The 26th annual MängudeÖÖ event in Estonia was the stage for a monumental achievement in the Estonian gaming industry, as Bootstrap Island, developed by Maru VR, claimed the coveted title of Estonian Game of the Year 2024. This marked the first time the award has been handed out at the long-running festival.
Held at the Apollo Cinema in Tallinn, the festival celebrated both local and international gaming excellence, with Bootstrap Island taking the top spot out of a competitive pool of nine nominated titles, including notable VR games like Into the Radius 2 by CM Games. Maru VR’s immersive survival adventure not only earned the prestigious title but also walked away with a grand prize of €2,000.
The Game of the Year Nominations:
- 1st Place: Bootstrap Island
- 2nd Place: Into the Radius 2 and Untraveled Lands: Chantico
- 3rd Place: Rusty’s Retirement
Additional nominations included Buckshot Roulette, Speedollama, Redneck Magic, Monster Run: Downfall of the Empire, and Adventures of Deliveryman.
A surprise victory for Bootstrap Island
Rein Zobel, Creative Director at Maru VR, expressed his surprise and delight at the win: “The award for Game of the Year came as a complete surprise to me, and it is a tremendous honour for the Maru VR team. The competition was incredibly fierce, which is already a very positive sign for the Estonian gaming scene.”
A fan-favourite survival adventure
Bootstrap Island, launched in February 2024 for PCVR headsets on Steam Early Access, has quickly become a standout in the VR landscape thanks to its immersive mechanics and visually stunning environments. Players are dropped into an island survival scenario where they must navigate a dangerous, mysterious jungle while facing numerous challenges.
The game’s popularity is set to rise even further with the release of its upcoming “Overlord” update in October, which will introduce a new boss character, enhancing the game’s already compelling narrative. This major content update continues to build excitement as Bootstrap Island prepares for its full release, planned for late 2025.
A night of gaming and competition
MängudeÖÖ wasn’t just about celebrating the best in gaming—attendees were treated to an array of tournaments and gaming experiences. Competitions in Tekken 8 and EA FC 25 provided plenty of action, with Estonian e-racer Risto Kappet taking the top spot in the Red Bull Gaming Ground-Gran Turismo 7 tournament.
With its unexpected win and future updates on the horizon, Bootstrap Island is shaping up to be a key title not only in Estonia but also in the wider VR gaming scene.
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