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Echo and Little Nightmares clean up at 2018 Nordic Game Awards

Ultra Ultra's sci-fi adventure wins three categories, including Game of the Year, while Tarsier Studios' dark title takes two

James Batchelor avatar
News by James Batchelor Editor-in-chief
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The organisers of Nordic Game Conference have announced the winners of this year's awards, with Danish studio Ultra Ultra emerging as the biggest victor.

Held during the annual event in Malmo, Sweden, the Nordic Game Awards celebrate the development talent found in the region and are judged by a jury of experts from across these nations.

Ultra Ultra's third-person sci-fi action game Echo took home the big prize of Nordic Game of the Year, along with the prize for best debut and best game design.

In their comments for the Game of the Year award, the jury said: "Clever game design, elegant visuals and a cold, unnerving atmosphere. Every single aspect of this game comes together to form a thoroughly impressive whole, unlike anything we've ever played."

Meanwhile, Swedish developer Tarsier Studios also had plenty to celebrate. Little Nightmares took the gong for best audio and best art, with the jury adding: "Every area feels like a coherent piece of set design, traversed by vividly animated creatures."

There was also a Game of the Year award for small-screen games, encompassing mobile platforms, as well as 3DS and Vita. This honour went to Image & Form's SteamWorld Dig 2.

The judges gave a special mention to Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, developed by Swedish studio Machine Games. The jury described it as: "A politically charged alternate history tale that tackles heavy themes of racism and bigotry, with well-defined characters and a dark sense of humour throughout. It never ceases to shock and amaze."

The full list of winners can be found below:

  • Best Audio - Little Nightmares, Tarsier Studios
  • Best Fun For Everyone - Passpartout: The Starving Artist, Flamebait Games
  • Best Debut - Echo, Ultra Ultra
  • Best Technology - Sparc, CCP
  • Best Game Design - Echo, Ultra Ultra
  • Best Art - Little Nightmares, Tarsier Studios
  • Nordic Game of the Year (Small Screen) - SteamWorld Dig 2, Image & Form
  • Nordic Game of the Year - Echo, Ultra Ultra
  • Special Mention - Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

GamesIndustry.biz is an official media partner for Nordic Game Conference 2018. The organisers have paid for our travel and accommodation.