In RPGMaker.net's 2023 Misao Awards, The Lonely League ran for 15 out of 21 categories, and it won 14!

I can't thank enough all those who nominated and voted for the game. It really means a lot. That's the kind of thing that keeps solo hobbyist game developers like me going!



I'd like to make a brief comment on the game's relation to each of the categories it ran for.

Best Game Title
The most clever, original, witty, or cool game title of the year.
That's the only one it didn't win, but I couldn't possibly hope to compete with SWOLLEN TO BURSTING UNTIL I AM DISAPPEARING ON PURPOSE.

Best Game Profile
The raddest presentation and marketing of the game.
I love sexy game profiles. I don't feel like I'm there yet, but I want to get good at making them!

"Eye Candy" Award
Raddest Graphics & Artwork. An excellent example of art direction and cohesive vision. ie - this is pretty AF!
Even though I use a lot of "recycled" resources, graphics probably take up 80% of my dev time. I think I did a good job matching the battle map sprites with the cutscene sprites, while also maintaining the comicbook aesthetic.

Summoner of Sounds
The best soundtrack and creative use of sound.
Feels like I cheated because I use a lot of commercial music. But the price I pay for it is not being able to sell the game or even have people streaming it because of YouTube censorship. Still worth it.

Excellence in Narrative
The project you think is most effective at telling its story. Think in terms of its presentation, writing, clarity, cutscene direction, or Shyamalan twists.
This will always be the category I'm proudest of winning. I'm very careful about writing. I study a lot, I think about it a lot. I still feel like I need to improve, but it's good to know I have been able to write meaningful and engaging stories.

The "How the Hell Did They Do That?" Award
The game that shows the most innovative and creative Gameplay this year.
I've been wanting to design a tactical battle system on RPGMaker for over 20 years. It has been done, but honestly, I think this is the most fun and polished one I've ever seen.

The Dark Souls of RMN
The game that delivers the best challenges or coolest puzzles.
I wanted the game to be very tactical and challenging, and I know I made some questionable choices because most people find the game too hard. But from what I've seen people play, the satisfaction of coming up with your own strategies and winning is rewarding enough.

Punniest Game Alive
Comedic game of the year. Pick the funniest game you played this year, with the best humour and/or the best/worst puns.
In this category, I tied with The Kaiju is My Childhood Friend. I wouldn't say humor is my strongest point, but I try. ^_^

Trippiest Game
The game that was most strange, bizarre, psychedelic, offbeat, and quirky released this year.
Superman, Batman and Venom go to hell to get John Lennon so they can save humanity from alien chocolate. So, yeah.

Best Lawsuit Waiting to Happen
The best fangame made this year that might get the dev in trouble. ;p
It's not like I haven't been threatened by Marvel before.

Not Dead Yet Award
Given to the best old game that was finally finished this year.
I started the game in 2020, and the original concept is from 2009 if I'm not mistaken.

Best in Positive Diversity
The best game from this year that showed positivity towards diversity and LBGTQ+
I'm happy about this. It wasn't a major focus, and I tend to stay away from stereotyped positive depictions and descriptions of LBGTQ+ people. But I did want to have a MC with a fluid sexuality. Vince is his own thing.

Star Stealing Prince Award
The game that used the best original assets this year.
This is probably the one category for which I don't think I deserve the title. While a few assets were made from scratch, the vast majority were edits. Sometimes it took me over a week to edit a single battle sprite. But still, not sure I could call it original.

"Everlasting Journey" Award
The game that has the most content to offer.
I wanted the game to have an epic feeling, and you can't have that with short games. I guess I could also call the gamedev process an everlasting journey, for I spent over two years of my life doing nothing and neglecting everything in the name of this game.

Game of the Year
The absolute best game you played from RMN for the current year.