The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) has announced the winners of the Game Developers Choice Awards at the 4th annual ceremony during the 2004 Game Developers Conference (GDC). Considered the Pulitzers of interactive entertainment, the Choice Awards are the premier accolades for peer-recognition in game development, celebrating creativity, artistry and technological genius.
STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC was the big winner of the night taking home three prizes, including Game of the Year. Interactive Academy top winner CALL OF DUTY received two prizes tied with PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME.
"There is no greater honor in the game developer community than to be a recipient of a Game Developers Choice Award," said Jason Della Rocca, program director, IGDA. "The accolade is a stamp of excellence, carrying the prestige of taking the videogame industry to a new level."
Four special honors, selected by the Game Developers Choice Awards advisory board, were also presented at the ceremony. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Mark Cerny for his production work on such arcade classic MARBLE MADNESS, and THE CRASH BANDICOOT and RATCHET & CLANK series. First Penguin Award was given to Masaya Matsuura for pioneering beat-rhythm games, with groundbreaking titles like PARAPPA THE RAPPER and UM JAMMER LAMMY. The Maverick Award went to Brian Fiete, Jason Kapalka and John Vechey, the founders of PopCap Games, for bringing casual gaming to mainstream audiences. Finally, the IGDA Award for Community Contribution was awarded to Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk, joint ceos of BioWare Corp., for their contribution to both the developer community and charities at large.
The winners are:
Game of the YearSTAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC (BioWare Corp.)
Original Game Character of the YearHK-47 from STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC
Rookie Studio of the YearInfinity Ward for CALL OF DUTY
Excellence in AudioChuck Russom for sound effects in CALL OF DUTY
Excellence in Game DesignDavid Chateauneuf, Patrice Desilets, Jordan Mechner and team PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME
Excellence in ProgrammingDominic Couture, Feng Quan Wang and team PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME
Excellence in Visual ArtsMasanao Arimoto, Yoshiki Haruhana and Satoru Takizawa THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: THE WIND WAKER
Excellence in WritingDavid Gaider, Drew Karpyshyn, Luke Kristjanson and Peter Thomas STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC
Game Innovation SpotlightsEYETOY: PLAY (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)VIEWTIFUL JOE (Capcom)WARIOWARE INC.: MEGA MICROGAME$ (Nintendo)
The International Game Developers Association is a non-profit membership organization that advocates globally on issues related to digital game creation. The IGDA's mission is to strengthen the international game development community and effect change to benefit that community. For more information, visit www.igda.org or e-mail info@igda.org.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
