We mentioned the 8th Annual G.A.N.G. Award Nominees a month or so ago, but at GDC, we final saw results. This year’s G.A.N.G. Awards were considerably smaller than last year, taking place in a much smaller room in south hall as opposed to the traditional north hall location. There were no musical acts, which facilitated a much faster ceremony (it was crammed into 90 minutes), but despite the simplicity of the event this year, there were still many and often humorous technical issues, which led to G.A.N.G. President Paul Lipson having to call out the nominees in his best announcer voice and Tommy providing live sound effects for the footage when the audio cut out.
They showed a number of YouTube videos throughout the evening, which took the place of the performances. Included were a Michael Jackson video where his sprite from Moonwalker was placed in a number of games, and that amazing Japanese Zelda commercial for A Link to the Past. They also interspersed some comedic bits in between with a top ten worst game titles (including Sticky Balls and Irritated Stick) and top ten worst voice acting moments, which came from Resident Evil and a number of early RPGs.
As far as the winners go, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves was the big winner, but there were a few surprises, including The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition for iPhone taking the best handheld audio award and Plants Vs. Zombies winning for best original vocal – pop. Flower also won in its category (best interactive music), which was good to see.
Hit the jump for the full list of winners, and let us know what you think!
BEST HANDHELD AUDIO
Gran Turismo (PSP)
Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier (PSP)
Mecho Wars (iPhone)
Resistance: Retribution (PSP)
The Secret Of Monkey Island: Special Edition (iPhone)
BEST INTERACTIVE SCORE
Assassin’s Creed II
Flower
Halo 3: ODST
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
BEST GAME AUDIO ARTICLE, PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST
“Avoiding Tedium – Fighting Repetition in Game Audio” – AES Conference Paper
“Dynamics of Narrative” – Gamasutra.com
“The Future of Game Audio / The Game Audio Mixing Revolution” – Gamasutra.com
“Less is More” – Game Developer Magazine
“Surviving the Crunch – Being Healthy Sound Designers” – Designing Sound
“Surviving Your First Composing Gig” – Shockwave-Sound.com
BEST AUDIO (OTHER)
A Day in Pompeii interactive museum
STUDENT APPRENTICE AWARD
Courtney Johns (music)
Jeff Schmidt (sound design)
BEST USE OF LICENSED MUSIC
Brutal Legend
DJ Hero
Guitar Hero: Van Halen
Rock Band: The Beatles
SingStar: Queen
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Dave Johnson
Camden Stoddard
BEST SOUNDTRACK ALBUM
Assassin’s Creed II
Brutal Legend
Dragon Age: Origins
inFAMOUS
Tom Clancy’s: H.A.W.X.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
BEST DIALOGUE
Assassin’s Creed II
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Brutal Legend
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Resident Evil 5
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
BEST ORIGINAL VOCAL – POP
“I Am The One” (High Fantasy Version) – Dragon Age: Origins
“Lelianna’s Song” – Dragon Age: Origins
“Silent Melody” – inFAMOUS
“Best Friends Menu Theme” – Littlest Pet Shop Friends
“Pray – Theme Song” – Resident Evil 5
“Plants vs. Zombies” – Plants vs. Zombies
BEST ORIGINAL VOCAL – CHORAL
“Venice Rooftops” – Assassin’s Creed II
“A Creature Shall Rise” – Brutal Legend
“Sad Theme” – Tom Clancy’s: H.A.W.X.
“Washington Under Seige” – Tom Clancy’s: H.A.W.X.
“Halls of Iron” – World of Warcraft: Fall of the Lich King
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
G.A.N.G. Voice Actor’s Consortium (GVAC) team
BEST USE OF MULTI-CHANNEL SURROUND IN A GAME
Bayonetta
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Forza Motorsport 3
Left 4 Dead 2
Resident Evil 5
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
BEST CINEMATIC/CUT-SCENE AUDIO
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Left 4 Dead 2
Need For Speed: Shift
Resident Evil 5
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
BEST ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTAL
“Ezio’s Family” – Assassin’s Creed II
“Flight Over Venice” – Assassin’s Creed II
“Spirit of Bladehenge” – Brutal Legend
“Sonny Tang” – Eat Lead
“Reunion” – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
G.A.N.G. RECOGNITION AWARD
Brian Schmidt
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Charles Deenen
BEST SOUND DESIGN
Assassin’s Creed II
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Need For Speed: Shift
Resident Evil 5
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
MUSIC OF THE YEAR
Assassin’s Creed II
AVATAR: The Game
Dragon Age: Origins
Flower
Halo 3: ODST
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
AUDIO OF THE YEAR
Assassin’s Creed II
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Need For Speed: Shift
Resident Evil 5
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
