God of War leads AIAS Award finalists

[UPDATE 2] Spartan actioner leads pack with 11 nominations--winners to be named February 9 at D.I.C.E. in Vegas; RE4 MIA.

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot

Posted Jan 16, 2006 3:55 pm PT

As was the case during the previous eight years, 2006 has begun with the announcement of the nominees for the Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. The prizes are doled out by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS), the game equivalent of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, which organizes the Oscars. The AIAS awards are revealed at the group's annual D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Create, Entertain) summit, which will run from February 8 to 10, 2006.

Leading the nominees this year was GameSpot's 2005 PlayStation 2 Game of the Year, God of War. Developed and published by Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), the game got a whopping 11 nominations, including Overall Game of the Year, Action/Adventure Game of the Year, and Outstanding Innovation in Gaming. The game's number of nominations ties last year's AIAS Game of the Year winner, Half-Life 2.

Behind God of War was a two-way tie between Guitar Hero and Shadow of the Colossus. Red Octane and Harmonix's rhythm game and Sony's action-adventure both clocked in at seven nominees each, just ahead of the year's best-selling DS game, Nintendogs, with six. Speaking of handhelds, the PSP saw its first nominations in the form of Burnout Legends and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. Despite a lukewarm reaction from critics, the Xbox 360's launch lineup also made the cut in the form of Activision and Infinity Ward's Call of Duty 2.

[UPDATE] Most notable by its absence was Resident Evil 4. Capcom's horror-survival game earned top honors from many game-news outlets, including GameSpot, but didn't garner a single nomination from AIAS. Also missing was Psychonauts, the Majesco game which, despite tepid sales, was a critical darling.

A rep for the organization told GameSpot that the reason for the omission of the two games was that their publishers did not join the AIAS. "Majesco and Capcom are not members, and chose the option not to be," said the rep. "According to the rules, you have to be a member for your game to be nominated." However, the AIAS rep said that Resident Evil 4 could have made the list, as it was written in by many voters. "There was a write-in option, and Resident [Evil 4] got written in, but [Capcom] chose not to play," the rep said. The rep also said that Majesco, which has fallen upon hard times, simply "couldn't afford to join the Academy."

A complete list of the Annual Interactive Achievement Awards finalists is below. As part of our at D.I.C.E. coverage, GameSpot will be on hand when the winners are announced the evening of February 9.

GAMES OF THE YEAR
Overall Game of the Year:
- God of War (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sony Computer Entertainment America-Santa Monica)
- Guitar Hero (P: Red Octane, D: Harmonix)
- Shadow of the Colossus (P:/D: Sony Computer Entertainment America)
- Call of Duty 2 (P: Activision, D: Infinity Ward)
- Nintendogs (P: Nintendo, D: Nintendo EAD)

PC Game of the Year:
- F.E.A.R.: First Encounter Assault Recon (P: Vivendi Universal Games, D: Monolith)
- Sid Meier's Civilization IV (P: 2K Games, D: Firaxis Games)
- Battlefield 2 (P: EA, D: Digital Illusions)
- Age of Empires III (P: Microsoft, D: Ensemble Studios)
- The Movies (P: Activision, D: Lionhead Studios)

Console Game of the Year:
- God of War (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sony Computer Entertainment America-Santa Monica)
- Guitar Hero (P: Red Octane, D: Harmonix)
- Shadow of the Colossus (P:/D: Sony Computer Entertainment America)
- Call of Duty 2 (P: Activision, D: Infinity Ward)
- Nintendogs (P: Nintendo, D: Nintendo EAD)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
Outstanding Innovation in Gaming
- Nintendogs (P: Nintendo, D: Nintendo EAD)
- Guitar Hero (P: Red Octane, D: Harmonix)
- Shadow of the Colossus (P:/D: Sony Computer Entertainment America)
- God of War (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sony Computer Entertainment America-Santa Monica)
- The Movies (P: Activision, D: Lionhead Studios)

Outstanding Achievement: Animation
-Shadow of the Colossus (P:/D: Sony Computer Entertainment America)
- God of War (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sony Computer Entertainment America-Santa Monica)
-Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones (P: Ubisoft, D: Ubisoft-Montreal)
-Rise of the Kasai (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Bottlerocket Entertainment)
-Oddworld Stranger's Wrath (P: EA, D: Oddworld)

Outstanding Achievement: Art Direction
-Shadow of the Colossus (P:/D: Sony Computer Entertainment America)
- God of War (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sony Computer Entertainment America-Santa Monica)
-Peter Jackson's King Kong (P: Ubisoft, D: Ubisoft-Montpellier)
-Ultimate Spider-Man (P: Activision, D: Treyarch)
-Jade Empire (P: Microsoft, D: Bioware)

Outstanding Achievement: Soundtrack
- Guitar Hero (P: Red Octane, D: Harmonix)
- SSX On Tour (P: EA, D: EA-Canada)
- Wipeout Pure (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Studio Liverpool)
- The Warriors (P: Rockstar Games, D: Rockstar Toronto)
- Burnout Revenge (P: EA, D: Criterion Games)

Outstanding Achievement: Original Music Composition
- God of War (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sony Computer Entertainment America-Santa Monica)
- Rise of the Kasai (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Bottlerocket Entertainment)
- Gun (P: Activision, D: Neversoft Entertainment)
- Jade Empire (P: Microsoft, D: Bioware)
- Kameo: Elements of Power (P: Microsoft, D: RARE)

Outstanding Achievement: Sound Design
- F.E.A.R.: First Encounter Assault Recon (P: Vivendi Universal Games, D: Monolith)
- God of War (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sony Computer Entertainment America-Santa Monica)
- Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (P:/D: Ubisoft)
- Condemned: Criminal Origins (P: Sega, D: Monolith)
- Peter Jackson's King Kong (P: Ubisoft, D: Ubisoft-Montpellier)

Outstanding Achievement: Story and Character Development
- Peter Jackson's King Kong (P: Ubisoft, D: Ubisoft-Montpellier)
- Gun (P: Activision, D: Neversoft Entertainment)
- Call of Duty: Big Red One (P: Activision, D: Treyarch)
- Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood (P: Ubisoft, D: Gearbox Software)
- Sly Cooper 3: Honor Among Thieves (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America D: Suckerpunch)

Outstanding Achievement: Game Play Engineering
- Nintendogs (P: Nintendo, D: Nintendo EAD)
- Guitar Hero (P: Red Octane, D: Harmonix)
- God of War (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sony Computer Entertainment America-Santa Monica)
- Lumines (P: Ubisoft, D: Q Entertainment)
- Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species (P: Microsoft, D: Blue Fang)

Outstanding Achievement: Online Game Play
- Battlefield 2 (P: EA, D: Digital Illusions)
- Mario Kart DS (P: Nintendo, D: Nintendo EAD)
- Age of Empires III (P: Microsoft, D: Ensemble Studios)
- Project Gotham Racing 3 (P: Microsoft, D: Bizarre Creations)
- Call of Duty 2 (P: Activision, D: Infinity Ward)

Outstanding Achievement: Visual Engineering
- F.E.A.R.: First Encounter Assault Recon (P: Vivendi Universal Games, D: Monolith)
- Shadow of the Colossus (P:/D: Sony Computer Entertainment America)
- Kameo: Elements of Power (P: Microsoft, D: RARE)
- Call of Duty 2 (P: Activision, D: Infinity Ward)
- God of War (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sony Computer Entertainment America-Santa Monica)

Outstanding Achievement: Game Design
- Guitar Hero (P: Red Octane, D: Harmonix)
- God of War (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sony Computer Entertainment America-Santa Monica)
- Shadow of the Colossus (P:/D: Sony Computer Entertainment America)
- Nintendogs (P: Nintendo, D: Nintendo EAD)
- Peter Jackson's King Kong (P: Ubisoft, D: Ubisoft-Montpellier)

Outstanding Character Performance: Male
- God of War (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sony Computer Entertainment America-Santa Monica)
- Gun (P: Activision, D: Neversoft Entertainment)
- Oddworld Stranger's Wrath (P: EA, D: Oddworld)
- Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (P:/D: Ubisoft)
- Jade Empire (P: Microsoft, D: Bioware)

Outstanding Character Performance: Female
- Jade Empire (P: Microsoft, D: Bioware)
- Gun (P: Activision, D: Neversoft Entertainment)
- Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones (P: Ubisoft, D: Ubisoft-Montreal)
- Need for Speed: Most Wanted (P: EA, D: EA-Vancouver)

GENRE AWARDS
Sports Game of the Year
- NBA 2K6 (P: 2K Games, D: Visual Concepts)
- MLB 2006 (P:/D: Sony Computer Entertainment America)
- SSX On Tour (P: EA, D: EA Canada)
- MLB 2K5: WS Edition (P: 2K Games, D: Visual Concepts)
- Super Mario Strikers (P: Nintendo, D: Next Level)

First-Person Action Game of the Year
- Call of Duty 2 (P: Activision, D: Infinity Ward)
- Condemned: Criminal Origins (P: Sega, Monolith)
- Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 (P: Ubisoft, D: Gearbox Software)
- F.E.A.R.: First Encounter Assault Recon (P: Vivendi Universal Games, D: Monolith)
- Battlefield 2 (P: EA, D: Digital Illusions)

Role-Playing Game of the Year
- Jade Empire (P: Microsoft, D: Bioware)
- Dragon Quest VII (P: Sqaure Enix, D: Level 5)
- Dungeon Siege II (P: Microsoft, D: Gas Powered)
- Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (P: Nintendo, D: Intelligent Systems)
- Radiata Stories (P: Square Enix, D: Tri-Ace Inc.)

Fighting Game of the Year
- Soul Calibur 3 (P:/D: Namco)
- Tekken 5 (P:/D: Namco)
- Fight Night Round 2 (P: EA, D: EA-Chicago)
- WWE Smackdown VS Raw (P: THQ, D: Yuke's Co. Ltd.)

Action/Adventure Game of the Year
- God of War (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sony Computer Entertainment America-Santa Monica)
- Shadow of the Colossus (P:/D: Sony Computer Entertainment America)
- Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (P:/D: Ubisoft)
- Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones (P: Ubisoft, D: Ubisoft-Montreal)
- The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction (P: Vivendi Universal Games, D: Radical Entertainment)

Racing Game of the Year
- Forza Motorsport (P: Microsoft, D: Microsoft Game Studios)
- Project Gotham Racing 3 (P: Microsoft, D: Bizarre Creations)
- Mario Kart DS (P: Nintendo, D: Nintendo EAD)

Children's Game of the Year
- Chicken Little (P: Buena Vista Games, D: Avalanche Software)
- Madagascar (P: Activision, D: Toys for Bob)
- Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves (P: Sony Computer Entertainment America, D: Sucker Punch)
- Tak 3: The Great Juju Challenge (P: THQ, D: Avalanche)
- We Love Katamari (P:/D: Namco)

Downloadable Game of the Year
- Oasis (P: PlayFirst, D: Mind Control Software)
- Egg v. Chicken (P: PlayFirst, D: GameLab)
- Chuzzle (P:/D: PopCap)
- Tradewinds Legend (P:/D: Sandlot)
- WIK: Fable of Souls (P: Microsoft, D: Reflexive)

Family Game of the Year
- Guitar Hero (P: Red Octane, D: Harmonix)
- Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix (P: Nintendo, D: Konami)
- LEGO Star Wars (P: TT Games, D: Traveler's Tales)

Simulation Game of the Year
- The Movies (P: Activision, D: Lionhead Studios)
- Silent Hunter III (P: Ubisoft, D: Ubisoft-Romania)
- Animal Crossing (P: Nintendo, D: Nintendo EAD)

Strategy Game of the Year
- Age of Empires III (P: Microsoft, D: Ensemble Studios)
- Civilization IV (P: 2K Games, D: Firaxis)
- Empire Earth II (P: Vivendi Universal Games, D: Mad Doc)

Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the Year
- City of Villains (P: NCsoft, D: Cryptic Studios)
- Guild Wars (P: NCsoft, D: ArenaNet)
- Lineage II: The Chaotic Principle (P:/D: NCsoft)
- Final Fantasy XI: The Vana'diel Collection (P:/D: Square Enix)

Handheld Game of the Year
- Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (P: Nintendo, D: Capcom)
- Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (P: Rockstar, D: Rockstar-Leeds)
- Burnout Legends (P: EA, D: EA-UK Fusion)
- Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (P: Nintendo, D: Alpha Dream)
- Nintendogs (P: Nintendo, D: Nintendo EAD)

Cellular Game of the Year
- Mile High Pinball (P: Nokia, D: Bonus.com)
- Skipping Stone (P: I-Play, D: Gamevil)
- One (P: Nokia, D: Digital Legends)
- Ancient Empires II (P:/D: Glu Mobile)
- High Seize (P: Nokia, D: Red Lynx)

107 Comments

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Cloud737

"There was a write-in option, and Resident [Evil 4] got written in, but [Capcom] chose not to play."
Remove the 'l' in 'play' and you`ll see exactly why RE4 didn`t even get nominated.
AIAS just deserves to go broke.

Posted Jan 28, 2007 2:42 am PT
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deleteuser

Can't believe that Mario Strikers was nominated.

Posted Jan 26, 2006 2:35 pm PT
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Seraphim_24

Looks like I need to break down and pick this one up... any game that gets more attention than what I declared the best game of this generation (RE4) must be something special. ^-^ (Too bad I'm broke.)

Posted Jan 18, 2006 8:00 am PT
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KREEPYKRAWLLY

I am really impressed.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 6:09 pm PT
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brokenme74

I hope that Guitar Hero wins every single nomination. This is the most fun game I have played in a long time. The re-playability of this game is huge. I can easily still see myself playing this game in a year. The last game I had that made it over a year was Goldeneye.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 2:30 pm PT
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silentmobius

^^^ What the heck are you talking about, those are the nominees, the winners haven't been announced yet. Does anyone even read anymore?

Posted Jan 17, 2006 2:27 pm PT
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Writeous

COD 2 got Outstanding Achievement: Online Game Play --- WTF.. this game sucked online.. anyone knaows that this Game LAGGGGGsss like crazy..compared to other online Games its trash online. and how did Soul Calibur 3 beat Tekken5 in Fighting Game of the Year ???? Tekken 5 is wayyy better.. they are both by the same developers, but Tekken 5 should have won hands-down

Posted Jan 17, 2006 1:41 pm PT
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Chikinware

Aside from RE4 being absent I really thing Oddworld got snubbed....

Posted Jan 17, 2006 12:36 pm PT
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miniduck

Mario Kart for best online? Why isn't it under handheld goty????

Posted Jan 17, 2006 12:11 pm PT
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Atarii

I don't care if Capcom is part of this 'club' it deserves its recognition.... Also, way in the heck is Nintendogs nominateed in the best console game category?

Posted Jan 17, 2006 10:59 am PT
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n64nut

Glad to see GoW get the attention it deserves. I'm also surprised to see RE4 wasn't in the running, even though I think its the most overhyped POS in recorded history.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 10:57 am PT
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CleptoPots

No Resident Evil 4? Forget it, this thing sucks.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 10:52 am PT
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UnitZero20XX

I'm suprised that there's such a huge lack of Prince of Persia, the Two Thrones on the list, especially soundtrack!

Posted Jan 17, 2006 10:48 am PT
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SimpJee

I wonder what it takes to become a member.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 10:25 am PT
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brotherscampos

I am always on the Sonys side for that is just for me

Posted Jan 17, 2006 10:22 am PT
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Damokaiwa

All you RE4 crybabies who are mad that your fav. overrated game isn't on there should get over it. RE4 may have been fun to play but works of art like GoW and SoTC deserve their spots. No crappy storyline and inexplicible "snake in a box?" moments from those games. Same goes for GTA and other popular but mostly casual games.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 10:17 am PT
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VeGeTaBoY83

i swear, people must instantly write out the response "wtf they forgot RE4!!11oneoneeleven2" instead of actually reading the article to see the actual reason why it wasn't nominated for any awards.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 10:02 am PT
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n0s2004

RE4 isn't Capcom's only game that's missing,they're missing DMC3 for best action/adventue game, Story & Character & Soundtrack.
Fable TLC or Star Wars : Knights 0f the Old Republic 2 aren't included in RPGS either.What a travesty !

Posted Jan 17, 2006 10:00 am PT
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sofy

RE4 is indeed missing.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 9:36 am PT
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amirkalloe

good for god of war

Posted Jan 17, 2006 9:22 am PT
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Petri87

Yet another BS thing like Spike TVs award show

Posted Jan 17, 2006 9:01 am PT
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badjames

the fact that RE4 is missing is capcom's fault. it could have got so many noms but capcom didn't want to be a member. thats crap! it would hurt to be a member capcom! God of War is gonna steal the show as it deserves it.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 8:47 am PT
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Paul_TheGreat

Good for God or War, but bad for RE4.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 8:39 am PT
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chrisdojo

hopefully nothing on psp will win

Posted Jan 17, 2006 8:25 am PT
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m0zart

Looks like Capcom isn't a member of the AIAS, and so RE4 wasn't eligible for nominations.

Same with Majesco, i.e. missing Psychonauts.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 8:10 am PT
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revolvere

what the hell is wrong with them where's RE4.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 7:57 am PT
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SavoyPrime

It sucks that Majesco wasn't able to join due to their financial issues. Psychonauts really is a great game that deserves to be nominated.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 6:25 am PT
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bogan182

God Of War!!! Thats All You Need To Know.........

Posted Jan 17, 2006 5:34 am PT
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cb-spike

No resident evil 4? no point.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 5:24 am PT
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thor107

Spell check stupid! Use it! Anyway God of War is the perfect action game. It seemed like it came out of nowhere too, I think that made it even beter. Now lets hope sony can "come out of nowhere" once more and give me some titles for the awsome but barren PSP.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 4:29 am PT
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kickmasterone2

the game of the year is re4 and god of war . its almost breath taking to watch the power of the graphichs in re4 and god of war. i mean, these out schooled consolles almost outrun the 360s many release games. and if you think about that, it tells you how much the current genereation stil has to offer us gamers of the world. but with that said, i still cant wait to put my hands on on the glory that is known as the ps 3

Posted Jan 17, 2006 4:11 am PT
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War_On_Errorism

Yeh Really Where Is RE4?..........

grendal82003

you know theres a typo in your writing .You guys said January 9th, but didn't that pass, and doesn't this thing happen in feburary!!?

Posted Jan 17, 2006 3:55 am PT
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Rahxon

Uhhhhhh, We Love Katamari as a kids' game+ no soundtrack nomination?!...... these guys must all be sports gamers................... -_-

Posted Jan 17, 2006 3:36 am PT
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automaticsnake

they forgot RE4

Posted Jan 17, 2006 2:40 am PT
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Kapado

Where is Resident evil 4 ! for ps2! haters

Posted Jan 17, 2006 2:24 am PT
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Furbyballistik

heck yah god of war, im playin it right now and im at ares in god mode!!!!woot woot!!

Posted Jan 17, 2006 2:06 am PT
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MoogleDragoon

I just want to know who the hell these people are that are judging it i'm not knocking their taste or anything just curious. Like is it a soccer mom? Cookie monster? Atleast with gaming sites like this one I can **** about the person I disagree with.

Posted Jan 17, 2006 12:03 am PT
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mikekare79

RE4 was better I thought, but GOW was pretty sweet

Posted Jan 16, 2006 11:42 pm PT
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maxran

there's a lot of games missing in that list

Posted Jan 16, 2006 10:41 pm PT
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Zharak

Well we now know this contest is BS since the best game of the year isn't even on the list.

Posted Jan 16, 2006 10:38 pm PT
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foolycoolyRocks

About time God of War gets something. About a year late. Makes me laugh because there are no contenders for game of the year. They had to wait til Halo 2 was out of the equation. Well either way Resident Evil 4 was a better game.And thats on the GameCube but the PS2 it looks horrible campare to the GC version. God of War was to easy to beat and doesn't deserve this because they could not beat Halo 2.

Posted Jan 16, 2006 9:31 pm PT
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Orasion_Seiz

a job well done for God of War

Posted Jan 16, 2006 9:23 pm PT
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b0n3r

okay for all you idiots saying how God of War is finally getting the respect it deserves for being nominated over RE4, if u read the article it CLEARLY says RE4 couldn't be nominated b/c capcom isnt in the AIAS, otherwise it'd be in every category God of War is in and more and would blow it away in every one

tr00pa_26

man soul calibur?? best fighting game?/ are u guys serious?? what bout tekken!!! eneyways they're made of the same company.. yeah g0d 0f war deserves it kicks microsoft of of the water lolz!!

Posted Jan 16, 2006 8:42 pm PT
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DefBringer

God of War is a better game than RE4 anyway, so it's a moot point.

(I loved RE4, but God of War was on a whole other level)

Posted Jan 16, 2006 8:39 pm PT
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exceeter

oh my god enough with the no RE4 nomination crap!!! Read the damn article properly, it says that capcom is not a member and chose not to include RE4 for the nominations, for f*cks sake, get over it, God Of War is an excellent game and leave it at that.

Posted Jan 16, 2006 8:26 pm PT
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CLONING

"Jab_Jackal
God of war was an awesome game it deserves it "

IS