Even though the annual Lazygamer Awards are regarded internationally as the only awards that actually matter, that hasn’t stopped other organisations from cashing in on our completely original idea to hand out prestigious honours to those video games who deserve them. Take for instance the annual DICE awards, a prize-giving gala that industry developers and publishers usually flock to for some reason, sometimes ignoring a chance to get their hands on one of our magnificent golden cocks.
This year, the awards included some stiff competition in the game of the year category. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Ori and the Blind Forest, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Bloodborne. Somehow, Fallout 4 managed to win top honours, a move that is usually bookended by one of my inbred cousins yelling “DEY WUZ ROBBED!”.
It got even stranger. Fallout 4 romped home with awards for RPG, MMO and game direction of the year as well. That’s the equivalent of me being recognised by the Guinness World Record organisation as the tallest man alive. Look, Fallout 4 isn’t a bad game, but GOTY material? Pull the other one mate. Here’s the full list of winners from the DICE Awards, where it just gets even weirder:
- Action game of the year: Star Wars Battlefront
- Fighting game of the year: Mortal Kombat X
- Family game of the year: Super Mario Maker
- Mobile game of the year: Fallout Shelter
- Outstanding achievement in character: Lara Croft (Rise of the Tomb Raider)
- Lifetime achievement: Satoru Iwata
- Outstanding achievement in original music composition: Ori and the Blind Forest
- Outstanding achievement in sound design: Star Wars Battlefront
- Outstanding achievement in story: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Outstanding technical achievement: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Outstanding achievement in animation: Ori and the Blind Forest
- Outstanding achievement in art direction: Ori and the Blind Forest
- RPG and MMO game of the year: Fallout 4
- Strategy and simulation game of the year: Heroes of the Storm
- Hall of Fame inductee: Hideo Kojima
- Sports game of the year: Rocket League
- Racing game of the year: Forza Motorsport 6
- Outstanding achievement in online gameplay: Rocket League
- Handheld game of the year: Helldivers
- Technical impact: Visual Basic (Microsoft)
- Adventure game of the year: Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
- Sprite award: Rocket League
- Outstanding achievement in game design: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Outstanding achievement in game direction: Fallout 4
- Game of the year: Fallout 4
Beyond the absurd selection of some of the winners, the DICE 2016 Awards did touch a few hearts though. The late Nintendo President Satoru Iwata was honoured with a lifetime achievement award, which was collected on his behalf by Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime. “He always put himself second,” Fils-Aime said via VG247, quoting Earthbound creator Shigesato Itoi.
Mr Iwata, you were the best of us. You will never be second to us. You’ll always be number one.
Hideo Kojima was also inducted into the Hall of Fame by none other than Guillermo Del Toro, the director of the greatest movie of all time, Pacific Rim. And also that fellow who wanted to make video game babies with Kojima. What a weird night it all was.
Last Updated: February 19, 2016
PoisonedBelial
February 19, 2016 at 08:26
There was either some FIFA type dealing or the Gupta’s are involved me thinks…
Umar
February 19, 2016 at 08:30
Fallout 4 was still the better gameplay experience though.
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 08:55
Yeah, Witcher was essentially bash X till thing dies.
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 08:56
And Fallout wasn’t shoot with X until it dies? (I can’t remember the controls)
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 08:57
Nukes > Swords
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 08:58
Chernobyl disagrees 😀
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 08:59
Chernobyl was a pussy.
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 09:02
Haha
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
February 19, 2016 at 08:56
And Fallout 4 was the same fetch quest rehashed a million times…
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 08:58
While Witcher had the same bounty.
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
February 19, 2016 at 09:01
At least it was a pretty bounty?
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 09:04
Bow chikka wow wow
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
February 19, 2016 at 09:06
HAHAHA!!!
ElimiNathan
February 19, 2016 at 09:01
LOL
Umar
February 19, 2016 at 09:47
D D D D D DEAD SERIOUS
ElimiNathan
February 19, 2016 at 09:54
If I say McDonalds is better than Steers, doesn’t make it true
Umar
February 19, 2016 at 09:57
Well hey, it’s all good. Wicther has the better story and characters though, gameplay, it wasn’t that great. Combat was average at best. Just my opinion at the end of the day.
RinceThis
February 19, 2016 at 10:15
Agreed. Excellent story but the combat was okay.
Scooby Doo
February 20, 2016 at 02:23
Fallout 4 and Witched 3 were a tie for me. Both are super awesome games in their own ways.
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2016 at 08:33
Star Wars Battlefront……..are you kidding me!!!???????????????
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 08:38
$$$
Jan Prins
February 19, 2016 at 08:40
I am so keen to get that. Tell me, from your own experience, what is that makes the game blow chunks?
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 08:54
Better hurry, people are not playing it as much
http://swbstats.com/
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2016 at 09:14
Realy not much to offer although the graphics are very nice but the game lacks depth. I had the 10 hour demo and lost interest after 4 hours, this coming from a huge multiplayer fan…just my personal opinion!
Jan Prins
February 19, 2016 at 09:20
Good analysis. though I have to wonder: If Quake 1 was released today, would we be ranting and raving about the MP as we did way back then?
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2016 at 09:23
Surely not….I love Dice, I still play Battlefield 4 and cannot wait for 5 this year(will again buy the season pass without thinking…) But Battlefront feels like a watered down mod to be honest!
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 08:54
We agree for once!
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 08:54
Lies, I’ve seen you agree once before this year………We are in the second month……twice agreed……ONE MORE AND HL3 IS CONFIRMED!!!!
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 09:19
THREE UPVOTES!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOT HL3 CONFIRMED!!!!!!!
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 09:19
Guess again
*upvotes
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 09:31
@ssh0L3
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 09:35
XD
I thought upvotes were a good thing.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 09:40
True, but still, now, because of your meddling, HL3 is NOT confirmed
Theo
February 19, 2016 at 13:44
HL4 confirmed as well!
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2016 at 09:12
*runs and hides under bed, waits for impending doom…..
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 09:12
XD
James Anderton
February 19, 2016 at 08:35
http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/but-why.gif
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 08:36
I loved Fallout 4. A lot.
But as far as game quality goes, it’s nowhere near Witcher 3.
It just had tons of freedom with crafting systems that have been used by indie games for over 5 years now. It wasn’t a better game, imo.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 08:39
I’ve heard too many mediocre things about it, I was really considering getting it in December, but it has been relegated to the wait-a-year-or-two-for-complete-edtion-on-sale list
Umar
February 19, 2016 at 08:43
I’m not a fan of Witcher at all, but F4 beating it for best RPG is a bit shite
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 08:44
They need a sandbox or open world category.
Bethesda would be all over that every year.
Umar
February 19, 2016 at 08:46
While I love the worlds of Bethesda, they really need to beef up the rpg in their rpgs.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 08:44
What if they brought out a mod to make it all purrrdy colours?
Umar
February 19, 2016 at 08:45
Lol I just didn’t like the gameplay in Witcher. It was a bit boring tbh. AMAZING story and characters though.
RinceThis
February 19, 2016 at 10:17
And tentacles! And characters that are either under the age of consent yet are in romantic relationships with other characters that are physically 50 times their size, or look like they were put together by someone who didn’t know what gender roll they were going to play!
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 08:53
Yup
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 08:38
http://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2013/2/27/13/anigif_enhanced-buzz-17824-1361991551-14.gif
Jan Prins
February 19, 2016 at 08:42
Out of all the GIFS on the net, why you get stuck on this one? WHY???
Besides, Barney Stinson is an overrated ass.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 08:44
Thanks, because I know it irritates you, I shall endeavor to use it more frequently
Loftus The Primal BeastMaster
February 19, 2016 at 08:44
Jan isn’t legen….wait for it…
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 08:44
xD
Jan Prins
February 19, 2016 at 08:45
Knock yourself out! Who am I to stand in the way of something that brings you joy and happiness in this world!
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2016 at 09:11
You prefer Doogie Howser…? ????????????
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 09:13
You don’t? 😉
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2016 at 09:15
Everybody does! ????
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 09:16
Agreed! FFFFFFFFFFFFF………….. not again!
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2016 at 09:16
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 19, 2016 at 08:39
…
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
February 19, 2016 at 08:41
http://replygif.net/i/750.gif
VampyreSquirrel
February 19, 2016 at 08:56
I’ve never seen someone move like an owl before… its quite comical.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 19, 2016 at 08:58
It’s George ClooWHOney.
VampyreSquirrel
February 19, 2016 at 10:47
Who?
XD
HairyEwok
February 19, 2016 at 08:41
How….. how the hell did that happen. Witcher 3 gets outstanding achievement in story, technical and game design and doesn’t win… Oh well I guess a good game isn’t about the story and fluidity of the game anymore.
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 08:42
Yes, but you know….
wait…..
sorry. got to go
another settlement needs my help
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 19, 2016 at 08:46
Well W3 came out earlier in the year, so they’d all finished that by the time F4 was released, and half of them are probably still puttering around the wasteland – so it’s still new & shiny.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 08:47
You have a very valid point.
HairyEwok
February 19, 2016 at 08:53
So a game wins purely due to the fact that it’s more shiny. That’s just ridiculous, all game should be looked at equally, even if they released at the start of the year.
Magic Carpet
February 19, 2016 at 15:08
Have you seen movie awards? Movies released before September are rarely nominated.
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
February 19, 2016 at 08:45
I’m sorry, but simply put, that’s complete bullshit…
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 08:45
agreed
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
February 19, 2016 at 08:55
I cannot believe it really, TW3 raised the bar of what a good game should be by so much that when I played Fallout 4 it kind of felt empty… Even with the crafting and everything, the game still didn’t live up to GOTY standards…
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 08:57
Yea. Agreed. Apart from the base building Fallout 4 was just a newer, improved NV.
It was good. I agree. But it wasn’t anything groundbreaking and the side quests were all pretty much identical
Darren Peach
February 19, 2016 at 12:04
Agreed. Fallout was too similar to 3 and New Vegas.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 08:47
Why are you sorry?
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
February 19, 2016 at 08:50
Hahaha, ok, I’m not sorry…
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 08:50
YOU SHOULD BE!
HairyEwok
February 19, 2016 at 08:53
He must be Canadian XD
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 08:54
Eh?
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 08:56
Canadian always say sorry, it’s a stereotype
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 08:56
(watches joke fly right over Hammersteyn’s head)
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 08:56
They also say eh? I get it.
*Makes coffee
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
February 19, 2016 at 08:55
What shood I do aboot it?
HairyEwok
February 19, 2016 at 08:57
Less Maple on your pancakes, and more Biltong in your breakfast 😛
Jonah Cash
February 19, 2016 at 10:00
oVg
February 19, 2016 at 08:47
It was the roll of the dice.
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 08:48
With five sides Fallout and one side Witcher
oVg
February 19, 2016 at 08:49
You have to admit, Fallout 4 has some sick RPGs. That Fatman 🙂
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 08:50
Haha
True dat.
Though I’ve killed myself with it more than I’ve killed others. 😀
VampyreSquirrel
February 19, 2016 at 08:58
It’s not a close quarters weapon JJ.
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 08:58
But it does LOTS of damage. 😀
Pariah
February 19, 2016 at 09:02
He’s used to the shielding his eyebrows provide in real life. Can’t blame him dude, it’s not his fault.
😛
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 09:03
Works damn well in the wasteland with all the dust.
You’ll be jealous!
Pariah
February 19, 2016 at 09:03
Crap I didn’t think about that… DAMN YOU!!
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 09:03
Either that or he thinks he’s playing XCOM
Pariah
February 19, 2016 at 09:03
LMAO
Commander Admiral Chief
February 19, 2016 at 09:03
LOOOL
Jan Prins
February 19, 2016 at 09:07
This was genuinely funny! Well done!
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 09:02
That moment when you fully upgrade it to shoot multiple nukes! I felt so American
Pariah
February 19, 2016 at 09:03
Did you go out and buy 6 cheeseburgers and a diet coke as well?
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 09:04
Just 6? Also a bucket of KFC
Pariah
February 19, 2016 at 09:04
Was a trick question. You pass.
>_>
<_<
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 09:05
I’m missing everything today…
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
February 19, 2016 at 09:04
The funny part was that it actually PEW PEW PEW’d…
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 08:59
Action game of the year: Star Wars Battlefront….. Biggest lie on that list
Jan Prins
February 19, 2016 at 09:05
The biggest lie on that list is Hideo Kojima. Because I never liked ONE of his games. It was all Metal Gear Flaccid! Flaccid Snake!
The point is… The point I am trying to make is GOTY awards, even by ‘prestigious’ award shows like Dice is just some guys and gals having an opinion.
We true video game fans know what is the real game of the year…
THE SIMS 4!!!!!
Pariah
February 19, 2016 at 09:06
Yes. It’s the Sims 4.
Oh btw, I hear Dice is looking to hire. You seem like a good fit.
Jan Prins
February 19, 2016 at 09:09
I am not square enough for Dice! I am round and fat! Like Obelix! Who is most certainly NOT fat! So neither am I!
Pariah
February 19, 2016 at 09:10
And everyone knows Obelix is the real hero in the cartoons. 😀
Jan Prins
February 19, 2016 at 09:11
Exactly!
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 09:07
If not game of the year it should scoop DLC of the year, every year, like a mortgage
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2016 at 09:10
NO! No no no no! “DLC of the year” should NEVER, NEVER EVER even be a category, no, never!????????????
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 09:11
But there’s so much DLC these days… AND I HATE IT
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2016 at 09:19
It has to stop!! Next thing you know DLC will be sold as bundles or even reviewed as standalone games……….oh wait!????
Jan Prins
February 19, 2016 at 09:23
I dunno hey. Maybe if there is a category, that COULD be an incentive to companies to make proper good DLC?
Or not.
Jan Prins
February 19, 2016 at 09:10
Well, at least The Sims is upfront about the DLC bit. Not like CoD…
Pariah
February 19, 2016 at 09:11
Yeah. CoD is actually just releasing stand alone DLC every year, but charging full price. Bastards.
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 09:12
Best part is COD release MP only on PC for cheap. While the game was MP only on PS3 and 360. Yet they got charged full price
Pariah
February 19, 2016 at 09:13
So how does it feel being a peasant, may I ask?
I mean, I know you don’t CoD, but you’re still associated in some way with those fools.
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 09:14
TBH I know consoles aren’t as shiny as PCs but it’s best illustrated in this video
moto hellogoto
February 20, 2016 at 22:01
Why does the masterrace guy have boobs?
Hammersteyn
February 22, 2016 at 08:21
Dunno. Why?
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2016 at 09:11
Or Battlefront
Ryanza
February 19, 2016 at 09:18
The only thing Fallout 4 has going for it is the gun play. Shooting guns in Fallout 4 is fun. But what kills Fallout 4 are all those long loading times. I don’t want to go into that room because it will take to long.
After playing Witcher 3, no more loading screens.
Don’t Support DRM. Cyberpunk 2077 is coming.
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 19, 2016 at 09:21
I must say, the lack of loading screens was really nice in The Witcher. I thought it was a really nice idea.
But for PC gamers the loading screens on Bethesda games are really quick.
James Anderton
February 19, 2016 at 09:23
http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/qKPQS7J.gif
Ryanza
February 19, 2016 at 09:26
DubstepKitten
February 19, 2016 at 10:38
Loading times are just fine for me on PC, pretty much the same as Skyrim which was great.
Ryanza
February 19, 2016 at 09:20
Action game of the year: Star Wars Battlefront
And then you know all the rest are just going to be shit.
RinceThis
February 19, 2016 at 10:14
Umm, yeah NO
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
February 19, 2016 at 16:22
http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/legomessageboards/images/5/51/House-of-cards-but-why.gif
Rich Mullen
February 19, 2016 at 16:37
In my personal opinion, I feel The Witcher 3 is the better game, but not by much. Both games are extremely fun and have a lot to offer. When I look at how much time I invested into playing these games, that is where the edge comes to The Wicher 3. I like the customization in W3 over Fallout as well, once again these are just my opinions.
Jonny O
February 19, 2016 at 16:50
What’s suspect isn’t so much FO4 vs. W3, but why Starwars Battlefront is ANYWHERE in the running for anything. That tells you flat out these awards are bought and paid for.
Kelley
February 19, 2016 at 18:34
Have both games and they are both good but if either one is GOTY it’s an off year for gaming. With Witcher 3 you have to be into the story or the game is just OK. There are some other issues but mostly minor ones. With Fallout 4 there are some technical issues, they also dumb down the character leveling by getting rid of the skill points and the perk tree is just awful. Both games are worthy of being played and played a lot but in my opinion both fall a bit short of what a true GOTY should be.
virtualmatrix
February 20, 2016 at 02:39
As much as I enjoyed Fallout 4…hahahaha this has to be a mistake. Witcher 3 had it all.
Geralt Rivia
February 20, 2016 at 06:11
Watered down non-interesting generic quests with nearly similar responses to different choices vs engaging, indepth quests that sometimes crossed paths and wove different stories together. Yeah not sure how FO4 got RPG of the year. Even the side quests of Witcher 3 are better than the main story of FO4.
Bezki
February 20, 2016 at 17:43
”RPG and MMO”game of the year: Fallout 4
Adventure game of the year: Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain wut?
I’m laughing so hard right now at all those categories and 90% of the winners.
AJ
February 21, 2016 at 11:40
Fallout 4 is a great game for sure but naming it over the much superior & way more epic Witcher 3 as best game & best RPG is totally & completely laughable!!! A definite robbery for sure!!!