This evening in Las Vegas, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), a non-profit organization which is dedicated to the advancement and recognition of interactive arts, celebrated the 22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. This year, recognizing 23 separate awards categories, Sony’s God of War came up big, taking home the most accolades with nine total awards, including the prestigious Game of the Year.
Additionally, the D.I.C.E awards recognized Bonnie Ross, Microsoft Corporate Vice President and head of 343 Industries, which is responsible for the Halo series, by inducting her into the Academy’s Hall of Fame. According to AIAS, Bonnie Ross has been integral to navigating the Halo franchise to continuing its record sales – $6 billion in worldwide sales to date – all while being a stalwart figure in the gaming industry, being a key voice promoting STEM and diversity efforts in the gaming industry.
“Tonight, at the 22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the interactive entertainment industry gathered together from all over the world to celebrate their trailblazers – the very best in video games and the teams who – with their amazing talent and vision – have created boundary defying experiences that have captivated global audiences,” said Meggan Scavio, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences said via a press release. “On behalf of the Academy, I congratulate not only this year’s incredible nominees, but the esteemed winners chosen by their peers.”
Other winners on the evening include Fortnite for Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay, Celeste for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game, and Beat Saber winning the Immersive Reality Game of the Year. The D.I.C.E. Awards nominees are evaluated and played by members of the Academy’s peer panels. According to the AIAS, “winners are determined as part of a confidential voting process,” however the list of all peer panelist is made public.
Below is the full list of winners at tonight’s show. Do you agree with the academy’s choices? Let us know in the comments below.
Game of the Year
God of War
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio
Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction
God of War
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design
God of War
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio
Portable Game of the Year
Florence
- Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
- Developer: Mountains
Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game
Celeste
- Publisher: Matt Makes Games
- Developer: Matt Makes Games
Immersive Reality Game of the Year
Beat Saber
- Publisher: Beat Games
- Developer: Beat Games
Immersive Reality Technical Achievement
Tónandi
- Publisher: Magic Leap
- Developer: Magic Leap and Sigur Rós
Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay
Fortnite
- Publisher: Epic Games
- Developer: Epic Games
Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
Into the Breach
- Publisher: Subset Games
- Developer: Subset Games
Sports Game of the Year
Mario Tennis Aces
- Publisher: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
- Developer: Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Camelot Co. Ltd.
Role-Playing Game of the Year
Monster Hunter: World
- Publisher: CAPCOM
- Developer: CAPCOM
Racing Game of the Year
Forza Horizon 4
- Publisher: Microsoft Studios
- Developer: Playground Games
Fighting Game of the Year
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Publisher: Nintendo of America
- Developer: Nintendo, Sora Ltd., and BANDAI NAMCO Studios Inc.
Family Game of the Year
Unravel Two
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Developer: ColdWood Interactive
Adventure Game of the Year
God of War
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio
Action Game of the Year
Celeste
- Publisher: Matt Makes Games
- Developer: Matt Makes Games
Outstanding Technical Achievement
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Developer: Rockstar Games
Outstanding Achievement in Story
God of War
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design
God of War
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
God of War
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio
Outstanding Achievement in Character
God of War – Kratos
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio
Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
God of War
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio
Outstanding Achievement in Animation
Marvel’s Spider-Man
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: Insomniac Games
