Gamescom 2019 is coming to a close, but with it ending, the convention has also announced its award winners. 14 genre and platform-specific awards were given out, as were 5 broader event awards. Gamescom also had several industry and consumer awards, including the Gamescom "Most Wanted" Consumer Award which went to Borderlands 3. Gamescom's biggest award, its Best of Gamescom Award, was given to Media Molecule's unique title Dreams.
The awards for Gamescom 2019 are, beyond the consumer awards, voted on by a jury of "independent, international experts." The experts evaluate a variety of games, all submitted under a strict list of expectations. For one, every game submitted must be playable at Gamescom 2019 on the convention's show floor. Just as importantly, all games submitted must be planned for release in the next year, prior to Gamescom 2020.
Highlights from the awards include three different victories for Dreams, taking home not just the Best of Gamescom Award, but also the Most Original Game and Best PlayStation 4 Game awards. Borderlands 3 took both the fan-voted Most Wanted Awards, as well as the Best Multiplayer Game Award. No other game took home more than one.
Best of Gamescom - Dreams
Best VR / AR Game - Marvel’s Iron Man
Best Hardware / Technology - Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
Best Multiplayer Game - Borderlands 3
Best Ongoing Game - Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
Best Xbox One Game - Gears 5
Best Nintendo Switch Game - The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Best PlayStation 4 Game - Dreams
Best Mobile Game - Battle Chasers: Nightwar
Best PC Game - Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint
Best Action-Adventure Game - Blacksad: Under the Skin
Best Action Game - DOOM Eternal
Best Family Game - Concrete Genie
Best Racing Game - Grid
Best Role-Playing Game - Wasteland 3
Best Simulation Game - Planet Zoo
Best Sports Game - Roller Champions
Best Strategy Game - Desperados III
Most Original Game - Dreams
There are several additional awards given out that don't necessarily fit into any of the above groupings. THQ Nordic won the Best Games Company of the event, and the inaugural Heart of Gaming Award was given to the Gamescom attendees for their embracing diversity and accessibility at the event.
Gamescom, which is held in Germany, always provides a unique and diverse perspective on video games. Games like Planet Zoo, Desperados 3, and Roller Champions would likely have struggled to garner attention at a big convention like E3, but in Germany, they're award winners. Of course, the world over can agree that DOOM Eternal looks pretty outstanding.
Gamescom 2019 ends today, August 24. It will return in 2020.