IGF Finalists Announced Finalists for the 2006 Independent Games Festival (IGF) competition have been chosen among a record-breaking 118 entries and will be on display at the 20th annual Game Developers Conference, slated for March 20 - 24, 2006 in San Jose, Calif. Winners will be revealed at the IGF and Game Developers Choice Awards gala ceremony on March 22 at the San Jose Civic Auditorium. A judging panel composed of 40 industry professionals, comprised of mainstream and independent developers and independent journalists, was formed to single out the exceptional indie titles from the rest of the pack. Cash prizes totaling $35,000 will be awarded during the ceremony, but only the following five finalists will have a chance to win the $20,000 Seumas McNally Grand Prize for best independent game, the largest award to date. The selected games are: Introversion's cult action-strategy title Darwinia Ankama's French strategy-RPG MMO Dofus Grubby Games' fiendish puzzle platform game Professor Fizzwizzle Digital Eel's innovative 'short' space exploration title Weird Worlds: Return To Infinite Space Pocketwatch Games' ecosystem-building Wildlife Tycoon: Venture Africa. Best Innovation in Game Design category includes: Darwinia Rumble Box Strange Attractors Braid The Witch's Yarn Best Web Browser Game category: Dodge That Anvil Moleculous Dad 'N Me. Technical Excellence: Saints & Sinners Bowling Tribal Trouble Tube Twist Darwinia Crazy Ball Innovation In Visual Art: Dofus Darwinia Putt Nutz Glow Worm Thomas And The Magical Words Innovation In Audio: Professor Fizzwizzle Saints & Sinners Bowling Dodge That Anvil Glow Worm Weird Worlds: Return To Infinite Space In addition, an Audience Award will be voted by the public from all the finalists. "Games are now a mainstream form of art," Simon Carless, IGF co-chairman, said. "As with any art, the independent scene flourishes. We're proud to be supporting innovative indie games and giving them the spotlight they deserve with these awards." Finalists in the IGF Modding category and Student Showcase will be announced in January 2006. -Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker Related Links: Independent Games Festival Game Developers Conference