CGDA's 1998 Nominees

The Computer Game Developers' Association (CGDA) announced Thursday the Spotlight Awards nominees for 1998, which will be presented at the CGDA's annual event on March 17 in San Jose.

In addition, one individual will receive the CGDA's lifetime achievement award, and attendees at the Game Developers Conference (held at the same time) will be able to vote on the Best of Show award.

"We are delighted to have been able to attract some substantial corporate sponsorship this year," said Robin Matthews, member of the board of directors at the CGDA and chairman of the Spotlight Awards. "These sponsors have shown genuine vision in actively supporting the recognition of the very best this industry has to offer."

The announced nominees in their categories include:

Best Use of GraphicsHalf-Life, Unreal, Trespasser, Grim Fandango, Thief: The Dark Project, Parasite Eve.

Most Innovative Game DesignThief: The Dark Project, Rainbow Six, Metal Gear Solid, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Commandos, Baldur's Gate, Pokemon, Battlezone, Army Men.

Best Use of AudioHalf-Life, Baldur's Gate, Thief: The Dark Project, Falcon 4.0, Unreal, Might and Magic VI, NHL 99 (PC).

Best AI (Artificial Intelligence)Half-Life, Thief: The Dark Project, Creatures 2, Operational Art of War, Warlords III: Darklords Rising.

Best Children's GameBarbie's Photo Designer, Lego Creator, Rugrats Movie Activity Challenge, Blue's ABC Time Activities, Play with the Teletubbies, Droidworks, Bug's Life Active Play, Spyro the Dragon, Banjo Kazooie.

Best Trivia, Puzzle, or Classic GameSmart Games - Puzzle Challenge 3, Chessmaster 6000, Wheel of Fortune, Clue: Murder at Boddy Mansion, You Don't Know Jack 4: The Ride.

Best SimulationFalcon 4.0, European Air War, Need for Speed 3, Gran Turismo, F1 Racing Simulation, Monaco Grand Prix Racing 2, Motocross Madness, Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator.

Best Strategy/WargameStarcraft, West Front, Operational Art of War, Rainbow Six, Settlers III, Battlezone, Railroad Tycoon 2, Caesar III, Final Fantasy Tactics.

Best Adventure/RPGBaldur's Gate, Fallout 2, Might and Magic VI, Grim Fandango, Sanitarium, Redguard: Elder Scrolls Adventures, Xenogears.

Best Sports GameNBA Live 1999, Tiger Woods Golf, NHL 99 (PC), International Superstar Soccer 2, NFL Blitz, NFL Quarterback Club 99, Links LS 99, World Cup 98, NCAA Football 99, FIFA Soccer 99.

Best Action GameHalf-Life, Rainbow Six, Metal Gear Solid, Shogo, Battlezone, Heretic II, Tekken 3, Descent Freespace, Turok 2: Seeds of Evil.

Best Multiplayer GameHalf-Life, Rainbow Six, Starcraft, Starsiege - Tribes, Fireteam.

Best PC GameRainbow Six, Half-Life, Starcraft, Thief: The Dark Project, Baldur's Gate.

Best Console GameLegend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Need for Speed 3, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, Crash Bandicoot: Warped, Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, NFL Blitz, Spyro the Dragon.