6th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards!

[jeffool]

The IGDA (http://www.igda.org) has issued a press release (http://www.igda.org/newsroom/press_022706.php) announcing the nominees for the Game Developers Choice Awards, presented at the Game Developers Conference (March 20-24.) Here's one of the awards...

Best Game
Animal Crossing: Wild World
God of War
Guitar Hero
Shadow of the Colossus
The Movies

Can't wait to see who wins 'Best New Studio.' Sure I have favorites, but most choices here seem pretty good.

[Heretic Machine]

No F.E.A.R.? Civ IV? RE: 4? I could go on, but this list seems pretty lacking... especially considering how meidocre the actual gameplay of The Movies was, and the fact that Animal Crossing: WW is damn close to being a port.

[KamaItachi]

Where's 25 to Life?

[jeffool]

If it were me, I would've changed the 'Best Game' nom of The Movies to Civ IV, but regardless I can honestly say that I won't be remotely disappointed by any winner.

[Kefkataran]

Where's 25 to Life?

KamaItachi asks the tough questions. Now WHO PROVIDES THE ANSWERS?

[Dabombpizza]

I love AC:WW, but I def don't think it's best game of the year... But I suppose if you look at it from a developer stand point it's pretty daunting...maybe?

[wudi]

KamaItachi asks the tough questions. Now WHO PROVIDES THE ANSWERS?

I have no answer other than the obligatory cliche: it's at the very bottom of the bargain bin, underneath such classics as Ford vs. Chevy Racing (or whatever).

I'm pulling for Psychonauts in the Writing category, and either Double Fine or ArenaNet for the studio.

[ezzkmo]

Those seem like good picks for nominees across the categories. Little bit of everything.

[Ludoc]

God of War
Guitar Hero
Shadow of the Colossus

Apparently it was a good year to own a PS2.

[OrangePulp]

Where is RE 4? Beats the pants off The Movies.

[Genital Eclipse]

Guitar Hero, seriously?

Has anyone seen someone play Guitar Hero in person. That alone should be reason for it's outright banning from society and heaven.

[ElectricMonk]

GH is awesome...

but GoW will have lasting effects on the game industry, the same can't be said for the other games on that list. (with the possible exception of SotC)

[thecrazyd]

Guitar Hero, seriously?

Has anyone seen someone play Guitar Hero in person. That alone should be reason for it's outright banning from society and heaven.
Have you played it? It is crazy fun.

[Kefkataran]

I'm pulling for Psychonauts in the Writing category, and either Double Fine or ArenaNet for the studio.

Psychonauts so needs to win.

Guitar Hero, seriously?

Has anyone seen someone play Guitar Hero in person. That alone should be reason for it's outright banning from society and heaven.

Are you serious? My friends and I played Guitar Hero non-stop for like six hours straight on New Years Eve. There's absolutely no way the game makes you look half as silly as something like Dance Dance Revolution, and either way who cares how you LOOK? What matters with videogames is how much fun you're having.

but GoW will have lasting effects on the game industry, the same can't be said for the other games on that list. (with the possible exception of SotC)

I'm curious about this comment. I loved God of War, but what lasting effects do you think it will have on the industry?

[Borys]

God of War for the motherfucking win!

Anyone who disagrees probably doesn't even own a PS2.

GoW > F.E.A.R. > RE:4

[Genital Eclipse]

There's absolutely no way the game makes you look half as silly as something like Dance Dance Revolution, and either way who cares how you LOOK? What matters with videogames is how much fun you're having.

Uh I care.

There's no way I'm playing Guitar Hero next time Bruce Willis comes over to my pad.

Last thing I need is to have one of the paparazzi misfire on a Bruce Willis snapshot catching me in a mid-air metal guitar grind wearing nothing but sheepskin earmuffs and paper plate shoes.

[Sazime]

Apparently it was a good year to own a PS2.
It is ALWAYS a good year to own a PS2.

Guitar Hero, seriously?

Has anyone seen someone play Guitar Hero in person. That alone should be reason for it's outright banning from society and heaven.
Banning from heaven? What? Now you're the authority on the afterlife? What ever happened to hell being more fun? Personally, anything Harmonix does is good. I'm still surprised that GH got this much publicity though. I just wish Frequency and Amplitude had as well.

[LilBunnyFuFu]

Where's 25 to Life?
KamaItachi asks the tough questions. Now WHO PROVIDES THE ANSWERS?

In Jack Thompson's PS2.

[Heretic Machine]

Uh I care.

Well, just so you know, no body else does. Just like no body gives two shits about seeing someone with a DS rather than a PSP, or whether they have a black Gamecube rather than a purple one... No body cares. We're all much more concerned with what we look like to actually care about someone else's video games and equipment.

[Syl]

I don't even bother with awards that completely remove entire companies from getting the nominations because they aren't a "member".

This time it happened to include Take 2 and Capcom, both makers of some of the best games of the year.

No RE4 means no "game of the year".

[Wedge]

No RE4 means bullshit list.

I am completely unable to understand why it is left out of that list.

There has not been a clearer GotY since Half-Life.

[Wedge]

I am completely unable to understand why it is left out of that list.



I don't even bother with awards that completely remove entire companies from getting the nominations because they aren't a "member".

Oh, that explains it.

It is nominated for best "visual arts" though. :confused:

[Spigot]

SotC FTW.

BTW, GH FTW 2!

This post brought to you by the SFTPOA aka The Society for the Preservation Of Acronyms.

[benig]

Putting God of War in a Game of the Year perspective really makes you realize it's really just a great game. A great game the way that Jackie Chan buddy action/comedies are good movies. A fun ride, but ultimately nothing special.
Shadow of Colossus should take it from those 4. The lack of RE4 is disconcerting.

[fitbabits]

God of War for the motherfucking win!

Anyone who disagrees probably doesn't even own a PS2.

GoW > F.E.A.R. > RE:4
I agree, Borys. Although SotC and RE4 would be right up there.

[jeffool]

I don't even bother with awards that completely remove entire companies from getting the nominations because they aren't a "member".

This time it happened to include Take 2 and Capcom, both makers of some of the best games of the year.

No RE4 means no "game of the year".Jesus Christ man, could you menstruate any more? I think there's a few spots of the website not completely red.No RE4 means bullshit list.

I am completely unable to understand why it is left out of that list.Allow me to enlighten you and Syl. The GDCA's nominations are chosen by members of the IGDA, which include nearly every single game developer and publisher (and all of the major ones.) And every member, industry-wide, can vote for any game of their chosing, including Resident Evil 4. There is no fee for the nominees other than they belong to the IGDA (which means they pay dues.)There has not been a clearer GotY since Half-Life.Apparently the people who actually make the games we play really fucking disagree with you, seeing as RE4 didn't even get nominated for Best Game. And for that? I'm fucking greatful. When it comes right down to it, RE4 is just that, the progression of the series. Yes it's a really good game, but it's not great and certainly not 'best'. I mean, RE4 had every major press outlet jerking off to it, be happy with that.

That game developers don't agree that RE4 is 'the best game of 05' is very refreshing to me.

[mulligan]

Well, just so you know, no body else does. Just like no body gives two shits about seeing someone with a DS rather than a PSP, or whether they have a black Gamecube rather than a purple one... No body cares. We're all much more concerned with what we look like to actually care about someone else's video games and equipment.

Perigon can curse at anyone all he wants! He always curses at people in the forums ALL the time and don't even think twice about it. This guy is so badass crazy and awesome that he curses ALL the time. I heard he was cursing his way in Evilavatar. And when someone spoke his mind and Perigon cursed whole website! My friend Mark said that he saw Perigon totally curse some kid just because the kid had an opinion.

[Steele Johnson]

I'm quite surprised that The Movies even made it on the list. It's really just another micro-managment RTS with a dumbed-down movie editor.

When playing the studio sim, they don't even rate you on how well you've made a movie. So it's not even worth making movies unless you're doing it just for fun. Kind of disappointing.

[GunnyMo]

I'm so disappointed that Fitty Cent: BulletCrap isn't nominated in every catagory! The folks over at Spike TV thought it was the best game in the world! Why oh why can't the GDC see that as well?!

[H.Bogard]

That game developers don't agree that RE4 is 'the best game of 05' is very refreshing to me.

F.E.A.R. ? :(

[Nite_Moogle]

Good for the developers to recognize that Guitar Hero was a huge gamble that paid off big time. I think the "best game" category is more like "which game is out there that you wish you had made?".

If ArenaNet doesn't win best new studio a hat eating may be in order :P

[Wedge]

seeing as RE4 didn't even get nominated for Best Game. And for that? I'm fucking greatful.
You are grateful because developers and the actual gamesplayers have different tastes in games? Why?


When it comes right down to it, RE4 is just that, the progression of the series.
If Metroid Prime, Zelda OoT, SM64 were just "progression of the series", then yeah, I agree with you. However I feel that all of the above revitalized the series mentioned and set new standards.

I mean, RE4 had every major press outlet jerking off to it, be happy with that.
So had SotC and GoW. But what has that got to do with anything? What is your point? That games that get good press shouldn't get awarded?

That game developers don't agree that RE4 is 'the best game of 05' is very refreshing to me.
That developers & publishers fail to nominate one of the most playable,well crafted, best looking & polished games in recent years is refreshing in a sense that it is strange and unexpected.

[saran_js]

Actually, if you look at all the games nomimated, most if not all have a uniqueness about them and have really revolutionized gaming. F.E.A.R although a step in the right direction in terms of scares probably didn't make the cut as well as RE4.

[jeffool]

You are grateful because developers and the actual gamesplayers have different tastes in games? Why?They are gameplayers also, but the point was that I, as a gameplayer, am happy to see that I'm not bat-shit insane when I say that RE4 definitely wasn't game of the year. It's enheartening to me personally, so I am grateful.If Metroid Prime, Zelda OoT, SM64 were just "progression of the series", then yeah, I agree with you. However I feel that all of the above revitalized the series mentioned and set new standards.In my opinion, Metroid Prime was just that, the progression of a series. Just like RE4 raised the bar for survival horror action games, SM64 set the standard for 3d platformers. They were both fantastic games, but progressions of the series. But OoT? It set standards alright; it set standards in gaming. Metroid Prime wasn't all that, and I'll judge other survival horror action games against RE4, just like I'll judge other platformers against Mario64. But if we're going to compare quality of games across genres, then OoT is one to do that with. I'd compare it to Shadow of the Colossus and Grim Fandango, all games above RE4 and Mario64. And far above Metroid Prime.So had SotC and GoW. But what has that got to do with anything? What is your point? That games that get good press shouldn't get awarded?My point is that RE4 has won many GOTY awards, in my opinion, unjustly. I agree that it was good, I just didn't think it the best game of 2005.That developers & publishers fail to nominate one of the most playable,well crafted, best looking & polished games in recent years is refreshing in a sense that it is strange and unexpected.That developers & publishers fail to nominate a game that was great looking, well crafted, and extremely polished in leiu of games that offer experiences and/or emotional connectivity that most games don't is something I, again, find refreshing.

[Heretic Machine]

Perigon can curse at anyone all he wants! He always curses at people in the forums ALL the time and don't even think twice about it. This guy is so badass crazy and awesome that he curses ALL the time. I heard he was cursing his way in Evilavatar. And when someone spoke his mind and Perigon cursed whole website! My friend Mark said that he saw Perigon totally curse some kid just because the kid had an opinion.

Who the hell uses the word "curse" to describe profanity these days?

[Wedge]

They are gameplayers also, but the point was that I, as a gameplayer, am happy to see that I'm not bat-shit insane when I say that RE4 definitely wasn't game of the year. It's enheartening to me personally, so I am grateful.
Understood. However as to the "they are gameplayers also": What do the average developer answer to the question "What games do you play?" in interviews? (Particulary japanese developers.)

In my opinion, Metroid Prime was just that, the progression of a series.
In my opinion it altered the perception as to what a FPS can be (while maintaining the metroid feel). As a metroid fan I enjoyed it immensively.

Just like RE4 raised the bar for survival horror action games,
Imho, not only survival horror action games, but 3rd person action adventures in general.

SM64 set the standard for 3d platformers. They were both fantastic games, but progressions of the series.
You seem to think that the way they ended up in 3d as a "natural" progression from 2d. I can imagine different ways the games could have ended up that would have been more "true/similar" to the 2d origin. There is a lot more to them than a simple progression.

But OoT? It set standards alright; it set standards in gaming.
OoT has most of the classic Zelda elements intact. What makes this leap from 2d to 3d special, and not a progression?

That developers & publishers fail to nominate a game that was great looking, well crafted, and extremely polished in leiu of games that offer experiences and/or emotional connectivity that most games don't is something I, again, find refreshing.
For me, RE4 did offer experiences and emotional connectivity most other games didn't/don't (pure exitement & drive to continue playing are emotions, and I value them just as highly as the emotions evoked playing GoW & SotC).


Disclaimer: I am not trying to make you change your opinion or anything, just interested in your opinions. What this all comes down to is the fact that you didn't like RE4 as much as I did, and I am not stupid enough to think that there is something "wrong" with either one of us.

[Heretic Machine]

They are gameplayers also, but the point was that I, as a gameplayer, am happy to see that I'm not bat-shit insane when I say that RE4 definitely wasn't game of the year. It's enheartening to me personally, so I am grateful.

Hey, I'd probably agree with that. But I know for a fact that AC:WW and The Movies aren't even candidates for GOTY. Not even close. Now where are Civ IV and F.E.A.R.? They are the two best PC games that have come out this year, and they aren't on that list. Guitar Hero, while having a huge cool factor, certainly isn't a leap forward by any streatch of the imagination. It is a rythmn game with a cool controller, which is nothing new.

GoW and Shadow of the Colossus both belong on that list, but they are missing their rightful companions.

[Pariah]

F.E.A.R. is just a Doom clone, and Civ IV is just a sequel with a few improvements.

It's obvious the industry has actually played games for the last 20 years and can remember playing RE before it had numbers after it.

[harle]

GoW is the only game that deserves to be on that list.

I have no clue why AC:WW would be on any awards list. The Movies should not be in there over games like RE4 and F.E.A.R. This list is a complete joke.

[Wedge]

Ok, this thread got a bit derailed, despite the fact that IGDA has some cool categories that we should take a closer look at. So I'll take a look at my favorites...

Character Design
-City of Villains
-God of War
-Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath
-Psychonauts
-Shadow of the Colossus
While I love Kratos and the many cool characters in Psychonauts, the colossi in SotC takes the cake (if we count them as characters).


Game Design
-Animal Crossing: Wild World
-God of War
-Nintendogs
-Psychonauts
-Shadow of the Colossus

Another category where I miss RE4. It is a kinda broad category, so it depends on what you think is important. SotC wins this one for me because the colossi were both bosses and levels at the same time, while being percieved as living creatures and being well implemented in the game.


Technology
-Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
-Guitar Hero
-Nintendogs
-Project Gotham Racing 3
-Shadow of the Colossus

Another category I don't know what to make of. BF2 and PGR3 seem to suggest that it is high end graphics that are important. GH & Nintendogs seem to suggest otherwise, and SotC suggests that it is how you beat a dead horse so that it does tricks you didn't know were possible that is important.
SotC wins this one for me because I didn't think my 5 year old PS2 could do those things.


Visual Arts
-God of War
-Project Gotham Racing 3
-Resident Evil 4
-Shadow of the Colossus
-We Love Katamari

Close call between all nominated exept PGR3. SotC has the colossi, but I found the enviroments to be a tad dull. RE4 is just so damn well done on all accounts. But the colossi wins, they were the "thing to see" in videogames last year (or this year for us Europeans).

Writing
-Freedom Force vs. The 3rd Reich
-God of War
-Indigo Prophecy
-Jade Empire
-Psychonauts

Indigo prophecy/Fahrenheit is the only game of these where the story itself was the most important thing in the entire game. However I am one of those who felt that the last 1/4 of the game nearly ruined the entire game. GoW has a very fitting storyline that feels very ancient greek mythology-ish. If somebody told me the story outside the game and told me it was a real myth, I would believe them. Psychonaut is funnier, of course, but GoW gets the award because the story fits the game & gameplay so damn well.

New Studio
-ArenaNet (Guild Wars)
-Double Fine Productions (Psychonauts)
-New Crayon Games (Bonnie’s Bookstore)
-TellTale Games (Bone: Out From Boneville)
-Wideload Games (Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse)

While I find ArenaNet's achievements to be most impressive, both game wise and support wise, I asked myself: "Which company do I really want to see make more games?" And that answer was Double Fine Productions. Humour & charming characters are still a far too rare commodity in games.

[jeffool]

Disclaimer: I am not trying to make you change your opinion or anything, just interested in your opinions. What this all comes down to is the fact that you didn't like RE4 as much as I did, and I am not stupid enough to think that there is something "wrong" with either one of us.Absolutely the most important thing said between us! I'm just jealous I didn't think of it first! :D (But that fucker Syl? Grrr.... ... joking... Mostly...)

But you're also right in that RE4 didn't hit with me like it did you and many others. I just didn't feel that it could compare with the other games, GoW or SotC in particular. (Of course I also enjoyed Psychonauts more, but I'm not even going to try to argue that one.) My thing has always been that I've known relatively few people with whom SotC or GoW didn't connect. But with RE4 I see it as slightly more common. Of course it's possibly due to the popularity of the game causing the larger total number of detractors while not being any greater percentage.Understood. However as to the "they are gameplayers also": What do the average developer answer to the question "What games do you play?" in interviews? (Particulary japanese developers.)Dude, I would 'love' to know the answer to that one. Though I do recall Fumito Ueda (SotC) saying he was quite fond of GoW, and I believe David Jaffe is a big fan of SotC. It's obviously a conspiracy. They're the same man.In my opinion it altered the perception as to what a FPS can be (while maintaining the metroid feel). As a metroid fan I enjoyed it immensively.Eh. I didn't dislike the game, but I didn't think it was anywhere near as good as Super Metroid.Imho, not only survival horror action games, but 3rd person action adventures in general.Yeah. We're really going to have to agree to disagree on RE4.You seem to think that the way they ended up in 3d as a "natural" progression from 2d. I can imagine different ways the games could have ended up that would have been more "true/similar" to the 2d origin. There is a lot more to them than a simple progression.Actually, quite the opposite from my point of view. (Text is a bitch in communication, isn't it?) I take their movement from 2d to 3d with a certain amount of ambivalence, waiting to see how poorly/well it is done in regards to the game line. It really can go either way. For example, Worms going 3d was a huge step down to me, and I think that Super Metroid was the best Metroid.OoT has most of the classic Zelda elements intact. What makes this leap from 2d to 3d special, and not a progression?If I were to compare Zelda to Metroid, then A Link to the Past would be comparable to Super Metroid. And then OoT outshines ALttP, which is a very impressive feat. (I'm one of those people who is of the mind that OoT is quite possibly the best narrative game made. Though that changes depending on the mood I'm in. And note the narrative part, because we all know Tetris is the best game ever.) But why is OoT great? For the same reason a great movie is always great. It stands the test of time. Everything that we both agree RE4 did (even if you think more of it than me,) with great gameplay, art, writing, production values, polish, and a great world, OoT did in spades.

Of course talk to me tomorrow. Then I'll tell you that FFVI was the best narrative game ever.


While I find ArenaNet's achievements to be most impressive, both game wise and support wise, I asked myself: "Which company do I really want to see make more games?" And that answer was Double Fine Productions.*sniff* I love you man.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Perigon can curse at anyone all he wants! He always curses at people in the forums ALL the time and don't even think twice about it. This guy is so badass crazy and awesome that he curses ALL the time. I heard he was cursing his way in Evilavatar. And when someone spoke his mind and Perigon cursed whole website! My friend Mark said that he saw Perigon totally curse some kid just because the kid had an opinion.


What the fuck???


I really need to play through Ocarina of Time one of these days. I've never managed to get all the way through it, even though I own three copies.

[H.Bogard]

F.E.A.R. is just a Doom clone

Says someone who's nickname is Pariah?

I rest my case! XD

[Pariah]

Says someone who's nickname is Pariah?

It was an english word long before it was a horrible fps, so what's your point?

Maybe instead of attacking my name, you can give me some examples of anything in FEAR hasn't been done to death before.

[Kyle Jones]

I love AC:WW, but I def don't think it's best game of the year... But I suppose if you look at it from a developer stand point it's pretty daunting...maybe?

Looking at the nominations, I have to smile that my two choices for game of the year - Animal Crossing Wild World and Psychonauts - have garnished so many nominations. I really hope Psychonauts gets Best Writing and Character Design, as those were what I thought it really excelled at. Animal Crossing, on the other hand, should atleast get Game Design and hopefully Best Game, as it's just such a wonderfully fun game. Plus, I can't help but love a game that gets so many types of gamers, from your moms to your hardcore FPS loving young men, playing it and enjoying it for similar - and different - reasons.

Plus, Animal Crossing is my desert island favorite game...

So I have to love it.

[astronautsandwich]

Last thing I need is to have one of the paparazzi misfire on a Bruce Willis snapshot catching me in a mid-air metal guitar grind wearing nothing but sheepskin earmuffs and paper plate shoes.

So that's where my goddamn paper plate shoes went. You f'ing stealer.

[TrackZero]

Maybe I'm just misinterpreting this list. Either:

a) It's about game design and creativity.

b) It's about fun/gameplay.

If it's a), then why is God of War on the list? I've played it, I love it, but it definitely didn't do anything new at all.

If it's b), then why is the Movies on the list? Creative, check. Most fun game of the year? Hells no.

Can someone explain this to me? Seriously.

[TrackZero]

I really need to play through Ocarina of Time one of these days. I've never managed to get all the way through it, even though I own three copies.

Wow that's horrible. I mean, I could understand if it was Wind Waker (with the ultra-long boat sequences), or even Majora's Mask (with that damn Groundhog day effect). But Orcana was non-stop fun, there should have been no reason to stop playing until it was over.

Edit: Do you happen to have a Gold copy of the game? Since you don't seem to appreciate it, I'd be more than happy to take it off your hands.

[Kefkataran]

a) It's about game design and creativity.

b) It's about fun/gameplay.

If it's a), then why is God of War on the list? I've played it, I love it, but it definitely didn't do anything new at all.

If it's b), then why is the Movies on the list? Creative, check. Most fun game of the year? Hells no.

Can someone explain this to me? Seriously.

Well, if it's about a., God of War may not have done anything "new" persay, but it still had great game design and was somewhat creative in how it put everything together. As for if it was b. why is The Movies there? *shrug* Matter of taste, I guess. I'd agree with you on that one.

[TrackZero]

Well, if it's about a., God of War may not have done anything "new" persay, but it still had great game design and was somewhat creative in how it put everything together. As for if it was b. why is The Movies there? *shrug* Matter of taste, I guess. I'd agree with you on that one.

I just think the two titles represent mutually exclusive game design memes and I'm shocked to see them on the same list, for any reason other than "it's a game". ;)

[Kefkataran]

I just think the two titles represent mutually exclusive game design memes and I'm shocked to see them on the same list, for any reason other than "it's a game".

That's a good point. :p

[H.Bogard]

It was an english word long before it was a horrible fps, so what's your point?

Maybe instead of attacking my name, you can give me some examples of anything in FEAR hasn't been done to death before.

I can but give one....atleast Im not reloading the game again and again in Doom just so that i could enjoy blowing up my enemies with those remote controlled sticky grenades.
Oh....and CLOSET MONSTERS ANYONE? good AI anyone? i know people will always bitch and moan about pushing shelves being nothing special, but then again point me to a game that has better AI than this and i might reconsider...