The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This is "awarded to a game that embodies the independent spirit of game creation, representing a higher degree of risk tolerance and advances our media with innovative gameplay and experiences". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category.
The award's most recent winner is Blue Prince, developed by Dogubomb and published by Raw Fury.
Past Variations The Academy introduced the computer genre award of Downloadable Game of the Year for the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. "Downloadable games are those games in which the user must download a copy to their hard drive of their computer to play. These games sometimes feature a username and password to play, but are not a requirement for entry". 2006 was the first year that did not offer separate console and PC genre categories, so console and PC games were eligible. The nomination packet for the 2007 awards listed a genre category for Casual Game of the Year. The category description matched the description for "Downloadable" and even used past finalists as examples. Finalists were still listed for "Downloadable" instead of "Casual". Casual Game of the Year was officially offered for the 2009 awards. Some of the past finalists for "Downloadable" were listed as examples for "Casual". Casual games were defined as "titles that are designed to appeal to novice or experienced players; are produced with low-cost budget targets; are available through online or retail distribution; and may be played on console, computer, or mobile platforms". Downloadable Game of the Year was reintroduced for the 2012 awards as a "Game of the Year" category; recognizing the "game where the sole form of distribution is through a digital marketplace on PC or console". Both awards for "Downloadable" and "Casual" would not be offered for the 2015 awards. That same year, the Academy introduced the D.I.C.E. Sprite Award which was "awarded to a game having disproportionate resources for development and exposure (as compared to AAA titles), represent a higher degree of risk tolerance and advances our media with innovative gameplay and experiences. Examples include: The Walking Dead, Limbo, and Fez". The D.I.C.E. Sprite Award would be replaced with Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game for the 2019 awards ceremony.
Downloadable Game of the Year (2004—2008, 2012—2014) Casual Game of the Year (2009—2014) D.I.C.E. Sprite Award (2015—2018) Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game (2019—present)
Winners and nominees + Table keyIndicates the winner
2000s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2003 (7th) HamsterballRaptisoftReal.comPoppit! To GoPogo.comElectronic ArtsWord Whomp To GoZuma DeluxePopCap GamesPopCap Games2004 (8th) The Incredibles: Escape from Nomanisan IslandBackbone EntertainmentDisney InteractiveDiner DashGamelabPlayFirstMahjong Garden To GoPogo.comElectronic ArtsShroomz - Quest for PuppyThe PlanetGameTrust, Inc.2005 (9th) Wik: The Fable of SoulsReflexive EntertainmentReflexive EntertainmentChuzzleRaptisoftPopCap GamesEgg vs. ChickenGamelabPlayFirstOasisMind Control SoftwareTradewinds LegendsSandlot GamesSandlot Games2006 (10th) Bookworm AdventuresPopCap GamesPopCap GamesDiner Dash: Flo on the GoPlayFirstPlayFirstMystery Case Files: Prime SuspectsBig Fish StudiosBig Fish GamesPlantasiaGamelabPlayFirstVirtual Villagers: A New HomeLast Day of WorkBig Fish Games2007 (11th) Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the WarlordsInfinite Interactive, 1st Playable ProductionsD3 PublisherAzadaBig Fish StudiosBig Fish GamesBuild-a-lotHipSoftHipSoftflOwThatgamecompanySony Computer EntertainmentPegglePopCap GamesPopCap Games2008 (12th) BraidNumber NoneMicrosoft Game StudiosMystery Case Files: Return to RavenhearstBig Fish StudiosBig Fish GamesPataponJapan StudioSony Computer EntertainmentProfessor Layton and the Curious VillageLevel-5NintendoWorld of Goo2D Boy2D Boy, Nintendo2009 (13th) FlowerThatgamecompanySony Computer EntertainmentDrawn: The Painted TowerBig Fish StudiosBig Fish GamesFlight ControlFiremintFiremintPlants vs. ZombiesPopCap GamesPopCap GamesScribblenauts5th CellWarner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
2010s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2010 (14th) Angry Birds HDRovio EntertainmentChillingoBejeweled 3PopCap GamesPopCap GamesKinect SportsRareMicrosoft Game StudiosPac-Man Championship Edition DXNamco Bandai GamesNamco Bandai GamesPlants vs. ZombiesPopCap GamesPopCap Games2011 (15th) Downloadable Game of the YearBastionSupergiant GamesWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentDrawn: Trail of ShadowsBig Fish StudiosBig Fish GamesInsanely Twisted Shadow PlanetShadow Planet ProductionsMicrosoft StudiosMs. Splosion ManTwisted Pixel GamesOrcs Must Die!Robot Entertainment Casual Game of the YearFruit Ninja KinectHalfbrick StudiosMicrosoft StudiosJetpack JoyrideHalfbrick StudiosHalfbrick StudiosMonsters Ate My CondoAdult Swim GamesPikPokTiny WingsAndreas IlligerAndreas IlligerWhere's My Water?Disney InteractiveDisney Interactive2012 (16th) Downloadable Game of the YearThe Walking DeadTelltale GamesTelltale GamesFezPolytron CorporationMicrosoft StudiosJourneyThatgamecompanySony Computer EntertainmentMark of the NinjaKlei EntertainmentMicrosoft StudiosThe Unfinished SwanGiant Sparrow, Santa Monica StudioSony Computer Entertainment Casual Game of the YearJourneyThatgamecompanySony Computer EntertainmentFairway SolitaireBig Fish StudiosBig Fish GamesPuzzle CraftArs ThaneaElectronic ArtsRayman Jungle RunUbisoft Montpellier, PastagamesUbisoftSound ShapesQueasy GamesSony Computer Entertainment2013 (17th) Downloadable Game of the YearBrothers: A Tale of Two SonsStarbreeze Studios505 GamesFar Cry 3: Blood DragonUbisoft MontrealUbisoftGone HomeFullbrightFullbrightPapers, PleaseLucas Pope3909The Stanley ParableGalactic CafėGalactic Cafė Casual Game of the YearPlants vs. Zombies 2PopCap GamesElectronic ArtsCandy Box!aniweyaniweyPeggle 2PopCap GamesElectronic ArtsRayman Fiesta RunUbisoft CasablancaUbisoftRidiculous FishingVlambeerVlambeer2014 (18th) TransistorSupergiant GamesSupergiant GamesHohokumHoneyslugSony Computer EntertainmentMonument ValleyustwoustwoThe Banner SagaStoicVersus EvilThreesSirvoSirvo2015 (19th) Rocket LeaguePsyonixPsyonixGalak-Z: The Dimensional17-Bit17-BitHer StorySam BarlowSam BarlowKerbal Space ProgramSquadSquadUndertaleToby FoxToby Fox2016 (20th) InsidePlaydeadPlaydead1979 Revolution: Black FridayiNK StoriesiNK StoriesFirewatchCampo SantoCampo SantoSuperhotSuperhot TeamSuperhot TeamThat Dragon, CancerNuminous GamesNuminous Games2017 (21st) SnipperclipsSFB GamesNintendoEverythingDavid O'ReillyDouble Fine ProductionsGorogoaJason Roberts, Buried SignalAnnapurna InteractiveNight in the WoodsInfinite Fall, Secret LabFinjiPyreSupergiant GamesSupergiant Games2018 (22nd) CelesteMatt Makes GamesMatt Makes GamesFlorenceMountainsAnnapurna InteractiveInto the BreachSubset GamesSubset GamesMinitJan Willem Nijman, Kitty Calis, Jukio Kallio, Dominik JohannDevolver DigitalReturn of the Obra DinnLucas Pope39092019 (23rd) Untitled Goose GameHouse HousePanic Inc.A Short HikeAdam Robinson-YuAdam Robinson-YuDisco ElysiumZA/UMZA/UMSayonara Wild HeartsSimogoAnnapurna InteractiveWhat the Golf?TribandThe Label, Triband
2020s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2020 (24th) HadesSupergiant GamesSupergiant GamesCoffee TalkToge ProductionsToge Productions, Chorus WorldwideIf Found...DreamfeelAnnapurna InteractiveKentucky Route ZeroCardboard ComputerNoitaNolla GamesNolla Games2021 (25th) UnpackingWitch BeamHumble BundleDeath's DoorAcid NerveDevolver DigitalInscryptionDaniel Mullins GamesLoop HeroFour QuartersSableShedworksRaw Fury2022 (26th) TunicIsometricorps GamesFinjiImmortalityHalf Mermaid ProductionsHalf Mermaid ProductionsNeon WhiteAngel MatrixAnnapurna InteractiveTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's RevengeTribute GamesDotemuVampire Survivorsponcleponcle2023 (27th) CocoonGeometric InteractiveAnnapurna InteractiveDredgeBlack Salt GamesTeam17El Paso, ElsewhereStrange ScaffoldStrange ScaffoldThirsty SuitorsOuterloop GamesAnnapurna InteractiveVenbaVisai GamesVisai Games2024 (28th) BalatroLocalThunkPlayStackAnimal WellShared MemoryBigmodeGrunnSokpop CollectiveSokpop CollectiveIndikaOdd-Meter11 Bit StudiosMouthwashingWrong OrganCritical Reflex2025 (29th) Blue PrinceDogubombRaw FuryBaby Steps Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch, Bennett Foddy Devolver DigitalConsume Me Hexecutable LLC Hexecutable LLCDespelote Julián Cordero, Sebastián Valbuena Panic Inc.Dispatch AdHoc Studio AdHoc Studio
Multiple nominations and wins Developers and publishers PopCap Games has developed the most nominees. PopCap Games, Supergiant Games, and Thatgamecompany are the only developers that have won more than once. Annapurna Interactive, Microsoft and Sony Interactive Entertainment are tied for publishing the most finalists. Microsoft, Sony, and Supergiant Games are the only companies that have published the winners of this category more than once. Big Fish Games has developed and published the most finalists that have not won.
+ Developer Nominations WinsSupergiant Games 4 3PopCap Games 8 2Thatgamecompany 4 2Halfbrick Studios 2 1Raptisoft 2 1Big Fish Studios 6 0Gamelab 3 0Pogo.com 3 0Lucas Pope 2 0
+ Publishers Publisher Nominations WinsMicrosoft Game Studios 8 2Sony Computer Entertainment 8 2Supergiant Games 3 2Annapurna Interactive 8 1PopCap Games 7 1Electronic Arts 6 1Nintendo 3 1Finji 2 1Panic Inc. 2 1Raw Fury 2 1Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment 2 1Big Fish Games 7 0Devolver Digital 5 0PlayFirst 5 0Ubisoft 3 03909 2 0Disney Interactive 2 0
Franchises Plants vs. Zombies is the only game that has been nominated for the same category more than once: Casual Game of the Year in 2010 for the PC release, and in 2011 for iOS devices and/or the Xbox 360. Journey is the only game that is a finalist for both Downloadable Game of the Year and Casual Game of the Year within the same year, winning for the latter. + Franchise Nominations WinsPlants vs. Zombies 3 1Journey 2 1Diner Dash 2 0Drawn 2 0Mystery Case Files 2 0Peggle 2 0Rayman 2 0
Notes
References