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GDC Awards in the shadow of the Colossus

Christopher Grant
Updated ·2 min read


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.



Innovation

  • Guitar Hero

  • Nintendogs

  • Shadow of the Colossus



New Studio

  • ArenaNet (Guild Wars)

  • Double Fine Productions (Psychonauts) (Tim Schafer pictured above)

  • New Crayon Games (Bonnie's Bookstore)

  • TellTale Games (Bone: Out From Boneville)

  • Wideload Games (Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse)

Writing

  • Freedom Force vs. The 3rd Reich

  • God of War

  • Indigo Prophecy

  • Jade Empire

  • Psychonauts (winner)



Game Design

  • Animal Crossing: Wild World

  • God of War

  • Nintendogs

  • Psychonauts

  • Shadow of the Colossus (winner)

"The Maverick award recognizes the current achievements of a developer who exhibits independence in thought and action while experimenting with alternate/emerging forms of digital games." Presented by Masaya Matsuura to the Guitar Hero team.

Audio

  • Call of Duty 2

  • Electroplankton

  • God of War

  • Guitar Hero (winner)

  • Project Gotham Racing 3



Character Design

  • City of Villians

  • God of War

  • Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath

  • Psychonauts

  • Shadow of the Colossus (winner)



"The First Penguin award looks back to the industry's history to recognize the bravery of a developer who tested the proverbial "waters," uncertain of success or failure." Awarded to Will Crowther and Don Woods, creators of the original adventure game, Adventure. (Don Woods pictured above).

Technology

  • Battlefield 2: Modern Combat

  • Guitar Hero

  • Nintendogs (winner)

  • Project Gotham Racing 3

  • Shadow of the Colossus



Visual Arts

  • God of War

  • Project Gotham Racing 3

  • Resident Evil 4

  • Shadow of the Colossus (winner)

  • We Love Katamari


"The Community Contribution award embodies the goals of the IGDA and recognizes the significant contributions that an individual has made in building community, sharing knowledge, speaking on behalf of developers and/or contributing to the art form of game development." Presented by Valve's Gabe Newell to Chris Hecker.

"The Lifetime Achievement award recognizes the career and achievements of a developer who has made an indelible impact on the craft of game development and games as a whole." Presented by last year's recipient, Eugene Jarvis, to Ultima creator Richard Garriott.


Best Game

  • Animal Crossing: Wild World

  • God of War

  • Guitar Hero

  • Shadow of the Colossus (winner)

  • The Movies


Congratulations to all the winners (like Shadow of the Colossus' Fumito Ueda pictured above). If you haven't played any of these games, you might want to save your allowance money. Psychonauts could use the sales. Seriously, buy it.