DreamHack announces winners from ‘The Dreamies’ Awards Show, the ultimate celebration of gaming

Winners in 30 Gaming and Community categories presented with 2021 trophies custom-designed by presenting sponsor iam8bit.

28 April 2021 COLOGNE/STOCKHOLM/NEW YORK (AFTNN) — DreamHack, the immersive, gaming lifestyle experience where the gaming community comes to life, announced the full list of winners at today’s second annual “The Dreamies” Award Show, presented by iam8bit. Featuring musical performances by Eskimo Callboy and Cane Hill; an animation world premiere by RockSoftCookie; character transformation by Djarii; Faces of the New G4; and special talent and presenters from across the gaming world, the event was streamed live globally via Twitch and is available for repeat viewing on YouTube.

“DreamHack creates an arena where you can come to connect, explore, win, play a part, and be yourself through the gaming lifestyle experience. We are so happy to bestow Dreamie love on the very best in global gaming through our distinctly-colorful, music-infused, uniquely-broadcast way,” said Justin Burnham, Vice President of Creative for DreamHack. “All of us at DreamHack are immensely proud of this live streamed production of ‘The Dreamies’. We especially want to congratulate all of our esteemed winners and nominees, and to thank our ever-engaged community for their tremendous support.”

With 20 Gaming categories and 10 Community categories gamers understand and connect with, “The Dreamies” not only rewards 2020’s games with the most impressive visuals, development and design — but also celebrates all the reasons games are played.

This year’s multiple Award winners include:

“Hades” by Supergiant Games (2 awards — Mind Melting, Adrenalized Action (Watch acceptance video HERE)
“The Last of Us Part II” by Naughty Dog and Sony Interactive Entertainment (2 awards — Emotionally Explosive, Compelling Character)

See below for the full list of main Gaming categories presented on-air and Community category winners.

“THE DREAMIES” ENTERTAINMENT

Today’s Award Show featured an exciting, diverse range of entertainment, presenters and talent, including:

• Eskimo Callboy Performed “Hypa Hypa” from their recent EP “MMXX,” to kick off the show
• Cane Hill Performed new single, “Blood and Honey” (Watch debut video HERE)
• Rock Soft Cookie Presented a world premier animation entitled “Three Things I Don’t Understand About Dota” (YouTube)
• Djarii – Character transformation inspired by the winner of her presenting category, “Risk of Rain 2” (YouTube)

“THE DREAMIES” PRESENTERS (and Award Presented)

Adam Sessler — MIND MELTING, https://twitter.com/AdamSessler
Matt Heafy — ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE, https://twitter.com/matthewkheafy
MethodSco — EMOTIONALLY EXPLOSIVE, https://twitter.com/Methodsco
Alanah Pearce — COMPELLING CHARACTER, https://twitter.com/Charalanahzard
Kassem G — BEST COSPLAY RESOURCE, https://twitter.com/kassemg
Ryan Sitowski – SATISFYING SEQUEL, https://twitter.com/miwryan
Steven Spohn — CAPTIVATING CO—OP, https://twitter.com/stevenspohn
Djarii — LUSCIOUS LOOT, https://twitter.com/djarii
Chris Puckett — WAIT WORTHY, https://twitter.com/MLGPuckett
Anna Prosser — INNOVATIVE IDEAS, https://twitter.com/AnnaProsser
Paola Alejandra — ADRENALIZED ACTION, https://twitter.com/pancakepow
Jess Brohard — HELLISH HORROR, https://twitter.com/JessBrohard
Cybertronic Spree — AWESOME AUDIO, https://twitter.com/cybertronicband
Tokyo Machine — EARLY ENGAGEMENT, https://twitter.com/tokyomachine
Rachel ‘Seltzer’ Quirico — REFRESHING REVIVE, https://twitter.com/SeltzerPlease
Goldenboy — REMARKABLY REPLAYABLE, htps://twitter.com/GoldenboyFTW
Ovilee May — RAGE READY, https://twitter.com/OvileeMay
Adrian ‘Okaydrian’ Foster — DARINGLY DRAMATIC, https://twitter.com/okaydrian
JamesLandino — HILARIOUS HUMOR, https://twitter.com/JamesLandino
Jay Britton — ULTIMATE UPDATE, https://twitter.com/VoiceJayBritton
Rob Gonzales — HEAVY HORSEPOWER, https://twitter.com/Reforgg

“THE DREAMIES” MAIN AWARD CATEGORIES

The judges panel, comprising senior leadership from DreamHack and industry professionals, voted to determine the winners in 20 main gaming categories.

Award winners in those 20 categories are as follows (game title/developer/publisher):

• Mind Melting — “Hades” / Supergiant Games
  • Awarded to the most mind blowing of video games
• Wait Worthy — “Crusader Kings III” / Paradox Development Studio / Paradox Interactive
  • Awarded to the best game that made us wait a bit for release
• Satisfying Sequel — “DOOM Eternal” / id Software / Bethesda Softworks
  • Goes to the best sequel, bonus points if it beats the original
• Innovative Ideas — “Dreams” / Media Molecule / Sony Interactive Entertainment
  • Goes to the game that did something new and refreshing (AND made it work)
• Remarkably Replayable — “Valorant” / Riot Games
  • Awarded to the game that we just couldn’t stop playing again and again
• Early Engagement — “Phasmophobia” / Kinetic Games
  • For the best early access game (otherwise known as released but expect some bugs)
• Refreshing Revive — “Demon’s Souls” / Bluepoint Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment
  • For the best remaster and/or remake out there
• Daringly Dramatic — “OMORI” / OMOCAT LLC
  • This goes to the game that caused the biggest reaction and discussion in the community
• Ultimate Update — “World of Warcraft: Shadowlands” / Blizzard Entertainment
  • Sometimes, you can’t beat the classics, especially when they come with updates
• Captivating Co-op “Deep Rock Galactic” / Ghost Ship Games / Coffee Stain Publishing
  • Recognizing the game that makes you actually accept that party invite request
• Adrenalized Action “Hades” / Supergiant Games
  • Adrenaline. Explosions. Non stop fighting. Whether delivered by swords, tanks, or covert agents, these games deliver all the action
• Hilarious Humor “Yakuza: Like a Dragon” / Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio / SEGA
  • Awarded to the best game that just makes you laugh
• Absolutely Adorable “Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout” / Mediatonic / Devolver Digital
  • For the games that are cuter than puppies. Or ones that have in game puppies. That works too.
• Rage Ready “Nioh 2” / Team Ninja / Sony Interactive Entertainment
  • Beware anything fragile in the area, these games result in pure rage that could be dangerous for them!
• Luscious Loot “Risk of Rain 2” / Hopoo Games / Gearbox Publishing
  • Awarded to the best looter of the lot with the greatest bounties to be found
• Hellish Horror “Visage” / SadSquare Studio
  • For the game that deprives us of the most sleep
• Compelling Character Abby Anderson in “The Last of Us Part II” / Naughty Dog / Sony Interactive Entertainment
  • For the fictional creations that impressed us the most
• Awesome Audio — “Ori and the Will of the Wisps” / Moon Studios GmbH / Xbox Game Studios
  • Recognizing the games with a soundtrack that just can’t be beat
• Heavy Horsepower — “Microsoft Flight Simulator” / Asobo Studio / Xbox Game Studios
  • Rev those engines, trim the sails, or saddle up in these transportation driven titles
• Emotionally Explosive — “The Last of Us Part II” / Naughty Dog / Sony Interactive Entertainment
  • For the game that made you feel something. What that something is… well that’s flexible

COMMUNITY CATEGORIES

Earlier this year, the public helped submit nominations for “The Dreamies” Community categories online (dreamhack.com/dreamies). Leading up to the Awards today, fans were also able to vote on their favorite community nominees via a series of polls on DreamHack’s Twitter, affording them a deciding voice on ten of this year’s winners.

The winners in the 10 Community categories are:

• Best Gaming Charity Initiative — Able Gamers
• Best Awareness Gaming Influencer — Halfcoordinated
• Best Variety Streamer — PyrionFlax
• Best Musical Content Creator — Matt Heafy
• Best DreamHack Clip — DreamHack Masters Winter
• Best DreamHack Host — Sheever
• Best DreamHack Caster — ODPixel
• Best Cosplay Resource — KamuiCosplay
• Best DreamHack Esports Event — DreamHack Masters Spring
• Purely AAAmazing Community Managers — Timthetatman and @Wipz

FACTSHEET

ABOUT DREAMHACK

DreamHack is an immersive, gaming lifestyle experience where the community comes to life. Millions of fans tune in to DreamHack broadcasts each year, and the 24 hour-a-day festival weekends feature everything gaming under one roof. Attendees experience professional esports tournaments, amateur and varsity gaming tournaments, world-famous bring-your-own-computer (BYOC) LAN party, cosplay championship, panels, art, activities, expo, screenings, live music and more. In 2020, DreamHack merged with ESL to create ESL Gaming, the world’s largest esports and gaming lifestyle company. The two organizations have been shaping the industry and leading esports and gaming innovation, across the most popular video games with numerous online and offline esports competitions and festivals.

ESL Gaming is part of MTG, the leading international digital entertainment group. More information is available at dreamhack.com and about.eslgaming.com.

Source: ESL Gaming / Photo credit: Courtesy of DreamHack