G4, the Comcast-owned TV network about video games and the gamer lifestyle, announced the winners of its first video game “Glow Awards” July 30, 2003 at G-Phoria, the network's location-based and televised mega-event held at the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood, celebrating the massive phenomenon of video games. Presented by EB Games and Jeep, the show was hosted by actor/comedian Jamie Kennedy, who announced awards in key categories. A 90-minute special taped at G-Phoria airs on G4 August 8 at 8:00 pm.
"With G-Phoria, the video game phenomenon swept into Hollywood, and G4 had a blast partying all night with celebrities and industry elite at the first video-game celebration of its kind," said G4 founder/ceo Charles Hirschhorn. "The success of G-Phoria is immeasurable for G4, and we look forward to televising the show next week for video game fans across the country."
The G-Phoria gala brought together hundreds of celebrities, video game insiders, journalists and gamers in a mammoth celebration featuring live performances by recording artists Public Enemy and A Flock of Seagulls. Celebrity gamers Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan, Tony Hawk, Jenna Jameson, Hal Sparks, David Gallagher, Gena Lee Nolin, Traci Bingham, Colin Hanks, Brande Roderick, Hayden Panetierre, Shaun Murray and Mia St. John participated in the festivities and enjoyed exclusive previews of some of the industry's hottest upcoming game titles
GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE CITY was the biggest winner of the evening, taking off with Glow Awards for Best Soundtrack and Game of the Year. Additionally, the EB Gamers Choice Award, voted on by gamers at EB Games' 800 stores nationwide, was presented to GRAND THEFT AUTO by legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk. Actors Jenna Jameson and Ray Liotta also took home prizes for their work on the game; they were honored with Best Live-Action/Voice Performance Award - Female and Best Live-Action/Voice Performance Award - Male, respectively. Jameson was on hand to accept her award, while Liotta acknowledged his win in a taped acceptance speech.
The Jeep Legend Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the most beloved plumber ever to be rendered in pixels: "Mario" of MARIO BROS. fame. The digitally animated character, who has been appearing in popular Nintendo games since 1982, accepted his award via an animated taped address.
The Glow Awards Nominating Committee, comprised of video game industry leaders, top gaming and entertainment journalists, and celebrities who are also gamers, selected the top five games across 23 categories. Games released between March 2002 and March 2003 were eligible. Final winners were chosen by game fans who voted by visiting
www.g4tv.com , and at G4's "Gamer 4 Life" kiosk at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) convention and trade show in May 2003. The EB Gamers Choice Award was voted on exclusively at EB Games' 800 stores nationwide. EB Games is a presenting sponsor of all G-Phoria programming.
Two unique Jeep vehicles were on display at G-Phoria: the "Lara Croft Rubicon" and the "G4 Gamer Mobile." The Lara Croft Rubicon is a special edition production vehicle made in conjunction with the film LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER 2: THE CRADLE OF LIFE. The G4 Gamer Mobile, which is appearing at various Jeep-sponsored events across the country -- including Lollapalooza -- is a customized, one-of-a-kind vehicle featuring working Xbox, GameCube and PlayStation 2 consoles.
G4 is the Comcast-owned 24-hour, seven-day-a-week television network dedicated to the world of video games. Targeted to young adults 12-34, G4 is committed to creating a lifestyle brand that is the premier source of entertainment, news and information about electronic games, including video, computer, online and wireless platforms. G4 has distribution to approximately 11 million cable homes on Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Insight and Mediacom systems. For more information visit
www.g4tv.com .
The full list of Glow Award winners follows.
BEST ADAPTATION
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS, Electronic Arts
BEST BRAWL
MORTAL KOMBAT: DEADLY ALLIANCE, Midway
BEST CINEMATIC
WARCRAFT III: REIGN OF CHAOS, Blizzard Entertainment
BEST GRAPHICS
TOM CLANCY'S SPLINTER CELL, Ubi Soft Entertainment
HANDHELD/MOBILE GAME
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST/FOUR SWORDS, Nintendo
BEST LIVE ACTION/VOICE PERFORMANCE - FEMALE
Jenna Jameson/GRANDTHEFT AUTO: VICE CITY, Rockstar Games
BEST LIVE ACTION/VOICE PERFORMANCE - MALE
Ray Liotta/GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE CITY, Rockstar Games
BEST ONLINE GAME
BATTLEFIELD 1942, Electronic Arts
BEST REVIVAL
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: THE WIND WAKER, Nintendo
BEST ROOKIE GAME
TOM CLANCY'S SPLINTER CELL, Ubi Soft Entertainment
BEST SOUNDTRACK
GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE CITY, Rockstar Games
BEST SPORTS GAME
MADDEN NFL 2003, Electronic Arts
BEST STORY
KINGDOM HEARTS, Square Electronic Arts
BEST VILLAIN
GANON/THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: THE WIND WAKER, Nintendo
BEST WEAPON
LIGHT SABER/STAR WARS JEDI KNIGHT II: JEDI OUTCAST, LucasArts
CHARACTER YOU'D MOST LIKE TO BE
DANTE/DEVIL MAY CRY 2, CAPCOM
COOLEST CHEAT/EASTER EGG
Unlock original game/PANZER DRAGOON, SEGA
EB GAMERS CHOICE AWARD
GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE CITY, Rockstar Games
GAME OF THE YEAR
GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE CITY, Rockstar Games
GUILTIEST PLEASURE
DEAD OR ALIVE XTREME BEACH VOLLEYBALL, Tecmo
HOTTEST CHARACTER
Tina/DEAD OR ALIVE XTREME BEACH VOLLEYBALL, Tecmo
MOST ANNOYING CHARACTER
Zill, the snot-nosed kid/THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: THE WIND WAKER, Nintendo
MOST INNOVATIVE GAME
ANIMAL CROSSING, Nintendo
MOST UNDERRATED GAME
SUPER MARIO SUNSHINE, Nintendo
