TIGA, the UK network for videogames developers and digital publishers and the trade association representing the videogames industry, today announced the winners of the 2017 TIGA Games Industry Awards. Amongst the winners was PlayStation VR launch title Tumble VR from Supermassive Games, which took home ‘Best Puzzle Game 2017’.
The award ceremony, held last night at The V&A Museum in London. The evening saw Manchester based Playdemic scoop the prestigious Game Of The Year title for Golf Clash, which was presented by Nick Ferguson from Platinum Sponsor Amazon Appstore. The public vote for the TIGA Game of the Year Award broke last year’s record to receive nearly 97,000 individual votes, demonstrating the growing popularity of the TIGA Awards.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said: “Congratulations to all of last night’s winners. At the largest TIGA Awards Ceremony so far we highlighted excellence in games and business, education and technology, diversity and creativity. I would like to offer huge congratulations to all of our winners and finalists, whose innovation, creativity and excellence is driving the games industry forward.”
Supermassive Games, meanwhile, are pushing hard on PlayStation VR with two more videogame titles on the way: The Inpatient and Bravo Team. This expands the studio’s virtual reality (VR) catalogue to four titles, with Until Dawn: Rush of Blood and the aforementioned Tumble VR offered as launch titles for the PlayStation VR.
The studio also developed a prototype experience, Jurassic Encounter, showcasing the PlayStation VR hardware at trade shows prior to launch. Early this week, Supermassive Games’ Simon Harris, an executive producer at the studio, reaffirmed the team’s commitment to VR development.
The full line-up of winners at The TIGA Games Industry Awards 2017 follows below, and VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest from Supermassive Games.
Best Action and Adventure Game 2017: Ninja Theory Ltd: Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Best Arcade Game 2017: Sumo Digital Ltd: Snake Pass
Best Audio Design 2017: Space Ape Games: Fastlane: Road to Revenge
Best Casual/Social Game 2017: Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe: That’s You!
Diversity Award 2017: Women In Games
Best Educational Game 2017: Denki: Autonauts
Creative and Heritage Award 2017: Billy Goat Entertainment Ltd: Her Majesty’s SPIFFING
Best Game by a Small Studio 2017: Playtonic Games: Yooka-Laylee
Best Puzzle Game 2017: Supermassive Games: Tumble VR
Best Racing Game 2017: Codemasters: F1 2016
Best Role Playing Game 2017: Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe: Horizon Zero Dawn
Best Strategy Game 2017: Outplay Entertainment Ltd: Castle Creeps TD
Best Visual Design 2017: Rebellion: Sniper Elite 4
Best Amazon Appstore Game 2017: Lockwood Publishing: Avakin Life
Best Service Provider 2017: Aardvark Swift
Best Art/Animation Supplier/Game Trailer Supplier 2017: Liquid Crimson
Best Audio Services 2017: PitStop Productions
Best Education Initiative and Talent Development 2017: Abertay University
Best Educational Institution 2017: Norwich University of the Arts
Best Engine, Middleware, Tools and Technology 2017: GameBench
Best Large Independent Studio 2017: Rebellion
Best Small Independent Studio 2017: PlayFusion
Outstanding Leadership 2017: John Earner, Space Ape Games
Best Publisher 2017: Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
Best Legal Services Supplier 2017: Stevens & Bolton LLP
Best QA Provider 2017: Universally Speaking Ltd
Best Recruitment Agency 2017: Amiqus
Best Tax and Accountancy Organisation 2017: MMP
Best Technical Innovation 2017: PlayFusion
Person of the Year 2017: Mark Eyles
Outstanding Franchise Development: Playground Games
Game of the Year 2017: Playdemic, Golf Clash
“Bound casts the player as an ever-moving character in an aesthetically unique world, similar in intent to the GameCube’s P.N.03 but very different in resulting gameplay. The dancer that represents the player on-screen will use a variety of leaps and twirls to overcome the pitfalls of a chaotic level design, crossing bridges, bounding across gaps and solving switch puzzles all while visually impacting the world. The latter is an impressive visual treat in VR, but it’s actually the puzzling gameplay that makes Bound worthy of the transition to the new medium.”
“While still insisting that the PlayStation VR version of Driveclub is still a technical demonstration and nothing more, the experience feels as though a lot of work has gone into getting it just right. The handling is tight and responsive, the car feels weighty and collisions are given just enough oomph that they’ll interrupt your driving line but fall short of sending you spinning. It’s a very different way of playing Driveclub, and it arguably is what Evolution Studios’ racing experience needed to separate it from the pack all along.”
“Farpoint has become a key example for the success of modern VR, having surpassed all expectations for commercial value upon release.”
“Every early adopter of the head-mounted display (HMD) should consider a purchase of 
“Depicting a new form of sports entertainment that takes place 50 years in the future, RIGS: Mechanised Combat League aims to be a fast-paced FPS, the kind that might have required a few nearby sick bags on lesser VR hardware. ”
“Starblood Arena, the unique arena shooter that sees players piloting individualised space ships all with their own unique weapons and attributes, such as soldier Elsa in her versatile ship Mandible, or fast but fragile assassin Blade and his ship Raptor. ”
“A first-person test of mental and physical dexterity as players complete a series of tasks to solve increasingly challenging puzzles. These challenges can range from building towers to creating bridges, working out mind melting puzzles, and blowing up enormous towers of blocks. Puzzle titles tend to be single-player affairs but Supermassive Games has incorporated PlayStation VR’s Social Screen feature, allowing a second player to use the connected TV, creating a much more social experience.”
“Until Dawn is a story driven horror videogame, with the player’s in-game decisions having a direct influence on the outcome for each of the characters involved. A convoluted journey through an unwelcoming world. Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is a far more straight forward affair. It’s a shooting gallery, pure and simple, but when played in VR it’s far more appealing than could it could ever sound on paper.”