[GDC09] Game Developers' Choice Awards - The Winners
By Jessica Citizen - Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:33am
Steven recently told us about the Tim Schafer flash game, where you play as Schafer himself, getting ready to host the Game Developers' Choice Awards. While this is a pretty enjoyable little thing in the privacy of your own home, it gets a bit weird when it's splashed up on a big screen at the actual awards ceremony, which is about to be hosted by none other than Tim Schafer.
Earlier this evening, as part of GDC 09, the second half of awards night kicked off in style, with a joke about organ harvesting. While this may have been the first surprise of the evening, it wasn't the last, with fan favourite Braid nominated for a variety of prizes, but then watching LittleBigPlanet scoop the pool.
GAME OF THE YEAR NOMINEE: Fable II
GAME OF THE YEAR NOMINEE: LittleBigPlanet
This award was given out by industry veteran David Perry, who told us the story of a friend of his, who one day told him "Dave, I think I can get students and gamers out to watch an orchestra..."
This friend was Tommy Tallarico, who has indeed gotten students and gamers out to watch an orchestra, as part of his brainchild, Video Games Live. Today, he dedicates his life to the video games industry, and has changed it for the better.
Tommy says: "My whole life, my two greatest loves were video games and music."
When he was ten years old, he recalls heading down to the local video game arcade with his cassette recorder, and taping his favourite video game music from the machines. Then, he'd go home and repeat the process on their home computer. Finally, he'd splice it all together and put on "live concerts" for neighbourhood kids, charging them a nickel to come and watch him rockin' out on the air guitar in front of the tape deck, playing these compilations of video game tunes.
Today, he's working on a somewhat grander scale, and comments that Video Games Live has helped people realise the impact that gamers and game developers have had on the rest of the world. He recounted a story where recently he was in France, with Michel Ancel from Ubisoft. Michel didn't want to go on stage, because he didn't think anybody would recognise him or want to see him. Tommy convinced him to step into the spotlight and be introduced, and Michel had tears in his eyes as the crowd went wild for the creator of Rayman.
Presented by Nana On Sha's Masaya Matsuura, this goes to a company started in 1995, with the idea that "non-musicians should be able to experience the joy of making music". This company was Harmonix, and co-founders Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy take the stage. Among other things, they wanted to thank the games industry for being so supportive of them in the early days, back with their odd little game called Frequency right up until today. "What's so special about this award for us is to be recognised by our peers," they say.
They also commented on how amazing it was to be accepting an award from Masaya, who created Parappa the Rapper back in the day. The most important thing that Harmonix would like to accomplish in their time is to inspire some young, upcoming game developer in the same way that Nana On Sha did for them, 14 years ago.
Excitingly, their parting words: "The pioneering's not over yet."
GAME OF THE YEAR NOMINEE: Fallout 3
GAME OF THE YEAR NOMINEE: Left 4 Dead
This was awarded to a developer who was nearly sacked for not shipping any games in his new job. He was given one more chance - and the end result was Solid Snake. How close we came to never knowing the talent that is Hideo Kojima!
He is very humble, explaining that he was going to give his speech entirely in English, but felt that he might make mistakes - and as he doesn't want to be on YouTube for the next century, he prepared something earlier so he could read it instead. He summed it all up very nicely, too: "I don't plan to retire just yet!" - there's still too much that he wants to do... like directing a film! writing a novel! creating more games!
GAME OF THE YEAR NOMINEE: Grand Theft Auto IV
...and finally, it's time for the big one:
Developer Todd Howard and other members of the Fallout 3 team take the stage to give their thanks to everybody. Todd himself has been to 15 GDC, for as long as he's been with Bethesda - he never thought he'd be on stage accepting this award!
In addition to thanking family, friends, other random team members, Bethesda mentioned their appreciation for the personal chef who makes them lunch every day. Apparently, the cajun salmon with rice is pretty darn tasty!
Todd also explained that his wife and children would take family holidays without him, due to working long hours at the developer table. One trip he remembers her commenting as she hugged him goodbye - "This game better be really good!" ...and lo, it looks like it was!
Finally, Bethesda closed on an anticipatory note: "All I can say is: The best is yet to come."
...somehow, I don't think he was talking about the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Trailer, but that might just be it.
Earlier this evening, as part of GDC 09, the second half of awards night kicked off in style, with a joke about organ harvesting. While this may have been the first surprise of the evening, it wasn't the last, with fan favourite Braid nominated for a variety of prizes, but then watching LittleBigPlanet scoop the pool.
While most people would be pleased with this sort of award, there was something about it that didn't sit right with Media Molecule. I quote: "Best Debut? We've been doing this s**t for 20 years, man..."Best Debut Game
Braid
LittleBigPlanet
Sins of a Solar Empire
World of Goo
Soul Bubbles
WINNER: LittleBigPlanet
GAME OF THE YEAR NOMINEE: Fable II
According to composer Jason Graves, this is "the most challenging and rewarding project" he's ever worked on - and he's been in the industry a while. Other members of the audio crew described the title as "a sound-designer's dream game".Best Audio
Dead Space
LittleBigPlanet
Metal Gear Solid 4
Left 4 Dead
Gears of War 2
WINNER: Dead Space
"Like a childhood dream come true. I'm so happy to be a part of this game development community..." You could be forgiven for thinking that Media Molecule were getting a bit misty-eyed, until they continued, explaining that "this game development community" is actually "a bunch of intelligent... ugly... autistic people" who are somehow able to make it work - a lot.Best Game Design
Far Cry 2
Braid
Fallout 3
Left 4 Dead
LittleBigPlanet
WINNER: LittleBigPlanet
Judging by the responses of the people around me, this was not the expected response - but a pleasant surprise nonetheless. As 2D Boy commented - this is a "win for the indies!".Best Downloadable Game
Castle Crashers
Braid
World of Goo
N+
PixelJunk Eden
WINNER: World of Goo
This was another almost-surprising win, I know I was expecting it to go to one of the more artistic releases rather than this one, but the crowd seemed pleased.Best Handheld Game
Patapon
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
God of War: Chains of Olympus
echochrome
The World Ends With You
WINNER: God of War: Chains of Olympus
GAME OF THE YEAR NOMINEE: LittleBigPlanet
Ambassador of the Year
This award was given out by industry veteran David Perry, who told us the story of a friend of his, who one day told him "Dave, I think I can get students and gamers out to watch an orchestra..."
This friend was Tommy Tallarico, who has indeed gotten students and gamers out to watch an orchestra, as part of his brainchild, Video Games Live. Today, he dedicates his life to the video games industry, and has changed it for the better.
Tommy says: "My whole life, my two greatest loves were video games and music."
When he was ten years old, he recalls heading down to the local video game arcade with his cassette recorder, and taping his favourite video game music from the machines. Then, he'd go home and repeat the process on their home computer. Finally, he'd splice it all together and put on "live concerts" for neighbourhood kids, charging them a nickel to come and watch him rockin' out on the air guitar in front of the tape deck, playing these compilations of video game tunes.
Today, he's working on a somewhat grander scale, and comments that Video Games Live has helped people realise the impact that gamers and game developers have had on the rest of the world. He recounted a story where recently he was in France, with Michel Ancel from Ubisoft. Michel didn't want to go on stage, because he didn't think anybody would recognise him or want to see him. Tommy convinced him to step into the spotlight and be introduced, and Michel had tears in his eyes as the crowd went wild for the creator of Rayman.
Again, this one was a bit of a shock to the people sitting around me. I'm not sure if it's because they expected Braid to win, or if perhaps GTA 4 has a better storyline, or maybe Metal Gear - but the prize went to Bethesda. The developer got up on stage and dedicated the award to "all the nerds growing up in Boston". He advised them to not get into hockey or little league, but instead to stay at home and play DnD - "it'll all work out".Best Writing
Far Cry 2
Braid
Fallout 3
Grand Theft Auto IV
Metal Gear Solid 4
WINNER: Fallout 3
You have to love a winner who apologises to the other nominees. Media Molecule admitted that there was a lot of great technology out there this year, and they were very proud to have won in this category.Best Technology
Spore
Grand Theft Auto IV
Left 4 Dead
LittleBigPlanet
Gears of War 2
WINNER: LittleBigPlanet
Finally, after several disappointments, people are really very pleased with this result! The art director, Michael Labat, couldn't make it to GDC, so the game's producer, Ben Matteis, accepted the award in his stead. Apparently, when asked for a speech, the director replied "Just thank the team... basically that's it..." - but Mr. Producer took the opportunity to deliver a personal message in response: "Now do you believe that what you did was actually f**king incredible, because everybody else in this room obviously does!"Best Visual Art
Fallout 3
Metal Gear Solid 4
Prince of Persia
LittleBigPlanet
Gears of War 2
WINNER: Prince of Persia
Pioneer Award
Presented by Nana On Sha's Masaya Matsuura, this goes to a company started in 1995, with the idea that "non-musicians should be able to experience the joy of making music". This company was Harmonix, and co-founders Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy take the stage. Among other things, they wanted to thank the games industry for being so supportive of them in the early days, back with their odd little game called Frequency right up until today. "What's so special about this award for us is to be recognised by our peers," they say.
They also commented on how amazing it was to be accepting an award from Masaya, who created Parappa the Rapper back in the day. The most important thing that Harmonix would like to accomplish in their time is to inspire some young, upcoming game developer in the same way that Nana On Sha did for them, 14 years ago.
Excitingly, their parting words: "The pioneering's not over yet."
GAME OF THE YEAR NOMINEE: Fallout 3
Again, Media Molecule looked a little uncomfortable being on stage again. This time around, they referenced the earlier Indie Games awards, particularly the "inspiring" winners in the Innovation category. In case you were wondering, by the way - the secret to LBP's success: Trust. "We just let people get on with it, and make this game."Innovation Award
Spore
World of Goo
Boom Blox
Braid
LittleBigPlanet
WINNER: LittleBigPlanet
GAME OF THE YEAR NOMINEE: Left 4 Dead
Lifetime Achievement Award
This was awarded to a developer who was nearly sacked for not shipping any games in his new job. He was given one more chance - and the end result was Solid Snake. How close we came to never knowing the talent that is Hideo Kojima!
He is very humble, explaining that he was going to give his speech entirely in English, but felt that he might make mistakes - and as he doesn't want to be on YouTube for the next century, he prepared something earlier so he could read it instead. He summed it all up very nicely, too: "I don't plan to retire just yet!" - there's still too much that he wants to do... like directing a film! writing a novel! creating more games!
GAME OF THE YEAR NOMINEE: Grand Theft Auto IV
...and finally, it's time for the big one:
Game of the Year Award 2009
Fallout 3
)
)
)
Developer Todd Howard and other members of the Fallout 3 team take the stage to give their thanks to everybody. Todd himself has been to 15 GDC, for as long as he's been with Bethesda - he never thought he'd be on stage accepting this award!
In addition to thanking family, friends, other random team members, Bethesda mentioned their appreciation for the personal chef who makes them lunch every day. Apparently, the cajun salmon with rice is pretty darn tasty!
Todd also explained that his wife and children would take family holidays without him, due to working long hours at the developer table. One trip he remembers her commenting as she hugged him goodbye - "This game better be really good!" ...and lo, it looks like it was!
Finally, Bethesda closed on an anticipatory note: "All I can say is: The best is yet to come."
...somehow, I don't think he was talking about the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Trailer, but that might just be it.
More News
Suggest News
RSS Feeds
Digest Subscriptions
