A major part of Nordic Game 2019 on 22-24 May, the 17 studios that won Nordic Game Discovery Contest qualifiers (and wild card selections) across Europe met in Malmö, Sweden for the NGDC Season III Grand Finals and Finalist Expo.
The NGDC finals at NG19 kicked-off with the NGDC Finalist Expo, where all conference attendees could test the finalist’s games, chat with the developers and vote for their “People’s Choice Award” favorite.
On Wednesday and Thursday, secret balloting in the Finalist Expo by the NGDC jury, consisting of Warren Spector (Otherside Ent.), Cassia Curran (Jagex) and Steve Escalante (Versus Evil), brought the season’s competition near to a close, as the NGDC Season III Final Four were announced: Metamorphosis by Ovid Works (Poland), Drawkanoid by QCF Design (South Africa), Helheim Hassle by Perfectly Paranormal (Norway) and Interrogation by Critique Gaming (Romania).
Friday, 24 May featured the long-awaited NGDC Season III Finals, the culmination of twelve months of live NGDC qualifiers at European partner events and two wild card selections. After a nerve-racking final pitch battle between the remaining four studios in the Unreal Theatre at NG19, the NGDC Grand Finals expert panel recessed to determine the winner – and following an intense jury debate, the NGDC Season III Game of the Year was announced – South Africa’s QCF Design with their action arcade game for PC Drawkanoid.
Check out the Drawkanoid trailer (featured by Humble Bundle):
As this season’s NGDC GotY winner, QCF Design will also receive prizes from Dolby, Xsolla, 80.lv, Plan of Attack and Matchmade.
The results of the popular vote from the NGDC Finalist Expo at NG19 were also revealed, with Finnish Red Stage winning the NGDC Season III People’s Choice Award for their game based on Sámi mythology, Skábma – Polar Night.
Check out the Skábma – Polar Night teaser:
Our warmest congratulations to the winners! It will be very exciting to follow QCF Design, Red Stage and the rest of the NGDC Season III finalists in the future.
Also a very big thank you to our NGDC Season III sponsors – Xsolla, Dolby, Steam, Plan of Attack, Matchmade, 80 Level and Nordic Game Ventures – and our partners across Europe – learn more about them right here. We’ll also be revealing tour plans for NGDC Season IV very soon, kicking off on 26 June at the BIG Festival in Sao Paolo, Brazil – so stay tuned!
About the Nordic Game Discovery Contest
In 2016, building on fourteen years of running major successful events in the games industry, including several live-pitching events, selection processes and support systems, Nordic Game created the Nordic Game Discovery Contest (NGDC) – an exciting, competitive challenge, where selected game projects are showcased at live-pitch events in several countries.
NGDC Season III sponsors
NGDC Season III is sponsored by Xsolla, Dolby, Steam, Plan of Attack, Matchmade, 80 Level and Nordic Game Ventures.
About Xsolla
Xsolla ensures the best ideas get made, get seen and get played. Launch, monetize and scale with Xsolla tools and services. Learn more at xsolla.com.
About Dolby
Dolby transforms the science of sight and sound into spectacular experiences. Learn more at www.dolby.com.
About Steam
The ultimate entertainment platform. Play, connect, create and more – install Steam today and start gaming! Learn more at store.steampowered.com.
About Plan of Attack
Working with the right media at the right time, Plan of Attack helps organisations tell their stories and generate the most value from their projects. Learn more at planofattack.biz.
About Matchmade
Matchmade is the leading influencer marketing platform for games. Founded in Helsinki by games industry veterans Jiri Kupiainen and Leo Lännenmäki in 2014, the company also has offices in Berlin, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Learn more at matchmade.tv.
About 80 Level
80 Level is the best source of valuable information about the gaming industry and its recent trends. Learn more at 80.lv.
About Nordic Game Ventures
Nordic Game Ventures grows great companies and secures future jobs for the Nordic games industry. Learn more at nordicgameventures.com.
Interested in becoming an NGDC partner or sponsor? Contact Nordic Game BD director Teddy Florea here to learn about great opportunities available for NGDC Season IV.