We are thrilled to announce that alumni of the Cologne Game Lab have received two prestigious awards this week!

At the German Computer Games Awards 2025 (Deutscher Computerspielpreis, DCP), held on May 14th in Berlin, the handcrafted narrative game “Harold Halibut” by Cologne-based studio Slow Bros. won in the category Best Visual Design. The game stands out with its unique stop-motion aesthetics and a heartfelt story about friendship and the search for belonging on a submerged spaceship. The jury praised the game’s strong visual identity and the richness of its hand-made world.

The Special Jury Award was presented to GAME:IN, a nonprofit initiative advocating for diversity and against sexism in the German games industry. The award was accepted by Leonie Wolf (aka Yuni), a 3D artist and CGL alumna who co-founded GAME:IN. Since its launch in 2022, the organization has championed safer, more inclusive spaces through a public manifesto, networking events, panels, a speaker database, and a Safer Space Guide—earning them this well-deserved national recognition.

Earlier this week, “Harold Halibut” also received the Animated Games Award Germany at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film. The jury highlighted it as “an analog, edgy alternative in a time of fast, AI-driven productions,” praising its craftsmanship, narrative ambition, and blending of game, film, and animation.

We warmly congratulate the teams behind Slow Bros. and GAME:IN! These awards reflect the creative excellence and social impact of our alumni’s work.