Home Gaming The Gamescom awards make little sense

The Gamescom awards make little sense

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We got back from Gamescom yesterday, our heads all fuzzy from the travel and all that beer. We’ve played and seen a ton of games. We’re still busy trying to decide which ones tickled out fancies most – but the official Gamescom site has already picked its winners. I have to say, some of them make very little sense to me.

Here are their winners.

  • Game of Gamescom:
    Destiny (Activision Blizzard Deutschland GmbH)
  • Best Console Game Sony Playstation:
    Destiny (Activision Blizzard Deutschland GmbH)
  • Best Console Game Nintendo WII:
    Mario Kart 8 (Nintendo Europe GmbH)
  • Best Console Game Microsoft Xbox:
    Titanfall (Electronic Arts)
  • Best Next Generation Console Game:
    Titanfall (Electronic Arts)
  • Best Action Game:
    Destiny (Activision Blizzard Deutschland GmbH)
  • Best Role Playing Game:
    The Elder Scrolls Online (ZeniMax Germany GmbH)
  • Best Racing Game:
    Forza Motorsport 5 (Microsoft Ltd)
  • Best Sports Game:
    FIFA 14 (Electronic Arts)
  • Best Simulation Game:
    WarThunder (Gaijin Entertainment)
  • Best Family Game:
    Mario Kart 8 (Nintendo Europe GmbH)
  • Best Hardware incl. Peripheral:
    PlayStation4 (Sony Computer Entertainment Deutschland GmbH)
  • Best Mobile Game:
    The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (Nintendo Europe GmbH)
  • Best Online Multiplayer Game:
    Destiny (Activision Blizzard Deutschland GmbH)
  • Best PC Game:
    Battlefield 4 (Electronic Arts)
  • Best Social/Casual/Online Game:
    The Elder Scrolls Online (ZeniMax Germany GmbH)

Destiny? As the best of Gamescom? Seems a little off. Don’t get me wrong; the game looks great; like a beautiful amalgam of Borderlands and Halo with some MMO-inspired gameplay events thrown in – but it was only shown as a developer diary at Gamescom. It’s not the only thing about these awards that’s gotten up my nose. for one, they’ve hailed The Elder Scrolls Online as the best RPG on show, at an event that had a live build of The rather damned incredible Witcher 3 running.

On top of that, they’ve named the online multiplayer only game Titanfall as best next gen game (it’s coming to the Xbox 360), and Destiny as the best online multiplayer game. With Titanfall  headed to PC and Destiny being strongly considered to hit the platform it makes Battlefield 4’s win as the best PC game seem a bit silly.

That aside; what do you think of the awards? Do you think the games listed deserve the accolades?

A side note about Titanfall’s continued praise; I was a little wary of all the accolade, that ridiculous hype that the game’s been getting since E3. I just did not buy it. Until I played it. I had just two rounds of the game, and I honestly wanted to carry on playing the game the whole damned day. I don’t even like first person shooters to begin with – and multiplayer ones even less so – and even I’m starting to think all that praise is worthy. There’s definitely something special about Titanfall.

We’ll have our own meaningless and nonsensical awards for you later this week.

Last Updated: August 26, 2013

40 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief Raider of Tombs

    August 26, 2013 at 09:24

    Good grief, if Geoff thinks a FPS MP game is awesome, then thats the highest praise it can get!

    Definitely on my radar

    Reply

    • FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

      August 26, 2013 at 09:32

      I’m worried that Geoff like a FPS shooter and a MP game.

      He must’ve been drunk or something 😛

      Reply

      • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

        August 26, 2013 at 09:50

        I think Geoff is drunk on German beer!

        Reply

        • Fus Ro John

          August 26, 2013 at 09:51

          One does not get drunk on German beer. You get wiser.

          Reply

          • Vampyre Squirrel

            August 26, 2013 at 10:08

            One does not get a hang over from German beer either. You get enlightened.

    • Lardus-Respect the beard

      August 26, 2013 at 10:24

      On my radar, but still not convinced on the whole Online only FPS thing. Still looks fantastic.

      Reply

  2. Alien Emperor Trevor

    August 26, 2013 at 09:32

    The Elder Scrolls Online winning a category that has Casual in the title is chuckle-worthy.

    Reply

  3. Umar Kiiroi Senk?

    August 26, 2013 at 09:34

    Why do I feel a bitter and sour taste in my mouth after looking at this list ….. which looks exactly the same as E3 best of list … I know Titanfall is going to be awesomeballs as well as Destiny but jeez man …. is this all next gen is gonna bring us …. more shooters … well that’s just from bitter ol me.

    Reply

    • Johan du Preez

      August 26, 2013 at 09:37

      Money talks and bullshit walks …

      Its wont be anything new that developers/publishers slips the reviewers a something extra on the side, im sure if you speak to the right people it can be done at the game conferences as well.

      Reply

      • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

        August 26, 2013 at 09:42

        Money Talks as well as Doritos and Mountain Dew 😛 Yeah this has been happening for a very long time. It’s shocking how much influence reviews and Metacritic has … these conferences can generate a lot of hype, wining these awards will certainly help bolster sales and interest

        Reply

  4. FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

    August 26, 2013 at 09:44

    Europe showing Sony some non-nonsensical loving again.

    Reply

  5. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    August 26, 2013 at 09:49

    What I find so interesting about Titanfall is that all its features that are lauded by the gaming press, are the same that the very same publications hated about Brink. That’s why I’m very sceptical about Titanfall. The hype is too damn high! The unofficial marketing team is working hard again.

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      August 26, 2013 at 09:50

      ticking a feature box and implementing it perfectly are two very different things.

      Reply

      • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

        August 26, 2013 at 09:52

        I’ll have to see it in action I guess, but for what it’s worth, I actually enjoyed Brink. I liked what they tried to do – merging a classical singleplayer campaign into a dedicated multiplayer game. Also the multiple ways to take on a map, and the hidden routes with the parkour actually makes me think that Brink was a lot more forward-looking than people gave it credit for.

        Reply

      • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

        August 26, 2013 at 10:03

        Gav, is the focus run-and-gun or is there a strategic element to Titanfall matches?

        Reply

  6. Fus Ro John

    August 26, 2013 at 09:50

    Where is Fox when Battlefield is winning the award and not his beloved COD(piece).

    Reply

  7. fred

    August 26, 2013 at 09:55

    Looks like UBI got shafted in these awards.

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      August 26, 2013 at 09:56

      Yeah, I’m surprised Watchdogs isn’t on there, or even the Division. Maybe, Ubi forgot to pay a bribe or something <–Malicious Banana rumour-mongering

      Reply

      • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

        August 26, 2013 at 09:58

        The Division wasn’t really one show (just a presentation)..but the hands-one we did with Watch dogs grabbed my attention. It’s really, really cool.

        Reply

        • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

          August 26, 2013 at 10:03

          Is Titanfall’s gameplay strategic or is it more run-and-gun? Because, a man of my advanced age, (a) doesn’t have the reflexes any more, and (b) can’t stand run-and-gunning.

          War has to be cerebral, otherwise it’s all a green gob in the eye of the ghost of Sun Tzu.

          (Shutup! it’s Monday. I’m grumpy)

          Reply

          • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

            August 26, 2013 at 10:12

            Really, it’s quite a lot of both. you have to balance your load, shoot things, flank things, plan your attacks based on team;s mechs, etc. The bit we played was essentially standard team deathmatch though – so it was a little more run and gun. there will be other modes that require more strategy.

      • fred

        August 26, 2013 at 09:58

        yeah , maybe their sponsorship cheque bounced or something

        Reply

  8. CrasH

    August 26, 2013 at 09:59

    Seems that Gamescom might be getting some extra “budget” in the future, for the “well selected” winners in “catagories” that match the games perfectly.
    Dawm when you start to “”, you just can’t stop, but yea, seem pay/bought to me.
    That or they just dont have a clue or only played 5 games.

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      August 26, 2013 at 10:09

      Yeah, I’ve also turned into a cynic, but there is a chance that the games listed are actually deserving? But, I can’t shake the feeling that it’s too FPS-centric – and I like the occasional FPS game.

      Ah well… :/

      Reply

  9. OVG

    August 26, 2013 at 10:03

    GTAV BABY!

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      August 26, 2013 at 10:04

      I support OVG’s Gaming Awards! 😛

      Reply

      • Vampyre Squirrel

        August 26, 2013 at 10:09

        That makes two of us!

        Reply

  10. Pieter Kruger

    August 26, 2013 at 10:06

    Ouch, sad day when “Best Console Game Sony Playstation” isn’t even a Sony Exclusive…LOL! Well, it seems as if they just made sure everyone got something at least to keep everybody happy, just like a good old pre school prize giving!

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      August 26, 2013 at 10:10

      Yeah, the dismissal of indie titles by Gamescom is a travesty! A DAMN TRAVESTY! Indie games number 1.. Indie Games number 1

      Reply

      • jGLZA

        August 26, 2013 at 10:27

        But most of those indie games looked pretty weak imo. It will be awhile before some real gems start coming out. I’m certain they will over time though.

        Reply

      • Pieter Kruger

        August 26, 2013 at 11:22

        Indies were crying for equality so now they must contend with the big boys! Having their own separate category would also be like Womens Lib still holding their own awards for woman only! LOL! Anyway, back on the good old days just getting published was reward enough for Indies but now with self publishing, Indies are like the Hawkers camping out on the pavement in front of Fruit and Veg City selling mielies!

        Reply

    • Skyblue

      August 26, 2013 at 10:17

      Yeah these awards are ludicrous. Looks as if they just tried to appease everyone.

      Reply

  11. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    August 26, 2013 at 10:09

    Hahaha! I only realised now that Titanfall is a timed exclusive… oh.. Banana you’re slipping!

    Reply

  12. Skyblue

    August 26, 2013 at 10:22

    So for me personally it was Witcher 3, Titanfall, Destiny, The Division (that tablet play was sick!) and Forza 5. I’ll be checking out inFamous 3 because I’ve played the previous titles but I generally lose interest in *cough-cash-ins* sequels.

    Cranked up Borderlands 2 for the first time this weekend (that Steam backlog) and I am completely hooked.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      August 26, 2013 at 10:55

      Just started Borderlands? Say goodbye to days of your life.

      Reply

    • RinceThisandbeAbsurd

      August 26, 2013 at 11:00

      You will have no life! 🙂 Spent 7 hours playing on Sat also!

      Reply

  13. Seraphim

    August 26, 2013 at 10:36

    “. both Titanfall and Destiny are headed to PC…” does this mean Destiny is confirmed on PC?

    Reply

  14. ElimiNathan

    August 26, 2013 at 13:23

    Destiny – Game of Gamescom, doesn’t that mean it should be the best console game of Playstation and Xbox :/

    Reply

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