Melbourne-based studio Beethoven & Dinosaur has gained Game of the Year for its music-themed, minigame-driven journey sport Mixtape at the 2026 Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs). Mixtape additionally gained Excellence in Visible Artwork and Excellence in Sound Design.
“Mixtape was the final result of an amazingly proficient staff,” mentioned Beethoven & Dinosaur director Johnny Galvatron. “To go from eager to make a sport round Devo to creating one thing that resonates with so many individuals is thoughts blowing. We’re fortunate to be half of such a proficient neighborhood, and I’m so proud of Mixtape and my staff.”
Reward for Mixtape from the AGDA’s judges famous that “[it] is a triumph in digital storytelling, pairing a definite visible id with heartfelt music to ship one of the most memorable experiences in latest reminiscence.”
IGN’s Could evaluate of Mixtape known as it a “musical delight from begin to end” and declared it “units a brand new normal for coming-of-age tales in video video games and does so with a masterful sense of fashion.” Its soundtrack consists of cuts from Devo, The Smashing Pumpkins, Silverchair, Iggy Pop, and plenty of different acts.
Different winners from this 12 months’s AGDAs embody rhythm sport Bits & Bops from Tempo Lab Video games for each Excellence in Gameplay and Excellence in Accessibility, and puzzle platformer Schrodinger’s Cat Burglar from Deserted Sheep for Excellence in Narrative. The Studio of the Year was awarded to Canberra-based Uppercut Video games.
The AGDAs, which have been hosted in varied kinds since 2002, are offered by Australia’s Interactive Video games and Leisure Affiliation. Nowadays it kinds half of Melbourne Worldwide Video games Week, which is culminating this weekend with PAX Aus 2026.
Luke is a Senior Editor on the IGN opinions staff. You may observe him down on Bluesky @mrlukereilly to ask him issues about stuff.