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XBLA Awards: Braid can't rewind loss to Castle Crashers
Castle Crashers recovered from a 4-month gimp to be crowned the Xbox Live Arcade "Game of the Year" in the second annual community voting awards. Somewhat surprisingly, Castle Crashers also managed to nab "Best Co-op Mode" despite being virtually unplayable online for four out of its seven months in release. On its way to top honors, The Behemoth's beat-em-up notably beat out its fellow indie nominee, Braid, which was famously dismissed by an American youth spokesperson.Braid's losing streak continued in the "Best Single Player Game" category, which was claimed by Orange Box cutout Portal: Still Alive (oh right, it has "exclusive" challenge maps), but Jonathan Blow's timeless effort did mange to win "Best Innovation" amid stiff competition. (We were certain Kefling's innovative "use of Avatars" was a shoo-in.)The complete list of awards and recipients is posted after the break.
Xbox Live Arcade Awards voting kicks off March 3
Oscars, Schmoscars. Microsoft is letting Xbox Live users cast their votes for the best Xbox Live Arcade games of 2008 starting on March 3. Foregoing any sort of web-based ballot, votes will be cast from within the New Xbox Experience's Spotlight Channel. Voting will wrap up on Tuesday, March 10, with users permitted to change their votes -- but not vote multiple times -- as often as they'd like, up to that point.Have a look at the full list of categories and nominees (your "sample ballot," if you will) after the break.
GDC08: Bomberman & Pac-Man win big at XBLA Awards
Keeping to their word, Microsoft just announced at GDC the winners of the first annual Xbox Live Arcade Awards and man oh man did Bomberman Live and Pac-Man: Championship Edition win big. Out of the ten award categories, six category winners were chosen by the Xbox Live community who voted online this past January. And after the votes were tallied, Bomberman Live ended up being the big winner taking home the coveted Best Overall Arcade Game of 2007 as well as Best Competitive Multiplayer Game. Pac-Man: CE also came out on top, nabbing Best Original Game, Best Family-Friendly Game and Xbox LIVE Arcade Staff Choice honors. So, between Bomberman and Pac-Man, they took home half of all the awards. Not too shabby. After the break, check out all of 2007's top XBLA Award winners for each of the ten categories. And be sure to begin preparation for 2008's XBLA Awards, we have a feeling that the competition is going to be fierce.
Microsoft announces Xbox Live Arcade Awards
Considering the glut of game of the year distinctions – best game fueled by Dew, for example – Microsoft figured one more wouldn't hurt and so, without further ado, we introduce the Xbox Live Arcade Awards! There's no fancy panels or sponsored awards here, it's all powered by the sweat of the people. Want to affect change in the well-appointed corner offices of corporate America? Let them know what XBLA games stood out in 2007!Though they say voting doesn't begin until 5am Joystiq Time tomorrow morning, we didn't have any trouble making our voices heard in categories like "Best Competitive Multiplayer Game" (Carcassone!) and "Best Original Game" (Pac-Man CE!) right now. You've only got until next Wednesday when they'll cut off access to the polls, tally our feedback and announce a winner at the Game Developers Conference next month. How does that sound, tovarish?
XBLA Awards to award games that deserve awards
Today, Microsoft announced and launched the first annual Xbox Live Arcade Awards, where they're asking the community to help determine the best of the Arcade. The 2007 XBLA Awards are broken down into six categories that can be voted on by the community (yes, even you) over on Xbox.com and four categories that are industry only votes. Then, come February at the Game Developer's Conference, Microsoft will announce the XBLA winners, confetti cannons will shoot and we'll get a chance to see XBLA developers get teary eyed on the award stage. That is if there is a stage to weep on. The voting booth is only open until January 30th and you get to choose the best of the XBLA best. Go vote, your voice must be heard!
