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Game Developers Choice Awards#Best Debut Game

{{Short description|Annual award for games and developers}}

{{Use mdy dates|cs1-dates=ly|date=October 2021}}

{{Infobox award

|name = Game Developers Choice Awards

|image = Game Developers Choice Awards.svg

|imagesize = 300px

|alt =

|caption =

|awarded_for = Outstanding game developers and games

|presenter = Game Developers Conference

|date =

|reward =

|year = {{start date and age|2001|3|24}}

|year2 =

|website = {{Official website|https://gamechoiceawards.com/}}

}}

The Game Developers Choice Awards are awards annually presented at the Game Developers Conference for outstanding game developers and games.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/|title=Game Developers Choice Awards|access-date=September 13, 2016 }} Introduced in 2001, the Game Developers Choice Awards were preceded by the Spotlight Awards, which were presented from 1997 to 1999.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive.htm|title=Archive|access-date=September 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529100139/http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive.htm |archive-date=May 29, 2010}} Since then, the ceremony for the Independent Games Festival is held just prior to the Choice Awards ceremony.

Winner selection process

Nominations for games are made by International Choice Awards Network (ICAN), a group of leading game creators. Votes are then additionally made by editors of Game Developer.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/rules.html|title=Game Developers Choice Awards|date=March 23, 2021 }} Any video game released in the preceding calendar year, regardless of medium, is eligible to be nominated, though upgrades, expansions, and mission packs are not eligible to be nominated.

The top nominated games are assembled into the list of nominees, typically presented in December, are then voted on by final voting body, made up of ICANs, and editors of Game Developer. In this final stage of voting, games with the highest votes in a category are the winners.

Winners for Special Awards (Lifetime Achievement, Pioneer, Ambassador) are decided by a "Special Awards Jury", which appears to consist of a variety of 5 people.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/advisory.html|title=Game Developers Choice Awards|date=March 23, 2021 }} This group may consider recommendations from ICAN members.

The winners are announced during the Game Developers Conference, which is typically held in March of the calendar year.

GDC related properties are owned by the UBM technology group.

=Historical process=

In 2007, gamasutra.com took over management of the awards from the IGDA.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/pr/pr_2007_1220.htm|title=Press Release:The 2008 Game Developers Choice Awards|date=December 20, 2007|access-date=September 13, 2016 }}

An advisory board selected by the editors of gamasutra.com and Game Developer magazine oversees the selection process.

In the past, nominations are accepted from registered gamasutra.com users, confirmed to be game developers, and from the advisory board.

Once the nomination process is complete, the advisory board identifies five finalists for each regular category.

The recipients of the Lifetime Achievement, Pioneer (formerly known as First Penguin) and Maverick awards are selected by the advisory board.

For the other awards, a vote open to all those who participated in the nomination process chooses a recipient from each category's finalists.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/rules.html|title=rules and regulations|access-date=September 13, 2016 }}

List of winners

Note: Events held for awards are held early in the following year. Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

=Game of the Year=

{{Main|Game Developers Choice Award for Game of the Year}}

The Game of the Year Award recognizes the overall best game released during the previous calendar year, as interpreted by the members of the Game Developers Conference.

class="wikitable"
Year

! Game

! Genre

! Developer(s)

2000The Sims{{cite web |url=http://gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_1st.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2000 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Life simulationMaxis
2001Grand Theft Auto III{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_2nd.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2001 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Action-adventureDMA Design
2002Metroid Prime{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_3rd.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2002 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Action-adventureRetro Studios
2003Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_4th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2003 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Role-playingBioWare
2004Half-Life 2{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_5th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2004 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}First-person shooterValve
2005Shadow of the Colossus{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_6th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2005 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Action-adventureTeam Ico
2006Gears of War{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_7th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2006 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Third-person shooterEpic Games
2007Portal{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_8th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2007 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Puzzle-platformerValve
2008Fallout 3{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_9th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2008 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Action role-playingBethesda Game Studios
2009Uncharted 2: Among Thieves{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_10th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2009 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Action-adventureNaughty Dog
2010Red Dead Redemption{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_11th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2010 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Action-adventureRockstar San Diego
2011The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim{{cite web |url=http://gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_12th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2011 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Action role-playingBethesda Game Studios
2012Journey{{cite web |url=http://gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_13th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2012 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}AdventureThatgamecompany
2013The Last of Us{{cite web |url=http://gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_14th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2013 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Action-adventureNaughty Dog
2014Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_15th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2014 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Action-adventureMonolith Productions
2015The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_16th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2015 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}Action role-playingCD Projekt Red
2016Overwatch{{cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathan |date=March 1, 2017 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/02/gdc-2017-overwatch-wins-game-of-the-year-at-game-developers-choice-awards |title=GDC 2017: Overwatch Wins Game of the Year at Game Developers |publisher=IGN |access-date=March 1, 2017}}First-person shooterBlizzard Entertainment
2017The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild{{cite web | url = https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/21/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-is-gdc-2018s-game-of-the-year/ | title = The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is GDC 2018's game of the year | first = Stephanie | last = Chan | date = March 21, 2018 | access-date = March 21, 2018 | work = Venture Beat }}AdventureNintendo
2018God of War{{cite web | url = https://www.usgamer.net/articles/god-of-war-wins-another-goty-at-2019-game-developers-choice-awards | title = God of War Wins Another GOTY at 2019 Game Developers Choice Awards | first = Mike | last = Williams | date = March 20, 2019 | access-date = March 20, 2019 | work = USGamer | archive-date = 2019-03-21 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190321035132/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/god-of-war-wins-another-goty-at-2019-game-developers-choice-awards | url-status = dead }}Action-adventureSanta Monica Studio
2019Untitled Goose Game{{cite web | url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/359779/Untitled_Goose_Game_nabs_Game_of_the_Year_at_the_2020_Game_Developers_Choice_Awards.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200319012821/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/359779/Untitled_Goose_Game_nabs_Game_of_the_Year_at_the_2020_Game_Developers_Choice_Awards.php | url-status = dead | archive-date = March 19, 2020 | title = Untitled Goose Game nabs Game of the Year at the 2020 Game Developers Choice Awards! | date = March 18, 2020 | access-date = March 18, 2020 | work = Gamasutra }}PuzzleHouse House
2020Hades{{cite web | url =https://www.pcgamer.com/hades-wins-gdc-game-of-the-year-umurangi-generation-wins-igf-grand-prize/ | title = Hades wins GDC Game of the Year, Umurangi Generation wins IGF Grand Prize | date= July 22, 2021 | access-date = August 24, 2021 | work = PcGamer }}Action role-playingSupergiant Games
2021Inscryption{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-03-24-inscryption-wins-big-at-gdc-and-igf-awards-gdc-2022 | title = Inscryption wins big at GDC and IGF Awards | first = Marie | last = Dealessandri | date = March 24, 2022 | accessdate = March 24, 2022 | work = GamesIndustry.biz }}Roguelike Deck-Builder[https://www.danielmullinsgames.com/ Daniel Mullins Games]
2022Elden Ring{{cite web |author1=Beth Elderkin |title='Elden Ring' Wins Game Of The Year At The 2023 Game Developers Choice Awards |url=https://gdconf.com/news/elden-ring-wins-game-year-2023-game-developers-choice-awards |website=Game Developers Choice Conference |date=March 22, 2023}}Action role-playingFromSoftware
2023Baldur's Gate 3{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/game-developers-choice-awards-2024-winners-the-full-list |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List |website=IGN |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}}Role-playingLarian Studios
2024Balatro{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/game-developers-choice-awards-2025-1236331522/ |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2025 Names 'Balatro' Game Of The Year — Complete Winners List |website=Deadline |last=Jackson |first=Destiny |date=19 March 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025}}Roguelike Deck-BuilderLocalThunk

=Best Audio=

Best Audio award recognizes the overall excellence of audio in a game, including sound effects, musical composition, sound design and orchestration.

=Best Debut=

The Best Debut Award recognizes the best game from any development studio which released its first publicly available title during the calendar year. This was formerly known as the New Studio of the Year Award. In years prior to 2008, the award was awarded to the studio name, as opposed to the game title.

=Best Design=

Best Design award recognizes the overall excellence of design in a game, including gameplay, mechanics, puzzles, play balancing, and scenarios.

=Best Mobile/Handheld Game=

Best Mobile/Handheld Game Award recognizes the overall best game commercially released on any handheld platform.

=Innovation Award=

The Innovation Award recognizes games that demonstrate innovation and push the boundaries of games as an expressive medium. Multiple awards per year were given before 2007.

=Best Narrative=

Best Narrative award recognizes the quality of writing in a game, including story, plot construction, dialogue, and branching narratives.

=Best Technology=

Best Technology award recognizes the overall excellence of technology in a game, including graphics programming, artificial intelligence, networking, and physics.

=Best Visual Art=

Best Visual Art award recognizes the overall excellence of visual art in a game, including animation, modeling, art direction, and textures.

=Best VR/AR Game=

Special Awards Recipients

=Audience Award=

These awards are voted by the audience for best game of that year.

=The Pioneer Award=

Known as the First Penguin award until 2007, the Pioneer Award celebrates individuals who developed a breakthrough technology, game concept or gameplay design.

GDC had announced their intention to award Nolan Bushnell (co-founder of Atari) the 2018 Pioneer Award.{{cite web| url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/313891/Nolan_Bushnell_Tim_Schafer_and_Rami_Ismail_to_be_honored_at_the_2018_GDC_Awards.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180130230101/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/313891/Nolan_Bushnell_Tim_Schafer_and_Rami_Ismail_to_be_honored_at_the_2018_GDC_Awards.php | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 30, 2018 | title = Nolan Bushnell, Tim Schafer, and Rami Ismail to be honored at the 2018 GDC Awards! | date = January 30, 2018 | access-date = January 30, 2018 | work = Gamasutra }} However, after several people asked the GDC to reconsider this in light of documented sexist activities in Bushnell's past in light of the current #MeToo movement, GDC opted to not award the Pioneer Award and instead "will dedicate this year's award to honor the pioneering and unheard voices of the past".{{cite web | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/nolan-bushnell-metoo-gdc-award-w516148 | title = GDC Re-Examines Award for Atari Founder After Outcry Over Past Conduct | first = Stefanie | last = Fogel | date = January 30, 2018 | access-date = January 31, 2018 | work = Glixel | archive-date = June 20, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180620153436/https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/nolan-bushnell-metoo-gdc-award-w516148 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web | url = http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gdc-pioneer-award-not-nolan-bushnell-atari-founder | title = GDC Announces It Will Not Award Atari Founder Nolan Bushnell After Controversy | first = Matt | last = Kim | date = January 31, 2018 | access-date = January 31, 2018 | work = US Gamer | archive-date = 2019-03-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190328214906/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/gdc-pioneer-award-not-nolan-bushnell-atari-founder | url-status = dead }}

=Ambassador Award=

The Ambassador Award is given to individuals within or outside the industry who helped video games "advance to a better place."{{cite web |url= http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/ambassador.html |title= Ambassador Award Archive |author= |year= 2014 |website=gamechoiceawards.com |publisher= Game Developers Choice Awards |access-date=April 4, 2014}} It replaced the IGDA Award for Community Contribution after 2007.{{cite web |url= http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/contribution.html |title= Community Contribution Archive |author= |year= 2014 |website= gamechoiceawards.com |publisher= Game Developers Choice Awards |access-date=April 4, 2014}}

=Lifetime Achievement Award=

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the achievements of a developer who has impacted games and game development.

Retired awards

The following award categories have been retired or replaced with a different focus.

=Best Downloadable Game=

Best Downloadable Game Award recognizes the overall best game released on console or PC platforms specifically and solely for digital download - with an emphasis on smaller, more 'casual'-friendly titles.

=Character Design=

The Character Design award recognizes the overall excellence of non-licensed character design in a game, including originality, character arc and emotional depth.

=Excellence in Level Design=

=Excellence in Programming=

=IGDA Award for Community Contribution=

The IGDA Award for Community Contribution recognized developers for significant efforts "building community, sharing knowledge, speaking on behalf of developers and/or contributing to the art form of game development". The Ambassador Award replaced it after 2007.

=Original Game Character of the Year=

=Maverick Award=

The Maverick Award recognizes the current achievements of a developer who exhibits independence in thought and action while experimenting with alternate/emerging forms of digital games.

=Best New Social/Online Game=

Game Developers Choice Online Awards

For its eight iteration in 2010, GDC Austin was rebranded as GDC Online, with a greater focus on MMOs, and social and casual games.{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/213940/gdc-austin-being-renamed-and-re-focused-as-gdc-online/ |title=GDC Austin being renamed and re-focused as GDC Online |last=Rudden |first=Dave |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG Entertainment |date=February 10, 2010 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226065723/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/213940/gdc-austin-being-renamed-and-re-focused-as-gdc-online/ |archivedate=December 26, 2010 }} The Game Developers Choice Online Awards were also introduced to recognize technical excellence and innovation in online games. In addition to the awards of the competitive categories, special awards were given out to pioneering online games and creators.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/27/gdc-online-2010-announces-first-gdc-online-awards |title=GDC Online 2010 Announces First GDC Online Awards |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=June 14, 2012 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }} In 2012 it was announced that GDC Online would be replaced by GDC Next in Los Angeles in 2013, and the awards were subsequently discontinued.{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2012-09-17-gdc-next-app-developers-conference-coming-to-la-in-nov-2013.html |title=GDC Next, App Developers Conference coming to LA in Nov. 2013 |last=Sliwinski |first=Alexander |website=Engadget |publisher=Verizon Media |date=September 17, 2012 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/video-relive-the-2012-gdc-online-choice-awards |title=Video: Relive the 2012 GDC Online Choice Awards |website=Gamasutra |publisher=Informa |date=November 7, 2012 |access-date=April 22, 2021 }}

= 2010 =

The 2010 awards ceremony took place on October 7, 2010. League of Legends by Riot Games led the winners with five awards from six nominations, including the publicly voted Audience Award.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/league-of-legends-tops-game-developers-choice-online-awards/1100-6281265/ |title=League of Legends tops Game Developers Choice Online Awards |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |work=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures |date=October 8, 2010 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }} Richard Bartle received the Online Game Legend award for his work on the first MUD and the 2003 book Designing Virtual Worlds. The massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) Ultima Online was inducted into the GDC Online Awards Hall of Fame for being "a specific online game that has resulted in the long-term advancement of the medium, pioneering major shifts in online game development and games as a whole."{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-08-13-game-developers-choice-online-awards-to-knight-richard-bartle-as.html |title=Game Developers Choice Online Awards to knight Richard Bartle as a "Game Legend" |last=Olivetti |first=Justin |work=Engadget |publisher=Verizon Media |date=August 13, 2010 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }}

class="wikitable"

! Award

! Game

! Publisher

Best Online Technology

| League of Legends

| Riot Games

Best Social Network Game

| Social City

| Playdom

Best Online Visual Arts

| League of Legends

| Riot Games

Best Audio for an Online Game

| Aion

| NCSoft

Best Community Relations

| World of Warcraft

| Blizzard Entertainment

Best Online Game Design

| League of Legends

| Riot Games

Best Live Game

| Eve Online

| CCP Games

Best New Online Game

| League of Legends

| Riot Games

Audience Award

| League of Legends

| Riot Games

class="wikitable"

|+ Special Awards

! Award

! Recipient

Online Game Legend Award

| Richard Bartle

GDC Online Awards Hall of Fame

| Ultima Online (Electronic Arts)

= 2011 =

File:Kelton Flinn - Game Developers Choice Online Awards.jpg receiving the Online Game Legend Award]]

The 2011 awards ceremony took place on October 12, 2011. All the awards from the previous year returned, and a new award for Online Innovation was introduced. Minecraft and Rift by Mojang and Trion Worlds respectively took home the most awards, with two each. Kelton Flinn and John Taylor received the special Online Game Legend award as founders of Kesmai and creators of Island of Kesmai and Air Warrior. Additionally, the MMORPG EverQuest was inducted into the GDC Online Awards Hall of Fame.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/everquest-honored-at-gdc-online-awards/1100-6339672/ |title=EverQuest honored at GDC Online awards |last=Downin |first=Jonathan |work=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures |date=October 13, 2011 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }}

class="wikitable"

! Award

! Game

! Publisher

Best Online Game Design

| Spiral Knights

| Three Rings Design/Sega

Best Online Visual Arts

| DC Universe Online

| Sony Online Entertainment

Best Community Relations

| Minecraft

| Mojang

Best Online Technology

| Rift

| Trion Worlds

Best Social Network Game

| Gardens of Time

| Playdom

Best Audio for an Online Game

| Clone Wars Adventures

| Sony Online Entertainment

Best New Online Game

| Rift

| Trion Worlds

Best Live Game

| Minecraft

| Mojang

Online Innovation

| Shadow Cities

| Grey Area

Audience Award

| Wizard101

| KingsIsle Entertainment

class="wikitable"

|+ Special Awards

! Award

! Recipient

Online Game Legend

| Kelton Flinn and John Taylor

GDC Online Awards Hall of Fame

| EverQuest (Sony Online Entertainment)

= 2012 =

File:Raph Koster - Game Developers Conference Online 2012 - 01.jpg at GDC Online 2012]]

The 2011 awards ceremony took place on October 10, 2012. Star Wars: The Old Republic, developed by BioWare Austin, became the top winner at four awards, with League of Legends by Riot Games trailing slightly behind at three awards.{{Cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/11/3491014/star-wars-the-old-republic-and-league-of-legends-clean-up-at-game |title=Star Wars: The Old Republic and League of Legends clean up at Game Developers Choice Online Awards |last=McElroy |first=Griffin |work=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |date=October 11, 2012 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }} The Online Game Legend award was given to Raph Koster, developer of previous Hall of Fame inductee Ultima Online as well as Star Wars: Galaxies. MMORPG World of Warcraft was inducted into the GDC Online Awards Hall of Fame.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-08-30-world-of-warcraft-raph-koster-will-be-honored-at-gdc-online-awards |title=World of Warcraft, Raph Koster will be honored at GDC Online Awards |last=Radd |first=David |work=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=Gamer Network |date=August 30, 2012 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }}

class="wikitable"

! Award

! Game

! Developer

Best Online Game Design

| Star Wars: The Old Republic

| BioWare Austin

Best Online Visual Arts

| Star Wars: The Old Republic

| BioWare Austin

Best Community Relations

| League of Legends

| Riot Games

Best Online Technology

| Star Wars: The Old Republic

| BioWare Austin

Best Social Network Game

| Draw Something

| OMGPOP/Zynga

Best Audio for an Online Game

| Diablo III

| Blizzard Entertainment

Best New Online Game

| Star Wars: The Old Republic

| BioWare Austin

Best Live Game

| League of Legends

| Riot Games

Online Innovation

| Journey

| Thatgamecompany

Audience Award

| League of Legends

| Riot Games

class="wikitable"

|+ Special Awards

! Award

! Recipient

Online Game Legend

| Raph Koster

GDC Online Awards Hall of Fame

| World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment)

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

{{reflist|30em}}

External links

  • [https://gamechoiceawards.com/ Official website]

{{Game Developers Choice Awards}}

Category:Video game awards

Category:Awards established in 2001

Category:Informa brands