Phasmophobia has won best debut game at the Game Awards this year. The awards ceremony celebrates the best titles of 2020, while also offering sneak peeks and premiers of some brand new titles on the horizon for 2021. Over a dozen games are being revealed at this show.

Phasmophobia was certainly a surprise hit this year. The co-op horror game casts up to four friends as professional ghost hunters hoping to identify a spirit and escape before it kills them. The game, developed by only one man, took off online, and has already spawned a lot of fan contentPhasmophobia has wowed with its unique take on atmospheric horror and the quiet, sinister nature of the menacing ghosts that haunt the players at every turn.

Related: Who Phasmophobia's Ghosts Were Before They Died

The Game Awards has officially recognized Phasmophobia for its remarkable design. The game won the award for Best Debut Game, which is traditionally given to an outstanding game from a first time studio. It's a big win for the studio, which consists of just a single developer. Some might bat an eye at the award going to a game that hasn't technically released yet; after all, Phasmophobia is still in Early Access. But ever since it was unleashed, the developer has been hard at work introducing more content to the co-op experience. He's certainly been unprepared for the game's massive reception, though; the unprecedented hype this game has received has led him to reevaluate his priorities and even cancel a PVP mode.

One of the new ghosts coming to Phasmophobia looks like Samara from The Ring

That isn't to say he hasn't been doing much. He recently announced a brand new level coming to the game soon in the form of a massive prison. Screenshots of the imposing new locale have already been leaked, giving fans an idea of what to expect when they visit. This is far from the only thing Phasmophobia has in the works, either; the developer has a rather extensive roadmap up online, and the prison isn't the only new map fans can expect. New ghosts are also in the works, and dead players have already received new functionality; where previously they could only wander around and watch their friends struggle on without them, now they can move items about.

It's always good to see a minor indie title like Phasmophobia getting its dues. The indie scene has been a thriving space this year, with games like Fall Guys and Hades dominating fan spaces throughout 2020. Phasmophobia's award is proof that a low-budget independent title can be just as delightful as the biggest names on the market. Hopefully the future of Phasmophobia is just as bright as the past.

Next: Who Phasmophobia's New Ghost Is

Source: The Game Awards