Indies triumph at Develop conference awards

Gong

Indies triumph at Develop conference awards

INDIE DEVELOPERS were the biggest winners at the Develop conference awards ceremony in Brighton last night.

Hello Games, the four-man development team of Joe Danger won the award for Best New Studio and Micro Studio. While Rovio, Helsinki developer of the iPhone game Angry Birds, won Best New Downloadable IP.

Andrew and Paul Gower, the peoples behind Runescape and general MMO developer Jagex, received the Development Legends award for their contribution to the UK indie community over the past 15 years.

Heavy Rain creators Quantic Dream won the Independent Studio award and Best New IP while Batman: Arkham Asylum devs Rocksteady Studios won Best Use of a Licence.

Channel 4 also scooped the Publishing Hero award for its investments in the UK indie scene.

“Despite the challenges and changes currently making things very tough for the development sector across the globe, those who have taken home awards tonight have demonstrated the resilience and talent that continues to thrive in the UK and Europe,” said Michael French, editor of Develop.

The full list of winners:

Creativity

Best New IP
Heavy Rain (Quantic Dream)

Best New Download IP
Angry Birds (Rovio)

Best Use of a Licence or IP
Batman: Arkham Asylum (Rocksteady Studios)

Visual Arts
Split/Second (Black Rock Studio)

Audio Accomplishment
DJ Hero (FreeStyleGames)

Publishing Hero
Channel 4

Technology & Services

Technical Innovation
Unity Engine (Unity Technologies)

Tools Provider
Hansoft

Engine
Unreal Engine 3

Services
Testology

Audio Outsourcer
Side

Visual Outsourcer
Axis Animation

Recruitment Company
Amiqus

Studios

Best New Studio
Hello Games

Micro Studio
Hello Games

Handheld Studio
SCE Cambridge

Business Development
Sony XDev

In-House Studio
Rocksteady Studios

Independent Studio
Quantic Dream

Special Awards

Development Legend
Andrew Gower & Paul Gower (Jagex)

Grand Prix
Unity Technologies

Brendan Caldwell