This morning, white smoke started to erupt from the room where the Belgian Game Awards jury was locked up weeks ago. This could only mean one thing: habemus nominees! It was either that or someone had suffered spontaneous combustion at the mere sight of all the great games that entered. But as all six judges left the room with little to no burn marks, it became abundantly clear that the final results were in.
Tough choices had to be made, but the verdict is final. So without further ado: here are the nominees for the Belgian Game Awards 2019!
Best Student (winners of the VAF Wildcard competition, awarded by VAF Gamefund)
- A Story of Two by Atilla Inc.
- Divine Commander by Salty Lemon Entertainment
- POV by Waterdrake
- Short Circuit VR by Stefan Bauwens & Cindy Ho
Best AR/VR/MR
- Cubism by Thomas Van Bouwel
- Deisim by Myron Software
- Journey for Elysium by Mantis Games
- Space Pirate Trainer by I-Illusions

Will Space Pirate Trainer blast its way past the competition?
Best Mobile/Handheld
- Apocalypse Hunters by Apocalypse Hunters
- Healer’s Quest by Rablo Games
- The Almost Gone by Happy Volcano
- Trivia Switch by Triangle Factory
Best Non-Entertainment
- Brew Game by Bazookas
- Hospi Avontuur by Polygoat
- Liftoff: FPV Drone Racing by LuGus Studios
- Pixel Picasso by Happy Volcano

Pixel Picasso is really hard to play when you live in a house with red, blue and yellow floor tiles
Best Business (awarded by Flanders DC)
- Antigraviator by Cybernetic Walrus
- Apocalypse Hunters by Apocalypse Hunters
- Liftoff: FPV Drone Racing by LuGus Studios
- Trivia Switch by Triangle Factory
Most Promising
- Ary and the Secret of Seasons by eXiin
- Flotsam by Pajama Llama Games
- The Almost Gone by Happy Volcano
- Trifox by Glowfish Interactive

Trifox – like it says on the tin.
Best PC/Console
- Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition by Larian Studios
- Guns, Gore & Cannoli 2 by Crazy Monkey Studios
- Marie’s Room by like Charlie
- Shift Quantum by Fishing Cactus
If you’re among the nominees: congratulations! You will get the chance to show off your game at your own FREE booth during the 1UP conference expo (the organisation will be in touch shortly with more details) and have a shot at taking home an award on February 15.
If you’re not among the nominees: thank you for enthusiasm! Your submission fee for entering the competition will be exchanged for an entry ticket to the awards show and afterparty, so you can cheer on your fellow game developers. Keep in mind, if you also want to join them on the expo floor, you can still take advantage of various discount packages.
With the nominees out in the wild, the first step towards the big award show on February 15 has been taken. The judges will now reclude themselves to go hands on with the games, after which they will have to agree on the final award winners. This will probably result in passionate discussions, heated arguments and maybe even a bloody battle or two, but one thing is for sure: it will all culminate in a grand apotheose where the Belgian games industry will be celebrated like never before. February can’t be here soon enough.