Padua, Italy, 27 March 2026 The DStars Awards 2026 have officially recognized the very best of the Italian game development industry, celebrating outstanding achievements across studios, individuals, and initiatives shaping the future of the medium.
As part of the broader DStars initiative, the awards highlight excellence in creativity, production, innovation, and community impact, reinforcing Italy’s growing role in the global games industry. The celebration continues tomorrow with the DStars Connects conference, streamed live on Twitch on Patch bringing together developers and industry professionals to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities for the years ahead.
🏆 Main Awards
- Best New Studio
Little Sewing Machine (42.6%) - Studio of the Year
Panik Arcade (38.6%) - Game of the Year
Clover Pit (42%)
⭐ Individual Awards
- Production Star
Pietro R. Riva (Santa Ragione) – 33% - Art & Animation Star
Alexia Sapienza (Little Sewing Machine) – 49.4% - Programming Star
Matteo Gonano (Panik Arcade) – 37% - Design Star
Tommaso Bonanni (Caracal Games) – 37% - Journalism Star
Dario Marchetti (RAI) – 41.3% - Marketing, PR & Business Development Star
Matteo Lana (Tiny Bull) – 33.5% - Industry Star
Matteo Lana (Tiny Bull) – 46% - Management Star
Pietro R. Riva (Santa Ragione) – 39% - Far Star
Gero Miccichè (Electronic Arts) – 36%
🌟 Special Awards
- Best Special Initiative
IVIPRO Days (41.2%) - Best Development School
AIV (33.4%) - Guiding Star Assigned directly by the DStars Board. The Guiding Star recognizes an individual or company whose leadership and long-term contribution have had a profound impact on the entire Italian game development ecosystem.
Milestone
A Growing Industry
The 2026 edition of the DStars Awards showcases a vibrant and fast-evolving ecosystem, where independent studios, established teams, and individual talents are gaining increasing international recognition. From standout titles like Clover Pit to the rise of studios such as Little Sewing Machine and Panik Arcade, Italy continues to demonstrate its ability to compete globally while maintaining a distinct creative identity.
About DStars
DStars is an initiative dedicated to supporting and promoting the Italian game development industry through events, networking opportunities, and industry recognition. Through both digital and in-person formats, DStars aims to strengthen the ecosystem and spotlight Italian excellence worldwide.