Geoff Keighley has branched out on his own, distancing himself from the atrocity that the VGX has become. His Video Game Awards look pretty cool, and the nominees line up with some of the names we’ve been throwing around for our awards, too.
Here is the complete list of Jury’s Choice games:
Game of the Year
- Bayonetta 2
- Hearthstone
- Dark Souls II
- Dragon Age: Inquisition
- Shadow of Mordor
Developer of the Year
- Blizzard
- Monolith
- Nintendo
- Telltale
- Ubisoft Montreal
Best Independent Game
- Broken Age: Act 1
- Monument Valley
- Shovel Knight
- Transistor
- The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Best Mobile / Handheld Game
- Bravely Default
- Hearthstone
- Monument Valley
- Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
- Threes!
Best Narrative
- South Park: The Stick of Truth
- The Walking Dead: Season 2
- The Wolf Among Us
- Valiant Hearts: The Great War
- Wolfenstein: The New Order
Best Score / Soundtrack
- Alien: Isolation
- Child of Light
- Destiny
- Sunset Overdrive
- Transistor
Best Performance
- Adam Harrington as Bigby Wolf, The Wolf Among Us
- Kevin Spacey as Jonathan Irons, Advanced Warfare
- Melissa Hutchison as Clementine, The Walking Dead Season 2
- Trey Parker as Various Voice, South Park: The Stick of Truth
- Troy Baker as Talion, Shadow of Mordor
Games for Change
- Mountain
- Never Alone
- The Last of Us: Left Behind
- This War of Mine
- Valiant Hearts: The Great War
Best Remaster
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
- The Last of Us Remastered
- The Master Chief Collection
- Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
Best Shooter
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
- Destiny
- Far Cry 4
- Titanfall
- Wolfenstein: The New Order
Best Action / Adventure
- Alien: Isolation
- Assassin’s Creed: Unity
- Bayonetta 2
- Shadow of Mordor
- Sunset Overdrive
Best RPG
- Bravely Default
- Dark Souls II
- Divinity: Original Sin
- Dragon Age: Inquisition
- South Park: The Stick of Truth
Best Fighting Game
- Killer Instinct, Season 2
- Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
- Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
- Super Smash Bros for Wii U
- Ultra Street Fighter IV
Best Family Game
- Disney Infinity 2.0
- Fantasia: Music Evolved
- Mario Kart 8
- Skylanders: Trap Team
- Tomodachi Life
Best Sports / Racing Game
- FIFA 15
- Forza Horizon 2
- Mario Kart 8
- NBA 2K15
- Trials Fusion
Best Online Experience
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
- Dark Souls II
- Hearthstone
- Destiny
- Titanfall
I think the categories say as much about the awards (and the current state of gaming) as the nominees. The fact that there is a category for best remaster without any awards per platform generation is interesting to me, as well as the appearance of a sound award yet nothing about art design.
I wonder how glitches and server issues will play into the awards. It’s hard to have Call of Duty grabbing an online experience award with all that lag, and I can’t imagine Ubisoft or Assassin’s Creed Unity getting too much love with all the issues lately.
Which games do you think were left out from these awards? Are there categories missing that you think it’s a crime to ignore? Or is it all basically in line with the games you thought would be on these lists?
Last Updated: November 21, 2014
Cadis Etrama Di Umar
November 21, 2014 at 08:31
I’m just baffled best remaster is a category….like really?…………How?………..
Pieter Kruger
November 21, 2014 at 08:35
Sony insisted…….
Xcalibersa
November 21, 2014 at 08:37
Congrats.
RinceThis
November 21, 2014 at 08:51
Didn’t take him long!
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 08:47
Halo master chief edition doesn’t count I guess
Pieter Kruger
November 21, 2014 at 09:04
No it does, and should win that category hands down based on value alone, but that’s not all MS has to offer unlike Sony. I also counted 4 or 5 MS exclusives on that list……
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 09:05
So then it was MS that insisted?
RinceThis
November 21, 2014 at 09:11
lol
Pieter Kruger
November 21, 2014 at 09:16
Again, If not for the “Best Remaster” category, Sony exclusives would’ve shone in their absence……
Fnuik
November 21, 2014 at 09:26
But with most console games being far superior on Ps4 you could just as well count most of them as Ps4 exclusives…
Pieter Kruger
November 21, 2014 at 09:31
OMG, you REALLY bought into all that garbage that is the Sony PR machine didn’t you? ROFL! Your attitude is exactly why Sony couldn’t be bothered anymore…… Now go vote for Drivedud as GOTY…..oh wait…????????????
Fnuik
November 21, 2014 at 09:36
How about I don’t give a crap about games winning game of the year or not, as long as I can play the games available to me the way the games are suppose to be played and are supposed to look, not watered down versions.
Pieter Kruger
November 21, 2014 at 09:40
Then you should play on PC.
Fnuik
November 21, 2014 at 09:41
But I don’t have a pc, I enjoy playing on console, and thus enjoy playing the best experience
ToshZA
November 21, 2014 at 09:46
What a huge contradiction. You want the best experience, but you don’t have a PC?
You poor sod.
Fnuik
November 21, 2014 at 09:54
Like I said in my comments above, I play what I have available to me. And as I play on console, because I find it more enjoyable, Ps4 gives me the best experience. Nothing poor about that.
I sit in front of a pc the whole day, nothing worst for me than having to sit in front of one at home too. I find it much more anti social than playing my ps4 in my living room while my wife reads a book next to me and my kid is playing lego’s on the floor.
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 09:51
I’d trust Sony more than MS any day to be honest.
Pieter Kruger
November 21, 2014 at 09:58
Never trust big business, never! Sony has always and will always spin and lie, just like all the rest!
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 10:01
When did they lie?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 21, 2014 at 10:05
You’re always reminding everyone how MS is a much bigger business than Sony? O_o
FoxOneZA
November 21, 2014 at 09:15
TADA!
Xcalibersa
November 21, 2014 at 09:24
Well most are on PC or are confirmed will be ported.
Pieter Kruger
November 21, 2014 at 09:32
Hence “MS exclusives”……..
Nikola
November 21, 2014 at 09:32
It would win it if it actually worked lol but multiplayer is completly broken…
Pieter Kruger
November 21, 2014 at 09:34
It’s fixed! 30 sec to join a game. Anyway, still playing through all the campaigns, should keep me busy for the next couple of months at least…????
Admiral Chief Wang
November 21, 2014 at 09:39
30sec? Ain’t nobody got time fo’ dat!
😛
Pieter Kruger
November 21, 2014 at 09:41
Well, it used to take 10min – NEVER!
Nikola
November 21, 2014 at 09:41
Good that it has, I think it is a cool remaster if I owned an Xbox I would have gotten it never played Halo, Hope playstation does the same for Uncarted series never played it…
Pieter Kruger
November 21, 2014 at 09:52
Heard a rumour that they are……????
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 08:43
“Well done for prettying up an old game instead of coming up with some new ideas”
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 08:55
Hopefully this is just temporary as they can only remaster so many games during the transition from old to new. I mean imagine they remaster Alien isolation
Viking Of Divinity
November 21, 2014 at 08:41
Can I be the Cynic? How can CODAW be nominated for best online experience, when it’s completely broken?
And Ubisoft Montreal for Dev of the year, no Freaking way!
In fact, the only selection I fully agree with are the nominees for best RPG.
And I’m Ecstatic that Divinity is getting a nod, It’s well deserved!
Mossel
November 21, 2014 at 08:44
It’s not completely broken though…I play that game online almost everyday and I don’t have issues, unless it is Telkom related. Maybe the console version are worse though.
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 08:46
You’ve missed a whole lot of COD articles this week
Mossel
November 21, 2014 at 08:52
I saw people are complaining, but like I said I don’t have issues. Maybe I’m just lucky.
MakeItLegal
November 21, 2014 at 08:56
By lucky u mean pc ? If pc dot have lag I am Gana pick it up instead of far cry 4
Mossel
November 21, 2014 at 09:38
Yeah obviously it’s not as smooth as dedicated servers. Yes pc. One on one I might get a bit frustrated, but that might just be Telkom. But I like it, really fun mp game.
Nikola
November 21, 2014 at 09:32
Destiny better win that.
ToshZA
November 21, 2014 at 09:33
That’s not their Destiny.
Nikola
November 21, 2014 at 09:35
hahaha lol
Sageville
November 21, 2014 at 10:20
“Completely broken?” = Exaggeration.
It also does not reflect my experiences with the game on PS4.
CaptainNemo42
November 21, 2014 at 10:22
I think they’re being a bit unfair to Drive Club in that category.
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 08:41
GOTY (from what I’ve seen) possibly Inquisition
Developer: Ubisoft (bwahahahaaa) Oh goodness no.
Child of Light soundtrack for sure though.
ToshZA
November 21, 2014 at 09:08
Yeah that sound track. My gf just got the game for me last week – breathtaking!
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 08:46
They should ban companies like Ubisoft from the developer award until they sort their s*^# out.
Michael Matusowsky
November 21, 2014 at 08:58
*Until they remove UPlay
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 08:58
Yes. Well, they don’t have to remove it. Just give us the CHOICE whether we want to buy the game and run it through Steam or Uplay. That’s all.
Admiral Chief Wang
November 21, 2014 at 09:00
AND make proper PC games
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 09:02
Now you’re seriously pushing it. That’s like expecting Rockstar to release pc games at the same time as the console versions. They just don’t care enough about their customers.
Admiral Chief Wang
November 21, 2014 at 09:06
Madness
Xcalibersa
November 21, 2014 at 09:10
They cant, look at the ads.
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 08:48
Games for change for me: Valiant Hearts.
Also, I nominate it for game of the year.
And best narrative
And score
Hell, I sommer nominate for best racing and RPG game too. ;P
konfab aka derp
November 21, 2014 at 08:50
hear hear
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 08:51
Seriously though. If I consider what it cost me + hours I spent on it + story + score etc…best game I’ve played this year. (and I’m leaving out the fact that I may or may not have cried at the end)
konfab aka derp
November 21, 2014 at 09:05
Completely agree, and I was in tears at the end.
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 08:48
Game of the year nominees basically sums up this year perfectly
Kromas, Guardian of Cenarius
November 21, 2014 at 08:50
Well tonight we will see if Dragon Age is game of the year. Taking a break from WoD just for now.
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 08:50
Troy Baker FTW
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 08:50
Best Fighting Game category makes me sad.
Tbone187
November 21, 2014 at 14:00
It’s pretty weak indeed.
RinceThis
November 21, 2014 at 08:50
Where’s the ‘Best fuck the gamer DLC Day One Award’ category?
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 08:52
Too much of a sure win.
RinceThis
November 21, 2014 at 08:59
lol
Kromas, Guardian of Cenarius
November 21, 2014 at 08:52
EA wins that every year but I think Ubisoft may take the spot this year.
Also Get the slacker to come and get the CE of WoD from me.!
Mossel
November 21, 2014 at 08:53
The Alien Isolation score is pretty legit. It has all kinds of fucked up noises that just make me cry at night.
ToshZA
November 21, 2014 at 09:04
Patch of the year. Where is it?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 21, 2014 at 09:04
lol snap.
Admiral Chief Wang
November 21, 2014 at 09:06
Hahahahha
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 21, 2014 at 09:04
What about the POTY award?
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 09:09
I know right?
Quo Vadis?
November 21, 2014 at 10:05
What? no Pewdiepie?
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 10:09
XD
Kensei Seraph No DA:I spoilers
November 21, 2014 at 09:07
Thomas Was Alone for best game I played in 2014.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 21, 2014 at 09:12
There’s actually a small homage to that in DA:I, like the Minecraft thing in Borderlands 2. Really cool when devs do that.
Kensei Seraph No DA:I spoilers
November 21, 2014 at 09:14
Seriously?!
If that’s true (I suspect you of messing with me due to the name) then I am extremely impressed.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 21, 2014 at 09:18
😀 I will neither confirm nor deny.
Kensei Seraph No DA:I spoilers
November 21, 2014 at 09:18
Well played.
CAE9872
November 21, 2014 at 10:57
My best game I played in 2014 – Borderlands? Although just started Borderlands 2 so am interested to see. Graphics are brilliant in 2 though.
And yes I am WAAAAAAYYYYYYYY behind schedule.
CAE9872
November 21, 2014 at 10:58
Oh or Warframe…in fact WARFRAME is my best game of 2014!! End of it…ask the Alien…he may even agree.
Kensei Seraph No DA:I spoilers
November 21, 2014 at 09:10
*looks at DA:I nomination*
No game released in November/December should be eligible for an award as there isn’t sufficient time to know if it is truly worthy of the award.
Xcalibersa
November 21, 2014 at 09:11
It doesnt to take long to review a game.
ToshZA
November 21, 2014 at 09:11
I’m buying the game. Worthy or not. Besides, if it sucks, surely there’ll be a patch for that.
That’s the 2014 catch phrase. “There’s a patch for that.”
Kensei Seraph No DA:I spoilers
November 21, 2014 at 09:12
I already pre-ordered the Inquisitor edition… but I have exams coming up and can’t afford to spend all my studying time playing DA:I.
ToshZA
November 21, 2014 at 09:16
At least you have something to look forward to in the holidays 🙂
Kensei Seraph No DA:I spoilers
November 21, 2014 at 09:18
Yes, all 6 days of leave….. since I have to take 7 days of my Annual Leave for my exams because the 8 days Study Leave I have is “discretionary”.
F****ng bul****t.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 21, 2014 at 09:20
lol I remember that from when I was studying. I had to put in annual leave… but the bosses got lovely paid study leave… nice.
ToshZA
November 21, 2014 at 09:29
Eish man, that is bullshit. Sorry 🙁
RinceThis
November 21, 2014 at 09:19
Stop making sense!
Xcalibersa
November 21, 2014 at 09:10
How can Unity be on the list when you still havent done the review? Or do you assume its good.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 21, 2014 at 09:12
It’s not the LG awards.
Xcalibersa
November 21, 2014 at 09:23
Thanks
Admiral Chief Wang
November 21, 2014 at 09:48
“assume just makes an ass of u and me”
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 09:49
assofume? fumes of the ass?
Xcalibersa
November 21, 2014 at 09:49
old joke is old
Kensei Seraph No DA:I spoilers
November 21, 2014 at 09:11
Best score: Transistor.
Best DLC: FTL: Advanced Edition.
Admiral Chief Wang
November 21, 2014 at 09:48
YES!!!!!! MOAR FTL!!!!!!!!!!
And the best thing about it? IT WAS FREE!!!!!!!!
ReaperOfSquirrels
November 21, 2014 at 09:14
If I was choosing… These would be the winners:
GOTY – DA: I
DOTY – Ninty
Best Indy – Transistor
Best Mobile – Super Smash Bros.
Best Narrative – South Park (for the laffs)
Best Score – NFI
Best Performance – Trey Parker XD
Games for Change – Never Alone
Best Remaster – TLOU
Best Shooter – Far Cry 4
Best Action – SoM
Best RPG – South Park
Best Fighter – Super Smash Bros for Wii U
Best Family game – Disney Infinity
Best Sports – Don Bradman Cricket 14
Best Online – World of Warcraft
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 09:22
I would agree with most, except for best score (child of light), best change (Valiant Hearts), Best action (alien), Best RPG (Divinity – only because I haven’t played DA:I yet) and best sports (Forza). Though I know how you feel about your Bradman Cricket. 😉
ReaperOfSquirrels
November 21, 2014 at 09:57
I wouldn’t know about the scores listed and none of the games I’ve played recently have kept my ears singing with the music.
That being said I haven’t played any of the action games listed or any of the RPG’s listed.
Yeah, I really dig DBC14, and it’s the best cricket game you can get your hands on… just feel it deserves more recognition than it’s getting.
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 10:05
I’ve only seen someone else play Alien, though I do own Shadow of Mordor, but alien is just a much newer approach.
I’ve seen you on that game often and I’ve been tempted to try out BDC14, which says a lot since my sports games start and end with racing.
CAE9872
November 21, 2014 at 10:55
So basically not agreeing at all then 🙂
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 11:01
Haha. Like a 60% agreement there.
geelslang
November 21, 2014 at 10:41
When did you plau DA: I? and why do you have South Park as best RPG then?
ReaperOfSquirrels
November 21, 2014 at 10:54
lol Haven’t played either of those, and South Park as best RPG for the hell of it.
Brady miaau
November 21, 2014 at 09:14
Original Sin is truly great BUT not the RPG for everyman.
Copied from Kensei
looks at DA:I nomination*
No game released in November/December should be eligible for an award as there isn’t sufficient time to know if it is truly worthy of the award.
Kensei Seraph No DA:I spoilers
November 21, 2014 at 09:20
Yeah, especially if it’s a game like DA:I where there is a good chance you won’t finish it this year, and even more so if it has high re-playability.
HairyEwok
November 21, 2014 at 09:19
Awwhh no best patch category, what a shame.
CAE9872
November 21, 2014 at 10:54
Hahahaha brilliant! That is so true. This morning, before I got down to work I thought I would do something on PS4 for 5 mins. Looked at download lists:
– Destiny update = 2.5GB
– Blacklight = 1.5GB
– Driveclub = 1GB or so…
– and 3 others I wasn’t paying attention to.
ONLY one I understand because the developer is GROWING THEIR GAME and not fixing it too much is Warframe. Those developers deserve kudos for their efforts.
oVg Puer aeternus
November 21, 2014 at 09:21
Vote The Last of Us Remastered or Ill shoot an arrow in your knee MOFOs.
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 09:23
I vote for Skyrim (remastered by modders)! Mwahahaha!
oVg Puer aeternus
November 21, 2014 at 09:28
That does not count. That dickhead guard who also seems to suffer from amnesia already screwed his knee up.
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 09:29
lol
Kensei Seraph No DA:I spoilers
November 21, 2014 at 09:23
Why is GTA V even on the Remastered list?
Didn’t it come out just a few months ago?
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 09:23
Over a year ago actually.
Matthew Holliday
November 21, 2014 at 09:34
agreed, wasnt the original release a downscaled version of the official release?
the PS3 version definitely felt like it was scaled back.
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 09:25
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2842674/Wal-Mart-tricked-selling-400-PlayStation-4-consoles-just-90-customers-advantage-loophole-price-match-promotion.html
Kensei Seraph No DA:I spoilers
November 21, 2014 at 09:31
O_O
Captain JJ the fair
November 21, 2014 at 09:33
My reaction too.
Nikola
November 21, 2014 at 09:34
For me personally Destiny was my favorite game of the year hands down so far, however just got Dragon Age today so we will see:) and GTA V is actually the best game I played so far this year on PS4 but since it is a last year game actually I don’t really count it:)
Rags
November 21, 2014 at 09:36
I really wish Monolith will win developer of the year. I’ve always felt they do not get enough recognition.
GooseZA
November 21, 2014 at 09:39
HEARTHSTONE!!!
Sageville
November 21, 2014 at 09:43
How does DA:I get in a nomination, it released yesterday?
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 09:46
Time travel, they know it’s gonna be good.
CAE9872
November 21, 2014 at 10:51
Or EA paid some moola?
Conspiracy theorist? Me? Never!
JHN
November 21, 2014 at 09:47
Hang on a second best online experience Call of duty?? Game breaking lag much?
Lardus-Resident Perve
November 21, 2014 at 09:48
But but but Dragon Age: Inquisition, is it even out yet?
Xcalibersa
November 21, 2014 at 09:55
I got it today 🙂
Hammersteyn
November 21, 2014 at 10:01
That makes it eligible?
Lardus-Resident Perve
November 21, 2014 at 10:03
O ja, I forgot it releases today! Haven’t gotten a new console yet, so I will have to wait till the Extended Cut DLC is available 😛
Mathias
November 21, 2014 at 09:59
There should be a worst performance category with only one nominee: Unity.
Best remaster is a joke. I’m guessing they still want TLOU to keep winning awards, when it should go to MCC if they didn’t fuck up the launch, or to GTA V.
No Binding of Isaac: Rebirth? They should have left Broken Age (a technically incomplete game) out…
And even though I’m enjoying DA: I, it should go to Divinity.
Mongoose
November 21, 2014 at 10:11
How the hell did Unity get nominated? Were there only five adventures games released in 2014? Shadow of Mordor or Dragon Age for the win. Remastered games probably should be the halo collection for value alone. I would have gone with GTA V but there is no grass in the Xbox one version. Runs
CAE9872
November 21, 2014 at 10:49
Hmmm that list, like the old Spike Awards, seems heavily “subsidised” by the industry if you ask me. The mere fact Unity is even listed as a nominee is a crime…despite how good some say it is. It is also broken from what I hear; and others say not so good either! Rogue is better from all accounts.
So will ignore this like I do all award shows in gaming. I like my lists like any self-respecting man (do the ladies like their top 10 lists besides the “to do” variety?) but will rather wait for the sites I trust to give their awards.
Ryanza
November 21, 2014 at 12:09
Video Game Awards. This should be pretty easy.
Game of the Year – The Witcher 3
Developer of the Year – CD Projekt RED
Best Mobile / Handheld Game – Witcher
Best Narrative – The Last of US
Best Score / Soundtrack – The Witcher 3
Best Performance – Charles Dance, The Witcher 3
Games for Change – The Witcher 3
Best Remaster – The Last of US
Best Shooter – Cyberpunk 2077
Best Action / Adventure – The Witcher 3
Best RPG – The Witcher 3
Best Fighting Game – The Witcher 3
Best Sports / Racing Game – THe Witcher 3, horse racing.
Best Online Experience – Fuck Online Experience. The Witcher 3 No DRM.
Looks like we have a clear winner this year, the 35 minute The Witcher 3 demo is winning all sorts of awards.
Tbone187
November 21, 2014 at 14:02
Why is Battlefield 4 not under the shooter nominees? Has it really been around since last year?