Melbourne-based studio Beethoven & Dinosaur has taken home the prestigious Game of the Year award at the 2026 Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs) for its music-themed adventure game, Mixtape. The studio's success at the ceremony was a trifecta, with Mixtape also receiving accolades for Excellence in Visual Art and Excellence in Sound Design.
“Mixtape was the outcome of an amazingly talented team,” said Beethoven & Dinosaur director Johnny Galvatron. “To go from wanting to make a game around Devo to creating something that resonates with so many people is mind blowing. We’re lucky to be part of such a talented community, and I’m so proud of Mixtape and my team.”
AGDA judges lauded Mixtape as a “triumph in virtual storytelling, pairing a distinct visual identity with heartfelt music to deliver one of the most memorable experiences in recent memory.” IGN's review echoed this sentiment, calling the game a “musical delight from start to finish” and noting that it “sets a new standard for coming-of-age stories in video games and does so with a masterful sense of style.” The game features a soundtrack with music from artists such as Devo, The Smashing Pumpkins, Silverchair, and Iggy Pop.
Other notable winners at the 2026 AGDAs included Tempo Lab Games' rhythm game Bits & Bops, which won both Excellence in Gameplay and Excellence in Accessibility. Abandoned Sheep's puzzle platformer Schrodinger’s Cat Burglar was recognized for Excellence in Narrative. The Studio of the Year award was presented to Canberra-based Uppercut Games.
The Australian Game Developer Awards, hosted by the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association, have been presented in various forms since 2002. This year's ceremony is part of Melbourne International Games Week, which concludes this weekend with PAX Aus 2026.