Thursday, 25 Jul 2024

14th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards Nominees Announced

The 14th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards recently announced their nominations for the best games of 2013. These awards, which are highly regarded in the gaming industry, will be presented on March 19th at the Moscone Center in San Francisco during the Game Developers Conference.

Top Contenders

Leading the pack with several nominations each are “The Last of Us,” “Tearaway,” and “Gone Home.” Nintendo also made a strong showing with multiple nominations for its games. These nominations were submitted by members of the game development industry, and the final winners will be selected by the International Choice Awards Network, which is comprised of respected game creators from various parts of the industry.

Game of the Year Nominees

The “Game of the Year” category features a diverse lineup of exceptional games:

  • Gone Home (The Fullbright Company)
  • Grand Theft Auto V (Rockstar North/Rockstar Games)
  • The Last Of Us (Naughty Dog/Sony)
  • Super Mario 3D World (Nintendo EAD Tokyo/Nintendo)
  • Tomb Raider (Crystal Dynamics/Square Enix)

Honorable mentions for this category include “The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds” (Nintendo EAD/Nintendo), “Papers, Please” (Lucas Pope), “The Stanley Parable” (Galactic Cafe), and “Tearaway” (Media Molecule/Sony).

Recognizing Innovation

The “Innovation Award” category celebrates games that push the boundaries of the industry:

  • DEVICE 6 (Simogo)
  • Gone Home (The Fullbright Company)
  • Papers, Please (Lucas Pope)
  • Tearaway (Media Molecule/Sony)
  • The Stanley Parable (Galactic Cafe)

Honorable mentions for this category include “Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons” (Starbreeze/505 Games), “Candy Box” (Aniwey), “Kerbal Space Program” (Squad), “The Last Of Us” (Naughty Dog/Sony), and “Proteus” (Ed Key/David Kanaga).

Best Debut and Design

The “Best Debut” category recognizes outstanding achievements in a developer’s first game:

  • Blue Manchu (Card Hunter)
  • The Fullbright Company (Gone Home)
  • Galactic Cafe (The Stanley Parable)
  • Squad (Kerbal Space Program)
  • Undead Labs (State Of Decay)

Honorable mentions for this category include “Facepalm Games” (The Swapper), “Frogmind Games” (Badland), “Grinding Gear Games” (Path Of Exile), “Suspicious Developments” (Gunpoint), and “Warner Bros. Games Montreal” (Batman: Arkham Origins).

The “Best Design” category showcases games with exceptional design elements:

  • Grand Theft Auto V (Rockstar North/Rockstar Games)
  • The Last Of Us (Naughty Dog/Sony)
  • The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (Nintendo EAD/Nintendo)
  • Super Mario 3D World (Nintendo EAD Tokyo/Nintendo)
  • Tomb Raider (Crystal Dynamics/Square Enix)

Honorable mentions for this category include “DOTA 2” (Valve), “Pokemon X & Y” (Game Freak/Nintendo), “Rogue Legacy” (Cellar Door Games), “The Stanley Parable” (Galactic Cafe), “SteamWorld Dig” (Image & Form), and “TowerFall” (Matt Thorson/Miniboss/Alec Holowka).

Handheld and Mobile Excellence

The “Best Handheld/Mobile Game” category celebrates outstanding games on portable devices:

  • DEVICE 6 (Simogo)
  • Fire Emblem: Awakening (Intelligent Systems/Nintendo)
  • The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (Nintendo EAD/Nintendo)
  • Ridiculous Fishing (Vlambeer)
  • Tearaway (Media Molecule/Sony)

Honorable mentions for this category include “Animal Crossing: New Leaf” (Nintendo EAD/Nintendo), “868-HACK” (Michael Brough), “Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon” (Next Level Games/Nintendo), “Plants Vs. Zombies 2” (PopCap/Electronic Arts), “The Room Two” (Fireproof Games), and “SteamWorld Dig” (Image & Form).

Recognizing Visual Art and Narrative

The “Best Visual Art” category honors games with outstanding visual aesthetics:

  • BioShock Infinite (Irrational Games/2K Games)
  • DmC (Ninja Theory/Capcom)
  • The Last Of Us (Naughty Dog/Sony)
  • Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch (Level 5/Namco Bandai)
  • Tearaway (Media Molecule/Sony)

Honorable mentions for this category include “Don’t Starve” (Klei Entertainment), “Grand Theft Auto V” (Rockstar North/Rockstar Games), “Papers, Please” (Lucas Pope), “Puppeteer” (SCE Japan/Sony), “Ryse: Son Of Rome” (Crytek/Microsoft), and “Wonderful 101” (Platinum Games/Nintendo).

The “Best Narrative” category celebrates games with compelling stories:

  • Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons (Starbreeze/505 Games)
  • Gone Home (The Fullbright Company)
  • The Last Of Us (Naughty Dog/Sony)
  • Tomb Raider (Crystal Dynamics/Square Enix)
  • The Stanley Parable (Galactic Cafe)

Honorable mentions for this category include “Attack Of The Friday Monsters” (Millennium Kitchen/Level 5), “BioShock Infinite” (Irrational Games/2K Games), “The Cave” (DoubleFine Games), “Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch” (Level 5/Namco Bandai), and “Shadowrun Returns” (Harebrained Schemes).

Outstanding Audio and Downloadable Games

The “Best Audio” category recognizes games with exceptional sound design:

  • BioShock Infinite (Irrational Games/2K Games)
  • Forza Motorsport 5 (Turn 10 Studios/Microsoft Games)
  • Grand Theft Auto V (Rockstar North/Rockstar Games)
  • Saints Row IV (Volition/Deep Silver)
  • Tearaway (Media Molecule/Sony)

Honorable mentions for this category include “Animal Crossing: New Leaf” (Nintendo EAD/Nintendo), “Battlefield 4” (DICE/Electronic Arts), “Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon” (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft), “Gone Home” (The Fullbright Company), and “Metro: Last Light” (4A Games/Deep Silver).

The “Best Downloadable Game” category celebrates outstanding games available for download:

  • Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons (Starbreeze/505 Games)
  • Gone Home (The Fullbright Company)
  • Papers, Please (Lucas Pope)
  • Resogun (Housemarque/Sony)
  • The Stanley Parable (Galactic Cafe)

Honorable mentions for this category include “Guacamelee” (DrinkBox Studios), “Gunpoint” (Suspicious Developments), “State Of Decay” (Undead Labs), “SteamWorld Dig” (Image & Form), “TowerFall” (Matt Thorson/Miniboss/Alec Holowka), and “The Wolf Among Us” (Telltale Games).

Recognizing Technological Achievements

The “Best Technology” category honors games that demonstrate technological excellence:

  • Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
  • Grand Theft Auto V (Rockstar North/Rockstar Games)
  • The Last Of Us (Naughty Dog/Sony)
  • Killzone: Shadow Fall (Guerrilla Games/Sony)
  • Tearaway (Media Molecule/Sony)

Honorable mentions for this category include “Battlefield 4” (DICE/Electronic Arts), “DOTA 2” (Valve), “Forza Motorsport 5” (Turn 10 Studios/Microsoft Games), “Metro: Last Light” (4A Games/Deep Silver), and “Tomb Raider” (Crystal Dynamics/Square Enix).

Our Take

These awards hold significant value as they reflect the opinions of game development industry professionals themselves. They provide a unique perspective on the quality of each other’s projects. As avid gamers ourselves, we always find it fascinating to see what creators think of their peers’ work.

FAQs

Q: When and where will the Game Developers Choice Awards be presented?
A: The awards ceremony will take place on March 19th at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

Q: Who nominates and selects the winners for the Game Developers Choice Awards?
A: The nominations are submitted by members of the game development industry, and the final winners are selected by the International Choice Awards Network.

Q: Which games received the most nominations?
A: “The Last of Us,” “Tearaway,” and “Gone Home” received multiple nominations each, making them the top contenders for this year’s awards. Nintendo also had several games nominated.

Q: Are there any honorable mentions in each category?
A: Yes, each category includes honorable mentions for games that didn’t make the final shortlist but still deserve recognition.

Q: What is the significance of the Game Developers Choice Awards?
A: These awards are highly regarded in the gaming industry and provide recognition for outstanding achievements in game development.

Conclusion

The Game Developers Choice Awards nominations for 2013 highlight the exceptional games of that year. The awards hold a special place in the industry, as they are based on the opinions and votes of game development professionals. The winners, to be announced at the awards ceremony, will represent the best of the best in gaming.