Liftoff's 2024 Mobile GameDev Awards

Bringing together beloved IPs in a mobile gaming event, these collaborations showcase the power of synergy and creativity, offering players a unique and memorable experience.

MIDCORE WINNER:
PUBG Mobile x Dragon Ball Z by Tencent

“PUBG Mobile’s groundbreaking collaboration with Dragon Ball Super took home the award for Best Collaboration Event (Midcore). This collaboration redefined gaming crossovers, immersing players in an anime-inspired Battle Royale mode where they could play as iconic Dragon Ball Super characters with signature abilities. The event cleverly incorporated character upgrade mechanics and offered additional events, including a DBS quiz with themed rewards. PUBG Mobile’s innovative use of the Dragon Ball Super IP in two game modes captivated players and solidified its position as the year’s standout event.”

MIDCORE FINALISTS:

CASUAL WINNER:
Stumble Guys - Various collaboration events, e.g., with MrBeast by Scopely

“Stumble Guys, the popular casual mobile game, won the Best Collaboration Event (Casual) award for its constant high-quality collaboration events throughout the year. The game’s live events featured unique IP-themed maps and limited-time modes with new mechanics and twists. The year’s grand finale was the Look Who’s Back in the Stumbleverse event series, which brought collaborations with MrBeast, Barbie, Nerf, Monopoly, SpongeBob, Rabbids, and The Smurfs. Many IP-themed maps were added permanently to the game’s map pool, further enhancing the Stumble Guys experience.”

CASUAL FINALISTS:

Reimagining social and competitive dynamics in gaming, these innovative titles introduce groundbreaking features that foster community engagement and exhilarating competition.

MIDCORE WINNER:
League of Legends: Wild Rift - Arena by Riot Games

“Riot Games’ Wild Rift clinched the Best Social / Competitive Event (Midcore) award for its limited-time Arena mode. This unique mode introduced fast-paced PvP gameplay, where four teams of two faced off in a battle royale-esque standoff. The fight was broken down into several 2v2 rounds in small arenas, with each team having a limited number of lives. Players were restricted to using a limited pool of randomized Champions, adding an element of strategy to the gameplay. The Arena Privilege Pass event booster allowed players to unlock additional Champions and earn more rewards, making the event even more exciting.

The Arena mode was later brought back with its own ranked feature titled Arena Ranked Season 1, which looks like it will be a permanent addition to the game. This is an example of a good strategy: first testing a mode as a limited-time event and then reacting to the positive player feedback and sentiment by implementing it permanently with additional features.”

MIDCORE FINALISTS:

CASUAL WINNER:
Monopoly GO! - Partner Event by Scopely

“Monopoly GO!, the casual mobile game sensation, was crowned the Best Social / Competitive Event (Casual) winner for its innovative Partner Events. These events allowed players to collaborate with friends and work together towards a common goal. By rolling the dice in the core gameplay experience, players earned event currency to progress in the goals with their partners. This social incentive created a compelling reason for players to engage with the game throughout the event. Partner Events have become a regular addition to Monopoly GO, with different themes appearing approximately once a month.”

CASUAL FINALISTS:

Elevating gaming events with compelling narratives, these standout titles weave captivating stories into gameplay, immersing players in unforgettable adventures.

MIDCORE WINNER:
Cookie Run: Kingdom - Holiday Express by Devsisters

“Cookie Run: Kingdom, developed by Devsisters, emerged victorious in the award for Best Use of Narrative in an Event (Midcore). Inspired by Agatha Christie novels, the game’s Holiday Express event captivated players with its interactive story. Players had to closely follow the narrative and collect objects from different rooms to present the right evidence in a murder case. Cookie Run: Kingdom has consistently impressed players with its ability to use narrative elements to forge a strong bond between players and new characters, and this fully narrative-driven event was no exception.”

MIDCORE FINALISTS:

CASUAL WINNER:
June’s Journey - Story-First Battle Pass by Wooga

“June’s Journey, the popular casual game by Wooga, was awarded Best Use of Narrative in an Event (Casual) for its innovative Travel Pass system. The Travel Pass emphasized storytelling, with narrative aspects taking center stage. Players embarked on a captivating journey, with rewards becoming a “side benefit” of the immersive storytelling experience. The introduction of the Travel Pass in November marked a significant milestone for June’s Journey and solidified its position as the best narrative event of 2023 in the casual gaming category.”

CASUAL FINALISTS:

Embracing the spirit of the season, these festive gaming events deliver joy and excitement to players with themed content and celebratory activities.

MIDCORE WINNER:
Last Fortress x The Boys Holiday collaboration by IM30

“Last Fortress: Underground, developed by IM30, was honored with the Best Seasonal Event (Midcore) award for its collaboration with the hit TV series The Boys. The month-long event celebrated the Christmas season and featured iconic characters from the series and exclusive cosmetic rewards. The collaboration was seamlessly integrated into the game, with well-scheduled phases and various event shops offering refreshing wares and limited-time gachas. Including simple dialogues and cinematic trailers enhanced the storytelling elements, creating a cohesive and immersive experience for players.”

MIDCORE FINALISTS:

CASUAL WINNER:
Phase 10 - Winter Wonder Roll by Mattel163

“Phase 10 by Mattel163 reigned supreme in the Best Seasonal Event (Casual) category for its Winter Wonder Roll event. This unique event framework combined various gameplay elements, including minigames, renovation, competition, social co-op, and slots - all themed around the Christmas Holiday season. Players were tasked with playing a board minigame to gather materials, which were used in renovating rooms for exclusive Christmas cosmetics. The event also featured solo tournament competitions, team co-op tasks, and a Lucky Spin slot machine for additional rewards.”

CASUAL FINALISTS:

Recognizing games that creatively integrate minigame mechanics, these events offer a delightful array of bite-sized challenges and entertainment, demonstrating innovative gameplay for players to enjoy.

MIDCORE WINNER:
Free Fire - Pet Smash by Garena

“Garena’s Free Fire was recognized for its PvP minigame, Pet Smash, winning the Best Minigame Event (Midcore) award. In this top-down casual shooter mode, players battled against each other as pets, with the first team to reach the elimination goal emerging victorious. The mode introduced a new way of playing Free Fire and promoted the game’s pet meta-system. Players also had the opportunity to earn rewards through a separate task event as part of the Beach Breeze-themed event calendar.”

MIDCORE FINALISTS:

CASUAL WINNER:
Royal Match - Magic Cauldron by Dream Games

“Dream Games’ Royal Match triumphed in the Best Minigame Event (Casual) award for its Magic Cauldron event. This innovative minigame required players to figure out the “formulas" of potions by earning them through core match3 levels. The trial and error system added an element of challenge and excitement as players attempted to discover the correct formula.”

CASUAL FINALISTS:

March 11th, 2024

2024 Mobile GameDev Awards

Best Collaboration Event

Bringing together beloved IPs in a mobile gaming event, these collaborations showcase the power of synergy and creativity, offering players a unique and memorable experience.

Best Social Event

Reimagining social and competitive dynamics in gaming, these innovative titles introduce groundbreaking features that foster community engagement and exhilarating competition.

Best Use of Narrative in an Event

Elevating gaming events with compelling narratives, these standout titles weave captivating stories into gameplay, immersing players in unforgettable adventures.

Best Seasonal Event

Embracing the spirit of the season, these festive gaming events deliver joy and excitement to players with themed content and celebratory activities.

Best Minigame Event

Recognizing games that creatively integrate minigame mechanics, these events offer a delightful array of bite-sized challenges and entertainment, demonstrating innovative gameplay for players to enjoy.