List of XYZZY Awards By Category - Best Story

Best Story

This award has been given since 1996. It recognizes the game with the deepest or most original story.

• 2011: The Play by Deirdra Kiai.
  • Bonehead by Sean M. Shore
  • Cryptozookeeper by Robb Sherwin
  • The Life (and Deaths) of Doctor M by Michael D. Hilborn
  • Zombie Exodus by Jim Dattilo
• 2010: The Warbler's Nest by Jason McIntosh
  • Gris et Jaune by Jason Devlin
  • Hoist Sail for the Heliopause and Home by Andrew Plotkin
  • One Eye Open by Colin Sandel and Carolyn VanEseltine
• 2009: Blue Lacuna by Aaron A. Reed
  • The King of Shreds and Patches by Jimmy Maher
  • Make it Good by Jon Ingold
  • The Shadow in the Cathedral by Ian Finley and Jon Ingold
• 2008: Nightfall by Eric Eve
  • Afflicted by Doug Evan
  • Everybody Dies by Jim Munroe
  • Violet by Jeremy Freese
  • Gun Mute by C. E. J. Pacian
• 2007: A Fine Day for Reaping by James Webb
  • An Act of Murder by Christopher Huang
  • Deadline Enchanter by Alan DeNiro
  • Fate by Victor Gijsbers
• 2006: The Traveling Swordsman by Mike Snyder
  • Moon-Shaped by Jason Ermer
  • Pantomime by Robb Sherwin
  • The Baron by Victor Gijsbers
  • The Elysium Enigma by Eric Eve
• 2005: Beyond by Mondi Confinanti (Roberto Grassi, Paolo Lucchesi, and Alessandro Peretti)
  • All Hope Abandon by Eric Eve
  • Chancellor by Kevin Venzke
  • Distress by Mike Snyder
  • Vespers by Jason Devlin
• 2004: Blue Chairs by Chris Klimas
  • The Act of Misdirection by Callico Harrison
  • The Cabal by Stephen Bond
  • Dreamhold by Andrew Plotkin
  • Future Boy! by Kent Tessman
  • Necrotic Drift by Robb Sherwin
• 2003: Slouching Towards Bedlam by Daniel Ravipinto and Star Foster
  • City of Secrets by Emily Short
  • Narcolepsy by Adam Cadre
  • Redemption by Kathleen M. Fischer
  • To Hell in a Hamper by J. J. Guest
• 2002: Savoir Faire by Emily Short
  • Augustine by Terrence V. Koch
  • The Moonlit Tower by Yoon Ha Lee
  • Till Death Makes a Monk-Fish Out of Me! by Jon Ingold and Mike Sousa
  • When Help Collides by J. D. Berry
• 2001: All Roads by Jon Ingold
  • Fallacy of Dawn by Robb Sherwin
  • First Things First by J. Robinson Wheeler
  • Pytho's Mask by Emily Short
  • Vicious Cycles by Simon Mark
  • Voices by Aris Katsaris
• 2000: My Angel by Jon Ingold
  • Being Andrew Plotkin by J. Robinson Wheeler
  • LASH by Paul O'Brian
  • Masquerade by Kathleen M. Fischer
  • Rameses by Stephen Bond
  • Shade by Andrew Plotkin
  • shrapnel by Adam Cadre
• 1999: Worlds Apart by Suzanne Britton
  • Aisle by Sam Barlow
  • Common Ground by Stephen Granade
  • Lunatix by Mike Snyder
  • The Mulldoon Legacy by Jon Ingold
  • Varicella by Adam Cadre
• 1998: Photopia by Adam Cadre
  • Anchorhead by Michael Gentry
  • Little Blue Men by Michael Gentry
  • Losing Your Grip by Stephen Granade
  • Spider and Web by Andrew Plotkin
• 1997: Babel by Ian Finley
  • Glowgrass by Nate Cull
  • I-0 by Adam Cadre
  • Madame L'Estrange and the Troubled Spirit by Ian Ball and Marcus Young
  • Mercy by Chris Klimas
• 1996: Tapestry by Daniel Ravipinto
  • Delusions by C. E. Forman
  • Lost New York by Neil deMause
  • So Far by Andrew Plotkin
  • Time: All Things Come to an End by Andy Phillips