D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement | |
---|---|
Country | United States |
Presented by | Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |
First awarded | 1998 |
Currently held by | Marvel's Spider-Man 2 |
Website | www |
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". [1] Creative/technical Academy members with expertise as an artist, animator or programmer are qualified to vote for this award. [2]
The award's most recent winner is Marvel's Spider-Man 2 , developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
The first and second awards ceremonies offered the Outstanding Achievement in Software Engineering. [3] [4] In 2000, the award for software engineering was split into separate categories for Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering and Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering. Gameplay Engineering recognized "the highest level of achievement in engineering artificial intelligence and related elements which contribute to a challenging game". Visual Engineering would recognize "the highest level of achievement in rendering 3-D virtual environments for an interactive title." [5] The two categories would eventually be merged into Outstanding Technical Achievement in 2015. [6]
There was tie for the award in Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering in 2006 between Guitar Hero and Nintendogs . [7]
Indicates the winner |
Indicates the winner |
Sony has published the most nominees, as well as the most winners. Sony's subsidiary Naughty Dog has developed the most winners, while Nintendo EAD (now EPD) has developed the most nominees. Nintendo has also published both winners for Outstanding Achievement in Software Engineering. There have been two developers with back-to-back wins for Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering:
Four developers have developed winners for both Gameplay Engineering and Visual Engineering: EA Canada, Ubisoft Montreal, Valve, and Naughty Dog. Electronic Arts has published the winners for both awards with different developers for different games in 2008. Sony has published the winners for Visual Engineering for four consecutive years with LittleBigPlanet (2009), Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2010), Heavy Rain (2011), and Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (2012). Activision has published the most nominees without having a single winner. Electronic Arts developer DICE has developed the most nominees without a single winner.
Developer | Nominations | Wins |
---|---|---|
Naughty Dog | 10 | 5 |
Nintendo EAD/EPD | 15 | 3 |
Ubisoft Montreal | 12 | 3 |
Valve | 6 | 3 |
Insomniac Games | 11 | 2 |
Epic Games | 5 | 2 |
EA Canada | 4 | 2 |
Rockstar North/DMA Design | 3 | 2 |
Maxis | 2 | 2 |
Media Molecule | 2 | 2 |
Harmonix | 4 | 1 |
Bethesda Game Studios | 3 | 1 |
Crytek | 3 | 1 |
Guerrilla Games | 3 | 1 |
Japan Studio | 3 | 1 |
Monolith Productions | 3 | 1 |
Rare | 3 | 1 |
Bungie | 2 | 1 |
Digital Extremes | 2 | 1 |
Kojima Productions | 2 | 1 |
Stormfront Studios | 2 | 1 |
DICE | 7 | 0 |
Santa Monica Studio | 5 | 0 |
Infinity Ward | 4 | 0 |
Treyarch | 4 | 0 |
Lionhead Studios | 3 | 0 |
Retro Studios | 3 | 0 |
Visual Concepts | 3 | 0 |
4A Games | 2 | 0 |
BioWare | 2 | 0 |
Crystal Dynamics | 2 | 0 |
id Software | 2 | 0 |
Iguana Entertainment | 2 | 0 |
Microsoft Simulation Group | 2 | 0 |
Neversoft | 2 | 0 |
Rainbow Studios | 2 | 0 |
Ready at Dawn | 2 | 0 |
Relic Entertainment | 2 | 0 |
Remedy Entertainment | 2 | 0 |
Santa Monica Studio | 2 | 0 |
Sucker Punch Productions | 2 | 0 |
Turn 10 Studios | 2 | 0 |
Publisher | Nominations | Wins |
---|---|---|
Sony Computer/Interactive Entertainment | 42 | 13 |
Electronic Arts | 21 | 7 |
Nintendo | 20 | 4 |
Rockstar Games | 6 | 4 |
Microsoft/Xbox Game Studios | 24 | 3 |
Ubisoft | 14 | 3 |
Valve | 6 | 3 |
Sierra On-Line/Entertainment | 3 | 2 |
Bethesda Softworks | 5 | 1 |
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment/Games | 3 | 1 |
2K Games | 2 | 1 |
Activision | 14 | 0 |
Sega | 7 | 0 |
Square Enix Europe/Eidos Interactive | 4 | 0 |
THQ | 3 | 0 |
Acclaim Entertainment | 2 | 0 |
Atari | 2 | 0 |
Konami | 2 | 0 |
MTV Games | 2 | 0 |
Ubisoft | 2 | 0 |
The Legend of Zelda and Call of Duty are the most nominated franchises in this category. Uncharted is the most award-winning franchise, with Uncharted 2: Among Thieves being one of four games to win both awards in gameplay and visual engineering; the other three are SSX , Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time , and Half-Life 2 . Uncharted and Halo have won the awards for "Visual Engineering" twice, while Grand Theft Auto is the only franchise to win for "Gameplay Engineering" twice. Despite the record-tying nomination count, Call of Duty has never won an award outright.
Franchise | Nominations | Wins |
---|---|---|
Uncharted | 5 | 4 |
Grand Theft Auto | 3 | 2 |
Half-Life | 3 | 2 |
Halo | 3 | 2 |
SSX | 3 | 2 |
Prince of Persia | 2 | 2 |
Red Dead | 2 | 2 |
The Legend of Zelda | 8 | 1 |
Ratchet & Clank | 6 | 1 |
Gears of War | 3 | 1 |
Spider-Man | 3 | 1 |
The Last of Us | 3 | 1 |
Tom Clancy's | 3 | 1 |
Crysis | 2 | 1 |
Horizon | 2 | 1 |
Portal | 2 | 1 |
The Elder Scrolls | 2 | 1 |
Call of Duty | 8 | 0 |
Assassin's Creed | 7 | 0 |
Battlefield | 5 | 0 |
God of War | 5 | 0 |
Mario | 5 | 0 |
Forza | 3 | 0 |
Metroid | 3 | 0 |
Microsoft Flight Simulator | 3 | 0 |
Company of Heroes | 2 | 0 |
Fable | 2 | 0 |
Jak & Daxter | 2 | 0 |
Left 4 Dead | 2 | 0 |
Metal Gear | 2 | 0 |
Metro | 2 | 0 |
Motocross Madness | 2 | 0 |
NFL 2K | 2 | 0 |
NFL Quarterback Club | 2 | 0 |
Resistance | 2 | 0 |
Star Wars | 2 | 0 |
Tomb Raider | 2 | 0 |
Tony Hawk's | 2 | 0 |
Unreal | 2 | 0 |
The D.I.C.E. Awards is an annual awards show in the video game industry, and commonly referred to as the video game equivalent of the Academy Awards. The awards are arranged by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) and held during the AIAS' annual D.I.C.E. Summit in Las Vegas. "D.I.C.E." is a backronym for "Design Innovate Communicate Entertain". The D.I.C.E. Awards recognizes games, individuals, and development teams that have contributed to the advancement of the multi-billion dollar worldwide entertainment software industry.
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 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards was the 9th edition of the Interactive Achievement Awards, an annual awards event that honored the best games in the video game industry during 2005. The awards were arranged by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), and were held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 9, 2006. It was also held as part of the Academy's 2006 D.I.C.E. Summit, and was hosted by stand-up comedian Jay Mohr.
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 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 Online 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 "celebrates titles of any genre with a significant portion of the gameplay experience transpiring online — collaboratively or competitively. These titles frequently offer excellent matchmaking systems, innovative gameplay options, persistent content releases that further evolve gameplay, user customization and fluidity of gameplay. Titles submitted in this category are not limited to release within the calendar year but must be supported by significant new content". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category. The first winner was Ultima Online at the 1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. It is the only "Game of the Year award" that also has been offered as a genre award and craft award.
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.