The 5TH IMGA took place in 2008.
Here are all the games awarded that year.
Special year as there has not been any Grand Prix winner. Why so? The reason is pretty simple. It was the very first time the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on the Grand Prix because there were too many games of an equal superior quality and the opinions were too divided. At that time it looked like all the awarded games stood out in their own fashion and would make a bit of history.
Zen Bound developed by Secret Exit is still available and can be called a classic. The game has a completely new approach to gameplay by offering relaxation to the gamer instead of excitement. It is safe to say that this game influenced many iPhone games.
And then there was Kroll. A 3D scrolling fighting game powered by a cutting edge 3D graphic technology that immerses the hectic action in amazing natural environments. Kroll controls system uses touchscreen and accelerometer allowing a very intuitive gameplay. After winning the Public Choice award, the game was later mentioned by Steve Jobs for the launching of the iPhone.
Have you ever heard of Edge? A very well designed and beautiful game developed by Mobigame which found both critical and commercial success. Mobigame keeps doing well and CEO David Papazian joined the jury members during the 10th IMGA.
The game faced some “disputes” if we may call it so with the IGDA (International Game Developers Association), especially with one of its members, Tim Langdell, who owned the “international trademark for “Edge Gaming”. If you want to have the entire story, please keep reading here and here.
We felt it was interesting to place this event in an historical context when the IGDA attacked King when they submitted a trademark application for the word “Candy”. They were the first to attack King and gave proof of a very short memory.