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BEST FREE GAME, 2015
There are so many quality Free RPGs on the Internet that, even though Free games are considered for the Indie Game of the Year Award, they really deserve their own category. This category honors the game designers who make their works of passion and then offer them for free. Note: If a Free game wins the main award and this Sub-Award, the runner up for this Sub-Award is chosen instead.
THE Best Free Game FOR 2015 IS...
Sign by Hakan Seyalioglu, Kathryn Hymes / with 45 points
It's always cool when games can incorporate nonverbal components.
Sign begins with a premise that seems far out, even for boundary-pushing roleplaying games, but quickly zeroes in on a core of humane, heartfelt empathy in play. It's a truly beautiful experience to play.
This game is amazing, and that it's free is clearly a mistake.
THE RUNNERS UP:
Autonomy by Anna Kreider / with 25 points
Harsh, brave and essential
While a lot of folks won't actually play this game, it's one that's worth reading just to confront the ideas it presents.
Death of Legends by Dale Elvy / with 21 points
I've always liked concepts where the players build their own legends.
The Dreams of Dragonflies by Cameron Mount / with 17 points
I love games based on composition, especially poetry.
Krendel Core by William J. (B.J.) Altman / with 14 points
Unfinished by Stew Wilson / with 10 points
Nanogames have a special appeal.