Last night, Jay Mohr hosted the Oscars of the video game world, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) Awards. In addition to the sometimes funny material from the emcee, there were some awards given out!
Here are the winners:
Outstanding Achievement In Animation
God Of War III
It’s a bit of a rehashing of previous games, and certainly it’s not meant for kids. But overall, you can’t disagree with climbing around on a Greek god like a rock climber scaling an animated version of the Statue of Liberty.
Outstanding Achievement In Art Direction
Red Dead Redemption
Another violent game definitely not for kids. It was beautiful, however — especially when the protagonist heads to Mexico — so it’s a tough one to disagree with.
Outstanding Achievement In Visual Engineering
Heavy Rain
Though I haven’t yet played this one, I’ve seen the videos and spoken with friends who have, and it’s (yet again) a tough one to challenge. They pushed the PS3′s engine almost as hard as Crysis pushed then “SoTA” PC rigs, in 2007.
Outstanding Achievement In Gameplay Engineering
Red Dead Redemption
See above. Great game — plus, they added zombies in a downloadable add-on. Can’t go wrong with zombies.
Outstanding Achievement In Character Performance
Red Dead Redemption
Yeah, absolutely. Playing the game felt like watching an old Spaghetti Western at times, and just as violent. The character acting was wonderful.
Family Game Of The Year
Dance Central
I’ll just mention that I heartily disagree with this selection and move on. Cosmos Chaos wasn’t available to be nominated for the award because of its publishing date, but thinkSMART was definitely in the running.
Racing Game Of The Year
Need For Speed Hot Pursuit
This must come as a shock to the makers of Gran Turismo, but it might suggest an industry-wide return to the concept of arcade fun rather than “realistic” simulation. We’ll see.
Outstanding Achievement In Story
Mass Effect 2
I suppose so. This might’ve gone to an equally-deserving Red Dead Redemption, or a more esoteric choice like The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom or Limbo, but there’s nothing wrong with Mass Effect 2, here. Again, not for kids though.
Role-Playing/Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year
Mass Effect 2
Again, I guess. They really should separate this category, however.
Outstanding Innovation in Gaming
Heavy Rain
Yes! Brilliant choice here. The story-based gameplay was the best part of Heavy Rain, apparently.
Hall Of Fame Inductees
Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk (BioWare)
Okay.
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
Heavy Rain
Dunno.
Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack
Rock Band 3
Well, if you’re going to give it to a music game… Why not give it to a game with an original score, though?
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design
Limbo
Yes! Huge big win. Limbo deserves so much credit for the sound — it’s creepy, scary, nasty, and spooky all in one. Definitely check this game out before you hand it to your kids, though.
Adventure Game of the Year
Limbo
See above. Amazing game, on the verge of being a bit too spooky for children, though.
Outstanding Achievement in Online Game Play
StarCraft II
Hmm… haven’t played this one yet. I know there’re some violent themes going on here, though, so I’d watch out for that with my kids. Plus: anytime you play a primarily online game, there’re going to be people who yell and swear over the microphones.
Action Game of the Year
Red Dead Redemption
Yep.
Sports Game of the Year
FIFA 11
I loved it, though I think MLB the Show or NBA 2K11 could’ve easily filled in here. Great for kids, too.
Fighting Game of the Year
Super Street Fighter IV
Hyper-stylized violence and over-the-top, cartoonized action. Pretty good game and I can’t think of a better fighting game off the top of my head, but it’s probably not for kids.
Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
StarCraft II
Yeah, not so much. Civilization 5 came out this year as well and, despite its flaws, is a better history-teacher.
Portable Game of the Year
God of War: Ghost Of Sparta
Haven’t played it, but Cosmos Chaos is a portable game. We’d better win that award next year.
Casual Game of the Year
Angry Birds HD
Yes, I suppose it is. Darn those pigs!
Social Networking Game of the Year
CityVille
Ugh. No thanks.
Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction
Red Dead Redemption
Yeah, complete agreement. RDR was this year’s “Titanic.”
And! An imaginary drumroll, please…
Game of the Year
Mass Effect 2
Though we felt that Cosmos Chaos was a shoe-in for game of the year, we weren’t able to qualify the game for this year’s award show because of the publishing time. Next year!
