Shortlist released for the Edge Award For Interactive Innovation, to be presented during the Edinburgh Interactive Festival next week.

The list recognises the games commercially released in the last 12 months that have, in the judges' opinions, done most to mark out new directions for videogaming.

With the blossoming of iPhone and social networks such as Facebook as gaming platforms, the landscape for both players and developers has rapidly changed over the past year. But the games made for these environments are still nascent. It’s difficult to think of an iPhone game that truly exemplifies the singular abilities of its host; on social networks, too, there exist many great ideas, but they’ve yet to solidify into experiences that point towards gaming’s future.

The shortlist this year, therefore, entirely comprises the deeper, more formalised games made for traditional gaming platforms. But they’re no less rich for it, illustrating how online can enrich players’ experiences, from Left 4 Dead’s retooling of co-operative to LittleBigPlanet’s ‘play, create, share’ ethos. In Far Cry 2, they’re showing new directions for storytelling, and in the form of MaBoShi: The Three Shape Arcade creating fresh and intriguing new puzzle mechanics. Then there’s Noby Noby Boy, which explores the edges of what a videogame can be.

The winner of the Edge Award For Interactive Innovation will be announced at 6.30 on Thursday, August 13, during the Edinburgh Interactive Festival conference. Passes for the conference are available at a discount through Edge right here.

On the following pages, you'll find the reasons why our judges picked each game:
Far Cry 2
Flower
Left 4 Dead
LittleBigPlanet
MaBoShi: The Three Shape Arcade
Noby Noby Boy