LEVEL UP SHOWCASE

AWARDS

BEST OVERALL GAME – Presented by Zynga

Is the game/game loop fun, engaging, immersive, intuitive? Judges consider mechanics, level design, interface, controls, user experience, emotional impact, etc.

1st: System Overload, Since 213 (Sheridan College)

2nd: Salt, Grooves, and Garlic, Salty Studios (U of T & Centennial College)

3rd: Aroma, Eyelipop (Sheridan College)

Presented By

PEOPLE'S CHOICE – Presented by Ubisoft

The People’s Choice award is determined every year by audience votes. So, come out, play a ton of games, and vote for your favourite!

All other awards are adjudicated by industry professionals, from dozens of game studios. For every category, the judges consider quality, skill demonstrated, complexity/difficulty, and creativity/innovation. The judges are looking for what impresses them most, and which games/components are closest to industry ready.

1st: Maid Mayhem, Patch’d Up Games (Brock University & Niagara College)

2nd: Beats & Brains, Metropolitan Game Studios (TMU: Metropolitan Game Studios)

3rd: DisGo, The DisGo Team (Brock University & Niagara College)

3rd: Riding Shotgun, Dust Devils (Sheridan College)

3rd: Free Fall, Free Fall (Humber Polytechnic)

Presented By

ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT – Presented by the City of Toronto

Is the art aesthetic cohesive? Does it contribute meaningfully to the mood and feel of the game? Judges consider style, character design, animation–including motion capture, and all original art assets: the aesthetics of particle effects, for example.

1st: Omnicide, Chainsaw (Seneca Polytechnic)

2nd: System Overload, Since 213 (Sheridan College)

3rd: Whisper, Team Birb (OCADU & UofT)

Presented By

INNOVATING TECHNOLOGY – Presented by by AMD

Judges consider a wide range of technical labour, including engine and tool design. Judges are looking for innovation, bugs (or lack thereof), and emerging and meaningful technical systems, including bespoke controllers, control systems, and tools built for particle effects, for example.

1st: Aroma, Eyelipop (Sheridan College)

2nd: Leech, Affliction (Seneca Polytechnic)

3rd: Tonight’s Dozen, Obsidian Crown Interactive (Niagara College)

Presented By

ACHIEVEMENT IN ACCESSIBILITY – Presented by Sledgehammer

How accessible is the game? Who can and can’t play it? How inclusive, encompassing, and innovative are these features? Judges will consider a wide range of usability and flexibility/adaptability features that reduce barriers to play. Check out https://ablegamers.org/ for suggestions.

1st: Touché Tempo, The Commuters (York University)

2nd: Crystal Core, Midnight Tomes (Conestoga College)

3rd: Brass Rebellion, Devil’s Dice (Niagara College)

Presented By

ACHIEVEMENT IN AUDIO – Presented by Behaviour Interactive

Is the audio cohesive? Does it contribute to the mood and feel of the game? Judges consider voice acting, sound effects–including foley, music–including composition, recording, (instrument) performance, etc.

1st: Gimme A Hand, Octogroup (U of T & Sheridan College)

2nd: Maid Mayhem, Patch’d Up Games (Brock University & Niagara College)

3rd: Dust Bunny, Dust Bunnies (OCADU & UofT)

Presented By

BEST GAME TRAILER – Presented by Blue Ocean

Does the trailer successfully communicate the game’s core vision, hook, and feel? Judges consider clarity of gameplay mechanics, viral potential and overall market appeal.

1st: Grey Wake, Second Fiddle Studio (University of Waterloo Game Development Club)

2nd: Beam it up, Blorp!, Gnarpies (OCAD University)

3rd: Whisper, Team Birb (OCADU & UofT)

Presented By

PRESENTING SPONSORS

Questions?

If you are part of the media, wishing to sponsor, or have general questions about the showcase, please contact us!