With a little over two weeks until the annual awards ceremony, the nominations for 2013’s VGX —previously known as the Spike Video Game Awards— have been announced. The selection includes some of the year’s heaviest hitters, such as Grand Theft Auto V, while recognising the talent behind the pixels with nods to studios like Naughty Dog and The Fullbright Company rounding off the list.
You can check out the full, council-voted list below or, to have your voice heard, head on over to the company’s website to choose the most anticipated game of 2014.
Game of the Year
- BioShock Infinite
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Super Mario 3D World
- The Last of Us
- Tomb Raider
Studio of the Year
- Irrational Games
- Naughty Dog
- Rockstar North
- The Fullbright Company
Most Anticipated Game (voted on by fans)
- Destiny
- Titanfall
- South Park: The Stick of Truth
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Watch Dogs
Best Shooter
- Battlefield 4
- BioShock Infinite
- Call of Duty: Ghosts
- Metro: Last Light
Best Independent Game
- Gone Home
- Kentucky Route Zero
- Papers, Please
- The Stanley Parable
Best Action Adventure Game
- Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
- Grand Theft Auto V
- The Last of Us
- Tomb Raider
Best Sports Game
- FIFA 14
- MLB 13: The Show
- NBA 2K14
- NHL 14
Best RPG
- Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
- Fire Emblem: Awakening
- Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
- Pokemon X/Y
Best Fighting Game
- Divekick
- Injustice: Gods Among Us
- Killer Instinct
- Tekken Revolution
Best Driving Game
- F1 2013
- Grid 2
- Forza Motorsport 5
- Need for Speed Rivals
Best DLC
- Borderlands 2: Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep
- Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall
- Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
- Mast Effect 3: Citadel
Best Xbox Game
- BioShock Infinite
- Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Tomb Raider
Best PlayStation Game
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Rayman Legends
- The Last of Us
- Tomb Raider
Best Nintendo Game
- Pikmin 3
- Rayman Legends
- Super Mario 3D World
- The Wonderful 101
Best PC Game
- Battlefield 4
- Gone Home
- Papers, Please
- The Stanley Parable
Best Handheld Game
- Animal Crossing: New Leaf
- Pokemon X/Y
- Tearaway
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Best Casual Game
- Animal Crossing: New Leaf
- Disney Infinity
- Plants vs. Zombies 2
- Skylanders Swap Force
Best Voice Actor
- Troy Baker (as Joel in The Last of Us)
- Troy Baker (as Booker DeWitt in BioShock Infinite)
- Steven Ogg (as Trevor Philips in Grand Theft Auto V)
- Willem Dafoe (as Nathan Dawkins in Beyond: Two Souls)
Best Voice Actress
- Ashley Johnson (as Ellie in The Last of Us)
- Courtnee Draper (as Elizabeth in BioShock Infinite)
- Camilla Luddington (as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider)
- Ellen Page (as Jodie Holmes in Beyond: Two Souls)
Best Soundtrack
- BioShock Infinite
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
- The Last of Us
Best Song in a Game
- “A.D.H.D.” performed by Kendrick Lamar (Grand Theft Auto V)
- “Sleepwalking” performed by The Chain Gang of 1974 (Grand Theft Auto V)
- “Survival” performed by Eminem (Call of Duty: Ghosts)
- “Will the Circle be Unbroken” performed by Courtnee Draper & Troy Baker (BioShock Infinite)
As we expected, BioShock Infinite, The Last of Us and Grand Theft Auto V are the three titles getting the most recognition in critical circles, gaining seven nominations a piece. Having said that, it’s great to see Crystal Dynamic’s bold Tomb Raider reboot make the cut for the Game of the Year category (which may make an appearance on next-gen consoles in the form of a Definitive Edition).
In terms of the other entries, critical darling Gone Home scored a trio of nominations, with The Fullbright Company’s subversive first-person title represented in Best Independent Game, Best PC Game and Studio of the Year; whereas Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe were nominated in the voice acting categories for their roles in Quantic Dreams’ supernatural adventure, Beyond: Two Souls. Additionally, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch gained a deserved nod in the soundtrack category.
The VGX 2013 will take place on Saturday, December 7th and will be live streamed through the company’s website and a range of apps. Having seen this year’s nominations, are there any games you feel should have made the cut? Indeed do you think we’ll see a Phantom Pain-esque tease at the event? Give us your thoughts below.
