The TIGA Games Industry Awards 2018 winners announced

London - Friday 2 November 2018: TIGA, the network for games developers and digital publishers and the trade association representing the video games industry, today announced the winners of the TIGA Games Industry Awards following their biggest ever awards ceremony held at Guildhall, London on November 1 2018. The TIGA Awards ceremony celebrated the best in creativity, innovation and business in the video games industry.

The evening's ceremony culminated in a double win for Lockwood Publishing who scooped the prestigious Game of The Year title as well as Best Large Independent Studio. Game Of The Year was sponsored by Google and presented by Mat Henderson, Director of Product Management at Google.

The public vote for the TIGA's Game of the Year Award received over 40,000 individual votes, demonstrating the strong popularity of the TIGA Games Industry Awards. The TIGA Awards are designed to recognise the achievements of studios, businesses and universities across the games sector.

TIGA's charity partner for the 2018 awards was SpecialEffect, an organisation dedicated to using technology to enhance the quality of life of people with physical disabilities.

Dr Richard Wilson OBE, TIGA CEO, said: "Congratulations to all of our winners and finalists, whose excellence is driving the games industry forward.Last night's TIGA Games Industry Awards Ceremony - our largest to date - highlighted excellence, innovation, diversity and creativity in games, businesses and education providers.

"I would also like to thank all of our generous sponsors, our judges and everyone who supported the TIGA Awards by entering and attending the ceremony. Last night's ceremony demonstrated the excellence, brilliance and potential of our sector. TIGA looks forward to working with our friends, members and supporters to advance, expand and strengthen our sector."

Matt Henderson from Google said: "The UK has tremendous game development talent, as evidenced by the high standard of Avakin Life and the many great entries. In the 10 years since Android launched, it's amazing how far mobile gaming has come, and at Google we are proud that so many innovative and entrepreneurial game developers are using Play and Android to reach a global audience.

The winners of The TIGA Games Industry Awards 2018 are:

Best Action and Adventure Game 2018
Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe, God of War

Best Arcade Game 2018
Rebellion, Battlezone Gold Edition

Best Recruitment Agency 2018
Amiqus

Best Audio Design 2018
Polyphony Digital Inc, Gran Turismo Sport

Best QA Provider 2018
Universally Speaking

Best Casual Game 2018
Curve Digital Publishing Ltd, Human: Fall Flat

Best Social Game 2018
Supermassive Games, Hidden Agenda

Best Legal Services Supplier 2018
Wiggin LLP

Best Educational Game 2018
Charles University and Czech Academy of Sciences, Attentat 1942

Best Tax and Accountancy Firm 2018
Saffery Champness

Diversity Award 2018
Testronic

Best Art/Animation/Trailer Supplier 2018
Atomhawk

Creativity Award 2018
Ninja Theory: Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Audio Services Supplier 2018
Sound Cuts Ltd

Best Game By A Small Studio 2018
Payload Studios, TerraTech

Best Educational Institution 2018
Sheffield Hallam University

Best Puzzle Game 2018
Outplay Entertainment, Booty Quest

Best Racing Game 2018
Codemasters, F1 2017

Best Role Playing Game 2018
Jagex, RuneScape

Best Strategy Game 2018
Creative Assembly, A Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia

Best Visual Design 2018
Rare, Sea of Thieves

Best Educational Initiative and Talent Development 2018
Ubisoft Reflections, Ubisoft Gaming School

Best Services Provider 2018
Realtime UK

Best Engines, Middleware, Tools and Technology Award 2018
PlayFusion

Heritage Award 2018
Nomad Games Ltd ,Fighting Fantasy Legends Portal

Best Start Up 2018
Virtual Arts, Lightstream Racer

Best Large Independent Studio 2018
Lockwood Publishing

Best Small Independent Studio 2018
Red Kite Games

Best Technical Innovation 2018
Space Ape Games

Outstanding Leadership Award 2018
Frank Sagnier, Codemasters

Best Publisher Award 2018
Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe

Outstanding Individual Award 2018
Mark Gerhard

Game Of The Year 2018
Lockwood Publishing, Avakin Life

The TIGA Games Industry Awards are sponsored by

• Platinum Sponsor: Lockwood Publishing;
• Game Of The Year Sponsor: Google;
• Gold Sponsors: Amiqus, Space Ape Games and Supermassive Games;
• Silver Sponsors: Aardvark Swift, Abertay University, Games Jobs Direct, Payload Studios, Portsmouth University, Playground Games, Saffery Champness LLP, Sumo Digital, Ubisoft Reflections and Universally Speaking;
• Bronze Sponsors: Headgear VR, Project M, Realtime UK, Stevens & Bolton, Red Kite Games. Wiggin LLP.