Gamers and Guardians, the military esports competition dedicated to supporting veteran mental health through gaming and launched by August Interactive in partnership with WePlay Studios, has been named a finalist as part of the 5th Annual Anthem Awards.
The weekly tournament series and Twitch stream has been nominated for the 'Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging — Community Engagement category,' building on its mission to support mental health through connection and camaraderie for military members, veterans, and their families. The pilot season took place in November 2024, with its second season concluding at the end of June 2025.
The Anthem Winners will be selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Judges for the 5th Annual Anthem Awards include an esteemed panel of leaders from leading organizations dedicated to social impact, including Nancy Brown, CEO, American Heart Association, Kim Getty, CEO, Deutsch, Belén Frau, Global Communications Manager, IKEA, Linda Roth, Chief Communications Officer, World Central Kitchen, C.D. Glin, Global Head of Social Impact, PepsiCo, and others.
“Gamers and Guardians represents what we strive for every day at August Interactive, creating spaces where community, purpose, and belonging thrive,” said August Interactive co-founder and CXO Sarah Kneller. “Our mission has always been about fostering meaningful connections through play, across borders, backgrounds, and experiences. This recognition reflects the strength of compassion and creativity that gaming can inspire in communities all over the world.”
“To see Gamers & Guardians named a finalist is a great honor for everyone at WePlay Studios. We put our passion into creating something that celebrates inclusivity and helps people connect and heal. This recognition reminds us that creativity, when paired with empathy, can truly make a difference,” said Maksym Bilonogov, general producer and chief visionary officer at WePlay Studios.
The 5th Annual Anthem Awards winners will be announced on Tuesday, November 18.