Looking back at 2011, the overall quality of the games released was possibly better than it has ever been. Developers pushed the boundaries in almost every genre, and as a result, narrowing down the selection to a handful that would be honored in our awards was more difficult than ever. We spent hours and hours locked away in the basement of GameSpot HQ debating the relative merits of everything we played. We argued, we fought, we poked fun at each other, and we debated everything released throughout the entire year. The results can be seen in the short lists of nominees that you see in each of the categories here, and ultimately the winners in each category, along with additional insight into the thought process behind each choice.
No doubt some of you will think some of our selections are crazy, while others will think we're right on the money. Whether you think we're nuts or not, we want to honor your choices for the best game in each category too. Your votes are very important to us, so as you're looking through each of the categories, please take the time to cast your vote in the ballot box at the bottom of each page. Rather than preselecting games for you, we've opened the whole thing up this year, and you can vote for any game released between December 1, 2010, and December 5, 2011, by typing it into the box. (Just so you know, Star Wars: The Old Republic will be eligible for next year's awards instead.) Voting closes on December 30, which is also when we'll reveal your selections.
By participating in this year's awards show, you can earn the following emblems. Please note that only registered users are eligible to vote or earn these, so be sure to sign in or sign up!
Take that, not-democracy! This user took the system into their own hands by voting in at least one category in Best of 2011.
It's just like in that one movie with Nicky Cage. This user voted for a game in a category in which that game also won the Readers' Choice award. This award will be handed out on January 3rd to all eligible users.
I am not much of a Elder Scroll fan. Played Oblivion and Skyrim is not much of an update from Oblivion. They didn't fix most of the annoying bugs that was on Oblivion in Skyrim (like getting stuck on terrains). With such a big and rich world, they could have throw in a online 2-4 player co-op to make the game a lot more Interesting and closer to a D&D universe.
A lot of good games have come out this year, so it looks like a hard decision. I don't think that Skyrim should win it, considering what's going on on the PS3 version, and taking into account the amount of bugs and glitches in the game.
This won't be worth the paper it's written on, Gamespot has been unnecessarily harsh on some games and inconsistent at times. Heck I mean look at their reviews of Battlefield 3 and MW3... they couldn't be much more contrasting yet both games got a rating of 8.
@Toysoldier34 I see what you're saying, but still. Anyway, I don't even know my favorite, but I'm replaying Dead Space 2 this week and it's up there for me, along with LA Noire.
Thanks for the year in review video, reminds me a lot of great games that was released before the busy month. I'll definitely go for Dark Souls, or Uncharted 3. Others are great too but those are my pick :)
1 Like Problem with GOTY from player perspectives is no one has played all the games worth being called GOTY. :P
There is no match for Skyrim this year, great games, no doubt, but Skyrim is the best!
I think it's gonna be either Portal 2, Dark Souls or Skyrim. To be frank, I'm glad I don't have to choose.
@ClaireClaire A bunch of us from the UK were there on via conference-phones. We waved a bunch, but I don't think it works that way.
Im surprised gamespot is going to release their GOTY before SWTOR even gets a chance. I know the early access starts the 13th. However, gamespot's GOTY is on the 15th. Two days are not enough time to judge a MMO. They even release the most played games, and uncharted wasnt even on it. Gamespot's GOTY is going to be most FROTY (flawed review of the year).
Sucks that star wars the old republic wont be included in this. It probably would have been nominated in some catergories
2011 is definitely one of the best year of video games on all major consoles, Portal 2, battlefield 3, gear of war 3, Uncharted 3, Skyrim, Dark Souls, and many great games. I am really interested to see what result will be for this year.
this year is the year of gaming, ALL THE EPIC games came out this year from portal 2 to skyrim it's kinda difficult to decide the GOTY ,all of them are great but i have a feeling that skyrim, well win good luck for them all
Probably one of the hardest years to decide which game is GOTY. One of the best years for games actually.
A nice job GS is carrying out. I thing Skyrim is most prone to be GOTY or Uncharted 3 is also very close.
I coudnt see any of the gamespot UK members there... I hope they are still involved with the selection process!
People are saying how much harder this year will be than last year and yes probably right but remember the battle of supremacy last year between Mass Effect 2 and Red Dead Redemption, epic! Modern Warfare 3 ftw....hahahahah joking ofcourse!
I hate when I think of a few games for GOTY and I finally decide on mine, then I remember all the great games that released before April and I have to start all over.
@jsonaut Pretty much all games are already out, the only notable game is The Old Republic which comes out on the 20th. Not sure if it will be in anything for awards, but other than that nothing else will really be missing.
I lol'd Giancarlo Varanini looking at his cell phone during the meeting. That guy is a huge proponent for mobile gaming even when he's not paying attention.
Those are Americans !! They will surely choose a crappy game! WE WANT GAMESPOT UK TO CHOOSE THE GAME!
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