Run by the Tencent Institute of Games, the GWB Game Awards is an international indie and student game competition designed to help discover the best new and in-development games from around the world. If you have a game that was released in 2026 or is still in development, the GWB Game Awards is the event for you.
GWB GAME AWARDS 2026
PART 01INTRODUCTION
PART 03BENEFITS
- CASH PRIZES
For several years we have offered a wide range of cash prizes to winning Indie teams. In 2026 we have also added cash prizes for the student awards channel, on top of our existing prizes for the industry channel
- PROMOTIONAL EVENTS
Steam events, livestreams, demo days. Finalists, winners and previous winners are all eligible for free inclusion in these events.
- FREE SIGN UP
It's free to sign up. It's free to submit games. There are no hidden costs. It's that simple. We want to make sure everyone can take part.
- COLLABORATION
From uni courses to knowledge-sharing seminars, the Tencent Institute of Games runs events that support the industry. If you're interested, awards participation is a great way to start getting involved in that.
- (MOSTLY) ONLINE
Submit your game online and then just...keep making your game! No attendance is necessary to take part (unless you want to join our live Awards ceremony in November)
PART 04PRIZES
INDUSTRY AWARDS CHANNEL
Gold
$10000 USD
X1Silver
$5000 USD EACH
X2Bronze
$3000 USD EACH
X3Special Categories
$2000 USD
X6Small Team Gold
$3000 USD
X1Small Team Silver
$2000 USD EACH
X1Small Team Bronze
$1000 USD EACH
X1SPECIAL PRIZE CATEGORIES
Gameplay Innovation
for a game with unique and innovative gameplay.
Play Together (Co-op)
for a game that encourages people to play together.
Short But Sweet
for a game that can be completed in less than 3 hours.
For all Ages
for an accessible game that everyone can play, young or old.
Stop And Think
For gameplay or narrative that makes a player think.
Touch The World
For a game with a strong connection to the world or environment.
STUDENT AWARDS CHANNEL
Gold
$10,000 USD
X1Silver
$5,000 USD EACH
X1Bronze
$3,000 USD EACH
X1Special Categories
$1,000 USD
X4SPECIAL PRIZE CATEGORIES
Gameplay Innovation
for a game with unique and innovative gameplay.
Play Together (Co-op)
for a game that encourages people to play together.
For all Ages
for an accessible game that everyone can play, young or old.
Stop And Think
for a game with the power to make a player think.
PART 05HOW TO TAKE PART
Just click the Take Part button and submit your game. The first time you go to submit a title you will need to create an account and log in. After that you can submit multiple titles individually in either the Industry or Student awards channels (or both!).