Mixtape wins three awards at Australian Game Developer Awards 2026, including GOTY
Beethoven & Dinosaur’s Mixtape won three awards at the Australian Game Developer Awards 2026, including Game of the Year, while Uppercut Games took Studio of the Year.
Beethoven & Dinosaur’s Mixtape secured three awards at the Australian Game Developer Awards 2026, including Game of the Year, Excellence in Art, and Excellence in Sound Design. Judges described the title as a standout in virtual storytelling, highlighting its distinctive visual style and emotional soundtrack. Tempo Lab Games’ Bits & Bops also received two awards, including Excellence in Gameplay and Accessibility. Canberra-based Uppercut Games was named Studio of the Year for fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture.
The awards ceremony recognized a range of titles across narrative, music, and debut categories. Schrodinger’s Cat Burglar won Excellence in Narrative, Malys received Excellence in Music, and Key Fairy took Excellence in Debut. The inaugural GCAP Legacy Award honored Tony Albrecht for his long-standing contributions to the ANZ games community. Rising Star Awards went to Amy Potter-Jarman and Tyson Butler-Boschma for their industry advocacy.
The ceremony underscored the diversity and maturity of Australia’s games sector, with finalists and winners spanning multiple studios and disciplines. Ron Curry, CEO of the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association, praised the breadth of submissions and the industry’s global competitiveness. He emphasized the role of government funding in enabling creative risk-taking and job creation.
The South Australian Film Corporation announced a doubling of its Digital Games Fund to $1 million, introducing new funding streams and a Game Studio Placement Program. The expanded fund aims to support early-, mid-, and late-stage development while providing paid placements for emerging creators in local studios.