Martin Rumenov Maru VR Celebrates Victory at MängudeÖÖ Festival
Tallinn, Estonia, October 22, 2024 – In a landmark event at the 26th annual MängudeÖÖ festival, Maru VR’s Bootstrap Island was honored with the inaugural Estonian Game of the Year award. The festival, a vibrant celebration of gaming culture, took place at Apollo Cinema in Tallinn and showcased both international hits and local innovations.
This year’s Game of the Year award featured nine contenders, highlighting the diversity and creativity within Estonia’s gaming scene. Bootstrap Island emerged victorious among strong competition, including Into the Radius 2 by CM Games, another standout in the VR category. The win brought Maru VR a prize of 2,000 EUR.
Estonian Game of the Year Rankings
- 1st Place: Bootstrap Island
- 2nd Place: Into the Radius 2 & Untraveled Lands: Chantico
- 3rd Place: Rusty’s Retirement
Other nominees included Buckshot Roulette, Speedollama, Redneck Magic, Monster Run: Downfall of the Empire, and Adventures of Deliveryman.
Rein Zobel, Creative Director at Maru VR, expressed his delight: “Winning Game of the Year is an unexpected honor for us at Maru VR. The competition was fierce this year, which is a testament to the thriving game development scene in Estonia.”
The event also featured various gaming tournaments, including competitions in Tekken 8 and EA FC 25. Notably, Estonian e-racer Risto Kappet triumphed in the Red Bull Gaming Ground-Gran Turismo 7 tournament.
Launched in February 2024 on Steam Early Access for PCVR headsets, Bootstrap Island quickly captivated VR enthusiasts with its engaging gameplay and stunning graphics. The game is set to receive a significant update titled “Overlord” this October, introducing players to a new boss hidden within the island’s jungle. Maru VR plans to continue enhancing the game ahead of its full release in late 2025.
About Bootstrap Island
Set in the 17th century, Bootstrap Island is a roguelike survival adventure inspired by Robinson Crusoe. Players assume the role of a shipwrecked merchant exploring a mysterious island teeming with challenges. From gathering resources to crafting survival tools, players must navigate pristine beaches and dense jungles to endure the island’s perils.
About Maru VR
Maru VR is an innovative indie studio at the forefront of virtual reality development in Estonia. Since its inception in 2016, the studio has created over 40 location-based VR games and experiences. With Bootstrap Island, their first full-featured premium VR game, Maru VR aims to redefine storytelling and interactive design in virtual reality.
