Florence (video game)

{{Infobox video game

| title = Florence

| image = File:Florence Preview Image.jpg

| alt = A cartoon pale girl with black hair looks to the left. "Florence: an interactive story about love and life" lefthand side. There is a yellow background.

| caption = Preview title image for Florence

| developer = Mountains

| publisher = Annapurna Interactive

| director = Ken Wong

| designer =

| composer = Kevin Penkin

| engine = Unity

| released = {{Unbulleted list|iOS|February 14, 2018|Android|March 14, 2018|macOS, NS, Windows|February 13, 2020}}

| genre = Interactive novel, Minigames

| modes = Single-player

| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|Android|iOS|macOS{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2020/2/4/21122582/florence-nintendo-switch-february-13-release-date | title = Florence's sweet, subtle story coming to Nintendo Switch and PC | first = Nicole | last = Carpenter | date = February 4, 2020 | access-date = February 4, 2020 | work = Polygon | archive-date = February 4, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200204182550/https://www.polygon.com/2020/2/4/21122582/florence-nintendo-switch-february-13-release-date | url-status = live }}|Nintendo Switch|Windows}}

}}

Florence is an interactive story and video game developed by the Australian studio Mountains and published by Annapurna Interactive. The game was released on February 14, 2018 (Valentine's Day) for iOS, on March 14, 2018 for Android, and for macOS, Nintendo Switch, and Windows on February 13, 2020.

In Florence, the player follows the story of 25-year-old Florence Yeoh as she lives her daily routine and meets Krish, a cellist she sees in the park. The game features little written dialogue and tells Florence's story through a series of brief chapters. Puzzles are used to reinforce pieces of Florence's life as players progress through her story.

Lead designer Ken Wong wanted to create games that eschewed violence and was inspired by his work on Monument Valley to have a more narrative-focused experience that included puzzles. The game received critical acclaim that praised the game's art-style, music, and narrative structure, but received some criticism for its ending.

Gameplay

File:Florence Screenshot.jpg

Florence is divided into 20 chapters, each featuring a different portion of Florence Yeoh's life. The chapters are separated into six acts, which represent different portions of Florence's growth and change. The game plays out linearly, requiring input from the player in the form of short minigames which help mimic or reveal Florence's thoughts and actions.{{cite magazine |title='Florence' Is a Short, Bittersweet and Relatable Tale About First Love |author=Fogel, Stefanie |date=February 19, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/features/florence-interview-w516887 |access-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320105545/https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/features/florence-interview-w516887 |archive-date=March 20, 2018 }} These games include: Florence brushing her teeth, Florence following the sound of a cello to find Krish, Krish cleaning his room before Florence visits, and Florence packing up her things when Krish moves in—and giving Krish's things back to him when he moves out—among others. A single play-through of Florence takes approximately 30 minutes.

Plot

The game follows Florence Yeoh, a 25-year-old woman who lives alone and is settled into a monotonous routine of working at her job and mindlessly interacting with social media on her commute. One morning, her phone dies and she follows the sound of a cello and sees Krish, a street performer, for the first time. Krish befriends her and they go out on some dates. They kiss for the first time and begin to take their relationship more seriously. Krish moves in with Florence and is pushed by her to follow his dreams of being a great cellist. As a thank you, Krish gives Florence a painting set and Florence fantasizes about following her passion of being an artist.

The couple have their first fight six months later at a grocery store. After a year, the two have fallen into a routine and begin to drift apart. After another fight, Krish moves out. Florence decides to quit her job and follow her painting passion, where she finds success.

Development

File:Ken wong - game developers conference cropped.jpg

After his success with Monument Valley, game designer Ken Wong felt that he had done what he could at his development studio, Ustwo, and wanted to create his own studio.{{cite magazine |title=Florence: How game design can tell love stories |author=Dealessandri, Marie |date=March 14, 2018 |magazine=MCV |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business/florence-how-game-design-can-tell-love-stories |access-date=April 12, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416142102/https://www.mcvuk.com/business/florence-how-game-design-can-tell-love-stories |archive-date=April 16, 2018 }} He chose to move back to his native Australia after seeing the game development scene in Melbourne grow. Wong founded a new company, Mountains, in Melbourne.{{cite web |title='Florence' turns falling in love into a video game |author=Conditt, Jessica |date=February 14, 2018 |publisher=Engadget |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/02/14/florence-game-ios-love-ken-wong-interview-mobile/ |access-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315083843/https://www.engadget.com/2018/02/14/florence-game-ios-love-ken-wong-interview-mobile/ |archive-date=March 15, 2018 }}

After hiring staff, Mountains had no direction on what kind of game they wanted to create. Wong's approach was to first hire the team and then come up with a solid game. The staff discussed how film and books regularly explored love and human emotions, but that it was missing from game design and it would be a "good challenge." They opted to move forward and create Florence. It was the first game Wong had worked on since Monument Valley.{{cite web |title=The designer of 'Monument Valley' has a new game where users explore relationships, without prizes or big thrills |author=Findling, Deborah |date=February 11, 2018 |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/09/designer-of-monument-valley-has-a-new-game-where-users-explore-relationships.html |access-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330012652/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/09/designer-of-monument-valley-has-a-new-game-where-users-explore-relationships.html |archive-date=March 30, 2018 }}

Wong and the rest of the team wanted to create a game that eschewed violence.{{cite web |title=Florence is a game about love from the designer behind Monument Valley |author=Webster, Andrew |date=October 24, 2017 |website=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/24/16533918/florence-iphone-game-announce-ken-wong-interview |access-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315201400/https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/24/16533918/florence-iphone-game-announce-ken-wong-interview |archive-date=March 15, 2018 }} Wong said, "I wanted to explore what kind of stories and what kind of dynamics we can get without resorting to violence." Mountains decided to make the game on mobile so it could be as accessible as possible. The team's goal was to create a game where players focus on exploring emotions instead of achieving goals. In contrast to Wong's previous game, Monument Valley, Wong wanted to create an experience that was similar to a comic book or silent movie with a focus on narrative. Wong and the team were inspired by film in creating Florence, and specifically cited 500 Days of Summer, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Titanic.{{cite web |title=Monument Valley lead's next game, Florence, is like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind |author=Frank, Allegra |date=October 24, 2017 |website=Polygon |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/24/16534386/florence-game-ios-android-release-date-preview-annapurna-interactive |access-date=April 12, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413043348/https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/24/16534386/florence-game-ios-android-release-date-preview-annapurna-interactive |archive-date=April 13, 2018 }}

The developers wanted to make the game a linear experience early on in the process because of a concern that people with more life experience would make the "correct" choices and avoid the moral of the game.{{cite web |title=Interview: Ken Wong, and breaking with what a game 'should be' in Florence |author=Valentine, Rebekah |date=February 2018 |publisher=App Trigger |url=https://apptrigger.com/2018/02/12/ken-wong-game-florence/ |access-date=March 29, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330013023/https://apptrigger.com/2018/02/12/ken-wong-game-florence/ |archive-date=March 30, 2018 }} Mountains was inspired by the way people consume other media for the emotional connections they bring, and wanted to bring that feeling to video games. The team decided to use music as a substitute for dialogue throughout the game, with the cello representing Krish while the piano follows Florence.{{cite web |title=Fall in love with Florence, the new game from Monument Valley's designer |author=Weber, Rachel |date=February 14, 2018 |publisher=Games Radar |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/fall-in-love-with-florence-the-new-game-from-monument-valleys-designer/ |access-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328102420/https://www.gamesradar.com/fall-in-love-with-florence-the-new-game-from-monument-valleys-designer/ |archive-date=March 28, 2018 }} Mountains used musical themes for the characters after accidentally creating them during development of the "Groceries" chapter, where Krish and Florence have their first fight. Wong chose the name Florence as she was designed to be a Chinese Australian whose parents picked an "old fashioned name" for their daughter when they immigrated.

= Staff abuse allegations =

After Florence's release, lead developer Ken Wong was accused of being verbally abusive by one of Mountains's staffers during the development of Florence.{{Cite web|last=Graft|first=Kris|date=August 28, 2019|title=New allegations of sexual assault surface against established game devs|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/349504/New_allegations_of_sexual_assault_surface_against_established_game_devs.php|access-date=September 9, 2020|website=Gamasutra}}{{Cite web|last=Batchelor|first=James|date=August 29, 2019|title=Ken Wong apologises following accounts of abuse from former employee|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-08-29-ken-wong-apologises-following-complaints-of-abuse-from-former-employee|access-date=September 9, 2020|website=gamesindustry.biz}} One staffer, who served as a lead developer on Florence, accused Wong of abusing him emotionally "to the point of depression and suicide." Another staff member described Wong during this period as "a very cruel person in a position of power who liked to make people feel bad to make himself feel better."{{Cite news |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=2022-03-21 |title=Report details how emotional abuse at indie studios undermines importance of auteurs |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/emotional-abuse-at-indie-studios-undermines-the-importance-of-auteurs |access-date=2023-06-20}} Wong publicly apologized for his behavior in a statement, saying, "There are a lot of things I should have done better or differently during that time." The abuse by Wong and its impact on Mountains along with abuse by auteur developers at two other development studios that had publishing contracts with Annapurna Interactive were featured in a March 2022 People Make Games video. A policy was implemented after Florence's development that allowed staff to decline one-on-one meetings with Wong if they thought he was overstepping and to use a safeword that would immediately end any conversation with him.{{cite web |last1=Bratt |first1=Chris |title=Investigating Three Indie Superstars Accused of Emotional Abuse |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDPzZkx0cPs |access-date=19 March 2022 |website=YouTube.com |publisher=People Make Games}}{{cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=March 18, 2022 |title=Two reports paint a troubling picture of workplace abuses at acclaimed indie studios |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/two-reports-paint-a-troubling-picture-of-workplace-abuses-at-acclaimed-indie-studios/ |work=PC Gamer |accessdate=March 19, 2022}}

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| MC = iOS: 82/100{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/florence/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad | title = Florence for iPhone/iPad Reviews | website = Metacritic | publisher = CBS Interactive | access-date = June 6, 2018 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180416142102/http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/florence | archive-date = April 16, 2018 }}
NS: 90/100{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/florence/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch | title = Florence for Switch Reviews | website = Metacritic | publisher = CBS Interactive | access-date = March 15, 2020 | archive-date = February 19, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200219001141/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/florence | url-status = live }}

| Destruct = 8/10{{cite web |title=Review: Florence |author=Andriessen, CJ |date=February 27, 2018 |website=Destructoid |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-florence-491831.phtml |access-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416142102/https://www.destructoid.com/review-florence-491831.phtml |archive-date=April 16, 2018 }}

| Edge = 8/10{{cite magazine |title=Florence |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future plc |issue=318 |date=May 2018|page=120}}

| GI = 8/10{{cite magazine |last1=Favis |first1=Elise |title=Florence Review – An Earnest Tale About Ordinary Love |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/florence/b/ios/archive/2018/02/20/florence-game-informer-review.aspx |magazine=Game Informer |date=February 20, 2018 |access-date=7 April 2019 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331181649/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/florence/b/ios/archive/2018/02/20/florence-game-informer-review.aspx |url-status=live }}

| GTM = 9/10{{cite magazine |title=Florence |magazine=GamesTM |issue=199 |year=2018 |page=83}}

| IGN = 9.6/10 (Japan){{cite web |title=Florence Review |author=Krabbe, Esra |date=February 16, 2018 |website=IGN Japan |url=http://jp.ign.com/florence/22094/review/florence |language=Japanese |access-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312030037/http://jp.ign.com/florence/22094/review/florence |archive-date=March 12, 2018 }}

| PG = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last1=Slater |first1=Harry |title=Florence review - "A moving, if a little brief, tale of love, loss, and life" |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/076695/florence-review/ |website=Pocket Gamer |date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=7 April 2019 |archive-date=8 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408174851/https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/076695/florence-review/ |url-status=live }}

| TG = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite news |title=Florence review – powerfully relatable snapshots of first love |author=Webber, Jordan Erica |date=February 23, 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/feb/23/florence-review-graphic-novel-style-game |access-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318001743/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/feb/23/florence-review-graphic-novel-style-game |archive-date=March 18, 2018 }}

| TA = {{rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2018/02/13/florence-review/ |title='Florence' Review – A Brief Fling |last=Hodapp |first=Eli |publisher=TouchArcade |date=February 13, 2018 |access-date=April 12, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324135416/http://toucharcade.com/2018/02/13/florence-review/ |archive-date=March 24, 2018 }}

| rev1 = The Sydney Morning Herald

| rev1Score = (favorable){{cite news |title=Florence review: wordless love story is brief and breathtaking |author=Biggs, Tim |date=March 14, 2018 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/technology/florence-review-wordless-love-story-is-brief-and-breathtaking-20180314-p4z4b8.html |access-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319023707/https://www.smh.com.au/technology/florence-review-wordless-love-story-is-brief-and-breathtaking-20180314-p4z4b8.html |archive-date=March 19, 2018 }}

}}

=Critical reception=

Florence was announced on October 24, 2017. A demo shown publicly at PAX Australia 2017 focused on the first 15 minutes of the game, where it received positive marks from Australian video game journalists.{{cite web |title=Hands-on Preview: Florence |author=Cole, Alayna |date=November 6, 2017 |publisher=PC Authority |url=https://www.pcauthority.com.au/feature/hands-on-preview-florence-476960 |access-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413043700/https://www.pcauthority.com.au/feature/hands-on-preview-florence-476960 |archive-date=April 13, 2018 }}{{cite web |title=What We Liked From PAX Australia 2017 |author=Walker, Alex |date=October 31, 2017 |website=Kotaku |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/10/what-we-liked-from-pax-australia-2017/ |access-date=April 12, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413124507/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/10/what-we-liked-from-pax-australia-2017/ |archive-date=April 13, 2018 }} Kotaku Australia{{'s}} Rae Johnston called Florence her "stand-out game" and felt that the game's minigames succeeded in making her invested in the characters. PC Authority{{'s}} Alayna Cole praised the game for standing out with a story about love and diversity, describing it as feeling "like a rarity" in modern video game culture.

Florence was well received by critics. CJ Andriessen of Destructoid described the game as "a truly beautiful product" and felt that the game was one of the most imaginative storytelling devices he had ever seen. Tim Biggs of The Sydney Morning Herald felt that the minigames made Florence "truly special" and that it was "breathtaking and emotionally affirming". Jordan Erica Webber of The Guardian praised Florence{{'}}s ability to capture "what it's like to fall in love for the first time." Eurogamer{{'s}} Christian Donlan noted that the game's puzzle format to life doesn't "quite work" but still loved the journey the game provided.{{cite web |title=Florence is so much more than a love story |author=Donlan, Christian |date=February 19, 2018 |website=Eurogamer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-02-19-florence-is-so-much-more-than-a-love-story |access-date=March 29, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330075741/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-02-19-florence-is-so-much-more-than-a-love-story |archive-date=March 30, 2018 }} The Hollywood Reporter{{'s}} Patrick Shanley praised Wong and his team for nailing the "getting to know you" aspect of dating.{{cite magazine |title=This Mobile Game Captures What First Love Is Like |author=Shanley, Patrick |date=February 12, 2018 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/florence-mobile-game-captures-what-first-love-is-like-1083994 |access-date=March 29, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330012651/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/florence-mobile-game-captures-what-first-love-is-like-1083994 |archive-date=March 30, 2018 }} IGN Japan{{'}}s Esra Krabbe called it a "universal work of art" and praised it as a game that anyone could play. The Guardian{{'s}} Simon Parkin listed Florence as his "Game of the Month" and noted that the game never felt trite and was well executed.{{cite news |title=Florence review – girl meets boy meets iPhone game |author=Parkin, Simon |date=March 3, 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/mar/03/florence-iphone-video-game-review-simon-parkin |access-date=April 12, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324082540/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/mar/03/florence-iphone-video-game-review-simon-parkin |archive-date=March 24, 2018 }}

Many reviewers compared the game to the WarioWare series.{{cite web |title=With just a few taps, Florence shows you how it feels to fall in love |author=Webster, Andrew |date=February 14, 2018 |website=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/14/17007592/florence-iphone-ipad-review-monument-valley |access-date=April 12, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413043119/https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/14/17007592/florence-iphone-ipad-review-monument-valley |archive-date=April 13, 2018 }}{{cite web |title=The breathtaking Florence captures falling in love better than almost any game |author=Frank, Allegra |date=February 15, 2018 |website=Polygon |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/15/17014258/florence-game-review-ios-best-games-2018 |access-date=April 12, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413043602/https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/15/17014258/florence-game-review-ios-best-games-2018 |archive-date=April 13, 2018 }} The Verge{{'s}} Andrew Webster compared the game to a "webcomic crossed with Warioware," and Polygon{{'s}} Allegra Frank praised the game's minigames as making the emotional component of the game resonate with the player. Destructoid's Andriessen echoed Frank on the effectiveness of the minigames and felt that the game was a "beautiful product".

Criticism focused on some story elements, specifically its ending. Destructoid{{'s}} Andriessen stated that the game left him with a "pessimistic opinion" about love and noted that "it's the narcissistic pursuit of their real passion, art, that wins out in the end." Eurogamer{{'s}} Donlan felt that the ending traded "one easy cliché for another", although concluding that the ending's disappointment may have been the point.

=Sales=

Florence made its development costs back, but did not make enough money to fund Mountains' next project. Ken Wong, Florence{{'}}s lead designer, described the game's sales as "okay" and stated that "Premium mobile is tough."{{cite web |title=Florence Started Development As 3D Rubik's Cube Of Human Heads |author=Hanson, Ben |date=March 20, 2019 |magazine=Game Informer |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/gdc-2019/2019/03/20/florence-started-development-as-3d-rubiks-cube-of-human-heads |access-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320081903/https://www.gameinformer.com/gdc-2019/2019/03/20/florence-started-development-as-3d-rubiks-cube-of-human-heads |url-status=live }} At a panel discussion, Wong mentioned that half of the sales for Florence were from China, and noted that more people had played the game in Mandarin than in English.{{cite web |title="More people have played Florence in Mandarin than in English" |author=Handrahan, Matthew |date=October 23, 2018 |publisher=GamesIndustry.biz |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-10-23-more-people-have-played-florence-in-mandarin-than-in-english |access-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-date=November 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106232634/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-10-23-more-people-have-played-florence-in-mandarin-than-in-english |url-status=live }} Wong reported at Game Developers Conference 2019 that 88% of sales were on iOS, with 41% of those iOS sales coming from China.

=Accolades=

File:Mountains_-_19th_Game_Developers_Choice_Awards.jpg

The game was a runner-up for "Best Moment or Sequence" with "Trying to Piece the Relationship Back Together" in Giant Bomb{{'}}s Game of the Year Awards 2018.{{cite web |title=Here's What Won |author=Gesrtmann, Jeff |date=December 28, 2018 |publisher=Giant Bomb |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/heres-what-won/1100-5847/ |access-date=December 28, 2018 |archive-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511004540/https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/heres-what-won/1100-5847/ |url-status=live }} Polygon named the game among the decade's best.{{Cite web |title=The 100 best games of the decade (2010–2019): 50–11 |work=Polygon |date=2019-11-04 |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/11/4/20944573/best-games-2019-2010-ps4-switch-xbox-pc-50-11 |language=en-US |access-date=2019-11-09 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=2019-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106212251/https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/11/4/20944573/best-games-2019-2010-ps4-switch-xbox-pc-50-11 |url-status=live }}

class="wikitable sortable"
Year	Award	Category	Result	Ref
style="text-align:center;" rowspan="6" \| 2018 \| Golden Joystick Awards \| Mobile Game of the Year \| {{Nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite news \|title=Golden Joysticks 2018 nominees announced, voting open now \|author=Hoggins, Tom \|date=September 24, 2018 \|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/golden-joysticks-2018-nominees-announced-voting-open-now/ \|access-date=November 16, 2018 \|archive-date=October 11, 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011022740/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/golden-joysticks-2018-nominees-announced-voting-open-now/ \|url-status=live }}{{cite web \|title=Golden Joystick Awards 2018 winners: God of War wins big but Fortnite gets Victory Royale \|author=Sheridan, Connor \|date=November 16, 2018 \|website=GamesRadar+ \|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2018-winners/ \|access-date=November 17, 2018 \|archive-date=November 16, 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116213338/https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2018-winners/ \|url-status=live }}
rowspan="3" \| The Game Awards 2018 \| Games for Impact \| {{Nom}} \| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web \|title=The Game Awards 2018 nominees led by God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2 \|author=McWhertor, Michael \|date=November 13, 2018 \|website=Polygon \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/13/18092186/game-awards-2018-nominees-show-date-start-time \|access-date=November 16, 2018 \|archive-date=May 17, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517142822/https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/13/18092186/game-awards-2018-nominees-show-date-start-time \|url-status=live }}{{cite web \|title=The Game Awards 2018: Here are all the winners \|author=Grant, Christopher \|date=December 6, 2018 \|website=Polygon \|url=https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/2018/12/6/18130000/the-game-awards-winners-2018 \|access-date=December 7, 2018 \|archive-date=December 7, 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207114102/https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/2018/12/6/18130000/the-game-awards-winners-2018 \|url-status=live }}
Best Mobile Game \| {{Won}}
Best Debut Indie Game \| {{Nom}}
Gamers' Choice Awards \| Fan Favorite Mobile Game \| {{Nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web \|title=2018 Gamers' Choice Awards Nominees \|author=Glyer, Mike \|date=November 19, 2018 \|publisher=File 770 \|url=http://file770.com/2018-gamers-choice-awards-nominees/ \|access-date=January 6, 2019 \|archive-date=December 16, 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216000529/http://file770.com/2018-gamers-choice-awards-nominees/ \|url-status=live }}
Australian Games Awards \| Australian Developed Game of the Year \| {{Nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web \|title=Your 2018 Winners \|publisher=Australian Games Awards \|date=December 19, 2018 \|url=https://www.australiangamesawards.com/news/ \|access-date=January 6, 2019 \|archive-date=January 12, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112043428/https://www.australiangamesawards.com/news/ \|url-status=live }}
rowspan="27" style="text-align:center;" \| 2019 \| New York Game Awards \| A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game \| {{Won}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web \|title=2018 New York Game Awards Nominees Revealed \|author=Keyes, Rob \|date=January 3, 2019 \|website=Screen Rant \|url=https://screenrant.com/2018-new-york-game-awards-nominees/ \|access-date=January 6, 2019 \|archive-date=January 4, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104101754/https://screenrant.com/2018-new-york-game-awards-nominees/ \|url-status=live }}{{cite web \|title=The New York Game Awards Reveals 2019 Winners; God of War Earns the Top Prize \|first=Ryan \|last=Meitzler \|date=January 23, 2019 \|publisher=DualShockers \|url=https://www.dualshockers.com/the-new-york-game-awards-2019-winners/ \|access-date=January 23, 2019 \|archive-date=January 23, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223437/https://www.dualshockers.com/the-new-york-game-awards-2019-winners/ \|url-status=live }}
rowspan="4" \| 22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards \| Portable Game of the Year \| {{Won}} \| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web \|title=God Of War, Spider-Man Lead DICE Awards; Here's All The Nominees \|author=Makuch, Eddie \|date=January 10, 2019 \|website=GameSpot \|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-spider-man-lead-dice-awards-heres-all-t/1100-6464345/ \|access-date=January 11, 2019 \|archive-date=January 11, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111065623/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-spider-man-lead-dice-awards-heres-all-t/1100-6464345/ \|url-status=live }}{{cite web \|title=God of War wins big at DICE Awards 2019 \|author=McWhertor, Michael \|date=February 14, 2019 \|website=Polygon \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/2/14/18224190/dice-awards-2019-winners-god-of-war-ps4 \|access-date=February 14, 2019 \|archive-date=February 14, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214103957/https://www.polygon.com/2019/2/14/18224190/dice-awards-2019-winners-god-of-war-ps4 \|url-status=live }}
Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game \| {{Nom}}
Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction \| {{Nom}}
Outstanding Achievement in Story \| {{Nom}}
rowspan="2" \| National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards \| Game, Original Adventure \| {{Nom}} \| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web \|title=Nominee List for 2018 \|publisher=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers \|date=February 11, 2019 \|url=http://navgtr.org/archives/3566/ \|access-date=February 14, 2019 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190213220549/http://navgtr.org/archives/3566/ \|archive-date=February 13, 2019 \|url-status=dead }}
Game, Special Class \| {{Nom}}
rowspan="2" \| SXSW Gaming Awards \| Excellence in Narrative \| {{Nom}} \| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web \|title=Here Are Your 2019 SXSW Gaming Awards Finalists! \|last=Trent \|first=Logan \|date=February 11, 2019 \|publisher=South by Southwest \|url=https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2019/2019-sxsw-gaming-awards-finalists/ \|access-date=February 15, 2019 \|archive-date=February 14, 2019 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190214234206/https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2019/2019-sxsw-gaming-awards-finalists/ \|url-status=live }}
Mobile Game of the Year \| {{Nom}}
rowspan="4" \| Game Developers Choice Awards \| Best Debut (Mountains) \| {{Won}} \| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web \|title=Red Dead Redemption 2 tops list of Game Developers Choice nominees \|author=Good, Owen S. \|date=January 4, 2019 \|website=Polygon \|url=https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2019/1/4/18168931/gdc-choice-awards-2019-nominees-red-dead-redemption-2-spider-man-god-of-war-celeste \|access-date=January 6, 2019 \|archive-date=January 5, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105145410/https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2019/1/4/18168931/gdc-choice-awards-2019-nominees-red-dead-redemption-2-spider-man-god-of-war-celeste \|url-status=live }}{{cite web \|title=God of War Wins Another GOTY at 2019 Game Developers Choice Awards \|author=Williams, Mike \|date=March 20, 2019 \|website=USGamer \|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/god-of-war-wins-another-goty-at-2019-game-developers-choice-awards \|access-date=March 20, 2019 \|archive-date=March 21, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321035132/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/god-of-war-wins-another-goty-at-2019-game-developers-choice-awards \|url-status=live }}
Best Mobile Game \| {{Won}}
Innovation Award \| {{Nom}}
Best Narrative \| {{Nom}}
rowspan="6" \| 15th British Academy Games Awards \| Debut Game \| {{Nom}} \| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite magazine \|title='God of War,' 'Red Dead 2' Lead BAFTA Game Awards Nominations \|author=Fogel, Stefanie \|date=March 14, 2019 \|magazine=Variety \|url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/british-academy-games-awards-2019-nominees-1203163369/ \|access-date=March 14, 2019 \|archive-date=March 15, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315135246/https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/british-academy-games-awards-2019-nominees-1203163369/ \|url-status=live }}{{cite web \|title=BAFTA Games Awards winners 2019 \|date=11 March 2019 \|publisher=BAFTA \|url=http://www.bafta.org/games/awards/bafta-games-awards-nominations-winners-2019/ \|access-date=April 4, 2019 \|archive-date=April 4, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404224806/http://www.bafta.org/games/awards/bafta-games-awards-nominations-winners-2019 \|url-status=live }}
Game Beyond Entertainment \| {{Nom}}
Mobile Game \| {{Won}}
Narrative \| {{Nom}}
Music \| {{Nom}}
Original Property \| {{Nom}}
International Mobile Gaming Awards \|Grand Prix \| {{Won}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{Cite web\|last=Forde\|first=Matthew\|date=21 March 2019\|title=GDC 2019: International Mobile Gaming Awards winners revealed\|url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/70293/international-mobile-gaming-awards-2019-winners-revealed/\|access-date=2021-07-01\|website=pocketgamer.biz}}
rowspan="2" \| Italian Video Game Awards \| Best Mobile Game \| {{Won}} \| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web \|title=Italian Video Game Awards Nominees and Winners \|publisher=Italian Video Game Awards \|date=April 11, 2019 \|url=https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards \|access-date=May 25, 2019 \|archive-date=March 21, 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321193010/https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards \|url-status=dead }}
Game Beyond Entertainment \| {{Nom}}
rowspan="4" \| 2019 Webby Awards \| Best Art Direction \| {{Nom}} \| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web \|title=Here are all the winners of the 2019 Webby Awards \|author=Liao, Shannon \|date=April 23, 2019 \|website=The Verge \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/23/18511329/2019-webby-awards-all-the-winners \|access-date=April 24, 2019 \|archive-date=April 23, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423233428/https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/23/18511329/2019-webby-awards-all-the-winners/ \|url-status=live }}{{cite web \|title=2019 Winners \|date=April 23, 2019 \|publisher=The Webby Awards \|url=https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2019/ \|access-date=April 24, 2019 \|archive-date=August 21, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821142538/https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2019/ \|url-status=live }}
Best Game Design \| {{Won}}
Best Music/Sound Design \| {{Nom}}
Best Writing \| {{Nom}}
Games for Change Awards \| Best Gameplay \| {{Nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web \|title=Detroit: Become Human, Nintendo Labo among Games for Change Awards finalists \|author=McAloon, Alissa \|date=May 30, 2019 \|website=Gamasutra \|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/343591/Detroit_Become_Human_Nintendo_Labo_among_Games_for_Change_Awards_Finalists.php \|access-date=May 30, 2019 \|archive-date=December 16, 2019 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191216141327/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/343591/Detroit_Become_Human_Nintendo_Labo_among_Games_for_Change_Awards_Finalists.php \|url-status=live }}

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

Award

Category

Result

Ref

style="text-align:center;" rowspan="6" | 2018

| Golden Joystick Awards

| Mobile Game of the Year

| {{Nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite news |title=Golden Joysticks 2018 nominees announced, voting open now |author=Hoggins, Tom |date=September 24, 2018 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/golden-joysticks-2018-nominees-announced-voting-open-now/ |access-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011022740/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/golden-joysticks-2018-nominees-announced-voting-open-now/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Golden Joystick Awards 2018 winners: God of War wins big but Fortnite gets Victory Royale |author=Sheridan, Connor |date=November 16, 2018 |website=GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2018-winners/ |access-date=November 17, 2018 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116213338/https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2018-winners/ |url-status=live }}

rowspan="3" | The Game Awards 2018

| Games for Impact

| {{Nom}}

| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |title=The Game Awards 2018 nominees led by God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2 |author=McWhertor, Michael |date=November 13, 2018 |website=Polygon |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/13/18092186/game-awards-2018-nominees-show-date-start-time |access-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517142822/https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/13/18092186/game-awards-2018-nominees-show-date-start-time |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=The Game Awards 2018: Here are all the winners |author=Grant, Christopher |date=December 6, 2018 |website=Polygon |url=https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/2018/12/6/18130000/the-game-awards-winners-2018 |access-date=December 7, 2018 |archive-date=December 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207114102/https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/2018/12/6/18130000/the-game-awards-winners-2018 |url-status=live }}

Best Mobile Game

| {{Won}}

Best Debut Indie Game

| {{Nom}}

Gamers' Choice Awards

| Fan Favorite Mobile Game

| {{Nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |title=2018 Gamers' Choice Awards Nominees |author=Glyer, Mike |date=November 19, 2018 |publisher=File 770 |url=http://file770.com/2018-gamers-choice-awards-nominees/ |access-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216000529/http://file770.com/2018-gamers-choice-awards-nominees/ |url-status=live }}

Australian Games Awards

| Australian Developed Game of the Year

| {{Nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |title=Your 2018 Winners |publisher=Australian Games Awards |date=December 19, 2018 |url=https://www.australiangamesawards.com/news/ |access-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-date=January 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112043428/https://www.australiangamesawards.com/news/ |url-status=live }}

rowspan="27" style="text-align:center;" | 2019

| New York Game Awards

| A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game

| {{Won}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |title=2018 New York Game Awards Nominees Revealed |author=Keyes, Rob |date=January 3, 2019 |website=Screen Rant |url=https://screenrant.com/2018-new-york-game-awards-nominees/ |access-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-date=January 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104101754/https://screenrant.com/2018-new-york-game-awards-nominees/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=The New York Game Awards Reveals 2019 Winners; God of War Earns the Top Prize |first=Ryan |last=Meitzler |date=January 23, 2019 |publisher=DualShockers |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/the-new-york-game-awards-2019-winners/ |access-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223437/https://www.dualshockers.com/the-new-york-game-awards-2019-winners/ |url-status=live }}

rowspan="4" | 22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards

| Portable Game of the Year

| {{Won}}

| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |title=God Of War, Spider-Man Lead DICE Awards; Here's All The Nominees |author=Makuch, Eddie |date=January 10, 2019 |website=GameSpot |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-spider-man-lead-dice-awards-heres-all-t/1100-6464345/ |access-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111065623/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-spider-man-lead-dice-awards-heres-all-t/1100-6464345/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=God of War wins big at DICE Awards 2019 |author=McWhertor, Michael |date=February 14, 2019 |website=Polygon |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/2/14/18224190/dice-awards-2019-winners-god-of-war-ps4 |access-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214103957/https://www.polygon.com/2019/2/14/18224190/dice-awards-2019-winners-god-of-war-ps4 |url-status=live }}

Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game

| {{Nom}}

Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction

| {{Nom}}

Outstanding Achievement in Story

| {{Nom}}

rowspan="2" | National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards

| Game, Original Adventure

| {{Nom}}

| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |title=Nominee List for 2018 |publisher=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers |date=February 11, 2019 |url=http://navgtr.org/archives/3566/ |access-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190213220549/http://navgtr.org/archives/3566/ |archive-date=February 13, 2019 |url-status=dead }}

Game, Special Class

| {{Nom}}

rowspan="2" | SXSW Gaming Awards

| Excellence in Narrative

| {{Nom}}

| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |title=Here Are Your 2019 SXSW Gaming Awards Finalists! |last=Trent |first=Logan |date=February 11, 2019 |publisher=South by Southwest |url=https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2019/2019-sxsw-gaming-awards-finalists/ |access-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190214234206/https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2019/2019-sxsw-gaming-awards-finalists/ |url-status=live }}

Mobile Game of the Year

| {{Nom}}

rowspan="4" | Game Developers Choice Awards

| Best Debut (Mountains)

| {{Won}}

| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |title=Red Dead Redemption 2 tops list of Game Developers Choice nominees |author=Good, Owen S. |date=January 4, 2019 |website=Polygon |url=https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2019/1/4/18168931/gdc-choice-awards-2019-nominees-red-dead-redemption-2-spider-man-god-of-war-celeste |access-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105145410/https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2019/1/4/18168931/gdc-choice-awards-2019-nominees-red-dead-redemption-2-spider-man-god-of-war-celeste |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=God of War Wins Another GOTY at 2019 Game Developers Choice Awards |author=Williams, Mike |date=March 20, 2019 |website=USGamer |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/god-of-war-wins-another-goty-at-2019-game-developers-choice-awards |access-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321035132/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/god-of-war-wins-another-goty-at-2019-game-developers-choice-awards |url-status=live }}

Best Mobile Game

| {{Won}}

Innovation Award

| {{Nom}}

Best Narrative

| {{Nom}}

rowspan="6" | 15th British Academy Games Awards

| Debut Game

| {{Nom}}

| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | {{cite magazine |title='God of War,' 'Red Dead 2' Lead BAFTA Game Awards Nominations |author=Fogel, Stefanie |date=March 14, 2019 |magazine=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/british-academy-games-awards-2019-nominees-1203163369/ |access-date=March 14, 2019 |archive-date=March 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315135246/https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/british-academy-games-awards-2019-nominees-1203163369/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=BAFTA Games Awards winners 2019 |date=11 March 2019 |publisher=BAFTA |url=http://www.bafta.org/games/awards/bafta-games-awards-nominations-winners-2019/ |access-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404224806/http://www.bafta.org/games/awards/bafta-games-awards-nominations-winners-2019 |url-status=live }}

Game Beyond Entertainment

| {{Nom}}

Mobile Game

| {{Won}}

Narrative

| {{Nom}}

Music

| {{Nom}}

Original Property

| {{Nom}}

International Mobile Gaming Awards

|Grand Prix

| {{Won}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web|last=Forde|first=Matthew|date=21 March 2019|title=GDC 2019: International Mobile Gaming Awards winners revealed|url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/70293/international-mobile-gaming-awards-2019-winners-revealed/|access-date=2021-07-01|website=pocketgamer.biz}}

rowspan="2" | Italian Video Game Awards

| Best Mobile Game

| {{Won}}

| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |title=Italian Video Game Awards Nominees and Winners |publisher=Italian Video Game Awards |date=April 11, 2019 |url=https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards |access-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-date=March 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321193010/https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards |url-status=dead }}

Game Beyond Entertainment

| {{Nom}}

rowspan="4" | 2019 Webby Awards

| Best Art Direction

| {{Nom}}

| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |title=Here are all the winners of the 2019 Webby Awards |author=Liao, Shannon |date=April 23, 2019 |website=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/23/18511329/2019-webby-awards-all-the-winners |access-date=April 24, 2019 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423233428/https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/23/18511329/2019-webby-awards-all-the-winners/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=2019 Winners |date=April 23, 2019 |publisher=The Webby Awards |url=https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2019/ |access-date=April 24, 2019 |archive-date=August 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821142538/https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2019/ |url-status=live }}

Best Game Design

| {{Won}}

Best Music/Sound Design

| {{Nom}}

Best Writing

| {{Nom}}

Games for Change Awards

| Best Gameplay

| {{Nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |title=Detroit: Become Human, Nintendo Labo among Games for Change Awards finalists |author=McAloon, Alissa |date=May 30, 2019 |website=Gamasutra |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/343591/Detroit_Become_Human_Nintendo_Labo_among_Games_for_Change_Awards_Finalists.php |access-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191216141327/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/343591/Detroit_Become_Human_Nintendo_Labo_among_Games_for_Change_Awards_Finalists.php |url-status=live }}