Frictional Games' dark survival horror title Amnesia: The Dark Descent won three awards while Mojang's indie mega-hit Minecraft took the Seumas McNally Grand Prize in tonight's 13th annual Independent Games Festival Awards presentation.
Minecraft, which has sold over 1.3 million copies of its beta, also won the night's audience award, attracting a plurality of over 5,000 e-mail veified votes made on IGF.com.
“I think we're finally going to finish Minecraft soon,” said developer Markus "Notch" Persson in accepting the night's top indie game award. “Everyone who's ever made a game or played a game, you are awesome.”
“I know it's my job to be impartial, but it really warms my heart to see those guys win, because they've had a really tough year,” awards host Anthony Carboni joked after Minecraft's win. “They could really use the cash.”
Amnesia, which had sold over 200,000 copies through January, took home prizes for Excellence in Audio, Technical Excellence, and the $10,000 Direct2Drive Vision award.
“I think that we need to buy another bag or get more luggage,” Frictional co-founder Thomas Grip said upon accepting the oversized check accompanying the Direct2Drive Award. “After three years of thinking we're not going to make games anymore and hating everything and living on noodles... it's totally getting done... and getting awards for it, that seems like too much.”
The IGF Nuovo Award for innovative, artistic games went to Messhof for low-res fencing simulation Nidhogg. Two tall figures in orange and yellow bodysuits resembling characters from the game came up to accept the award in one of the evening's more memorable moments.
Below is a full list of 2011 IGF Award Winners:
Best Student Game: Fract by Richard E Flanagan
Excellence in Design: Desktop Dungeons by QCF Design
Technical Excellence: Amnesia: The Dark Descent by Frictional Games
Best Mobile Game: Helsing's Fire by Ratloop
Excellence in Visual Art: Bit.Trip Runner by Gaijin Games
Excellence in Audio: Amnesia: The Dark Descent by Frictional Games
Direct2Drive Vision Award: Amnesia: The Dark Descent by Frictional Games
I watched about three or four epic battles in what seems to be such a simple fencing game and thought that Nidhogg would win something. It was just too much fun. Also liked Desktop Dungeons. Minecraft seems like a guy in his Sophomore year winning best Freshman award, but I get it.
