The SXSW Gaming Conference and Festivals was held at the Austin Convention Center March 16–18, 2017. Those without a SXSW badge could purchase a gaming wristband for $49. The expo allowed access to exhibitors, game developers, Esports Tournament Stage, tabletop gaming, open play areas, and an arcade area featuring many classic arcades.
At the end of the weekend, the 4th annual SXSW Gaming Awards was held. The event was sponsored by IGN and Imaginary Forces, and hosted by WWE star Xavier Woods and Twitch streamer OMGitsfirefoxx.
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2017 SXSW Gaming Awards Winners
Excellence in SFX
Battlefield 1 – Electronic Arts / EA DICE
Excellence in Musical Score
DOOM – Bethesda Softworks / id Software
Excellence in Technical Achievement
Battlefield 1 – Electronic Arts / EA DICE
Excellence in Visual Achievement
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Sony Computer Entertainment / Naughty Dog
Excellence in Animation
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Sony Computer Entertainment / Naughty Dog
Excellence in Art
Firewatch – Panic Inc. / Campo Santo
Excellence in Convergence
Batman: The Telltale Series – Telltale Games
Excellence in Multiplayer
Overwatch – Blizzard Entertainment
Most Memorable Character
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Nathan Drake
Most Promising New Intellectual Property
Overwatch – Blizzard Entertainment
Most Fulfilling Community-Funded Game
Starbound – Chucklefish Games
Excellence in Gameplay
DOOM – Bethesda Softworks / id Software
Excellence in Design
Dishonored 2 – Bethesda Softworks / Arkane Studios
Excellence in Narrative
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Sony Computer Entertainment / Naughty Dog
Matthew Crump Cultural Innovation Award
That Dragon, Cancer – Numinous Games
Gamer’s Voice Multiplayer
Arena Gods – Supertype
Gamer’s Voice Single Player
Owlboy – D-pad Studio
Fan Creation of the Year
Brutal Doom 64 – Sergeant_Mark_IV
Trending Game of the Year
Overwatch – Blizzard Entertainment
Esports Game of the Year
Overwatch – Blizzard Entertainment
Tabletop Game of the Year
Arkham Horror: The Card Game – Fantasy Flight Games
Mobile Game of the Year
Pokémon GO – Niantic
Video Game of the Year
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Sony Computer Entertainment / Naughty Dog