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A look back at GDC 2007
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/A_look_back_at_GDC_2007_just_in_time_for_GDC08'; Next week, the Joystiq crew will pack their precious belongings (a laptop, some clothes, and a towel) before flying off to the 2008 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. So now seems about as good a time as any to reflect back on last year's GDC for a taste of what's to come. Sure, there's a dearth of playable demos when compared to E3 or TGS, but what other trade show can say they redefined the role of adhesive in internet conversations?Keep reading for our remembrances of the keynotes (what's Game 3.0 again?), last year's big news (Harmonix and EA are doing what?), the sessions and interviews (the Wii is how many Gamecubes duct-taped together?), and the whole culture of GDC (Miyamoto made quite a splash).
Pac-Man CE nominated for 2008 GDCAs
Please, step back in time with us. Let's say it's February 2007, one year ago. A bedraggled, foul smelling man, wearing a sign that reads "The End is Nigh," approaches you and grabs you violently by the collar. He leans in close, his sour whisky breath burning your nostrils, and whispers, "One year from now, Pac-Man will be nominated for a Game Developers Choice Award!" The breath is so strong that you shut your eyes tight. Upon reopening them, the man is gone. You question your sanity, wondering if he was even real. A Pac-Man game nominated in 2008? Preposterous!Rest assured, he was real, and he was right. Namco Bandai Games have announced that Pac-Man Championship Edition, released in June 2007, has been nominated for Best Downloadable Game in the eighth annual Game Developers Choice Awards, which are set to take place during the Game Developers Conference later this month. Best Downloadable Game of 2009? Dig Dug. You heard it here first.
Super Mario Galaxy gets a few GDCA nods
It's nice when your peers recognize your work. So, Miyamoto and co. must be beaming with happiness to hear that Super Mario Galaxy got the nod in several categories for the Game Developer's Choice Awards. If our opinion means anything (it doesn't), we liked the game a lot.Overall, Super Mario Galaxy gets its hat tossed into two categories, although many* might consider them to be the best two categories: Best Game Design and Game of the Year. It's up against some tough competition, however, as undersea romp Bioshock and Portal, which has seemed to help pie's ugly cousin cake propel itself into the stratosphere of popularity, will undoubtedly give Mario a run for his coin (or stars).Head past the break for all of the nominees.%Gallery-4735%
Portal, BioShock lead Game Developers Choice Awards noms
Wait! Before you flip your desk over in a fit of disgust, give us just one minute to talk you down, okay? First, that's a really nice desk (is that mahagony?) and we wouldn't want you to pull something flipping it over. Second, these aren't just any Game of the Year awards. Yes, fine, we did say the same exact thing yesterday about the Game Critics Awards but these are different. These awards are determined by designers themselves so, if you want an inside peek into the cheek-slapping that goes on in the virtual locker room we call "the game industry," then you'll want to read this post.There, you're still with us? To be honest, we really wanted to share the nominations with you because they reminded us of something ... what was it again? Oh, that's right, Joystiq's own totally definitive Game of the Year awards. You know why? Not simply because game developers – the people that actually hand carve every game you enjoy so much – had the audacity, the temerity even, to include Portal (note: not The Orange Box) as the most nominated game (a distinction it shares with BioShock) but because they also gave Peggle an impressive three nominations. Yeah, the same Peggle some people thought we were crazy for including in our list. Did we really just ask you to read this entire post so we could feel vindicated, our selections having been affirmed by the craftspeople we so admire? ... well, yeah, but we included all of the nominees after the break so you don't feel totally ripped off. We'll be liveblogging the GDCA slash IGF ceremony from GDC so keep your eyes peeled for that.
Mega 64's "ruined" Mario skit
A skit that went great until some guy... Mega64 contributed a few new skits to the Game Developers Choice Awards last week to much applause and laughter, including a pretty poignant piece on Feel the Magic XX / XY (we're still waiting for that one to pop up on the internet). One in particular made the crowd scream more than anything else that night. The YouTube description reads thusly: "A skit that went great until some guy made it all awkward." We won't spoil the rest, so check out the video after the break.
Joystiq not-so-live coverage of the IGF and GDCA awards
6:20 p.m.: The Joystiq crew walks the red carpet, because we're just that important.6:33 p.m.: Gnarls Barkley's cover of the Violent Femmes' "Gone Daddy Gone" is blasting as we find seats in the press section. Cushy seats with recline-able chairs.6:42 pm: Sam and Max introduce the start for the independent games festival. The mention of projectile vomiting is disturbing, but welcoming somehow. 6:43 pm: Jamil Moledina and Simon Carless march onto stage, noting that the show is being broadcast to the entire world. We sense somewhat sinister undertones.
Gears of War takes best game at GDCA, Aquaria wins IGF best game prize
At tonight's Game Developers Choice Awards, Epic Games' Gears of War took home three awards: best technology, visual arts, and the coveted Game of the Year award. On the independent side of things, Bit Blot's Aquaria won the Seumas McNally Grand Prize from the Independent Games Festival.Okami picked up a win in one of the four categories it was nominated in (take that, AIAS). Unfortunately, Loco Roco did not pick up any awards despite two nominations (character design and audio). Independent game Everyday Shooter won two awards and a distribution deal from GameTap.View the full list winners and nominees from both events below.
GDC Awards in the shadow of the Colossus
The 6th Annual Game Developer's Choice Awards were held tonight immediately following the Independent Games Festival awards. While the winners didn't quite match up with our choices, we did manage six out of eight, including Best Game. Shadow of the Colossus took home a total of 5 awards including Best Game, and the critically acclaimed (but commercially ignored) Psychonauts earning 2. Regardless of who won, all of the finalists were exceptional entrants in their respective categories and are worthy of recognition. You can find out more about the Game Developer's Choice Awards at their website or read on for a list of the winners and some select pics of the ceremony.
