Bioshock floods the VGA's

In case you missed last night's Video Game Awards (commercial) show on Spike TV, the big winner was Bioshock, which took the top prize for Game of the Year as well as Best Original Score and Best Xbox 360 Game. The only award I strongly disagreed with was for best driving game. Dirt got the award over Project Gotham 4 and Forza Motorsports 2. I enjoyed Dirt, but I don't consider it in the same league as the other two, especially Forza 2, which is the best console driving simulation on the planet.

2007 Spike TV Video Game Award Winners:

Game of the Year - Bioshock (360, PC)
Best Role Playing Game - Mass Effect (360)
Best Shooter - Call of Duty 4 (360, PS3, PC)
Best Multiplayer Game - Halo 3 (360)
Best Handheld Game - Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
Best PS3 Game - Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3)
Best Xbox 360 Game - Bioshock (360, PC)
Best Wii Game - Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Best Rhythm Game - Rockband
Best Graphics - Crysis (PC)
Best Military Game - Call of Duty 4 (360, PS3, PC)
Best Action Game - Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Best Driving Game - Dirt (360)
Best Individual Sports Game - Skate (360, PS3)
Best Team Sports Game - Madden NFL Football 2008 (360, PS3, Wii, PC)
Breakthrough Technology - The Orange Box (360, PS3, PC)
Best Game Based on a TV Show or Movie - The Simpsons Game (360, PS3)
Most Addictive Video Game Fueled by Dew - Halo 3 (360)

I struggled with the decision of whether or not to include the full name of the final award. It is such a blatant commercial, as was most of the show. But, if you've watched the Grammy Awards or the Oscars, while their presentations are less blatantly commercial, their goals are not. As video games strive for the same respect and creative recognition as those other mediums, sponsorship will play a vital role. Let's just hope they are able to tone it down a bit in the future.

'Krazy' Ken Kutaragi to be honored with AIAS Lifetime Achievment Award

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences has chosen 'Krazy' Ken Kutaragi as the recipient of the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented at this year's Interactive Achievement Awards on February 7th at the Red Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, in conjunction with next year's D.I.C.E. Summit. Regarded as the father of that fad known as the PlayStation, Kutaragi was squeezed out of the Sony hierarchy this past Spring after the PlayStation 3's sluggish start.

Kutaragi's unpleasant departure from Sony in no way diminishes his impact on the business of video games. In fact, it would be difficult to imagine the modern gaming landscape without his very significant contributions. The former Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. President and CEO was instrumental in the creation and launch of the PlayStation brand, and that alone cements his place in the history of the industry. Besides, if nothing else, we are all but guaranteed at least one good quote between now and the award ceremony.

Spike TV's Video Game Awards Gets Real

The Spike TV Video Game Awards 2007 (VGA's) nominees were announced today. Before you scoff, you should know Spike has brought some serious legitimacy to the show this year by employing a who's who advisory board of respected game writers and editors. The board's more well-known members include Andy McNamara of Game Informer Magazine, Chris Grant from Joystiq, Geoff Keighley, host of GameTrailers' "The Bonus Round", Gamespot's Jeff Gerstman, and Dan "Shoe" Hsu of 1up. My invitation must have been misplaced by my local postal carrier. Oh well, at least they got it (mostly) right. Apparently someone told the shows' producers that nothing screams "noob!" like having Madden nominated for GOTY, as was the case in past years.

As far as this year's list goes -- BioShock, Mass Effect, Super Mario Galaxy, and Halo 3, all of which will undoubtedly be on GOTY ballots around the globe, made it of course. However, some lesser known and/or unexpected titles are being recognized as well, including Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3, Puzzle Quest: Challenge the Warlords, and Portal.