Develop:Star Awards Submissions Open

Why It Matters

The awards provide vital recognition and networking opportunities for developers, reinforcing industry standards and highlighting emerging talent. Winning can boost studio visibility and attract investment or publishing deals.

Key Takeaways

• Submissions open until 3 April 2026.
• 18 categories include new Best Ongoing Game.
• Entry free; studios can submit multiple categories.
• Judges shortlist; community votes for winners.
• Event held 15 July at Brighton Dome.

Pulse Analysis

The Develop:Star Awards have become a benchmark for excellence in the UK game‑development scene, offering a platform where studios—from indie teams to established houses—can showcase their achievements. By opening submissions now through April 2026, the organizers ensure a broad pool of entries, reflecting the sector’s rapid growth and diversification. The inclusion of a Best Ongoing Game category acknowledges the shift toward live‑service models, rewarding developers who sustain player engagement over extended periods.

Beyond the accolades, the awards serve as a strategic marketing engine. Free entry lowers barriers, encouraging participation from smaller studios that might otherwise lack exposure. The public voting component amplifies community involvement, turning the ceremony into a grassroots endorsement that can translate into heightened media coverage, investor interest, and talent recruitment. For publishers, the shortlist offers a curated list of high‑performing titles and teams worth monitoring for future collaborations.

Hosting the ceremony at the historic Brighton Dome on 15 July adds cultural gravitas, positioning the event as a marquee moment on the industry calendar. The blend of expert judging and community voting balances technical merit with popular appeal, ensuring winners resonate both within professional circles and among players. As the industry continues to evolve, the Star Awards will likely influence trends, spotlighting innovations in accessibility, technical prowess, and sustainable game development.

Develop:Star Awards Submissions Open

By Matt Broughton · 17 hours ago

Celebrate the brightest game‑dev talent in our industry.

Taking place on the evening of Wednesday 15 July at The Brighton Dome, the Star Awards will once again bring together the game‑dev community to celebrate the creative excellence of game makers behind the best games of the previous 12 months.

This is an exciting opportunity for studios of every size to shine and gain well‑deserved recognition.

Entry is open from now until 3 April 2026 and there are 18 award categories available to enter, including the new category “Best Ongoing Game”:

• Best Visual Art

• Best Narrative

• Best Game Design

• Best Audio

• Best Original IP

• Best Technical Innovation

• Best EDI Initiative

• Best Marketing Campaign

• Supporting Star

• Talent & Recruitment Star

• Publishing Star

• Tomorrow’s Star

• Best In‑Game Accessibility

• Best Mobile Game

• Best Ongoing Game

• Best Game

• Best Small Studio

• Best Studio

Full descriptions of award categories can be found here.

Entry is free and entrants can enter as many categories as they like. Once entries are closed, our judges – a panel of industry experts – will create a shortlist of finalists and the winners will be voted for by the game‑dev community.

Check out the Develop:Star Awards ceremony 2025 here.