges will look for innovation, creativity and technical achievement.

Best Game

Rewarding the game that stands out above all others in terms of gameplay, storytelling, art style, character development, creativity and overall player experience - across all genres and platforms.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why this game deserves the Best Game award and what’s extraordinary about it. Give examples from the nominated game, their inspirations and what the goals were. What makes this game stand out as the Best Game?

Judges will look for innovation, creativity and technical achievement not just commercial success.

Best Small Studio

This award will go to a studio with ten or fewer employees who’ve achieved exceptional critical and commercial success during the qualifying period.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why your studio deserves to win Best Small Studio. What makes your studio and the achievements of your team stand out? Explain your company culture and team dynamic, what’s remarkable about your game(s), development and production process and community engagement?
Link to examples of your latest game(s) from within the qualifying period (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024)

Judges will look for evidence of all round outstanding achievement and individuality as well as critical and commercial success.

Best Studio

This award celebrates any studio with ten or more employees who’ve achieved exceptional critical and commercial success during the qualifying period.

Entry Requirements:
Tell us why your studio deserves to win Best Studio. What makes your studio and the achievements of your team stand out? Explain your company culture and team dynamic, what’s remarkable about your game(s), development and production process and community engagement?
Link to examples of your latest game(s) from within the qualifying period (1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024)

Judges will look for evidence of all round outstanding achievement and individuality as well as critical and commercial success.

Develop:Star Awards Party

The Develop:Star Awards winners will be announced at a ceremony on the evening of Wednesday 12 July during Develop:Brighton.

Party Timings

  • 19:00 Drinks and Canapes
  • 20:00 Awards Presentation
  • 21:00 Dinner
  • 22:00 Awards Presentation
  • 22:30 After Party
  • Late bar with dessert stations, a live DJ and some surprises..

Party Tickets

  • Premium Table of 10

    Ticket includes premium drinks package, prime table location, your logo displayed on your table, dinner and access to the drinks reception and after party.

    • Standard Table of 10

    Ticket includes standard drinks package, dinner and access to the drinks reception and after party.

    • Single Seat at a Table

    Ticket includes drinks, dinner and access to the drinks reception and after party.

    • Single Seat at a Table Micro Indie Rate
      (Dev studios with 4 or fewer employees only)

    Ticket includes drinks, dinner and access to the drinks reception and after party.

    Please note: If you've booked a ticket for the Awards you'll need a wristband to get in, which you can collect from the Develop:Brighton Registration desk between 2pm and 7pm on that Wednesday.

    Sponsorship

    The Develop:Star Awards offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to help you achieve your marketing & promotional goals. Whatever your aims, there’s something to suit every pocket - all designed to maximise your exposure.

    To find out how you can get involved contact us at:

    E: [email protected]
    T: +44 (0)20 3927 6440

    The Develop:Star Award 2023


    Guerrilla were the recipient of the 2023 Develop Star Award which recognises outstanding achievements and contributions to the games industry. This is the first time a development studio has received the award rather than an individual - congratulations to the Guerrilla team!


    The 2023 Develop:Star Awards Winners:

    • Best Studio: Roll7
    • Best Small Studio: Black Salt Games
    • Best Game: God of War Ragnarök – Santa Monica Studio | Sony Interactive Entertainment
    • Publishing Star: Team17 Digital
    • Best Mobile Game: Desta: The Memories Between – ustwo games | Netflix
    • Best Game Design: Vampire Survivors – poncle
    • Best Original IP: Hi-Fi Rush – Tango Gameworks | Bethesda Softworks
    • Best Narrative: God of War Ragnarök – Santa Monica Studio | Sony Interactive Entertainment
    • Best Visual Art: Horizon Call of the Mountain – Guerrilla Games | Sony Interactive Entertainment
    • Best Audio: God of War Ragnarök – Santa Monica Studio | Sony Interactive Entertainment
    • Best QA & Localisation: Keywords Studios
    • Best Technical Innovation: Horizon Call of the Mountain – Guerrilla Games | Sony Interactive Entertainment
    • Best Technology Provider: Unreal Engine
    • Best Creative Provider: Atomhawk
    • Diversity Star: Dom Shaw – Ukie
    • Sustainability Star: ustwo games
    • Recruitment Star: Amiqus
    • Talent Development Star: Sumo Group
    • Marketing Star: nDreams
    • Tomorrow’s Star: Shaye Poulton Richards – INTERIOR/NIGHT
    • The Develop Star Award: Guerrilla
    • Special Recognition Award: Dr Jo Twist OBE
    Highlights from the Develop:Star Awards 2023