The 2023 Game Developers Choice Awards honored the best games and developers of the year.
Citizen Sleeper, the indie game from Jump Over The Age, took home the Social Impact Award, while Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarok won multiple categories. The awards show also recognized gaming legend John Romero with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Our analysis of the winners and nominees highlights the significance of each award and provides insights from the developers themselves.
Main winners of GDCA 2023
The 2023 Game Developers Choice Awards took place recently, honoring the best games and developers of the year. The awards show recognized Citizen Sleeper, the indie game from Jump Over The Age, with the Social Impact Award. Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarok were the biggest winners of the night, taking home multiple awards each.
As we’ve seen, the winners of the 2023 Game Developers Choice Awards have been announced, and this year’s lineup is packed with some incredible games across all categories. From Best Debut to Best Technology, Best Visual Art, and Innovation Award, these titles represent the pinnacle of what the gaming industry has to offer.
Everyone is winner
Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout winners from this year’s ceremony:
Best Debut
The Best Debut award recognizes studios that have released their first commercial game in the past year, and this year’s nominees did not disappoint. Ultimately, Neon White from Angel Matrix/Annapurna Interactive was named the winner, but it faced stiff competition from other fantastic games such as NORCO, Stray, TUNIC, and Vampire Survivors.
Best Audio
This award celebrates games that boast exceptional sound design, music, and voice acting, and this year’s lineup did not disappoint. Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarök, Horizon Forbidden West, Metal: Hellsinger, and Stray were all nominated, but in the end, Stray from BlueTwelve Studio/Annapurna Interactive emerged victorious.
Best Design
The Best Design award recognizes games that are exemplary in terms of their gameplay, level design, and mechanics. This year’s nominees included Elden Ring, Marvel Snap, Neon White, Stray, and TUNIC, but it was Neon White from Angel Matrix/Annapurna Interactive that took home the top prize.
Best Narrative
This award celebrates games with exceptional storytelling, writing, and character development. God of War Ragnarök, I Was a Teenage Exocolonist, IMMORTALITY, Pentiment, and Return to Monkey Island were all nominated, but the top prize went to God of War Ragnarök from Santa Monica Studio/Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Best Technology
The Best Technology award recognizes games that push the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of graphics, physics, AI, and other technical aspects. This year’s nominees included A Plague Tale: Requiem, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarök, and Horizon Forbidden West, but it was A Plague Tale: Requiem from Asobo Studio/Focus Entertainment that took home the prize.
Best Visual Art
This award celebrates games with exceptional art direction, animation, and visual effects. Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarök, Horizon Forbidden West, Pentiment, and Stray were all nominated, but it was Elden Ring from FromSoftware Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment that emerged victorious.
Innovation Award
The Innovation Award recognizes games that take risks, challenge conventions, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of gameplay and design. This year’s nominees included Elden Ring, IMMORTALITY, Neon White, Pentiment, and Stray, but it was IMMORTALITY from Sam Barlow/Half Mermaid that won the top prize.
Social Impact Award
This award celebrates games that have a positive impact on society and address important social issues. As Dusk Falls, Citizen Sleeper, Endling – Extinction Is Forever, I Was A Teenage Exocolonist, OlliOlli World, and We Are OFK were all nominated, but Citizen Sleeper from Jump Over The Age/Fellow Traveller took home the top prize.
Game of the Year
This award recognizes the best overall game of the year. Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarök, IMMORTALITY, Pentiment, Stray, and TUNIC were all nominated, but it was Elden Ring from FromSoftware Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment that took home the top prize.
Special shoutout to John Romero
The awards show also recognized gaming legend John Romero with a Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his contributions to the industry over the past few decades. The nominees and other winners were also celebrated, showcasing the diverse and impressive range of games that were released in 2023.
The Game Developers Choice Awards is one of the most prestigious events in the gaming industry, with a long history of honoring the best developers and games of the year. The significance of the awards show lies not only in its ability to recognize excellence but also in its ability to reflect the trends and innovations of the industry as a whole.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2023 Game Developers Choice Awards was a celebration of the best games and developers of the year. The winners and nominees demonstrate the range and creativity of the gaming industry, and the awards show itself is a reflection of the industry’s evolution and growth.
FAQs:
- Q: How were the winners selected for the Game Developers Choice Awards?
- A: The winners were selected through a voting process by a panel of game industry professionals and experts.
- Q: What is the Social Impact Award category?
- A: The Social Impact Award recognizes games that have made a positive impact on society, whether through tackling important issues, promoting awareness, or encouraging positive social change.
- Q: Can you explain the Innovation Award category?
- A: The Innovation Award is given to games that introduce new and creative gameplay mechanics, storytelling techniques, or technical advancements that push the boundaries of the gaming industry.
- Q: Who won the Pioneer Award and what does it recognize?
- A: Mabel Addis won the Pioneer Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the gaming industry and helped shape its evolution.
- Q: Who won the Lifetime Achievement Award?
- A: The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to John Romero, a game designer and programmer known for his work on influential titles such as Doom and Quake.
