The international gaming industry descended upon Brighton this week for the highly anticipated Develop:Star Awards 2026. As a cornerstone event of the Develop:Brighton conference, the ceremony serves as a barometer for creative excellence and technical innovation within the global development community. This year’s gala was defined by a mixture of genre-defying newcomers and established industry stalwarts, signaling a vibrant, albeit highly competitive, landscape for developers worldwide.
Among the evening’s most significant victors was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the ambitious title from Sandfall Interactive, which dominated the ceremony by securing three major accolades. The event also saw heavyweights like Sony Interactive Entertainment and Sucker Punch Productions recognized for their contributions to high-fidelity gaming, while independent studios proved that scale does not dictate impact.
Main Facts: The Big Winners of 2026
The narrative of the 2026 Develop:Star Awards was undoubtedly written by Sandfall Interactive. Their flagship title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, was the undisputed star of the evening, walking away with the prestigious Best Game, Best Narrative, and Best Audio awards. The triple win highlights a growing industry trend: the appetite for high-concept, narrative-driven experiences that prioritize atmospheric sound design and compelling storytelling.
Other notable winners included:
- Best Studio: Frontier Developments, following the successful launch of Jurassic World Evolution 3.
- Best Original IP: Peak, a collaborative effort between Landfall and Aggro Crab.
- Best Small Studio: A joint award presented to Landfall and Aggro Crab, reflecting the industry’s increasing emphasis on collaborative development models.
- Publishing Star: Sony Interactive Entertainment.
- Best Visual Art: Ghost of Yōtei (Sucker Punch Productions).
- Best Ongoing Game: No Man’s Sky, which claimed the inaugural award in this category, underscoring the long-term viability of “games as a service” when managed with consistent, community-focused updates.
- Best Mobile Game: PowerWash Simulator (FuturLab).
The evening’s most prestigious honor, the Develop:Star Award, was bestowed upon Ustwo Games, the creative force behind the critically acclaimed Monument Valley 3. This recognition serves as a testament to the studio’s enduring influence on mobile gaming aesthetics and interactive puzzle design.
Chronology of a Night to Remember
The ceremony, held in the heart of Brighton, unfolded as a rhythmic celebration of the past 12 months of development.
The evening commenced with a retrospective look at the evolution of the industry, followed by the presentation of the creative excellence categories. The tension in the room was palpable as the “Best Narrative” category was announced—a category that has become increasingly competitive in recent years. When Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was declared the winner, it set the tone for the night, confirming that the title had struck a chord with both critics and peers.
As the ceremony progressed, the focus shifted from creative design to business and operational excellence. The presentation of the “Publishing Star” award to Sony Interactive Entertainment signaled the industry’s recognition of the publisher’s strategic shifts in global distribution and platform support.
The latter half of the evening highlighted the sustainability of live-service titles. The introduction of the “Best Ongoing Game” category—won by No Man’s Sky—represented a shift in how the Develop:Star Awards committee views the lifecycle of modern games. Rather than focusing solely on launch-day impact, the awards now honor the "long-tail" development strategy that keeps players engaged years after a game’s initial release.
The evening concluded with the presentation of the Develop:Star Award to Ustwo Games, a moment that saw the audience stand in collective appreciation for the studio’s contribution to the artistic legitimacy of the mobile platform.
Supporting Data and Industry Trends
To understand the significance of this year’s winners, one must look at the broader industry data. The rise of joint awards, such as the one shared by Landfall and Aggro Crab, indicates a move away from the "siloed" studio model. In an era where development costs are skyrocketing, collaboration has become a necessary mechanism for survival and innovation.
Furthermore, the win for PowerWash Simulator in the mobile category highlights a demographic shift in mobile gaming. While mobile was once dominated by high-octane competitive titles or hyper-casual puzzles, there is a clear trend toward "cozy" and meditative gaming experiences. Players are increasingly seeking out titles that offer a low-stress environment, a trend that PowerWash Simulator has mastered.
The recognition of No Man’s Sky as the Best Ongoing Game is statistically significant. With millions of active players years after its initial, rocky launch, Hello Games’ magnum opus has become the industry standard for redemption and longevity. The inaugural nature of this award suggests that trade bodies like Develop:Brighton are adapting their judging criteria to reflect the reality that a game is rarely "finished" upon release in the modern digital age.
Official Responses and Industry Sentiment
The atmosphere at the Grand Hotel in Brighton was one of relief and celebration. Following a challenging year for the global gaming economy, the awards served as a morale booster.
Tandem Events managing director Andy Lane addressed the attendees with a sentiment that captured the evening’s spirit: "Thank you to everyone who joined us for The Develop:Star Awards last night and congratulations to all the winners and those shortlisted. It was a wonderful evening spent celebrating the very best of the amazing work released over the past year, and the amazing people behind that work. Thank you to our sponsors, everyone who voted, and all those who made the night possible; it was an evening to remember."
Studio representatives expressed a mixture of humility and ambition. The team at Sandfall Interactive, in particular, noted that the awards were a validation of the risks taken during the development of Clair Obscur. For many, the award is not merely a trophy but a "seal of quality" that can significantly influence consumer behavior and investor confidence in future projects.
Implications for the Future of Development
The 2026 Develop:Star Awards offer a roadmap for where the industry is heading in 2027 and beyond.
1. The Rise of "Prestige" Independent Gaming
The dominance of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 suggests that the line between "indie" and "AAA" is blurring. Players are increasingly willing to invest time and money into high-production-value experiences that don’t necessarily come from the massive conglomerates. This will likely drive more investment into mid-sized studios capable of delivering focused, high-impact titles.
2. Longevity as a Metric of Success
With the introduction of the "Best Ongoing Game" category, we can expect future award cycles to place a higher premium on post-launch support. Studios that can maintain a healthy, active, and satisfied player base through regular content updates will likely be viewed as more "stable" by industry analysts and publishers.
3. The Brighton Nexus
The success of Develop:Brighton and its associated awards ceremony reinforces the United Kingdom’s position as a global hub for game development. By providing a centralized venue for networking and recognition, the event acts as a catalyst for talent retention and international partnerships.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As the industry turns its gaze toward the future, the bar has been set exceptionally high. Developers are already looking toward the next iteration of the event, scheduled for Wednesday, July 14, 2027, as part of the broader Develop:Brighton conference (July 13–15).
If the 2026 ceremony proved anything, it is that the passion for interactive storytelling remains undiminished. Despite economic headwinds, the spirit of creation—as evidenced by the work of Ustwo Games, Sucker Punch, and Sandfall Interactive—continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in digital entertainment. The winners of 2026 have not only taken home statues; they have set the aesthetic and technical agenda for the year to come.
