The Games Without Borders Awards were presented at gamescom 2024 – and Xbox was the big winner

At Gamescom 2024, the initiative introduced the Inclusion in Games Awards for the second time. Games without limits It was awarded to mobile phone provider congstar. The winners were honored by a jury in five categories.

What kind of prize is this? The Games Without Borders Awards ceremony took place for the second time at this year’s Gamescom in Cologne. This special award, launched by mobile provider congstar and the Games Without Borders (GoG) initiative, honors projects and individuals that advance accessibility and inclusion in gaming. The awards ceremony will take place in 2024 at the congstar booth.

What categories were the awards given for? The Unlimited Games prizes are offered in five categories, including the following:

• National Award: Honors projects that contribute to facilitating access to games at the national level.
• International Award: Honors international projects that contribute to accessibility in games.
• Award Representation: Award for projects that make underrepresented groups visible in games
• Hardware and Technology Award: Rewards technological innovations that improve accessibility in games.
• Award personality: Honors a person who is particularly committed to accessibility and inclusion in games.

Xbox purifies the air Games without limitsThe awards are really

This year, Xbox was the clear winner, taking home awards in two categories. In the category National Award Xbox's booth at Gamescom 2023 has been honored.

The pavilion set new standards in trade fair accessibility and demonstrated how inclusive such an event could be. What's included:

• Relaxation rooms
• slopes For easy access
• Adaptive Controls
• Assistive devices such as sunglasses, hearing protection, and fidget spinners.

Gamescom Accessibility Guidelines and historical gaming platform Play History were also nominated.

Xbox wins another category

In category International Award Xbox wins again – this time with Forza Motorsport. This racing game impressed the judges with its features Extensive customization optionsWhich allows players with different disabilities to customize the game and enjoy it without hindrance.

Nominees for this award include: Minecraft and Xbox Inclusion Guide.

Who else won? In addition to Xbox, other projects that make an important contribution to gaming integration were also honored.

• Award Representation: The award went to DisCo Devs Game Jam, a platform for developers with disabilities. Game Jam works to foster collaboration and exchange within marginalized groups such as the LGBTQI+ community to develop games that promote diversity and inclusion.
  • Also nominated: Sims 4 and Tell Me Why

• Hardware and Technology Award: Developed by Tim Brogden for the charity SpecialEffect and released as open source software, the Alt Controller provides a hassle-free solution for gamers.
  • Also nominated: Augmented Reality Glasses Apple Vision Pro Adaptive Gaming Toolkit Ability to play

• Award personality: Svenja Ottawa, also known as SvenjaDev, received the “Personality Award” for her long-standing commitment to making games more accessible and raising awareness of accessibility in the gaming community.
  • Also nominated: Accessibility consultant Brandon Cole aka “superblindman” (posthumously) and Marilyn Belharz (actress and author).

Who decided that? The winners were selected by a ten-member jury:

• Melanie Eilert (Games Without Borders Ambassador)
• Ray Grimm (Head of Editorial Games at Webedia Germany)
• Michael Gort (JFF Research Associate – Institute for Media Education)
• Casey Krier (Digital Accessibility Expert)
• Svenja Ottawa also known as SvenjaDev (Creator and Developer)
• Catherine Schaefer Hansen (Rehabilitation Scientist)
• Linda Schultz (Specialist in the Department of Youth Media Education in North Rhine-Westphalia)
• Hendrik Wagner (Game Expert)
• Dennis Winkins aka WheelyWorld (Creator)
• Erden Ciplak also known as Mr. Blind Life (The Creator)

Who is behind the award? Games without limits It is an initiative that promotes accessibility and inclusion in digital games. For a few years now, the initiative has been working with young people to test games and technologies for accessibility for people with disabilities and publishes the results on their website. For example, it evaluates whether games can be played without sound.

com.congstara Telekom brand, supports this initiative and also participates through its own gaming events and streams. In collaboration with Games Without Borders, congstar is working to draw attention to the needs of gamers with disabilities and promote inclusion. Monster Hunter Wilds is the big winner at Gamescom 2024 – All the Gamescom award winners

Disclaimer: Ray Grimm is the Head of Digital Publishing at Webedia Gaming and is therefore responsible for MeinMMO, GameStar and GamePro. Ray Grimm is part of the jury Games without limitsAwards.