Location-based Triangler scoops top gong at IMG Awards
Prizes too for Crazy Matches, Mega Monster, 3D Tilt-a-World and Anima Wars
We're still recovering from a few days' hectic networking at the 3GSM show in Barcelona (too much paella and sangria), but one story well worth reporting is the culmination of the 2006 International Mobile Gaming Awards.
Having whittled down 400 entrants to 26 nominees before 3GSM, Barcelona saw the winners announced in five categories, plus a Grand Prix award for the best overall game.
That top award went to Triangler, which also won the Most Innovative Game prize. Created by Dutch research institute TNO, it's a location-based game for two teams of 100 players who have to run around encasing each other in 2,000-metre equilateral triangles. As you do. The game uses GPS, voice and chat communications.
The Best Interactive Experience (that is, the most fun) award went to 3D Tilt-a-World from US developer Super Happy Fun Fun. We've written about this gem before: it's a 3D ball-rolling game that uses your phone's camera to tilt the playfield.
Meanwhile, the Excellence In 3D award went to Australian developer Firemint for its Mega Monster game, which sees you playing an extremely angry monster smashing towns to bits.
Best Use Of Connectivity went to Anino Mobile for its Anima Wars game, which combines turn-based strategy with 3D hack'n'slash action for up to eight players over the network.
Finally, the Best Use Of Flash award went to Polish firm IKS Mobile for its Crazy Matches, a suitably silly (in a good way) collection of mini-games starring zany sticks of fire-lighting fun. This award was for the best Flash Lite game – a technology we'll be hearing more about in connection with mobile gaming in the coming months.
