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Journey Garners Game of the Year at 16th Annual D.I.C.E. AwardsFeb 14, 2013 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- Downloadable games stole the spotlight at the16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, as the PlayStation 3 exclusive Journey, from thatgamecompany, nabbed eight awards including Game of the Year, Outstanding Innovation in Gaming, and Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction. According to a release, the Walking Dead went home with four awards, including Adventure Game of the Year and Downloadable Game of the Year. Since 1996, the D.I.C.E. Awards have recognized outstanding games, individuals and development teams that are pushing the boundaries of technology, creativity and artistic expression in the worldwide interactive entertainment industry. Other multi-award winners include Halo 4, honored for visual engineering and connectivity, and XCOM: Enemy Unknown, recognized for its feats in gameplay engineering as well as Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year. The full list of winners illustrates the diversity in interactive experiences available today, including Web-Based Game of the Year SimCity Social, Family Game of the Year Skylanders Giants, Mobile Game of the Year Hero Academy, and Action Game of the Year Borderlands 2. "For the past 16 years, the D.I.C.E. Awards have brought together the brightest and most creative minds in games to celebrate outstanding achievement in interactive entertainment. This year is no exception as the hottest players representing all facets of the industry - from downloadable to console to mobile games -- took center stage," said Martin Rae, president, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. "From our many category winners to our distinguished honorees Gabe Newell, Dave Lebling and Marc Blank, we congratulate all the talented developers and publishers whose contributions led to another exceptional year in games." Hosted by actor, comedian, television host and Nerdist Chris Hardwick, the D.I.C.E. Awards took place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas during the 2013 D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit, which is produced by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences in conjunction with PMC/Variety. The event streamed live on MachinimaLive.com, and is now available to view at youtube.com/machinima. Also during the Awards ceremony, industry legend, Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve Corp., became the 17th inductee into the AIAS Hall of Fame, and Infocom co-foundersDave LeblingandMarc Blankreceived the 2013 AIAS Pioneer Award. The complete list of winners, as decided by a peer-based voting system: Action Game of the Year Borderlands 2 -Publisher: 2K Games -Developer: Gearbox Software Mobile Game of the Year Hero Academy -Publisher: Robot Entertainment -Developer: Robot Entertainment Handheld Game of the Year Paper Mario Sticker Star -Publisher: Nintendo of America, Inc. -Developer: Intelligent Systems Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition Journey -Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America -Developer: thatgamecompany Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design Journey -Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America -Developer: thatgamecompany Outstanding Achievement in Story The Walking Dead -Publisher: Telltale Games -Developer: Telltale Games Outstanding Character Performance The Walking Dead: Lee Everett -Publisher: Telltale Games -Developer: Telltale Games Downloadable Game of the Year The Walking Dead -Publisher: Telltale Games -Developer: Telltale Games Casual Game of the Year Journey -Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America -Developer: thatgamecompany Web Based Game of the Year SimCity Social -Publisher: Electronic Arts -Developer: Maxis, Playfish Family Game of the Year Skylanders Giants -Publisher: Activision -Developer: Toys for Bob Role-Playing/Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year Mass Effect 3 -Publisher: Electronic Arts -Developer: Bioware Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year XCOM: Enemy Unknown -Publisher: 2K Games -Developer: Firaxis Games Outstanding Innovation in Gaming Journey -Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America -Developer: thatgamecompany Sports Game of the Year FIFA Soccer 13 -Publisher: Electronic Arts -Developer: EA Canada Racing Game of the Year Need for Speed Most Wanted -Publisher: Electronic Arts -Developer: Criterion Games Fighting Game of the Year PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale -Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America -Developer: SuperBot Entertainment, Inc. Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay Journey -Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America -Developer: thatgamecompany Outstanding Achievement in Connectivity Halo 4 -Publisher: Microsoft Studios -Developer: 343 Industries Outstanding Achievement in Animation Assassin's Creed III -Publisher: Ubisoft -Developer: Ubisoft Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction Journey -Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America -Developer: thatgamecompany Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering Halo 4 -Publisher: Microsoft Studios -Developer: 343 Industries Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering XCOM: Enemy Unknown -Publisher: 2K Games -Developer: Firaxis Games Adventure Game of the Year The Walking Dead -Publisher: Telltale Games -Developer: Telltale Games Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction Journey -Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America -Developer: thatgamecompany Game of the Year Journey -Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America -Developer: thatgamecompany The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) was founded in 1996 as a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote, advance and recognize the outstanding achievements in the interactive entertainment industry worldwide. The Academy conducts its annual awards show, the D.I.C.E. Awards, to celebrate and honor creative accomplishments in the field. More information: http://www.interactive.org http://www.dicesummit.org ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) |