The CfG Awards Nominees 2019

Dec 01, 2019

 

Here are all our nominees for the Coaching for Geeks Awards 2019. The Coaching for Geeks Community made its nominations and we whittled them down to these few worthy games, movies, bands, shows, and people. If you’re already ready to vote head on over to the voting page.

If you want more information on our nominees, you’re in the right place.

There are links to the th

ings that have been nominated – some of these are affiliate links.

MOVIE OF THE YEAR

This year has been great for movies, I’m sure you will all agree. Some are definitely more worthy than others to be listed as CfG film of the year, however, in the immortal words of Connor MacLeod, there can be only one.

Let’s break down the Coaching for Geeks Community’s top 5 picks.

AVENGERS ENDGAME

Avengers Endgame is colossal, the culmination of the 21 movies that came before it that brings a deeply emotional and beautiful resolution to some of our favourite characters of all time. A truly star studded ensemble assemble under the writing and directing chops of the Russo brothers for the crown jewel of the MCU

JOKER

Joker is an acting masterclass from one of the modern greats, Joaquin Phoenix. Director Todd Phillip’s takes a new look at one of the most iconic villains of all time in this origin story that makes you feel genuine empathy for a monster. Beautifully shot and undoubtedly an Oscar nod heading Phoenix’s way

DETECTIVE PIKACHU

Detective Pikachu is the very best, like no video game movie ever was. Ryan Reynolds superb Pikachu is as quick witted as he is adorably fluffy, and all in a time when we had “that Sonic trailer”. This film may be no Taxi Driver, but it doesn’t need to. This is a family film and I know your 10 year old will love this 100 times more than De Niro asking if you’re looking at him. It’s fun, it makes you happy and it has Pokémon. Win.

ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL

Alita: Battle Angel is didn’t hit the box office numbers it deserved, but is making ground now it’s available to own. Alita is a slick, action packed and visually stunning feast, and Robert Rodriguez’s vision of the 90s Japanese manga doesn’t disappoint. Rosa Salazar shines as the kick ass, tough as they come hero who definitely deserves a sequel. Plus Christoph Waltz, who is always brilliant and I want him in everything. 

SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME

Spider-Man: Far From Home has the toughest act to follow. How do you follow on from Endgame? Thankfully Jon Watts knows how. You live the trauma with your hero, you cheer on Tom Holland’s brilliant Peter Parker as he slowly comes to terms with his loss and the weight of expectation all whilst dealing with daily teenage life. Thankfully Jake Gyllenhall’s kind, nurturing Mysterio is there to help and boy, does he help. Wait, he doesn’t? Damn it. 

– Robert House

 

TV SHOW OF THE YEAR

The Mandalorian may have failed to get a nomination in 2019 (blame Disney for not launching plus in the UK til next year) but what a year for TV it has been. Fleabag narrowly missed out on the public vote, but her relationship with the sexy priest deserves a mention. On with the vote!

CHERNOBYL

The dramatic telling of the events surrounding the Chernobyl disaster gripped viewers with persistent dread over 5 episodes. Lies, mistakes, and propaganda.



THE BOYS

Based on the comic book of the same name, The Boys brought a brutal break from Marvel and DC. Shocking, thoughtful, and a brilliant piece of TV, it follows the titular group of vigilantes, doling out their version of justice against The Seven. Somebody’s gotta keep those superheroes under control right?

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY

2019 was the year of less than heroic heroes, and The Umbrella Academy, adapted from Gabriel Bá and Gerard Way’s comic book of the same name, has plenty of shades of grey among the six surviving “children”. The Umbrella Academy is a slower paced superhero show that gives the unfolding drama space to breathe.

THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE

A prequel to Jim Henson’s beloved if not as successful as it should have been movie, The Dark Crystal. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance features heavy use of animatronics in an age of CGI as three Gelflings inspire a rebellion.

GOOD OMENS

Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens was originally published in 1990. 29 years later and the Gaiman-written series made Aziraphael and Crowley real, with Michael Sheen and David Tennant’s on-screen relationship sizzling.

– Robin Bates

 

GEEK INSPIRATION OF THE YEAR


Inspiration comes from anywhere and can offer us a chance to have heroes, in real life, that we look up to, strive to be like or follow their lead. These amazing people are the Coaching for Geeks Community’s choices for Geek Inspiration of 2019.

GRETA THUNBERG

Greta Thunberg. This driven, 16 year old, Swedish girl is making huge waves in Climate Change awareness. She, along with many others, are hardworking to make the science known and to fight for the only home we have despite many governments proving difficult to change despite the overwhelming evidence. She is a leading face for change and her collection of speeches No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference is now available.

Follow Greta on Twitter

MIKE BITHELL

Mike Bithell is a stand out indie game developer and thoroughly decent sort. After finding critical and commercial success with Thomas Was Alone, he went on to develop a modern Robin Hood game in Volume, and the narrative driven Subsurface Circular and Quarantine Circular, before coming back to bigger games with the unexpectedly thoughtful John Wick Hex. Mike has worked his way through the gaming industry, which he isn’t shy of having an opinion on, and is also a great example of how to be decent online without taking crap. 

Follow Mike on Twitter

BECKY FROST

Becky Frost. Becky is the Engagement Events Coordinator for SpecialEffect – The Gamers’ Charity. Becky and her team have made great strides in raising funds and awareness for making gaming accessible to those who couldn’t otherwise game. SpecialEffect does amazing work, which would not be possible without Becky and her team of volunteers. Becky was mentioned in the GamesIndustry.biz 100: Women In Games, and if you’ve been to an EGX, Insomnia, or MCM in the last few years you’ll have seen her in action.

Follow Becky on Twitter

MATTHEW MERCER

Mathew Mercer is a big name in voice acting (Captain Levi – squeee) but that’s not why he is on our list. What he and the team over at Critical Role have been achieving recently is incredible. They have really helped take D&D out of the basement and into the mainstream, all whilst being a really rather lovely guy. His passion for D&D is contagious, and has empowered many people to find groups, make new friends, dive into the world of imagination and feel more like themselves.

Follow Matthew on Twitter

ROBIN BATES

Robin Bates, our geeky overlord. The man that has gifted CfG to the world. Robin works tirelessly in the Coaching for Geeks Community, Twitter, at conventions, and of course with his clients. He’s always chasing up cool new info, passing on great insights to us all, and even more importantly, doing everything he can to make you feel and believe that you are worthy and capable of success.

Follow Robin on Twitter

– Robert House

 

INDIE GAME OF THE YEAR

Indie gaming is a force to be reckoned with, with some phenomenal games hitting digital storefronts. Personal favourite Dicey Dungeons didn’t make the public vote, and a mean goose threatens to run away with this one (as well as everything that’s not nailed down).

UNTITLED GOOSE GAME

It is a lovely morning in the village and you are a horrible goose. The game that gave us memes by the bucketload, as you be a prick of a goose in a bucolic English village. The thrill of causing mayhem may not have lasted quite as long as the game, but Untitled Goose Game made us all delight in being a bit naughty.

BABA IS YOU

You are Baba, Baba is You… at least until you start changing the rules of this block sliding puzzle game. Can’t get past a wall? What if Wall is You? Now you are the wall. A brain meltingly clever system of rulechanging will keep you on your toes as you bash your head against the wall.

WHAT THE GOLF?

A golf game which constantly confounds expectations. The anti-golf game for people who hate golf. Golf a ragdoll, house, a car and other things in completely ridiculous ways. Currently only available on Epic Store and Apple Arcade, but coming to Steam, Switch and more in 2020.

PIKUNIKU

Anything published by Devolver Digital is going to be good, and Pikuniku is an adorable puzzle exploration game. Short, weird, whimsical, witty, and surprisingly subversive, Pikuniku is well worth your time.

CAT QUEST 2

A simple RPG with a fine line (feline) in cat and dog puns. Cat Quest 2 brings fast paced 2 player couch co-op to the adventuring party. Explore a massive world filled with monsters, dungeons and quests, as you strive to bring peace back to your kingdoms during a time of war!

GIBBOUS: A CTHULU ADVENTURE

A modern take on the traditional point and click adventure, Gibbous makes cosmic horror hilarious. Utterly gorgeous, the traditional animation makes it look like a lost LucasArts classic. Play as three protagonists and explore a lushly rendered Lovecraft-inspired world, unraveling ancient conspiracies.

– Robin Bates

VIDEOGAME OF THE YEAR

THE OUTER WORLDS

What first appeared to be a No Man’s Sky knockoff, turned out to be a game of the year contender. The Outer Worlds is a single-player sci-fi RPG, you explore a space colony, the character you decide to become will determine how this player-driven story unfolds. In the corporate equation for the colony, you are the unplanned variable.

RESIDENT EVIL 2

Wait… what year is this? Resident Evil 2 got remade in a much more modern style and blew us all away as if we were the shambling hordes of the undead. Back to Raccoon City’s iconic police station for a horrifically good time.

BORDERLANDS 3

It’s the space wild west shooter looter with Guns! Guns! Guns! Borderlands 3. Grind for XP, get more guns, more guns, more guns! The 4-player co op FPS with a lot of spirit, it’s time to go vault hunting again.

UNTITLED GOOSE GAME

Another indie game garnering enough nominations to take it through to the public vote, the mean goose has got legs. And a beak. And it’s gonna honk at you. Coming to PS4 and Steam in 2020, expect goosemania to be reignited.

LUIGI’S MANSION 3

Eschewing the mansion aspect in favour of a hotel, Luigi’s Mansion 3 sees our tall green hero strap his Poltergust back on to rid the hotel of spooks and spectres. Personally the lack of invert Y-axis made it unplayable, but here we are. I guess Pokémon Sword and Shield were just too late to the party.

 

LIVE EVENT OF THE YEAR

CAMP WILDFIRE

We’re big fans of Camp Wildfire at CfG HQ; an activity weekend for adults. Adventure by day, party by night, it’s a delightful time that lets you get as stuck in as you want. Fun, friendly, inclusive. Check out our review of Camp Wildfire 2018 and 2019.

EGX

The UK’s largest videogames event returned to the capital in 2019. Sure, we were there doing some talks (here’s How to be a Confident Streamer Gaming and Self Care), but that’s not why so many members of the Coaching for Geeks Community nominated it.  Games, panels, merch, oh my! EGX has embraced diversity and inclusion in its content, and while getting into the venue needs work, its come a long way recently. It’s indie sibling, EGX Rezzed, is also worthy of your time.

PAX EAST

Reedpop takes another space in the public vote, but this time on the other side of the pond. Like EGX but much bigger (and in Boston) PAX East is a beast of a gaming convention. With at least 5 theatres, awesome guests, a huge open tabletop gaming area that goes on into the night, live music, gameshows, and more besides, check out the PAX East Survival Guide to get the most from it, and all our PAX East coverage.

UK GAMES EXPO

Last year’s winner and the UK’s largest tabletop gaming event, UK Games Expo goes from strength to strength. A huge hall of exhibitors, plus plenty of entertainment, drop in roleplaying games, a starship simulator, open gaming, and a Viking village. The NEC turns into tabletop heaven for 3 days each year. Check out our UK Games Expo Survival Guide.

MCM LONDON COMIC CON

Reedpop take a third entry with MCM London Comic Con. Taking place twice a year at London’s excel, MCM is everything pop culture. Movies, games, TV, comics and so much cosplay. Often attracting amazing guests for panels and signing, MCM is also deserving of a survival guide.

THOUGHT BUBBLE COMIC ART FESTIVAL

An ACTUAL comic con! Thought Bubble is a comics festival which covers all aspects f comics. Thought Bubble is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to promote literacy and artistic skills through the medium of comic art. The best place to meet comic artists, Thought Bubble is a must for the comic fan.

BAND/MUSICAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

KESTON COBBLERS CLUB

Gentle upbeat folk, like a warm hug from an old friend. Keston Cobblers Club’s latest album ‘Almost Home’ saw them reach an ever-increasing fanbase, and their annual performance at Camp Wildfire (with founding member Julia Lowe also part of the camp Wildfire team) makes them a firm favourite among the Coaching for Geeks Community.

LIZZO

It’s been a big year for Lizzo; 2019 saw the release of ‘Cuz I Love You’ which showed her mainstream appeal. Headlining festivals, going viral on TikTok, a standing ovation at the BET Awards, and extensive touring has made Lizzo a star.

BILLIE EILISH


Billie Eilish won big at the first Apple Music Awards, taking Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Having also been nominated for six Grammys and Billboard Woman of the year, can she also claim CfG’s Band/Artist of the Year?

FEEDER

Good things don’t last right? Not according to Welsh band and Kerrang Hall of Famers, Feeder. Going strong since 1994, duo of Grant Nicholas and Taka Hirose have constantly kept themselves fresh in an ever-crowded rock scene whilst staying true to themselves. This year they released the incredible album “Tallulah”, the band’s 10th studio album. And those years of experience show as you will have this album on repeat time and time again

JOLLYBOAT


Piratey pop from brothers Ed and Tommy, Jollyboat was formed after drunken pirate puns got out of hand. Regulars on the convention scene, and even hosting their own con, Jollyboat have performed at Glastonbury, Download, the Edinburgh Fringe, and of course UK Games Expo!

 

VIDEOGAME SOUNDTRACK OF THE YEAR

DEATH STRANDING – VARIOUS

Kojima’s latest featured an excellent score by Ludvig Forssell, plus new music from the likes of CHVRCHES, Bring Me the Horzion, and many more. It fit the game like a weird glove.

DICEY DUNGEONS – CHIPZEL

Dicey Dungeons is a wonderful roguelite, and deserved an awesome soundtrack. Enter Chipzel with chiptune meets house/disco/jazz and more. ‘Swing Me Another 6’ is a banger ‘Bonus Round’ brings Groove Armadaesque elements, and everything fits the Dicey Dungeons world perfectly.  If you like chiptune at all, grab the soundtrack from Chipzel’s site now!

THE OUTER WILDS – ANDREW PRAHLOW

Hauntingly beautiful, Prahlow worked closely with The Outer Wilds’ designer to create a soundscape for every location in game. The game’s world and themes are intricately connected to its soundtrack, and when it plays, you pay heed.

UNTITLED GOOSE GAME – DAN GOLDING, DEBUSSY

Dan Golding’s adaptation of Debussy’s Preludes is a delight. When being a prick of a goose, sneaking around, planning your next act of mayhem, the piano tinkles away gently, almost as a prelude of what’s to come. Then all goosey hell breaks loose and the adaptive soundtrack kicks it up a notch.  Playful, mischievous, it’s Untitled Goose Game in audio form.

POKEMON SWORD AND SHIELD – MINAKO ADACHI, GO ICHINOSE, TOBY FOX

The game may have launched too late to pick up many nominations, but the soundtrack managed to just sneak in at the last minute.  I haven’t played it so I am the worst person to be writing this paragraph but go buy the game and let me know what I’m missing out on.

TABLETOP PARTY GAME OF THE YEAR

EXIT THE HAUNTED ROLLERCOASTER

The exit games pack the escape room experience into a box. You’ll be tearing up components in these one-shot boxes that challenge you to escape in an hour. Puzzles, lateral thinking, and a great family Christmas challenge.

BARPIG AFTER HOURS

A standalone sequel which also works as an expansion pack for Barpig. This is a raucous party game that has players doing stupid things to be the best adventuring pig! After Hours adds more items, more characters, and more tasks, making it more accessible for those who don’t want to be quite as silly as others.

20 SECOND SHOWDOWN

2 teams, a GM, one giant timer, 20 seconds… Stupid tasks reign supreme in 20 Second Showdown and must be completed to flip the timer and pass it back to the other team. Lick a window! Delete an app from your phone! Crawl through your team’s legs! Fast-paced, ridiculous, noisy and fun.

KAMBA

The card game of tongue twisters combined with actions. Can you chant Six Thick Sticks, Six Thick Sticks, Six Thick Six Thick Six Thick Sticks, while passing the card in time to the rhythm? How about while rubbing your tummy with your other hand? Spot someone doing it wrong and shout “KAMBA!” at them to take a life and reveal a new tongue twister task.

JUST ONE


Communicate a clue to a player by writing just one word down. Beware! If anyone writes the same word, those clues are eliminated. Striking a balance between being clever and obtuse clues, Just One forces players to think creatively.

FIND THE PICKLE

The fast-paced pickle finding card game comes as a family-friendly and a NSFW edition. Fast-paced, fast to play, Find the Pickle is a social deduction card game in which you must steal and bluff your way to finding and keeping the pickle.

We’ve run out of time to finish this, more follows soon, go and vote for your favourites!

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