German Computer Game Awards: „The Darkest Files“ is the best game

Berlin-based studio Paintbucket Games won the main prize at the German Computer Game Awards 2026 with “The Darkest Files“. “The Darkest Files“ is a detective game in which you play a lawyer uncovering Nazi crimes. The story was inspired by the work of prosecutor Fritz Bauer, who, with his team, contributed to the apprehension of Holocaust organizer Adolf Eichmann, among others. In the game, the protagonist is part of his team. Gameplay-wise, it resembles the “Ace Attorney“ series: players gather evidence and question witnesses to convict perpetrators in court.

In the main category of the German Computer Game Awards, “The Darkest Files“ prevailed against two other nominees: the cozy game “Tiny Bookshop“, which won the German Developer Award in December, and Ubisoft's city-building strategy game “Anno 117“. In addition to the main prize, which comes with 100,000 euros, “The Darkest Files“ also won the award for best Serious Game with prize money of 40,000 euros.

“Tiny Bookshop“ and “Anno 117“ also did not go home empty-handed. “Tiny Bookshop“ was awarded best debut, and “Anno 117“ convinced the jury in the category “Best Innovation and Technology“. For Ubisoft, it must be a disappointment to have missed out on the main prize – its predecessor “Anno 1800“ had won it in 2020.

Firefighting simulations and puzzle roguelike

The best studio award went to Weltenbauer Software from Wiesbaden, which earns its money with firefighting and construction simulations. The best mobile game of the past year was named “MicroMacro: Downtown Detective“.

The indie game “The Berlin Apartment“, which traces the German zeitgeist over a century through the story of a Berlin old-building apartment, had an extremely successful evening: it won awards for best graphic design and best story – a combined prize money of 80,000 euros for the Berlin studio Blue Backpack. The non-monetary prize for best international game went to the puzzle roguelike “Blue Prince“.

The German Computer Game Awards have been presented since 2009. They are awarded by the industry association game together with the Federal Ministry of Technology, Research and Space, and the jury includes journalists and representatives from the gaming industry. A total of 800,000 euros in prize money is awarded. Last year, the successful survival game “Enshrouded“ won the main prize.

(dahe)