The awards ceremony will take place during The D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit® 2008 on February 7 at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, with comedian, actor and proud game enthusiast, Jay Mohr returning for his third year to host the award ceremony.
These peer-based awards recognize the outstanding products, talented individuals and development teams that have contributed to the advancement of the multi-billion dollar worldwide entertainment software industry. The Interactive Achievement Awards for the first time can be viewed live via webcast on GameSpot (www.gamespot.com) and Comcast HD Video on Demand. This gives game enthusiasts worldwide the opportunity to experience first-hand the excitement as the coveted Interactive Achievement Awards are presented to the geniuses and giants behind the most popular video games of the year.
“This year’s finalists reflect the commitment game makers have to create compelling, engaging and exciting experiences for the expanding game playing audience,” said Joseph Olin, president, AIAS. “The 2008 nominees represent the tremendous talent and passion that our members bring to their craft. The Interactive Achievement Awards are dedicated to acknowledging the men and women who create these innovative and excellent games.”
Handheld Game of the Year
Drawn to Life THQ 5th Cell
Jeanne d'Arc Sony Computer Entertainment America Level 5
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords D3 Publisher of America Infinite Interactive, 1st Playable Productions
Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters Sony Computer Entertainment America High Impact Games
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Nintendo of America Nintendo
Family Game of the Year
Guitar Hero III Activision Neversoft
Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 Ubisoft Ubisoft Montpellier
Rock Band MTV Games Harmonix
Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action Microsoft Games Studios Screenlife
WarioWare: Smooth Moves Nintendo of America Nintendo
Outstanding Achievement in Animation
Assassin's Creed Ubisoft Ubisoft Montreal
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision Infinity Ward
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction Sony Computer Entertainment America Insomniac Games
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Sony Computer Entertainment America Naughty Dog
The Orange Box: Team Fortress 2 Electronic Arts/Valve Software Valve Software
Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
Assassin's Creed Ubisoft Ubisoft Montreal
BioShock 2K Games 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision Infinity Ward
Heavenly Sword Sony Computer Entertainment America Ninja Theory
The Orange Box: Team Fortress 2 Electronic Arts/Valve Software Valve Software
Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering
Assassin's Creed Ubisoft Ubisoft Montreal
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision Infinity Ward
Crysis Electronic Arts Crytek
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction Sony Computer Entertainment America Insomniac Games
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Sony Computer Entertainment America Naughty Dog
Outstanding Character Performance
Bioshock 2K Games 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Heavenly Sword Sony Computer Entertainment America Ninja Theory
Mass Effect Microsoft Game Studios BioWare
The Orange Box: Portal Electronic Arts/Valve Software Valve Software
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Sony Computer Entertainment America Naughty Dog
Outstanding Achievement in Story Development
BioShock 2K Games 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Drawn to Life THQ 5th Cell
Mass Effect Microsoft Game Studios BioWare
The Darkness 2K Games Starbreeze Studios
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Sony Computer Entertainment America Naughty Dog
Outstanding Achievement in Game Play Engineering
Assassin's Creed Ubisoft Ubisoft Montreal
Rock Band MTV Games Harmonix
Super Mario Galaxy Nintendo of America Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Nintendo of America Nintendo
The Orange Box: Portal Electronic Arts/Valve Software Valve Software
Outstanding Achievement in Online Game Play
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision Infinity Ward
Forza Motorsport 2 Microsoft Game Studios Turn 10 Studios
Halo 3 Microsoft Game Studios Bungie Studios
Rock Band MTV Games Harmonix
World in Conflict Vivendi Games Massive Entertainment
Downloadable Game of the Year
Azada Big Fish Games Big Fish Games
Build-a-Lot HipSoft HipSoft
flOw Sony Computer Entertainment America That Game Company
Peggle PopCap PopCap
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords D3 Publisher of America Infinite Interactive, 1st Playable Productions
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
BioShock 2K Games 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Sony Computer Entertainment America Naughty Dog
God of War II Sony Computer Entertainment America SCE Santa Monica
Heavenly Sword Sony Computer Entertainment America Ninja Theory
Lair Sony Computer Entertainment America Factor 5
Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack
Bioshock 2K Games 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Guitar Hero III Activision Neversoft
Rock Band MTV Games Harmonix
Singstar POP Sony Computer Entertainment America SCEE London Studio
skate. Electronic Arts EA Black Box
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design
BioShock 2K Games 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision Infinity Ward
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 Ubisoft Ubisoft Paris, Red Storm
skate. Electronic Arts EA Black Box
Need for Speed ProStreet Electronic Arts EA Black Box
Cellular Game of the Year
Diner Dash 2 PlayFirst Glu Mobile
Prey Mobile SkyZone MachineWorks Northwest
SimCity Societies Electronic Arts EA Mobile
skate. Electronic Arts EA Mobile
Role-Playing Game of the Year
Eternal Sonata Namco Bandai Games America Tri-Crescendo
Jeanne d'Arc Sony Computer Entertainment America Level 5
Mass Effect Microsoft Game Studios BioWare
Rogue Galaxy Sony Computer Entertainment America Level 5
The Witcher Atari CDProjekt Red
Racing Game of the Year
DiRT Codemasters Codemasters
Forza Motorsport 2 Microsoft Game Studios Turn 10 Studios
Motorstorm Sony Computer Entertainment America Evolution Studios
Need For Speed Pro Street Electronic Arts EA Black Box
Project Gotham Racing 4 Microsoft Game Studios Bizarre Creations
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design
BioShock 2K Games 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision Infinity Ward
Rock Band MTV Games Harmonix
Super Mario Galaxy Nintendo of America Nintendo
The Orange Box: Portal Electronic Arts/Valve Valve
Outstanding Innovation in Gaming
Assassin's Creed Ubisoft Ubisoft Montreal
BioShock 2K Games 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Rock Band MTV Games Harmonix
Super Mario Galaxy Nintendo of America Nintendo
The Orange Box Electronic Arts/Valve Software Valve Software
Adventure Game of the Year
Assassin's Creed Ubisoft Ubisoft Montreal
God of War II Sony Computer Entertainment America Sony Computer Entertainment Santa Monica
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction Sony Computer Entertainment America Insomniac Games
Super Mario Galaxy Nintendo of America Nintendo
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Sony Computer Entertainment America Naughty Dog
Sports Game of the Year
FIFA Soccer 08 Electronic Arts Electronic Arts
MLB 07: The Show Sony Computer Entertainment America SCE San Diego
NBA 2K8 2K Sports Visual Concepts
NHL 08 Electronic Arts EA Canada
skate. Electronic Arts EA Black Box
Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Namco Bandai Games America Namco Bandai Games
Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars Electronic Arts EA LA
Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts THQ Relic
Supreme Commander THQ Gas Powered Games
World in Conflict Vivendi Games Massive Entertainment
Action Game of the Year
Bioshock 2K Games 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision Infinity Ward
Crysis Electronic Arts Crytek
Halo 3 Microsoft Game Studios Bungie Studios
The Orange Box Electronic Arts/Valve Software Valve Software
Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year
EVE Online: Trinity CCP CCP
Guild Wars: Eye of the North NCsoft AreaNet
Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa NCsoft Destination Games
The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar Midway Turbine
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Vivendi Games Blizzard Entertainment
Computer Game of the Year
Bioshock 2K Games 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision Infinity Ward
Crysis Electronic Arts Crytek
The Orange Box Electronic Arts/Valve Software Valve Software
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Vivendi Games Blizzard Entertainment
Console Game of the Year
BioShock 2K Games 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision Infinity Ward
Mass Effect Microsoft Game Studios BioWare
Rock Band MTV Games Harmonix
Super Mario Galaxy Nintendo of America Nintendo
Overall Game of the Year
BioShock 2K Games 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision Infinity Ward
Rock Band MTV Games Harmonix
Super Mario Galaxy Nintendo of America Nintendo
The Orange Box Electronic Arts/Valve Software Valve Software