AIAS Nominees for GOTY 2003 have been announced.

ACADEMY OF INTERACTIVE ARTS AND SCIENCES (AIAS) ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR 2003 INTERACTIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 4, 2022 – The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences today announced finalists for the 2003 Interactive Achievement Awards, which will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, February 27, 2003. The Academy will present awards in 30 craft, console, computer, and online categories. Award highlights include an overall Game of the Year as well as Game of the Year in different genres, and the prestigious Hall of Fame Award.

“Each year we see even more games that demonstrate the innovation, creativity and diversity with which videogames push the envelope of modern entertainment,” said Paul Provenzano, President of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. “It is satisfying to see such an exceptional mix of savvy veteran videogame developers and bold new studios among the finalists.

Metroid® Prime from Nintendo of America Inc. and Retro Studios earned an Interactive Achievement Awards record ten nominations. Several games received six nominations apiece including, Electronic Arts’ Battlefield 1942™, Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Sony Computer Entertainment of America’s Ratchet and Clank™ and Ubi Soft’s Splinter Cell™. Nintendo of America and Electronic Arts lead the field of videogame publishers with 26 and 25 total nominations respectively.

Finalists for 2003’s Game of the Year include:

• Animal Crossing™ for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE™, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Battlefield 1942 for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation® 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Retro Studios;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar Games, developed by Rockstar North.

Finalists for 2003’s PC Game of the Year include:

• Age of Mythology™, published by Microsoft, developed by Ensemble Studios;
• Battlefield 1942, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions;
• Medal of Honor Allied Assault™, published by Electronic Arts, developed by 2015 Inc.;
• Neverwinter Nights™, published by Infogrames, developed by BioWare;
• Warcraft III®: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard.

Finalists for 2003’s Console Game of the Year include:

• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by UbiSoft, developed by UbiSoft Montreal;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Retro Studios;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar Games, developed by Rockstar North;
• Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem™ for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Silicon Knights;
• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.

SEGA®’s Yu Suzuki will receive the Academy’s coveted Hall of Fame award.

For a full list of finalists in all categories, visit www.interactive.org.

The Interactive Achievement Awards will be presented as part of the 2003 D.I.C.E. Summit (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain), the only event presented to focus exclusively on game design.

About the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences

Located in Los Angeles, CA, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) is an official professional academy of the $7+billion interactive entertainment software industry. AIAS is supported by the industry’s leading companies and counts among its board of directors representatives from Activision, Bioware Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Ensemble Studios, Infogrames, Insomniac Games, Interactive Digital Software Association, Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Oddworld Inhabitants, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Sierra Entertainment, and Carnegie Mellon University.

For more information about AIAS, or to register for the DICE Summit, visit the Web site at www.interactive.org, or www.dicesummit.com.

Interesting to note:

- Splinter Cell nominated for Console GOTY, but not Overall GOTY - Does this mean it has no chance at Console GOTY?

- Battlefield 1942 the only PC game nominated for the overall GOTY - Does this mean it's a shoe in for PC GOTY?

The full list is up now My predictions in bold:

Finalists for 2003’s Game of the Year include:
• Animal Crossing™ for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE™, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Battlefield 1942 for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation® 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Retro Studios;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar Games, developed by Rockstar North.
Metroid Prime

Finalists for 2003’s PC Game of the Year include:

• Age of Mythology™, published by Microsoft, developed by Ensemble Studios;
• Battlefield 1942, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions;
• Medal of Honor Allied Assault™, published by Electronic Arts, developed by 2015 Inc.;
• Neverwinter Nights™, published by Infogrames, developed by BioWare;
• Warcraft III®: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard.
Battlefield 1942


Finalists for 2003’s Console Game of the Year include:

• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by UbiSoft, developed by UbiSoft Montreal;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Retro Studios;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar Games, developed by Rockstar North;
• Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem™ for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Silicon Knights;
• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.
Metroid Prime


Finalists for 2003's Innovation in PC Gaming include:

• Battlefield 1942, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions;
• Dungeon Siege, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Gas Powered Games;
• Grand Theft Auto III, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, published by Electronic Arts, developed by 2015 Inc.;
• Neverwinter Nights, published by Infogrames, developed by Bioware;
• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard Entertainment.
Battlefield 1942


Finalists for 2003's Innovation in Console Gaming include:

• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Eternal Darkness for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Silicon Knights;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal.
Animal Crossing


Finalists for 2003's Console Action Adventure Game of the Year include:

• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal;
• Hitman 2 for the Xbox, published by Eidos, developed by IO Interactive;
• JSRF - Jet Set Radio Future for the Xbox, published by SEGA of America, developed by SEGA and Smilebit;
• Rez for the PlayStation 2, published by SEGA of America, developed by SEGA and United Game Artists.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City


Finalists for 2003's Console Fighting Game of the Year include:

• Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee for the PlayStation 2, published by Infogrames, developed by Pipeworks Software;
• Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance for the PlayStation 2, published and developed by Midway;
• Capcom VS. SNK 2: EO for the PlayStation 2, published by Capcom, developed by Capcom Japan;
• Tekken 4 for the PlayStation 2, published and developed by Namco;
• Virtua Fighter 4 for the PlayStation 2, published by SEGA of America, developed by SEGA and AM2.
Virtua Fighter 4
Finalists for 2003's Console First Person Action Game of the Year include:

• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Medal of Honor: Frontline for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts LA;
• James Bond 007: Nightfire for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Eurocom Entertainment and EA;
• Timesplitters2 for the PlayStation 2, published by Eidos, developed by Free Radical Design Ltd.;
• Ghost Recon for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Red Storm Entertainment.
Metroid Prime

Finalists for 2003's Console Platfor Action / Adventure Game of the Year include:

• Ratchet and Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Sly Cooper and the Thievious Raccoonus for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Sucker Punch;
• Super Mario Sunshine for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.
Ratchet & Clank


Finalists for 2003's Console Racing Game of the Year include:

• ATV Offroad Fury 2 for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Rainbow Studios;
• Moto GP: Ultimate Racing Technology for the Xbox, pubished by THQ, developed by Climax;
• RalliSport Challenge for the Xbox, published by Microsoft Game Studio, developed by Digital Illusions;
• NASCAR Thunder 2003 for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon;
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Black Box.
Burnout 2... BAH! WHY WASN'T IT NOMINATED!?! Rallisport Challenge is the onl noteworthy game there

Finalists for 2003's Console RPG of the Year include:

• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• Wild Arts 3 for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by MediaVision;
• Final Fantasy X for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• Suikoden 3 for the PlayStation 2, pubished by Konami, developed by KCET.
Suikoden 3 - and why is FFX there? Just because it was released last year in Europe?


Finalists for 2003's Console Sports Game of the Year include:

• NCAA Football 2003 for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Tiburon;
• Aggressive Inline for the PlayStation 2, published by Acclaim, developed by Z-AXIS;
• NHL 2K3 for the Xbox, published by SEGA of America, developed by Visual Concepts;
• Madden NFL 2003 for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Tiburon;
• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 for the PlayStation 2, published by Activision, developed by Neversoft.
NFL2K3
Finalists for 2003's Family Game of the Year include:

• Back Yard Football for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Infogrames, developed by Humongous Entertainment;
• Mario Party 4 for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Hudson Soft;
• Scooby Doo! Night of 100 Frights for the PlayStation 2, published by THQ, developed by Heavy Iron;
• Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts UK;
• *****eBob Squarepants: Employee of the Month for the PC, published by THQ, developed by AWE Games.
Mario Party 4


Finalists for 2003's Handheld Game of the Year include:

• Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past / Four Swords for the Game Boy Advance, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 for the Game Boy Advance, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Castlevania - Harmony of Dissonance for the Game Boy Advance, published by Konami, developed by Konami KCET.
Metroid Fusion

Finalists for 2003's Online Gameplay of the Year include:

• Twisted Metal Black Online for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Incog Entertainment;
• Command and Conquer: Renegade for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Westwood;
• Battlefield 1942 for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions
Battlefield 1942

Finalists for 2003's PC Action / Adventure Game of the Year include:

• Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, published by Lucas Arts, developed by Raven;
• Grand Theft Auto III, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Syberia, published and developed by Microids;
• The Thing, published by Black Label Games, developed by Computer Artworks.
Jedi Knight II


Finalists for 2003's PC First Person Action Game of the Year include:

• No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way, published by Sierra Entertainment, developed by Monolith;
• Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, published by Electronic Arts, developed by 2015 Inc.;
• America's Army, published and developed by the US Army.
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault


Finalists for 2003's PC Massively Multiplayer / Persistent World Game of the Year include:

• Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Turbine Entertainment;
• The Sims Online, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Maxis;
• Disney's Toontown Online, published by Disney Online, developed by ALT Disney Internet Group - VR Studio;
• Dark Age of Camelot: Shrouded Isles, published and developed by Mythic Entertainment;
• Anarchy Online: The Notum Wars, published and developed by Funcom.
Asheron's Call 2


Finalists for 2003's PC RPG of the Year include:

• Dungeon Siege, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Gas Powered Games;
• Neverwinter Nights, published by Infogrames, developed by Bioware;
• The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, published and developed by Bethesda Softworks;
• Arx Fatalis, published by JoWood Productions, developed by Arkane Studios;
• Freedom Force, published by Crave / EA, developed by Irrational Games.
Neverwinter Nights


Finalists for 2003's PC Simulation Game of the Year include:

• MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Cyberlore Studios and FASA Studios;
• Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by ACES Game Studio;
• The Sims Unleashed, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Maxis;
• The Aurora Neverwinter Toolset, published by Infogrames, developed by Bioware.
MechWarrier 4


Finalists for 2003's PC Sports Game of the Year include:

• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Headgate Studios;
• High Heat 2003, published by 3DO, developed by Team .366;
• Links 2003, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Salt Lake Games;
• Madden NFL 2003, published by Electronic Arts, developed by EA Tiburon;
• NBA Live 2003, published by Electronic Arts, developed by EA Canada.
Tiger Woods 2003


Finalists for 2003's PC Strategy Game of the Year include:

• Age of Mythology, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Ensemble Studios;
• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard Entertainment;
• Medieval: Total War, published by Activision, developed by The Creative Assembly.
Warcraft 3

Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Game Design include:

• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Battlefield 1942 for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, Developed by Digital Illusions;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Neverwinter Nights for the PC, published by Infogrames, developed by Bioware;
• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard Entertainment.
Metroid Prime


Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering include:

• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal.
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games.
Animal Crossing


Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction include:


• Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Sly Cooper and the Thievious Raccoonus for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Sucker Punch;
• Eternal Darkness for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Silicon Knights;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games.
Metroid Prime

Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Animation include:

• Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• Sly Cooper and the Thievious Raccoonus for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Sucker Punch;
• The Mark of Kri for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by SCEA San Diego;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Final Fantasy X for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft.
The Mark of Kri


Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Character or Story include:

• Eternal Darkness for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Silicon Knights;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• The Mark of Kri for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by SCEA San Diego;
• Syberia for the PC, published and developed by Microids.
Eternal Darkness


Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Original Musical Composition include:

• Medal of Honor: Frontline for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts LA;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind for the PC, published and developed by Bethesda Softworks;
• Rygar: The Legendary Adventure for the PlayStation 2, published and developed by Tecmo;
• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos for the PC, published and developed by Blizzard Entertainment.
Medal of Honor: Frontline


Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design include:

• Eternal Darkness for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Silicon Knights;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Stormfront Studios;
• Medal of Honor: Frontline for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts LA;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way for the PC, published by Sierra Entertainment, developed by Monolith;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal.
Splinter Cell


Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering include:

• Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Turbine Entertainment;
• Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Stormfront Studios;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal;
• Unreal Tournament 2003 for the PC, published by Infogrames, developed by Digital Extremes.
Splinter Cell

What, you think the IAIS will actually give the most deserving candidates the awards? You don't remember their history, do you... deserving games are frquently not nominated. Games that don't belong in categories are nominated for them. And completely underseving games have won way too often... I gave up on those awards years ago...

Translation: ABF knows that WC III won't win.

:shake:

That too, but that wasn't my main point. I'm mainly talking about past AIAS awards, which for years were a joke...

You know I'm right!

Oh, of course. Sorry to ever doubt the omnipotent OB1... :p

You better believe it.

The word you were looking for is omniscient, I think :D.

Yeah... we make a special award just for OB1 -- the first official TC "I'm Never Wrong Award"... just for him. Appropriate, you think? :erm: :)

Oh... and you may not remember, but in the past the AIAS Awards HAVE been very, very poor with many bizarre decisions and great games left out.. I'm not just making it up...

Hey don't hate me because I'm right 95% of the time.

You wish you were right that much... but outside of your own mind, you've shown to be nowhere near that... but just disagreeing isn't all, you've also got to deny that you are EVER wrong... it gets really annoying how you never give in in arguments you are clearly wrong in.

Oh well... at least it leads to this forum getting some badly-needed posts... even if our arguments are never resolved. :)

You poor, misguided child. You are confused. It is you who cannot admit when you're wrong. It's okay if you're always wrong. That just makes you more "special".

Damn, OB1 is omnipotent. That's a truely scary thought.

And there have been quite a few games that actually deserved the awards win. Although, I didn't usually agree with them. :)

But it's good to see that we stuck to tradition and went off topic as SOON as possible.

He is? That would explain the number of times I've had to regenerate as of late...

Oh and, I just realized I ate a whole pizza while staring at PH's avatar.

No you fuck off!

Debating the quality of the IAIS is pointless. Their awards are stupid and "winners" often make NO SENSE AT ALL! Would you like me to post all of their awards in all those categories for the past 7 years and show what a huge number of them are bizarre? No? I'll give some examples of weird choices. Granted... some choices are good. But, while most of their awards admittedly do make sense, there are some VERY odd ones. And when combined with deserving games left off the awards completely... NOTE - I am NOT saying these ar bad games in most cases... just that they regularly nominated games in categories they are clearly wrong for. I will admit one more thing: They do seem to be improving. Still... they have a ways to go.

1st Annual Awards (1997)
http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-1/winners.asp

Console Adventure Game. Final Fantasy 7. (note: also won Console RPG)

PC RPG. Dungeon Keeper.

2nd Annual IAIS Awards (awards for 1998)
http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-2/winners.asp

Console Action Game. Banjo-Kazooie.

Console RPG. Tie between Zelda - OoT and 1080 Snowboarding.

Outstanding Achievement in Character or Story Design - Pokemon

http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-3/winners.asp
3rd Awards (1999)

Console Action Game - Crazy Taxi

Console Racing Game - Star Wars Ep. 1 Racer (N64) (good game? OK... but best racer of 1999? Yeah... right...)

BTW, in 1999 the best Adventure/RPG was Final Fantasy 8.

http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-4/winners.asp
4th Awards (2000)

Console Action-Adventure. Zelda - Majora's Mask. Sort of correct... but let's look at the other contestants -- Banjo-Tooie, Spyro, Rayman 2, and Vagrant Story. Huh?

Console Racing (and Sports, and Console GOTY) - SSX

http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp
5th Awards (for 2001)

Nothing from last year jumps out like previous ones... I disagree with some, obviously, but none are utterly bizarre.

The closest I see are some strange genres -- Sports includes Extreme Sports (Tony Hawk), for instance.

And expansion packs win some awards... Half-Life Opposing Force won Best PC Action game in 1999, and Baldur's Gate II - Throne of Bhaal won PC RPG in 2001. I don't think that expansions should be in the running for major category awards like that...

Not that anyone cares, but here is what I think should win, not what will win.

Finalists for 2003’s Game of the Year include:
• Animal Crossing™ for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE™, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Battlefield 1942 for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation® 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Retro Studios;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar Games, developed by Rockstar North.
Metroid Prime

Finalists for 2003’s PC Game of the Year include:
• Age of Mythology™, published by Microsoft, developed by Ensemble Studios;
• Battlefield 1942, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions;
• Medal of Honor Allied Assault™, published by Electronic Arts, developed by 2015 Inc.;
• Neverwinter Nights™, published by Infogrames, developed by BioWare;
• Warcraft III®: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard.
Battlefield 1942


Finalists for 2003’s Console Game of the Year include:
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by UbiSoft, developed by UbiSoft Montreal;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Retro Studios;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar Games, developed by Rockstar North;
• Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem™ for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Silicon Knights;
• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.
Metroid Prime


Finalists for 2003's Innovation in PC Gaming include:
• Battlefield 1942, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions;
• Dungeon Siege, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Gas Powered Games;
• Grand Theft Auto III, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, published by Electronic Arts, developed by 2015 Inc.;
• Neverwinter Nights, published by Infogrames, developed by Bioware;
• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard Entertainment.
Battlefield 1942


Finalists for 2003's Innovation in Console Gaming include:
• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Eternal Darkness for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Silicon Knights;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal.
Animal Crossing


Finalists for 2003's Console Action Adventure Game of the Year include:

• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal;
• Hitman 2 for the Xbox, published by Eidos, developed by IO Interactive;
• JSRF - Jet Set Radio Future for the Xbox, published by SEGA of America, developed by SEGA and Smilebit;
• Rez for the PlayStation 2, published by SEGA of America, developed by SEGA and United Game Artists.
Splinter Cell


Finalists for 2003's Console Fighting Game of the Year include:
• Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee for the PlayStation 2, published by Infogrames, developed by Pipeworks Software;
• Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance for the PlayStation 2, published and developed by Midway;
• Capcom VS. SNK 2: EO for the PlayStation 2, published by Capcom, developed by Capcom Japan;
• Tekken 4 for the PlayStation 2, published and developed by Namco;
• Virtua Fighter 4 for the PlayStation 2, published by SEGA of America, developed by SEGA and AM2.
Virtua Fighter 4


Finalists for 2003's Console First Person Action Game of the Year include:
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Medal of Honor: Frontline for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts LA;
• James Bond 007: Nightfire for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Eurocom Entertainment and EA;
• Timesplitters2 for the PlayStation 2, published by Eidos, developed by Free Radical Design Ltd.;
• Ghost Recon for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Red Storm Entertainment.
Metroid Prime


Finalists for 2003's Console Platform Action / Adventure Game of the Year include:
• Ratchet and Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Sly Cooper and the Thievious Raccoonus for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Sucker Punch;
• Super Mario Sunshine for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.
Ratchet & Clank


Finalists for 2003's Console Racing Game of the Year include:
• ATV Offroad Fury 2 for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Rainbow Studios;
• Moto GP: Ultimate Racing Technology for the Xbox, pubished by THQ, developed by Climax;
• RalliSport Challenge for the Xbox, published by Microsoft Game Studio, developed by Digital Illusions;
• NASCAR Thunder 2003 for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon;
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Black Box.
RalliSport Challenge

Finalists for 2003's Console RPG of the Year include:
• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• Wild Arts 3 for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by MediaVision;
• Final Fantasy X for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• Suikoden 3 for the PlayStation 2, pubished by Konami, developed by KCET.
Kingdom Hearts


Finalists for 2003's Console Sports Game of the Year include:
• NCAA Football 2003 for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Tiburon;
• Aggressive Inline for the PlayStation 2, published by Acclaim, developed by Z-AXIS;
• NHL 2K3 for the Xbox, published by SEGA of America, developed by Visual Concepts;
• Madden NFL 2003 for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Tiburon;
• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 for the PlayStation 2, published by Activision, developed by Neversoft.
NCAA Football 2003


Finalists for 2003's Family Game of the Year include:
• Back Yard Football for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Infogrames, developed by Humongous Entertainment;
• Mario Party 4 for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Hudson Soft;
• Scooby Doo! Night of 100 Frights for the PlayStation 2, published by THQ, developed by Heavy Iron;
• Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts UK;
• *****eBob Squarepants: Employee of the Month for the PC, published by THQ, developed by AWE Games.
Mario Party 4


Finalists for 2003's Handheld Game of the Year include:
• Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past / Four Swords for the Game Boy Advance, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 for the Game Boy Advance, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Castlevania - Harmony of Dissonance for the Game Boy Advance, published by Konami, developed by Konami KCET.
Metroid Fusion

Finalists for 2003's Online Gameplay of the Year include:
• Twisted Metal Black Online for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Incog Entertainment;
• Command and Conquer: Renegade for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Westwood;
• Battlefield 1942 for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions
Battlefield 1942 (Where are the Xbox games?)

Finalists for 2003's PC Action / Adventure Game of the Year include:
• Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, published by Lucas Arts, developed by Raven;
• Grand Theft Auto III, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Syberia, published and developed by Microids;
• The Thing, published by Black Label Games, developed by Computer Artworks.
Jedi Knight II


Finalists for 2003's PC First Person Action Game of the Year include:
• No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way, published by Sierra Entertainment, developed by Monolith;
• Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, published by Electronic Arts, developed by 2015 Inc.;
• America's Army, published and developed by the US Army.
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault


Finalists for 2003's PC Massively Multiplayer / Persistent World Game of the Year include:
• Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Turbine Entertainment;
• The Sims Online, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Maxis;
• Disney's Toontown Online, published by Disney Online, developed by ALT Disney Internet Group - VR Studio;
• Dark Age of Camelot: Shrouded Isles, published and developed by Mythic Entertainment;
• Anarchy Online: The Notum Wars, published and developed by Funcom.
Asheron's Call 2


Finalists for 2003's PC RPG of the Year include:
• Dungeon Siege, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Gas Powered Games;
• Neverwinter Nights, published by Infogrames, developed by Bioware;
• The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, published and developed by Bethesda Softworks;
• Arx Fatalis, published by JoWood Productions, developed by Arkane Studios;
• Freedom Force, published by Crave / EA, developed by Irrational Games.
Neverwinter Nights


Finalists for 2003's PC Simulation Game of the Year include:
• MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Cyberlore Studios and FASA Studios;
• Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by ACES Game Studio;
• The Sims Unleashed, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Maxis;
• The Aurora Neverwinter Toolset, published by Infogrames, developed by Bioware.
The Sims Unleashed


Finalists for 2003's PC Sports Game of the Year include:
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Headgate Studios;
• High Heat 2003, published by 3DO, developed by Team .366;
• Links 2003, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Salt Lake Games;
• Madden NFL 2003, published by Electronic Arts, developed by EA Tiburon;
• NBA Live 2003, published by Electronic Arts, developed by EA Canada.
Links 2003


Finalists for 2003's PC Strategy Game of the Year include:
• Age of Mythology, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Ensemble Studios;
• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard Entertainment;
• Medieval: Total War, published by Activision, developed by The Creative Assembly.
Warcraft III

Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Game Design include:
• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Battlefield 1942 for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, Developed by Digital Illusions;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Neverwinter Nights for the PC, published by Infogrames, developed by Bioware;
• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard Entertainment.
Metroid Prime


Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering include:
• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal.
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games.
Metroid Prime


Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction include:
• Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Sly Cooper and the Thievious Raccoonus for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Sucker Punch;
• Eternal Darkness for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Silicon Knights;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games.
Metroid Prime

Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Animation include:
• Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• Sly Cooper and the Thievious Raccoonus for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Sucker Punch;
• The Mark of Kri for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by SCEA San Diego;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Final Fantasy X for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft.
Kingdom Hearts


Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Character or Story include:
• Eternal Darkness for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Silicon Knights;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• The Mark of Kri for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by SCEA San Diego;
• Syberia for the PC, published and developed by Microids.
Eternal Darkness


Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Original Musical Composition include:
• Medal of Honor: Frontline for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts LA;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind for the PC, published and developed by Bethesda Softworks;
• Rygar: The Legendary Adventure for the PlayStation 2, published and developed by Tecmo;
• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos for the PC, published and developed by Blizzard Entertainment.
Metroid Prime


Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design include:
• Eternal Darkness for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Silicon Knights;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Stormfront Studios;
• Medal of Honor: Frontline for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts LA;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way for the PC, published by Sierra Entertainment, developed by Monolith;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal.
Eternal Darkness


Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering include:
• Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Turbine Entertainment;
• Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Stormfront Studios;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal;
• Unreal Tournament 2003 for the PC, published by Infogrames, developed by Digital Extremes.
Metroid Prime

What should win and what will win have no relation to eachother when we're talking about the IAIS...

Well considering that this is all subjective...

Not all. Did you read my post? Really?

I don't think 1080 Snowboarding was an RPG. Or Dungeon Keeper. Or how about Star Wars ep.1 Racer being Best Racing game of 1999? Or Banjo-Kazooie winning... best ACTION game? Crazy Taxi wasn't an action game either... or how about SSX? It won in both Racing and Sports... Sports maybe, but it wasn't exactly a racer... Or how about Final Fantasy 7? Great Console Adventure Game, wasn't it?

1080 as an RPG is stupid.

Star Wars episode one is definately opinion. But wasn't Gran Turismo 2 released that year? Or Gran Turismo?

I guess Banjo Kazooie and Crazy Taxi can count as action games, even though they also go into the Platform and Racing categories. Most people will put platformers into combined categories, such as "Platform Action/Adventure". Crazy Taxi certainly isn't a standard racing game, so I guess it COULD be interpretted as an action game. Just not what we have come to know it as (guns).

SSX is both a racing AND sports game.

And a lot of people consider most japanese style RPG's as borderline adventures, due to their differences to standard American RPG's.

Note: I'm drunk whilst posting this. Damn I type well (what you don't see is all the typo's that I've corrected!!! WHEE!!)

The 1080 thing is strange, but those other things you mentioned are completely subjective.

Oh, come on... I've never heard of FF being called an adventure game before... and while some are subjective, not all are... as I showed there. Dungeon Keeper is as much an RPG as 1080...

Anyway, even in categories with winners often ones that don't really deserve it win... like Episode 1 Racer there.

All I'm saying is I have no confidence at all in them picking good games (not necessarially the games I'd pick, but just good, mostly-deserving games) as winners.

I agree with you that some of those games don't fit into certain categories, but which ones win is entirely subjective. Like for instance, take a look at the Academy Awards. Those people are completely brain dead. Gladiator wins the oscar for best picture?? What the flying fuck? That movie wasn't even that amazing! And I know that Two Towers will get the award for best special effects this year over Episode II (which is lightyears ahead of TTT in terms of f/x) since it got better reviews. Gollum was extremely well animated, but the actual model was fairly simple (in that it's a very standard model, there's nothing terribly complex about it), some of the mo-cap was very much out of place, and his skin a bit of a soft CG look to it. There was a good amount of CG in TTT, but not nearly as much as there was in AotC, and it still didn't stand up to it. As a matter of fact, just the cloth on several of the CG characters is one of-if not the-single most complex peice of CG ever created. You have no idea how complex something as simple-looking as cloth is to create and animate in a computer.

But TTT really is a gorgeous movie, although most of it is because of the incredible New Zealand scenery. But whatever, I'm done ranting about this.

And just to give you an example of how incredible the visual effects in AotC are, I'm going to post a few images from the movie, and you guys have to guess which parts are CGI. If you can, save the images and open them in paint or photoshop and circle the parts that you believe are CGI in one color, and the real stuff in another.

http://www.sgtfretsurfer.com/Grilled-Sarlacc/s/i/4036.jpg

http://www.sgtfretsurfer.com/Grilled-Sarlacc/s/i/officer.jpg

http://www.sgtfretsurfer.com/Grilled-Sarlacc/s/i/promo20.jpg

http://www.sgtfretsurfer.com/Grilled-Sarlacc/s/i/rainy.jpg

http://www.sgtfretsurfer.com/Grilled-Sarlacc/s/i/9.jpg

http://www.sgtfretsurfer.com/Grilled-Sarlacc/s/i/4091.jpg

Um... I think that Obi-Wan in that last shot might be real... doubtful, though. (the background isn't of course) but other than the last one, its all CGI. Unless the diner set is real in the first one... I know Obi-Wan and Dexter Jettser aren't, and of course neither is the outside, so the diner probably isn't either.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure all of those shots are 100% CG.

Oh... or is this for people who don't know as much about the movie? :)

And yes, it does deserve the Visual Effects award...

Though why this is in a thread about the AIAS Awards, I'm not sure... :)

You think those Obi-Wan shots are real?

And when to threads ever have to follow the topic here? :D

No... I was trying to remember what they said was CG in the 2nd disk of the Clone Wars DVD... I remember the part where they mentioned that Obi-Wan with Dexter Jettser is CG, and Obi-Wan being pulled by that cable of Jango's... as well as Yoda and some of Dooko, including that one... I just didn't exactly remember if that last picture was mentioned as CG or not... I think it was... or at least something like it... and it looks like the same Obi-Wan as that other CG Obi-Wan so yes, I do think that its all CG in all those shots.

And yes, it is more impressive than LOTR... that movie was great looking, but definitely had less CG and edited stuff in it... far less as far as I could tell...

Obi-Wan's head is real in all of those shots. That's it. Oh and his arms are real in that second shot.

And everytime Jango is flying in the movie it's 100% CG.

Wouldn't Dooku's head be real too then?

Yessir.

You mean those light sabers aren't real?! I just have this to say. How did they do light sabers in the first three movies? I mean, they didn't have CG, so what did they do? Draw them in by hand? I guess so...

Anyway, I have to agree that this sudden Star Wars movie thing seems very out of place for some reason... Then again, this is TC, and that is OB1, who probably finds even the faintest glimmer of a reason to toss in a Star Wars reference where one is not requested.

We were talking about how stupid awards shows are, so I brought this up.

And yeah they hand-drew in all of the lighsabers in the original trilogy. They did the same thing in the prequels, actually. At least that's what I understood from one of the several documentaries on the AotC DVD.

... and the results are in. The AIAS Awards are admittedly better than before, but they still chose some bizarre choices in some categories. I'll just post the list here.


Hall of Fame Award - Yu Suzuki
Game of theYear - Battlefield 1942
Computer Game of the Year - Battlefield 1942
Computer Action Game of the Year - Grand Theft Auto III
Computer First-Person Action Game of the Year - Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
Computer Role-Playing Game of the Year - Neverwinter Nights
Computer Strategy Game of the Year - Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
Computer Simulation Game of the Year - The Sims Unleashed
Computer Sports Game of the Year - Madden NFL 2003

Console Game of the Year - Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Console Action Adventure Game of the Year - Grand Theft Auto - Vice City
Console First-Person Action Game of the Year - Metroid Prime
Console Platform Action Adventure Game of the Year - Ratchet & Clank
Console Role-Playing Game of the Year - Animal Crossing
Console Sports Game of the Year - Madden NFL 2003
Console Racing Game of the Year - Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
Console Fighting Game of the Year - Tekken 4
Family Game of the Year - Mario Party 4

Handheld Game of the Year - Metroid Fusion
Innovation in Computer Gaming - Battlefield 1942
Innovation in Console Gaming - Animal Crossing
Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the Year - The Sims Online
Online Gameplay Game of the Year - Battlefield 1942
Outstanding Achievement in Animation - Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction - Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
Outstanding Achievement in Character or Story - Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design - Animal Crossing
Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering - Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition - Medal of Honor: Frontline
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design - Medal of Honor: Frontline
Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering - The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers

Splinter Cell won over Metroid Prime? Morons.

Some... interesting... awards. Wait... it'd take too long to list all the ones that are odd. So a comment... um, The Sims Unleashed? That's not a new game! Its a old game put in a collection box with some expansions... that's really strange... I very highly doubt that rereleases of old games should be anywhere near a 'best games of the year' list...

Other than that, there's just a lot of choices that I'd never make... on what seems to be every other award...

You were right, the AIAS guys are on crack.

And that's just one of the many times he's been right :D.

Eh, I have to say, a reward for a game they already probably gave a reward for, GTA3? That's just a port of an old game. Why give awards for that again? It's like if they decided to give a reward for RE3's GCN release. Oh, and of course seperating all the catagories into PC and console specific is very much a bad idea. "Seperate but equal" my arse!

Hall of Fame Award - Yu Suzuki
Game of theYear - Battlefield 1942 -- There were a lot of better games...
Computer Game of the Year - Battlefield 1942 -- Warcraft III.
Computer Action Game of the Year - Grand Theft Auto III -- Its a good game...
Computer First-Person Action Game of the Year - Medal of Honor: Allied Assault -- I have to assume that Battlefield 1942 isn't eligable because of winning GOTY, or this choice is very odd...
Computer Role-Playing Game of the Year - Neverwinter Nights -- Oh, come on. It was decent... but better than, say Morrowind? No way...
Computer Strategy Game of the Year - Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos -- good
Computer Simulation Game of the Year - The Sims Unleashed -- Already commented. Morons.
Computer Sports Game of the Year - Madden NFL 2003 -- I don't like football, but a lot of people do.

Console Game of the Year - Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell -- Metroid Prime.
Console Action Adventure Game of the Year - Grand Theft Auto - Vice City -- good
Console First-Person Action Game of the Year - Metroid Prime -- good
Console Platform Action Adventure Game of the Year - Ratchet & Clank -- Mario Sunshine
Console Role-Playing Game of the Year - Animal Crossing -- Maybe... but its not really a RPG in any traditional sense...
Console Sports Game of the Year - Madden NFL 2003 -- same as the PC one
Console Racing Game of the Year - Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 -- I've never liked NFS all that much... but the only other good candidate was Burnout 2. I haven't played that one so I don't know which is better... but probably Burnout.
Console Fighting Game of the Year - Tekken 4 -- Never played it.
Family Game of the Year - Mario Party 4 -- Boring game... but I guess its a game families would like...

Handheld Game of the Year - Metroid Fusion -- Yup.
Innovation in Computer Gaming - Battlefield 1942 -- I'd hardly call that game innovative.
Innovation in Console Gaming - Animal Crossing -- Yeah.
Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the Year - The Sims Online -- I don't like The Sims, but its super popular...
Online Gameplay Game of the Year - Battlefield 1942 -- No way! There are plenty of better ones!
Outstanding Achievement in Animation - Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus -- Never played it, so I don't know
Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction - Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus -- same as previous
Outstanding Achievement in Character or Story - Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem -- Yes.
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design - Animal Crossing -- I'm not sure why...
Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering - Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell -- Why? Sure, it was a good game... but what exactly is that category for?
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition - Medal of Honor: Frontline -- Don't know
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design - Medal of Honor: Frontline -- same
Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering - The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers -- Best graphics? Doubtful... but they were good, so maybe.

I agree with the Battlefield awards, but everything else is crap. Sly Cooper over Mario Sunshine? Tekken 4 over Virtua Fighter 4? Splinter Cell over Metroid Prime? What are these guys smoking??

I think its probaly just some clueless group giving the awards or something... their abysmal track record at giving the almost never actually deserving games the awards sure speaks for them being stupid or something...

But again, like you two have repeatedly said to each other, but never actually take to heart :D, it's all opinion. That's the whole flaw of award shows anyway, it's all just personal opinion of whoever is giving them. As I've said, no one is "more qualified" to judge entertainment media.

That's why I like Penny Arcade's hilarious "we're right" awards, making fun of the whole idea. I also find it funny that some people actually got upset when they decided to skip the last 3 places and just go to a new comic.

Its mostly opinion... but, as I've said 10 times in this thread, in this case its not all opinion. While game choices are opinion, some of their choices are just so totally off that it goes well into the realm of weirdness... like those ones I quoted from previous awards shows, or this years' award for The Sims Unleashed...
But as for the rest of the games, their problem is they almost never choose the right games... :)

Originally posted by A Black Falcon
I think its probaly just some clueless group giving the awards or something... their abysmal track record at giving the almost never actually deserving games the awards sure speaks for them being stupid or something...

Do you have any idea who is actually in the AIAS? Representatives from every major developer, every major company in the gaming industry, virtually. "Probably just some clueless group" is a little naive.

And there were some odd choices. The most obvious being Tekken 4 over Virtua Fighter 4.

Well, whoever makes up the group, they sure don't seem to be able to decide that the deserving games should win...