Regulations
Please read our regulations carefully.
General Submission Eligibility
- Company or individual must be established in Belgium or have a strong Belgian identity.
- Only games released between March 31st 2023 and May 21st 2024 are allowed (Exception: Most Anticipated Game, see “Upcoming Game Submissions” section).
- No physical card, board or other games allowed – only digital games
- No gambling/online casino games allowed
- No extreme nudity or provocative content allowed
- Members of the jury will include professional game designers/developers, notable indie-friendly video game journalists, and other individuals familiar with video game design.
- Nominees to be announced September 9th 2024.
- Nominees are required to be present at the award show on October 18th 2024 from 17:00 onwards in Brussels Expo. Each nominated project / studio will receive 3 free entry tickets.
- A selection of the nominated games will be part of the Belgian Game Awards pavilion at Gameforce October 19th-20th 2024 in Brussels Expo and are therefore invited to showcase a playable demo at the event. As soon as the nominees are known, the BGA organization will get in touch with the selected games to discuss further details.
Released Game Submissions
- Released games are to be submitted before May 21st 2024 at midnight via the form on this site.
- Only games released between March 31st 2023 and May 21st 2024 are allowed (Exception: Most Anticipated Game, see “Upcoming Game Submissions” section).
- Minimal deliverables to be provided for game submissions: link to the game (itch.io, Steam, …), detailed description of the game in English, trailer on YouTube, 3 screenshots. Include as much information as you can.
- Full and Early Access releases allowed. All submitted games must either be currently released, or be substantially feature-complete.
- Most recent release version counts in case of multiple platform versions or Early Access into Full Release (1.0)
- Studios are allowed to submit multiple games.
- Studios can indicate a max of 3 preferred categories for which they wish to submit their game.
- Each submitted game will automatically be submitted for Belgian Game of the Year and the Audience Award (Full details, see “Categories” section).
- Ultimately, the jury is to decide for which category/categories games or companies are nominated.
- Playable demo or full game needs to be made available to the jury with the submission form or via contact through BGA organization.
Upcoming Game Submissions
Exceptions to the rule above:
- For the “Most Anticipated Game” category, only games that will release between October 19th 2024, and before December 31st 2025 are allowed.
- Studios are allowed to submit multiple upcoming games.
- Submission form will be open until August 16th 2024
- Upcoming Games will only be submitted for the Most Anticipated Game award, not for any other categories.
- Your game can only be submitted once for the Most Anticipated Game of the Year award. (no repeat submissions from previous or upcoming Belgian Game Awards)
- Playable demo or vertical slice needs to be made available to the jury with the submission form or via contact through BGA organization.
Student Game Submissions
- Student submissions form will be open until June 28 2024
- Schools will be asked to submit a max of 3 games per school. Student game applications will be submitted by the school, not directly by the students.
- Applicable to Belgian schools with a degree in game development, game design or who offer other relevant game educational programs can submit.
Studio Submissions
- Studios can submit for the Most Promising Start-Up Studio, Changemaker of the Year and/or Best Tech Provider awards.
- The Most Promising Start-Up Studio Award is aimed at startups. Submitting studios must be founded after the January 1st 2021.
- A separate Jury will be selected to nominate/award these categories.
- Studios have a separate submission form that needs to be filled out before May 21st 2024.
Award Categories Overview
| Game Awards | Specifics |
| Belgian Game of the Year | Games playable on PC, console, mobile, handheld or VR. (Please contact the BGA organizers if your game uses an alternative platform.) Nominations will be based on the overall quality, originality, impressiveness and enjoyability of the game. |
| XR Game of the Year | Games only playable on VR/AR/XR devices. If the game requires special facilities such as VR location-based games, access should be provided to jury members. Nominations will be based on the overall quality, originality, impressiveness and enjoyability of the game – including, but not limited to, the way the game applies the best of immersive experiences and interfaces. |
| Best Applied Game | All non-entertainment games with an artistic, cultural or educational purpose such as (but not limited to) art games, serious games, educational or healthcare games. Nominations will be based on the overall quality, originality, impressiveness and enjoyability of the game. |
| Best Narrative | This award is for the best narrative design, story or script of a game. An award for games that trigger our emotions or blow our minds with amazing twists. Nominations will be based on quality, originality and impressiveness of storytelling in a game – including, but not limited to, scenario, plot construction, story, dialogue, and other major factors. |
| Best Audio | For games that go above and beyond in the audio department. Nominations will be based on the quality, originality and impressiveness of a game’s sound design, music, soundtrack, voice acting, and sound effects. |
| Best Visual Art | For games that excel in visual quality, be it a great use of the engine they are made with or because of their amazing art direction. Nominations will be based on the quality, originality and impressiveness of each game’s appearance and visual effects. |
| Best Game Design | Best game mechanics, game design, most fun, what makes the game tick. Nominations will be based on the quality, originality and execution of each game’s design, including game mechanic design, level design and difficulty balancing. |
| Best Multiplayer Game | For games with a multiplayer focus, either cooperative or competitive: Games you love to play WITH others or AGAINST each other, local or online. Nominations will be based on the overall quality, originality and fun factor in multiplayer aspects and the potential to bring people together. |
| Most Anticipated Game | Games playable on PC, console, mobile, handheld platforms or VR with release date after 19 October 2024, and before 31 December 2025. Demo or vertical slice are required. Nominations will be based on the overall quality, originality, impressiveness and enjoyability of the game and will evaluate the chance of a commercial/critical success.. |
| Student Game of the Year | Student games are submitted by the Belgian schools with a degree in game development, game design or who offer other relevant game educational programs. Each school can submit a selection of a maximum of 3 games per school. Submission period for this award will be different from the other categories in order to follow the school rhythm and the projects developed during the academic year. Submissions for Student Game of the Year Award run from April 23rd until June 28. Nominations will be based on the overall quality, originality, impressiveness and enjoyability of the game. |
| Audience Award | The audience will get a chance to vote for their favorite game among all released submissions. Public voters will vote for their favorite nominee via an online form that will be open on September 9th – the game with the most votes will win the award. |
| Studio Awards |
Specifics |
| Most Promising Start-Up Studio | Startup studios must be founded after the 1st of January 2021 and can demonstrate great entrepreneurial potential through their business plan, creative approach, business deals and/or track record. |
| Changemaker of the Year |
The award is given to a studio that executes a challenging, unusual, or idiosyncratic approach to game-making and running a studio. Be it a studio that applies sustainability, diversity, social impact or a healthy work environment in a way that inspires. |
| Best Tech Provider |
The award recognizes the studios that make tools for games and are an important, yet often invisible, part of a successful game. They demonstrate true innovation, serviceability and a business mindset and push the boundaries of game making as an expressive medium. |
Nomination Advantages
All nominated games will receive a few benefits, check out the details below!
Digital Award Badge
Each nominated game will be sent an accolades badge to proudly display: On the game’s steam page, website, accolades trailer…
Winners will be sent a new badge after the award show on the 18th of October.
Belgian Game Awards Steam Event Participation
Around the time of the Award Show (18 October) there will be a week-long Steam Event for the Belgian Game Awards. All submitted BGA24 games* will be shown, and nominees & winners from 2024 and previous years will be highlighted.
*You can check the box for being interested in this participation via the submission form.
Gameforce 2024 Booth Participation
In the weekend from 19-20 October 2024, the biggest edition of Gameforce ever will take place in Brussels, in co-operation with Heroes Comic Con. Nominated games will be invited to participate on the Belgian Game Awards pavilion to showcase their game to thousands of visitors.
*You can check the box for being interested in this participation via the submission form.
A trophy to take home!
Just like every year before this, the winner will take home an amazing trophy to proudly display in their studio or office.
(note: the design of this year’s award is still pending so the image on the left may not reflect the final design)
Mention in the Press Release for Nominees & Winners
There will be two Press Releases sent to highlight the best of the best:
– On 9 September, the first batch of Nominees will be announced
– On 18 October, right after the award show, the Winners will be announced
General Rules
- BGA24 organization reserves the right to reject any submission not in line with our values & criteria
- BGA24 organization reserves the right to cancel or alter an award category in case of insufficient relevant submissions (minimum 3)
- BGA24 organization reserves the right to decide for which category/categories games or companies are nominated
- By submitting your project or studio, participants grant all needed rights to the BGA24 organization to use the provided game and audiovisual materials in the context of the BGA24 award ceremony, the BGA24 nominees pavilion at gameforce and/or for press use.
- By submitting your project or studio, you acknowledge that you’ll be charged €25 for each submitted game, and will receive a free ticket for the BGA24 show in return.
- Before submitting a game, the entrant must have obtained the permission of all persons or entities having any rights in the submitted game.