2019 marked the first time the awards ran under the banner of The Pavs, attracting over 80 entries from studios and indies across New Zealand and Australia. Celebrate 2019's winners with us below.
To see the full list of finalists for 2019, click here.
the diverse delight
Excellence in Representation
Guardian Maia Episode 1 by Metia Interactive
Guardian Maia Episode 1 is an interactive fiction gamebook that focuses on narrative strategy based on choice and consequence. This is a hybrid historical/science-fiction story that draws on the mythology of the Maori culture in New Zealand.
the juicy helping
Excellence in Game Feel
Toripon by Victoria Smith
Photograph cute birds and add unlock exciting new ones! There are over 50 types of birds to discover in a cute, colourful apartment. Take your time with relaxing, stress-free gameplay, and enjoy sharing the antics of your adorable feathered friends.
the poetic serving
Excellence in Narrative
ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree by Wildboy Studios
This 2D narrative adventure weaves a tale of fantasy and Norse mythology with stunning visuals and a compelling story. Spread over six chapters, follow Estra's story as she forges a path through this wild world on a journey to uncover the truth about her father's death.
the perfect recipe
Excellence in Design
Furistas Cat Cafe by Runaway Play
Adopt and collect a wonderfully weird array of cats, based on real life furry friends, in Furistas Cat Cafe! With a gentle adoption narrative that runs throughout the game, each cat you adopt as you level up has a fascinating backstory and behaviours specific to their personality.
the decorative piece
Excellence in Visual Art
ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree by Wildboy Studios
This 2D narrative adventure weaves a tale of fantasy and Norse mythology with stunning visuals and a compelling story. Spread over six chapters, follow Estra's story as she forges a path through this wild world on a journey to uncover the truth about her father's death.
the composed segment
Excellence in Audio
ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree by Wildboy Studios
This 2D narrative adventure weaves a tale of fantasy and Norse mythology with stunning visuals and a compelling story. Spread over six chapters, follow Estra's story as she forges a path through this wild world on a journey to uncover the truth about her father's death.
the guest plate
Australian Award
The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective game by Worm Club
In this adventure, a small sloth has been haunted for weeks by a mysterious ghost that nobody can seem to track down. There's a mystery afoot, and the only one who can solve it is the renowned amphibian investigator known simply as The Detective.
the slice of heaven
Grand Prize
Dr. Grordbort's Invaders by Weta Workshop and Magic Leap
Dr. Grordbort's Invaders is a Mixed-Reality Magic Leap video game set in the retro-science fiction universe of Dr. Grordbort - a world of rayguns, rocket ships and deadly robot miscreants. Through ML's amazing new tech, this rich sci-fi universe can finally co-exist with your own.
te maunga kai kapua (teina)
Industry Rising Star
Cassandra Gray, Weta Workshop
The award for a rising star in the New Zealand game industry. This person has already made a mark early in their career, and their continuing work will sprout new life and opportunities in the local scene.
te maunga kai kapua (tuakana)
Industry Pillar
Maru Nihoniho, Metia Interactive
This award goes to a stalwart industry pillar in the New Zealand community who has raised the profile and helped build the national industry into what it is today.