Last night in Las Vegas, Nevada, the 14th annual Independent Games Festival and 12th annual GDC Choice Awards took place. The IGF gave out nine awards to independent games, while the Choice Awards was more focused on high-profile releases from throughout 2012.
The Independent Games Festival top award and $30,000 prize went to FEZ, smaller awards went to Dear Esther, Beat Sneak Bandit and Frozen Synapse. The full list of winners can be found below:
- ·Seumas McNally Grand Prize: Fez
- ·Nuovo Award: Storyteller
- ·Excellence in Visual Art: Dear Esther
- ·Technical Excellence: Antichamber
- ·Excellence in Design: Spelunky
- ·Excellence in Audio: Botanicula
- ·Best Mobile Game: Beat Sneak Bandit
- ·Audience Award: Frozen Synapse
- ·Best Student Game: Way
The Choice Awards highlighted 13 of the notable games released in 2012. Game of the Year was awarded to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim while other awards were given to Portal 2, Uncharted 3, Bastion and Battlefield 3. Some developers were also honored: Warren Spector, Dave Theurer, Ken Doroshow and Paul M. Smith. Below is a full list of awards and recipients for the Choice Awards:
- ·Game of the Year: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- ·Innovation Award: Johann Sebastian Joust
- ·Best Debut: Bastion
- ·Best Audio: Portal 2
- ·Best Game Design: Portal 2
- ·Best Technology: Battlefield 3
- ·Best Visual Arts: Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
- ·Best Narrative: Portal 2
- ·Best Downloadable Game: Bastion
- ·Best Handheld/Mobile Game: Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
- ·Lifetime Achievement Award: Warren Spector
- ·Pioneer Award: Dave Theurer
- ·Ambassador Award: Ken Doroshow and Paul M. Smith
[Via IGN}
