Here in Vegas, video game-makers name little ‘Journey’ as Game of the Year
Here in Vegas last night, the annual D.I.C.E. Awards show honored the little-known PS 3 game "Journey" as Game of the Year — beating out big games such as "Borderlands 2" and the point-and-click cult hit "The Walking Dead."
Here's my review of "Journey." And below is IGN's video review, so you can see how pretty it is. The music is awesome too, which is why it won Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition.
If you're wondering why blockbusters such as "Mass Effect 3" weren't even nominated for top game ("ME3" was my pick for Game of the Year, followed by "Hitman: Absolution"), here's the reason:
The D.I.C.E. Awards — voted on by peers in the gaming industry — aren't necessarily looking for the largest achievement but rather games that are "pushing the boundaries of technology, creativity and artistic expression."
And "Journey" defnitely is all about art, creativity and an unusual game tech-wise, even though it is a two-hour casual game and not a 50-hour massive epic.
"The Walking Dead" was also a big winner at the Hard Rock Hotel's Joint. (Here's my review.) The full list of winners is below this video (There's cussing and weird violence in this video, so it's not safe for work.)
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
