D.I.C.E. Award for Immersive Reality Game of the Year

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D.I.C.E. Award for Immersive Reality Game of the Year
CountryUnited States
Presented by Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
First awarded 2017
Currently held by Asgard's Wrath 2
Website www.interactive.org

The D.I.C.E. Award for Immersive Reality Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award recognizes "the single game released on an immersive reality platform that best utilizes the attributes of the platform to entertain users. Elements of design, direction, and narrative are factored into the title selection".

Contents

The award's most recent winner is Asgard's Wrath 2 , developed by Sanzaru Games and published by Oculus Studios.

Immersive Reality Game of the Year and Technical Achievement

Both immersive reality awards were introduced for the 20th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. According to the rules and procedures for the 20th awards ceremony, "the immersive reality category panel will be comprised of individuals working directly in the medium". The finalists and winners for these categories would be "selected by a panel of experts and will not be voted on by the general membership body of the Academy". [1] Since the categories were introduced, both categories had a majority of finalists and winners in common. Lone Echo , Half-Life: Alyx , Lone Echo II , and Red Matter 2 won both immersive reality categories.

Winners and nominees

Table key
Indicates the winner

2010s

YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)Ref.
2016
(20th)
Superhot VR Team SuperhotTeam Superhot [2] [3]
Eagle Flight Ubisoft Montreal Ubisoft
I Expect You to Die Schell Games Schell Games
Job Simulator Owlchemy Labs Owlchemy Labs
The Lab Valve Valve
2017
(21st)
Lone Echo Ready at Dawn Oculus Studios [4] [5]
Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin Double Fine Productions Double Fine Productions
Robo Recall Epic Games Epic Games
Space Pirate Trainer I-IllusionsI-Illusions
Wilson's Heart Twisted Pixel Games Oculus Studios
2018
(22nd)
Beat Saber Beat Games Beat Games [6] [7]
Astro Bot Rescue Mission Japan Studio Sony Interactive Entertainment
Moss Polyarc Polyarc
Sprint Vector Survios Survios
Transference SpectreVision, Ubisoft Montreal Ubisoft
2019
(23rd)
Pistol Whip Cloudhead GamesCloudhead Games [8] [9]
Asgard's Wrath Sanzaru Games Oculus Studios
Blood & Truth London Studio Sony Interactive Entertainment
The Curious Tale of the Stolen PetsFast Travel GamesFast Travel Games
Trover Saves the Universe Squanch Games Squanch Games

2020s

YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)Ref.
2020
(24th)
Half-Life: Alyx Valve Valve [10] [11]
Down the Rabbit HoleCortopia StudiosCortopia Studios
Paper Beast Pixel ReefPixel Reef
The Room VR: A Dark Matter Fireproof GamesFireproof Games
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Skydance InteractiveSkydance Interactive
2021
(25th)
Lone Echo II Ready at Dawn Oculus Studios [12] [13]
Demeo Resolution GamesResolution Games
I Expect You to Die 2: The Spy and the Liar Schell Games Schell Games
Resident Evil 4 VR Armature Studio Oculus Studios
Song in the Smoke 17-Bit 17-Bit
2022
(26th)
Red Matter 2Vertical RobotVertical Robot [14] [15] [16]
Cosmonious High Owlchemy Labs Owlchemy Labs
Moss: Book II Polyarc Polyarc
Tentacular Firepunchd Games Devolver Digital
The Last ClockwinderPontobo Cyan Worlds
2023
(27th)
Asgard's Wrath 2 Sanzaru Games Oculus Studios [17] [18]
Assassin's Creed Nexus VR Red Storm Entertainment Ubisoft
Horizon Call of the Mountain Guerrilla Games, Firesprite Sony Interactive Entertainment
Vampire: The Masquerade - JusticeFast Travel GamesFast Travel Games
Vertigo 2Zulubo ProductionsZulubo Productions

Multiple nominations and wins

Developers and publishers

Oculus Studios, now known as Reality Labs, has published the most nominees and the only publisher with multiple wins. Ready at Dawn is the only developer to have developed multiple winners.

Developers
DeveloperNominationsWins
Ready at Dawn 22
Sanzaru Games 21
Valve 21
Fast Travel Games20
Owlchemy Labs 20
Polyarc 20
Schell Games 20
Ubisoft Montreal 20
Publishers
PublisherNominationsWins
Oculus Studios 63
Valve 21
Sony Computer/Interactive Entertainment 30
Ubisoft 30
Fast Travel Games20
Owlchemy Labs 20
Polyarc 20
Schell Games 20

Franchises

Lone Echo is the only franchise to have won more than once.

Franchises
FranchiseNominationsWins
Lone Echo22
Asgard's Wrath21
I Expect You to Die20
Moss20

Related Research Articles

The D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. It is given in honor of "the single game, without regard to system or delivery mechanism, voted by the membership of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences that best utilizes the chosen medium to entertain users". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Action Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award recognizes titles that "follow the gameplay from the prospective of the character that the player is controlling. These games feature heavy weapons use and/or involve characters engaged in combat while moving through a linear or open environment. The opponent can either be controlled by another player or by the game". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category. The award initially had separate awards for console games and computer games at the 1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards in 1998, with the first winners being GoldenEye 007 for console and Quake II for computer. There have been numerous mergers and additions of action-related games throughout the awards ceremony's history. The current version was officially introduced at the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards in 2008, which was awarded to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award recognizes titles in which "players are challenged with real-time action activities where timing, skill, and accuracy are necessary to succeed. Puzzle-solving, resource management and exploration often drive the quest oriented narrative rather than primarily combat mechanics". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category. The award initially had separate awards for console action games and computer games at the 1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards in 1998 with the first winners being Final Fantasy VII for console and Blade Runner for computer. There have been numerous mergers and additions of adventure-related games throughout the history of the awards ceremony. The current version was officially introduced at the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards in 2008, which was awarded to Super Mario Galaxy.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Sports Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award recognizes games that "offer the user the opportunity to virtually reproduce a sporting experience: either a realistic portrayal of an actual sport or games that reproduce for the user experience of participating in an existing competitive sport". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category. The award initially had separate awards for console games and computer games at the 1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards in 1998, with the first winners being International Superstar Soccer 64 for console and FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 for computer. There have been numerous mergers and additions of sports-related games during the early years of the annual awards ceremony. The current version was established in 2006, with its winner being SSX on Tour.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award recognizes games "in which user directs or manipulates resources to create a set of conditions that result in success as determined within the confines of the game. These games can offer the user the chance to simulate or to virtually reproduce an experience, real or imaginary, which would require some form of equipment. Strategy games emphasize the planning of tactics rather than the execution". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category. Originally, there were separate awards for strategy games and simulation games, which simulate aspects of the real world.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Family Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award recognizes "the best title of any genre towards a shared, family gaming experience. The title's play dynamics must be suitable for a younger audience but can appeal to adults as well. These games often offer a mini-game component and encourage group play". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category. Originally only offered as a computer game category, the first winner was Lego Island, developed and published by Mindscape. The first console winner was Pokémon Snap in 2000. Since condensing the computer and console awards into a single category, the first winner of the current version was Guitar Hero in 2006.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Racing Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This recognizes "titles that allow the user to participate in a contest in which the objective is to convey an object through a course of virtual physical progress as quickly as possible. Racing games may involve competition against other user-controlled competitors or against system controlled competitors. Racing games must simulate vehicular motion". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category. It was originally presented as Console Racing Game of the Year, with its first winner being Diddy Kong Racing, which was developed by Rare and published by Nintendo.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Fighting Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award recognizes "titles that offer the use the virtual experience of controlling a character engaging in individual combat with another character usually from a fixed camera perspective. The opponent can either be controlled by another player or by the game". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category. It was originally titled Console Fighting Game of the Year, before it was simplified to just Fighting Game of the Year. It is one of two categories, the other being Online Game of the Year, that is not limited to release within the calendar year but must be supported by significant new content.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award is "presented to the individual or team whose work represents the highest level of achievement in designing a unified graphic look for an interactive title". Creative/technical Academy members with expertise as an artist, animator or programmer are qualified to vote for this award.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award is "presented to the individual or team whose work represents the highest level of achievement in creating a unified audio experience. The quality of the individual sound effects, voice over, music, technology, and other audio elements will be considered in addition to the overall audio mix of the title". Creative/technical Academy members with expertise as a game designer, producer, audio designer, or musician are qualified to vote for this award.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Design is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award is "presented to the title that most effectively combines interactive and non-interactive elements to create a cohesive gameplay experience. Outstanding design is exemplified by balanced system design, cohesive mechanics that relate to overall aesthetic direction, level layout, challenge flow, progression elements, interface design, and social game mechanics. This award recognizes the Lead Designer or Design Director in architecting all elements into a unified design". Creative/technical Academy members with expertise as a game designer or producer are qualified to vote for this award.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award is "presented to the individual or team whose work has furthered the interactive experience through the creation of a game world — whether an original creation, one adapted from existing material, or an extension of an existing property which best exemplifies the coalescence of setting, character, and plot". Creative/technical Academy members with expertise as a game designer or producer are qualified to vote for this award. It was first offered at the 2nd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, with its first winner being Pokémon Red and Blue.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Animation is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award is "presented to the individual or team whose work represents the highest level of achievement in bringing a character or characters to life. This award will consider the fluidity of movement, and interaction with the environment in addition to contextual realism ". Creative/technical Academy members with expertise as an artist, animator or programmer are qualified to vote for this award.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award is "presented to the individual or team whose work represents the highest level of achievement in original musical composition for an interactive title. Both the quality of the score and the integration of the score into the title will be considered when determining the recipient of the award". Creative/technical Academy members with expertise as an audio designer or musician are qualified to vote for this award.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award is "presented to the individual or team whose work has furthered the interactive experience through the creation of a memorable character within an interactive title. Outstanding character takes into consideration the marriage of voice acting and performance, character design and execution, and writing". All creative/technical members of the Academy are qualified to vote in this category, regardless of their field of expertise. There were originally separate awards for female and male characters, but eventually merged into one category at the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards in 2008.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Mobile Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award recognizes a game "for a mobile device platform such as a mobile phone or tablet. These games demonstrate a skilled usage of the device's software and hardware features to offer a unique and addictive play experience. All game genres are eligible. Mobile platforms include, but are not limited to iOS or Android". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This recognizes "the individual or small group of individuals who are responsible for directing and driving an interactive game and its team through a combination of skills that include vision, management execution, and game design to create a cohesive experience. This award recognizes the role of the creative director and game director - in guiding all elements of a title and shaping the final outcome of a game". Creative/technical Academy members with expertise as a game designer or producer are qualified to vote for this award.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This is "awarded to a game that embodies the independent spirit of game creation, representing a higher degree of risk tolerance and advances our media with innovative gameplay and experiences". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. The award "celebrates the highest level of technical achievement through the combined attention to gameplay engineering and visual engineering. Elements honored include but are not limited to artificial intelligence, physics, engine mechanics, and visual rendering". Creative/technical Academy members with expertise as an artist, animator or programmer are qualified to vote for this award.

The D.I.C.E. Award for Immersive Reality Technical Achievement is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award "celebrates the highest level of technical achievement within an immersive reality experience through the combined attention to gameplay engineering and visual engineering. Elements honored include but are not limited to technology features specifically associated with the immersive medium, artificial intelligence, physics, engine mechanics, and visual engineering".

References

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