The “Gaming Without Borders” awards were presented at gamescom 2024 – and Xbox is the big winner

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At gamescom 2024, awards for inclusion in gaming were presented for the second time by the Gaming without Borders initiative and the mobile phone provider congstar. The winners were honored by a jury in five categories.

What kind of award is this? The “Gaming without Borders” awards ceremony took place for the second time at this year’s gamescom in Cologne. This special award, launched by the mobile operator congstar and the Gaming without Borders (GoG) initiative, honors projects and personalities that promote accessibility and inclusion in gaming. The awards ceremony took place at the congstar stand in 2024.

In which categories were awards given? The Gaming Without Borders Awards are presented in five categories, including the following:

  • National Award: Recognizes projects that contribute to accessibility in gaming at a national level
  • Award International: Honors international projects that have a global impact on inclusion in gaming
  • Award Representation: Award for projects that make underrepresented groups in gaming visible
  • Award Hardware & Technology: Rewards technological innovations that break down barriers in gaming
  • Award Personality: Recognizes an individual for outstanding commitment to accessibility

    • gamescom 2024: Monster Hunter Wilds thrills with monster action

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    Xbox sweeps the Gaming Without Borders Awards

    This year, Xbox was the standout winner, with awards in two categories. In the National Award category, the Xbox booth from gamescom 2023 was recognized.

    The stand set new standards in terms of accessibility at trade fairs and showed how inclusive such an event can be. The things included:

  • Relaxation rooms: Retreats for visitors who need a break from the hustle and bustle of the trade fair
  • Ramps for accessibility
  • Adaptive Controller
  • Aids such as sunglasses, hearing protection and fidget tools were provided

    • Also nominated were the gamescom Accessibility Guidelines and the historical gaming platform Playing History.

    Xbox wins another category

    Xbox won once again in the “International Award” category – this time for the game Forza Motorsport. This racing game impressed the jury with its extensive customization options, which allow players with various disabilities to customize the game and enjoy it barrier-free.

    Among the nominees for this award were the game Minecraft and the Xbox Inclusion Guide.

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

  • Award Representation: The award went to the DisCo Devs Game Jam, a platform for developers with disabilities. The game jam promotes collaboration and exchange within marginalized groups such as the LGBTQI+ community to develop games that promote diversity and inclusion.
  • Also nominated were: Sims 4 and Tell Me Why
  • Award Hardware & Technology: The Alt Controller, developed as open source software by Tim Brogden for SpecialEffect, offers an accessible solution for gamers.
  • Also nominated were: augmented reality glasses Apple Vision Pro and the adaptive gaming toolkit PlayAbility
  • Award Personality: Svenja Ottawa aka SvenjaDev received the “Award Personality” for her long-standing commitment to making games more accessible and raising awareness of accessibility in the gaming community.
  • Also nominated were: Accessibility consultant Brandon Cole aka “superblindman” (posthumously) and Marlene Beilharz (actress & author)

    • Who decided that? The winners were selected by the following ten-member jury:

  • Melanie Eilert (Ambassador for Gaming without Borders)
  • Rae Grimm (Head of Editorial Gaming at Webedia Germany)
  • Michael Gurt (Research Associate at the JFF – Institute for Media Education)
  • Casey Kreer (Digital Accessibility Expert)
  • Svenja Ottawa aka SvenjaDev (Creator & Developer)
  • Katrin Schäfer-Hansen (rehabilitation scientist)
  • Linda Scholz (Specialist at the Department for Youth Media Culture NRW)
  • Hendrik Wagener (gaming expert)
  • Dennis Winkens aka WheelyWorld (Creator)
  • Erdin Ciplak aka Mr. Blindlife (Creator)

    • Who is behind the award? Gaming without Borders 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 their accessibility for people with disabilities and publishes the results on its website. For example, it assesses whether games can be played without sound,

    congstar, a subsidiary of Telekom, supports this initiative and is also involved through its own gaming events and streams. Together with “Gaming without Borders”, congstar is working to raise awareness of the needs of gamers with disabilities and promote inclusion. Monster Hunter Wilds is the big winner of gamescom 2024 – All winners of the gamescom awards

    Disclaimer: Rae Grimm is Head of Digital Publishing at Webedia Gaming and is responsible for MeinMMO, GameStar and GamePro. Rae Grimm is part of the jury for the “Gaming without Borders” award.

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