VGA Nominations 2011 Announced (some really...interesting..choices)

http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards-2011

Game Of The Year:

Batman: Arkham City

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Portal 2

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Studio Of The Year:

Bethesda Game Studios

Naughty Dog

Rocksteady

Valve

Best Xbox 360 Game:

Batman: Arkham City

Forza Motorsport 4

Gears of War 3

Portal 2

Best PS3 Game:

Infamous 2

Killzone 3

LittleBigPlanet 2

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Best Wii Game:

Disney's Epic Mickey

Kirby's Return To Dream Land

Lost In Shadow

The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Best PC Game:

Battlefield 3

Minecraft

The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings

Portal 2

Best Handheld/Mobile Game:

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Infinity Blade

Super Mario 3D Land

Jetpack Joyride

Best Shooter:

Battlefield 3

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Gears of War 3

Rage

Best Action Adventure Game:

Assassin's Creed: Revelations

Batman: Arkham City

The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Best RPG:

Dark Souls

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Dragon Age 2

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Best Multi-Player:

Battlefield 3

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Gears Of War 3

Portal 2

Best Individual Sports Game:

Fight Night Champion

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters

Top Spin 4

Virtua Tennis 4

Best Team Sports Game:

FIFA Soccer 12

NBA 2K12

NHL 12

MLB '11: The Show

Best Driving Game:

Dirt 3

Driver: San Francisco

Forza Motorsport 4

Need For Speed: The Run

Best Fighting Game:

The King Of Fighters XIII

Marvel Vs. Capcom 3

Mortal Kombat

WWE All Stars

Best Motion Game:

Child Of Eden

Dance Central 2

The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The Gunstringer

Best Independent Game:

Bastion

Minecraft

Superbrothers: Sword And Sworcery EP

The Binding Of Isaac

Best Adapted Video Game:

Back To The Future: The Game

Batman: Arkham City

Captain America: Super Soldier

Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars

Best Song In A Game:

Bastion: "Build that Wall (Zia's Theme)" by Darren Korb

Portal 2: "Exile Vilify" by The National

Dragon Age 2: "I'm Not Calling You a Liar" by Florence + the Machine

Bastion: "Setting Sail, Coming Home (End Theme)" by Darren Korb

Best Original Score:

Bastion

Batman: Arkham City

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Portal 2

Best Graphics:

Batman: Arkham City

L.A. Noire

Rage

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Best Performance By A Human Male:

Portal 2: J.K. Simmons as Cave Johnson

Batman: Arkham City: Mark Hamill as The Joker

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception: Nolan North as Nathan Drake

Portal 2: Stephen Merchant as Wheatley

Best Performance By A Human Female:

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception: Claudia Black as Chloe Frazer

Portal 2: Ellen McLain as GLaDOS

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception: Emily Rose as Elena Fisher

Batman: Arkham City: Tara Strong as Harley Quinn

Best Downloadable Game:

Bastion

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

Stacking

Trenched

Best DLC:

Fallout: New Vegas - Old World Blues

Mass Effect 2: Arrival

Mortal Kombat: Freddy Krueger

Portal 2 Peer Review

------

So what are you thoughts for this? These are my pics out of the ones listed:

GOTY: Skyrim

Studio of Year: Bethesda

Best 360: Gears 3

Best PS3: LBP2

Best Wii: Zelda

Best PC: Witcher 2

Best Shooter: BATTLEFIELD 3

best action: Arkham City

Best RPG: Skyrim

Best Multplayer: BF3

Best Sports: Fight night champion

best driving: Dirt 3

Best Fighting: MvC3

Best Motion Game: ZeldaBest independent: Minecraft

Best adapted: Arkham City

Best Original Score: Deus Ex Human Revolution

Best graphics: NONE

Umm Skyrim theme song isn't on that list?

That song is beyond epic

Don't agree with all of the choices, but not bad for a mainstream event.

Slashkice

Their graphics list is a joke. No BF3 and Witcher 2? LOL

Uncharted 3 should win best graphics award. Best looking game this year.

Uncharted 3 should win best graphics award. Best looking game this year.

phatkav

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/topic/28937289/and-the-best-looking-game-of-2011-goes-to--the-witcher-2.-56k?page=1

And thou opinion has been crushed :D

surprised to see mass effect 2 arrival as best dlc nomination when i heard lair of the shadow broker is the best. how interesting

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

Their graphics list is a joke. No BF3 and Witcher 2? LOL

Slashkice

Like I said, it's a mainstream event. PC not getting proper rep doesn't surprise me.

But, BF3 IS mainstream :|

Good thing that Witcher 2 didn't get nominated for RPG award. DA2 deserves it more.

I don't see much particularly weird about this list, seems quite logical considering it's an event that must be voted for.

The best games I've played this year are Dark Souls and Xenoblade Chronicles. Skyward Sword might also pop up there when I get to play it.

Good thing that Witcher 2 didn't get nominated for RPG award. DA2 deserves it more.

phatkav

Yeah I know, even PC gamer agrees. Witcher 2 **** game. Dragon Age 2 greatest RPG combat in gaming and greatest story in RPGs. Lol at supporters of Witcher 2 :D

I don't see much particularly weird about this list, seems quite logical considering it's an event that must be voted for.

The best games I've played this year are Dark Souls and Xenoblade Chronicles. Skyward Sword might also pop up there when I get to play it.

calvinsora

Too bad dark souls not even nominated for GOTY :D I always knew it was just a mediocre masochistic title.

[QUOTE="phatkav"]

Uncharted 3 should win best graphics award. Best looking game this year.

argetlam00

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/topic/28937289/and-the-best-looking-game-of-2011-goes-to--the-witcher-2.-56k?page=1

And thou opinion has been crushed :D

If you see graphics as only a battle of pixels then yes. But you seem to forget everything else that constitutes graphics.

Good thing that Witcher 2 didn't get nominated for RPG award. DA2 deserves it more.

phatkav

[QUOTE="phatkav"]

Uncharted 3 should win best graphics award. Best looking game this year.

argetlam00

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/topic/28937289/and-the-best-looking-game-of-2011-goes-to--the-witcher-2.-56k?page=1

And thou opinion has been crushed :D

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

[QUOTE="phatkav"]

Uncharted 3 should win best graphics award. Best looking game this year.

calvinsora

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/topic/28937289/and-the-best-looking-game-of-2011-goes-to--the-witcher-2.-56k?page=1

And thou opinion has been crushed :D

If you see graphics as only a battle of pixels then yes. But you seem to forget everything else that constitutes graphics.

Such as what? Art style? Have you seen how fantastic Witcher 2 artstyle is? Heck those screenshots alone show it.

The Arrival DLc was quite bad and not worth playing.

[QUOTE="phatkav"]

Uncharted 3 should win best graphics award. Best looking game this year.

argetlam00

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/topic/28937289/and-the-best-looking-game-of-2011-goes-to--the-witcher-2.-56k?page=1

And thou opinion has been crushed :D

Uncharted 3 is more technically impressive considering it's done on an outdated machine like the PS3

[QUOTE="calvinsora"]

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/topic/28937289/and-the-best-looking-game-of-2011-goes-to--the-witcher-2.-56k?page=1

And thou opinion has been crushed :D

argetlam00

If you see graphics as only a battle of pixels then yes. But you seem to forget everything else that constitutes graphics.

Such as what? Art style? Have you seen how fantastic Witcher 2 artstyle is? Heck those screenshots alone show it.

Yes, art styIe, and art styIe is obviously subjective. Thus how you cannot "crush" a person's opinion just because you seem to disagree with him. The game looks great, but I wouldn't call it the best I've seen, personally.

For once the voice acting choices are not a joke. That is a plus. I still don't like how they ignore genres other then FPS for best multiplayer.

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

[QUOTE="calvinsora"]

If you see graphics as only a battle of pixels then yes. But you seem to forget everything else that constitutes graphics.

calvinsora

Such as what? Art style? Have you seen how fantastic Witcher 2 artstyle is? Heck those screenshots alone show it.

Yes, art styIe, and art styIe is obviously subjective. Thus how you cannot "crush" a person's opinion just because you seem to disagree with him. The game looks great, but I wouldn't call it the best I've seen, personally.

Higher resolution, way better textures, way better shadows, more CREATIVE artstyle (this is a fact btw), no jaggies if settings high enough, 60 fps, open world...It goes on. Witcher 2 >>>>>. Uncharted 3 so much its not even funny.

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

[QUOTE="phatkav"]

Uncharted 3 should win best graphics award. Best looking game this year.

phatkav

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/topic/28937289/and-the-best-looking-game-of-2011-goes-to--the-witcher-2.-56k?page=1

And thou opinion has been crushed :D

Uncharted 3 is more technically impressive considering it's done on an outdated machine like the PS3

PC has far more options devs need to consider so they can't optomize as well.

[QUOTE="calvinsora"]

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

Such as what? Art style? Have you seen how fantastic Witcher 2 artstyle is? Heck those screenshots alone show it.

argetlam00

Yes, art styIe, and art styIe is obviously subjective. Thus how you cannot "crush" a person's opinion just because you seem to disagree with him. The game looks great, but I wouldn't call it the best I've seen, personally.

Higher resolution, way better textures, way better shadows, more CREATIVE artstyle (this is a fact btw), no jaggies if settings high enough, 60 fps, open world...It goes on. Witcher 2 >>>>>. Uncharted 3 so much its not even funny.

*sigh* Yes, how creative the visuals are is indeed opinion. UC3 has a lot of variety too, and how you gauge that is directly proportionate to what you value. The first three things I don't care much about, to be honest, has little influence on how I judge games, nor for the jaggies. I'd say that Okami looks miles better than both, however.

Very surprised to see Zelda flop and still be a nominate.

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

[QUOTE="calvinsora"]

Yes, art styIe, and art styIe is obviously subjective. Thus how you cannot "crush" a person's opinion just because you seem to disagree with him. The game looks great, but I wouldn't call it the best I've seen, personally.

calvinsora

Higher resolution, way better textures, way better shadows, more CREATIVE artstyle (this is a fact btw), no jaggies if settings high enough, 60 fps, open world...It goes on. Witcher 2 >>>>>. Uncharted 3 so much its not even funny.

*sigh* Yes, how creative the visuals are is indeed opinion. UC3 has a lot of variety too, and how you gauge that is directly proportionate to what you value. The first three things I don't care much about, to be honest, has little influence on how I judge games, nor for the jaggies. I'd say that Okami looks miles better than both, however.

Okami can only be argued to have a better art style. But technically, its total trash in comparison to the Witcher. UC3 goes for that realistic art style man games try to go for this gen. It has nothing special in its art style. The Witcher 2 goes for a fantasy world based one which is inherently more creative.

Very surprised to see Zelda flop and still be a nominate.

landofcookies

Only flopped on a website that nobody takes seriously by a reviewer nobody knows or cares about.

[QUOTE="calvinsora"]

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

Higher resolution, way better textures, way better shadows, more CREATIVE artstyle (this is a fact btw), no jaggies if settings high enough, 60 fps, open world...It goes on. Witcher 2 >>>>>. Uncharted 3 so much its not even funny.

argetlam00

*sigh* Yes, how creative the visuals are is indeed opinion. UC3 has a lot of variety too, and how you gauge that is directly proportionate to what you value. The first three things I don't care much about, to be honest, has little influence on how I judge games, nor for the jaggies. I'd say that Okami looks miles better than both, however.

Okami can only be argued to have a better art style. But technically, its total trash in comparison to the Witcher. UC3 goes for that realistic art style man games try to go for this gen. It has nothing special in its art style. The Witcher 2 goes for a fantasy world based one which is inherently more creative.

Both Witcher 2 and Uncharted 3 are going for realistic art style.

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

[QUOTE="calvinsora"]

*sigh* Yes, how creative the visuals are is indeed opinion. UC3 has a lot of variety too, and how you gauge that is directly proportionate to what you value. The first three things I don't care much about, to be honest, has little influence on how I judge games, nor for the jaggies. I'd say that Okami looks miles better than both, however.

phatkav

Okami can only be argued to have a better art style. But technically, its total trash in comparison to the Witcher. UC3 goes for that realistic art style man games try to go for this gen. It has nothing special in its art style. The Witcher 2 goes for a fantasy world based one which is inherently more creative.

Both Witcher 2 and Uncharted 3 are going for realistic art style.

Maybe in character models, but one has a fantasy based artstyle in its overworld while the other has rather generic environments.

[QUOTE="calvinsora"]

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

Higher resolution, way better textures, way better shadows, more CREATIVE artstyle (this is a fact btw), no jaggies if settings high enough, 60 fps, open world...It goes on. Witcher 2 >>>>>. Uncharted 3 so much its not even funny.

argetlam00

*sigh* Yes, how creative the visuals are is indeed opinion. UC3 has a lot of variety too, and how you gauge that is directly proportionate to what you value. The first three things I don't care much about, to be honest, has little influence on how I judge games, nor for the jaggies. I'd say that Okami looks miles better than both, however.

Okami can only be argued to have a better art style. But technically, its total trash in comparison to the Witcher. UC3 goes for that realistic art style man games try to go for this gen. It has nothing special in its art style. The Witcher 2 goes for a fantasy world based one which is inherently more creative.

And technical aspects say very little to me about the game's actual graphical fidelity. This argument seems to be going into circles, so I'll say it again and expand: I think Okami, FFXIII, Wind Waker, Kirby's Epic Yarn, L.A. Noire, Valkyria Chronicles, Braid and Paper Mario all have better graphics than The Witcher II AND UC3.

Here are the things I found stuipd.

Best Shooter:

Battlefield 3

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Gears of War 3

Rage

-Wut? Rage was a huge dissapointment

Best RPG:

Dark Souls

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Dragon Age 2

Are you serious?

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

-Where the **** is The Witcher 2!? Imo Skyrim is the better RPG but The Witcher 2 deserves to be in the categorie.

Best Original Score:

Bastion

Batman: Arkham City

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Portal 2

-Where is the OS for Skyrim?

Best Graphics:

Batman: Arkham City

L.A. Noire

Rage

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

-Im pretty sure this was best graphics not best new tech. Also where the hell is The Witcher 2 and BF3 in this catagorie? Are the blind? Or is this best console graphics?

Best DLC:

Fallout: New Vegas - Old World Blues

Mass Effect 2: Arrival

Mortal Kombat: Freddy Krueger

Portal 2 Peer Review

-Really? Did they put that there just because it was Mass Effect2? Come on, that DLC was garbage and it served no purpose.

argetlam00

[QUOTE="phatkav"]

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

Okami can only be argued to have a better art style. But technically, its total trash in comparison to the Witcher. UC3 goes for that realistic art style man games try to go for this gen. It has nothing special in its art style. The Witcher 2 goes for a fantasy world based one which is inherently more creative.

argetlam00

Both Witcher 2 and Uncharted 3 are going for realistic art style.

Maybe in character models, but one has a fantasy based artstyle in its overworld while the other has rather generic environments.

Fantasy settings with realistic art style just like how Uncharted 3 is modern settings with jungles and cities with realistic art style. They really both are aiming at the same thing.

Here's how it's going to shake out, folks: Game Of The Year (Good luck, Zelda): The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Studio Of The Year: Rocksteady Best Xbox 360 Game: Gears of War 3 Best PS3 Game: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Best Wii Game (FAIL LIST): The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword Best PC Game: The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings Best Handheld/Mobile Game: Super Mario 3D Land Best Shooter: Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Best Action Adventure Game: Batman: Arkham City Best RPG: Dark Souls The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Best Multi-Player: Battlefield 3 Best Individual Sports Game: Fight Night Champion Best Team Sports Game: FIFA Soccer 12 Best Driving Game: Forza Motorsport 4 Best Fighting Game: Mortal Kombat Best Motion Game: Dance Central 2 Best Independent Game: Minecraft Best Adapted Video Game: Batman: Arkham City Best Song In A Game: Portal 2: "Exile Vilify" by The National Best Original Score: Bastion Best Graphics: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Best Performance By A Human Male: Portal 2: J.K. Simmons as Cave Johnson Best Performance By A Human Female: Portal 2: Ellen McLain as GLaDOS Best Downloadable Game: Bastion Best DLC: Mortal Kombat: Freddy KruegerActionRemix

CoD will only be allowed to win best shooter over my dead body.

its a complete joke that show

skyward sword and Skyrim were nominated, before they even came out

last year you could tell it wasnt serious, when they gave neil patrick harris the award

all the GOTY award shows are a complete joke, everysingle one of them, they all ignore the PC and just give the award to whats the most popular

wonder if video games will ever get real awards like the oscars

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

[QUOTE="phatkav"]

Both Witcher 2 and Uncharted 3 are going for realistic art style.

phatkav

Maybe in character models, but one has a fantasy based artstyle in its overworld while the other has rather generic environments.

Fantasy settings with realistic art style just like how Uncharted 3 is modern settings with jungles and cities with realistic art style. They really both are aiming at the same thing.

Wait so what are you exactly arguing for exactly? Let say I agree with you and they have a similar art style with same goals. Then that only makes it more clear that Witcher 2 >>>>>>> U3 in graphics (as a game as well IMO)

its a complete joke that show

skyward sword and Skyrim were nominated, before they even came out

last year you could tell it wasnt serious, when they gave neil patrick harris the award

all the GOTY award shows are a complete joke, everysingle one of them, they all ignore the PC and just give the award to whats the most popular

wonder if video games will ever get real awards like the oscars

HaloinventedFPS

Games journalists from various websites were the ones that nominated these games. So they have played them. However you could argue that for Skyrim and Zelda, the hype hasn't settled down.

They really should push the nominations period till late December so they get time to think over these nominations instead of just buying the release hype.

Why does everyone give a glitch filled game GOTY? If they game came out without an issue sure maybe, but it didn't stop giving Bethesda a pass.

Good list.

Rage for graphics, hands down, especially on consoles (aside from being damn fun to play.)

TW2 has bad animation so it doesn't deserve a graphics award, but it's still a good game. Maybe "best low-budget" game or something like that.

UC3 deserves some kind of award like "did the most impressive job on crappy hardware" or something.

Gears 3 deserves "most overhyped and overrated."

Bethesda sucks, they always put out botch jobs, they should be sued.

[QUOTE="HaloinventedFPS"]

its a complete joke that show

skyward sword and Skyrim were nominated, before they even came out

last year you could tell it wasnt serious, when they gave neil patrick harris the award

all the GOTY award shows are a complete joke, everysingle one of them, they all ignore the PC and just give the award to whats the most popular

wonder if video games will ever get real awards like the oscars

phatkav

Games journalists from various websites were the ones that nominated these games. So they have played them. However you could argue that for Skyrim and Zelda, the hype hasn't settled down.

They really should push the nominations period till late December so they get time to think over these nominations instead of just buying the release hype.

So you believe come december, Skyrim and Zelda aren't GOTY worthy games? LOL

its a complete joke that show

skyward sword and Skyrim were nominated, before they even came out

last year you could tell it wasnt serious, when they gave neil patrick harris the award

all the GOTY award shows are a complete joke, everysingle one of them, they all ignore the PC and just give the award to whats the most popular

wonder if video games will ever get real awards like the oscars

HaloinventedFPS

Mario Kart 7 should be a nomination for best handheld game because it is likely to be awesome.

[QUOTE="phatkav"]

[QUOTE="HaloinventedFPS"]

its a complete joke that show

skyward sword and Skyrim were nominated, before they even came out

last year you could tell it wasnt serious, when they gave neil patrick harris the award

all the GOTY award shows are a complete joke, everysingle one of them, they all ignore the PC and just give the award to whats the most popular

wonder if video games will ever get real awards like the oscars

argetlam00

Games journalists from various websites were the ones that nominated these games. So they have played them. However you could argue that for Skyrim and Zelda, the hype hasn't settled down.

They really should push the nominations period till late December so they get time to think over these nominations instead of just buying the release hype.

So you believe come december, Skyrim and Zelda aren't GOTY worthy games? LOL

Never said that.

Why does everyone give a glitch filled game GOTY? If they game came out without an issue sure maybe, but it didn't stop giving Bethesda a pass.

lowkey254

Having bugs in such a huge and complicated game is inevitable. It is also far from glitch filled. Infact its one of the more stable bethesda launches.

[QUOTE="argetlam00"]

[QUOTE="phatkav"]

Games journalists from various websites were the ones that nominated these games. So they have played them. However you could argue that for Skyrim and Zelda, the hype hasn't settled down.

They really should push the nominations period till late December so they get time to think over these nominations instead of just buying the release hype.

phatkav

So you believe come december, Skyrim and Zelda aren't GOTY worthy games? LOL

Never said that.

So, what does this bit here:

They really should push the nominations period till late December so they get time to think over these nominations instead of just buying the release hype.