Big night for development talent

Bizarre Creations scooped two accolades – the coveted Grand Prix award and Best Use of Online for Geometry Wars 2 – as its output for Xbox 360 was rewarded. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, meanwhile, picked up both the Innovation and New Console IP awards for its collaboration with Relentless on quiz game Buzz. Sony was also named Publishing Hero of the Year.

Other big name winners at the event – which was held at the Hilton Metropole in Brighton and was sponsored by Nokia and Nvidia – included Criterion, picking up awards for Art and Sound, plus Best In-house Development Team; Rebellion was awarded Most Improved Studio; Independent Developer was Traveller’s Tales; and Charles Cecil was named Development Legend.

"The Develop Industry Excellence Awards marks the time of year when the people who are at the creative coal-face of the business are recognised for just how remarkable they are," Stuart Dinsey, publisher of Develop and MD of Intent Media. "Congratulations to all the winners and indeed to everyone who entered."

The winners in full:

New UK/European Studio: Bigbig StudiosMost Improved Studio: RebellionMobile Games Studio (sponsored by Nokia Ngage): GameloftHandheld Games Studio: Rockstar LeedsNew Console IP: Buzz (SCEE/Relentless)New PC IP: Fahrenheit (Quantic Dream)Best Use of a Licence: King Kong (Ubisoft)Best Use of Online: Bizarre Creations (Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved)Art and Sound: Criterion (Burnout Revenge/Black)Innovation: SCEE/Relentless (Buzz controllers)Tools Provider: NaturalMotionServices and Outsourcing: Side UKRecruitment Company: OPM ResponsePublishing Hero: SonyIn-House Development Team: CriterionIndependent Development: Traveller’s TalesDevelopment Legend: Charles Cecil

Grand Prix: Bizarre Creations