The votes have been counted, and It Takes Two, a cooperative platforming journey where players control a couple going through a divorce that takes a fantastical turn, was named the Game of the Year at the 25th D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Awards. Hosted by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), members of the interactive entertainment industry gathered this evening at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas to celebrate the best achievements of 2021, crowning winners in more than 20 different categories.
The D.I.C.E. Awards are held annually by the AIAS, the game industry’s 30,000-member non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of the interactive arts.
“We are thrilled to celebrate a special 25th edition of the D.I.C.E. Awards by honoring our past legacy as well as bringing together interactive entertainment industry members to celebrate creators who continue to amaze us all with their talent, passion, and perseverance,” says Meggan Scavio, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences president. “On behalf of the Academy, congratulations to all of the incredible 2021 nominees and winners chosen by their peers.”
The night honored multiple industry leaders, including Ed Boon (NetherRealm Studios), who was the 2022 Hall of Fame inductee, and Phil Spencer (Microsoft Gaming), who received the Lifetime Achievement Award. There were also a variety of stellar games honored across 23 award categories, with a few notable multi-award winners, including:
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart led the pack with four wins for Outstanding Achievement in Animation, Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction, Outstanding Technical Achievement, and Family Game of the Year.
- It Takes Two had two awards, winning for Game of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Game Design.
- Other top honorees were:
- Deathloop for Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction.
- Halo Infinite for Action Game of the Year and Online Game of the Year.
- Lone Echo II for Immersive Reality Game of the Year and Immersive Reality Technical Achievement.
- Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy for Adventure Game of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Story.
- Returnal for Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design and Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition.
- Unpacking for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game.
The 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards ceremony included industry professionals who attended the event live for the first time since the start of the pandemic, and game fans worldwide who tuned in via livestream from media partner IGN. The Awards were emceed by six-time co-hosts Greg Miller, co-founder of the internet video show and podcast Kinda Funny, and Jessica Chobot, co-host of Expedition X on the Discovery Channel.
The complete list of winners:
- Game of the Year: It Takes Two
- Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction: Deathloop
- Outstanding Achievement in Game Design: It Takes Two
- Outstanding Achievement in Animation: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Outstanding Achievement in Character: Resident Evil Village - Lady Dimitrescu
- Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition: Returnal
- Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design: Returnal
- Outstanding Achievement in Story: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
- Outstanding Technical Achievement: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Action Game of the Year: Halo Infinite
- Adventure Game of the Year: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
- Family Game of the Year: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Fighting Game of the Year: GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-
- Racing Game of the Year: Forza Horizon 5
- Role-Playing Game of the Year: Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
- Sports Game of the Year: Mario Golf: Super Rush
- Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year: Age of Empires IV
- Online Game of the Year: Halo Infinite
- Immersive Reality Technical Achievement: Lone Echo II
- Immersive Reality Game of the Year: Lone Echo II
- Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game: Unpacking
- Mobile Game of the Year: Pokémon UNITE