The SEA Game Awards 2026 name their winners on October 15 in Kuala Lumpur. Forty finalists are in the running.
Here is the full list, the ceremony details, and why US gamers and studios should watch. One note on words: the official term is “finalists”. Most US searches say “nominees”. This guide uses both.
What Are the SEA Game Awards 2026?
What are the SEA Game Awards? They are a yearly awards show for Southeast Asian game developers. MDEC runs them at LEVEL UP KL. This is the 9th year since 2017, and the aim is to celebrate creativity, innovation, and technical excellence. The tagline is “Conquer the Southeast Asian Gaming Frontier”.
Entry rules are simple. Studios, publishers, and students from Southeast Asia compete for the main awards. Entrants from other regions compete only for Best International Game.
Finalists get real perks. They receive a 1-metre Expo booth, a shot at Pitch Day, a Business Pass, and a Conference Pass, and winners take home a trophy.
One thing US readers often mix up: this is not The Game Awards held in Los Angeles. That show is in December. More on that below.
SEA Game Awards 2026 Full Nominees List (Top 40 Finalists)
MDEC named the top 40 finalists, and The Magic Rain published the full list. Here it is, sorted by type so it is easy to scan.
| Type | Game | Studio |
| Roguelikes and deckbuilders | Realm of Ink | Leap Studio |
| Abyssfall: Seekers Within | Kurechii | |
| OPERATIVES: Revolve | Enigma Equation | |
| Rogue Skies | Mythtales Interactive | |
| Chess Nuke | Duwit | |
| Soulcery: Deck of Shadows | YS246 Games | |
| Feather Rogue | FireRabbit | |
| Mission Mancala | Hoop Studio | |
| Duo Quest | 1+1 Studios | |
| Little Tree Kingdom | Bumi Studio | |
| Sous Raccoon | Novice Flow | |
| Action and shooters | Homura Hime | Playism |
| ALTEREDBLOOD+ | TrueWorld Studios | |
| Machine of the Wasteland | Unite Game Enterprise | |
| PROJECT K1 | IFiO Studio | |
| Lirai: Heir of Darkness | Cryorbis Studio | |
| Kidbash: Super Legend | Authentic Remixes | |
| Own Time Own Target | No Average Joe | |
| Tikus Tales | WilKGames | |
| Cozy and sim | Puni the Florist | Earthquack Games |
| TCG Card Shop Simulator | OPNeon Games | |
| Voodoo Craft | InnerSight Games | |
| Kooeh: A Timeless Delight | Twilight Foundry | |
| Afterglow Bytes: Reverie by the Shore | Engram Interactive | |
| Story, puzzle, and adventure | Compensation Not Guaranteed | Team Project Lunch |
| Merry Crisis | Monsoon Games | |
| Paper Islands | Napping Raccoon | |
| Holo ADV: SakuraSingularity.exe | Lexilia Games | |
| Pigs and Wolf | Waka Studio | |
| TypeCaster | TBA Studio | |
| AXERAS | Inverse Atelier | |
| Co-op, horror, and VR | Spook-a-Boo | Wala Interactive |
| Deadly Rehearsal | Kaigan Games | |
| Donjon Fauna | Bang Technologies | |
| Platformers and mobile | Princess of the Water Lilies | Red Dunes Games |
| Hang On, Sock! | Aman Azza | |
| BagMaster Isekai | Doors Studio | |
| Student projects | End of the Rail | University of Wollongong |
| Fish Can Man | Asia Pacific University | |
| Mystery slot | Unreleased title | Metronomik |
A few standouts, in plain terms:
- Realm of Ink is an ink-style action roguelite about a swordswoman fighting fate.
- TCG Card Shop Simulator lets you run a trading card store.
- Compensation Not Guaranteed is a document-checking thriller set in a post-colonial Southeast Asian nation.
- Chess Nuke asks you to blow up the whole chessboard, not win politely.
- Sous Raccoon mixes restaurant management with monster fights.
Want to play before the ceremony? The LEVEL UP KL 2026 Steam showcase runs from 16 September to 17 October. You can try demos and wishlist titles.
One honest note: the sources list finalists, not a shortlist per category. Category-by-category nominees were not published. Check the official site for updates.
October 15 Ceremony: Schedule and What to Expect
The SEA Game Awards Show takes place on October 15, 2026, during LEVEL UP KL at CCEC in Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur. Winners are named that day.
There is also a surprise. Metronomik, the studio behind No Straight Roads, will reveal an unreleased title at the show. It sits on the list as “???”.
Think of the event as a three-day arc:
- Oct 14: Pitch Day for finalists.
- Oct 15: the awards show, with the Expo opening.
- Oct 16: the last Expo day for follow-up meetings.
Time zones for US readers. Kuala Lumpur is 12 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 15 hours ahead of Pacific Time. An evening show in KL lands in the morning for you.
The pages reviewed do not list the start time, a livestream link, or the award categories. Confirm those on the official site before you plan.
After the winners are named, the real work starts. Finalists keep their Expo booths and meet publishers and investors on the floor. A trophy helps a small studio get noticed.
What the Awards Mean for US Gamers and Studios
For US gamers, the list is a ready-made wishlist. Many titles are indie games that fans can try on Steam before they trend.
For US studios and publishers, the finalists work like a scouting sheet. They point to partners for co-development, publishing deals, and outsourcing. LEVEL UP KL also runs business matching to book meetings.
The setting adds fresh flavour. Games draw on Southeast Asian folklore, food, and daily life, from Tikus Tales (Chinese Zodiac) to Kooeh (family dessert recipes).
Here is how this show compares with the other awards fans follow:
| SEA Game Awards 2026 | The Game Awards 2026 | |
| Date | October 15 | December 10 |
| Place | Kuala Lumpur (LEVEL UP KL) | Peacock Theater, Los Angeles |
| Focus | Southeast Asian developers | Global games, big releases |
FAQs
Who is most likely to win the game of the year 2026?
No one has won yet. The Game Awards nominees come in mid-November, and GTA VI is reported to launch on November 19, 2026. Prediction markets lean one way. In late June, Grand Theft Auto VI led at 71% on Kalshi, with Resident Evil Requiem second at 13%. Odds change often.
Who are the potential Game of the Year candidates for 2026?
Popular names include GTA VI, Resident Evil Requiem, Forza Horizon 6, Saros, Crimson Desert, Pokémon Pokopia, Mewgenics, and Fable. On Metacritic, Forza Horizon 6 scored 92, while Resident Evil Requiem scored 89.
Where will the 2026 Game Awards be held?
The Game Awards 2026 take place on December 10 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The SEA Game Awards are held at LEVEL UP KL in Kuala Lumpur on October 15.
Which game got nominated for Game of the Year?
None yet. Official nominees are due in mid-November. For context, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won a record nine awards at the 2025 show.
What is the #1 game of all time?
It depends on how you measure. By sales, Minecraft leads. Guinness World Records confirmed over 350 million copies sold in April 2025. Tetris has sold 520 million copies across all versions. By critic score, Ocarina of Time is the only game to reach 99 on Metacritic.
Conclusion
The SEA Game Awards 2026 put Southeast Asia’s best indie games on one stage. Browse the 40 finalists, try the demos on Steam, and check the official site for the October 15 ceremony details.
Abroy John is the Founder and Editor of Asia Pop Fests, where he covers
entertainment news and events from across Asia. He focuses on accurate,
up-to-date reporting on the region’s festivals and pop culture.
