Value proposition

Developers deserve recognition. Excellence should be rewarded. We believe that by encouraging more recognition of many of the industry’s talented individuals, the enhanced visibility of these leaders will lead to a greater public appreciation of game developers as artists.

Since its inception, the academy has recognized over 6,816 talented individuals across many game design disciplines. Each year, approximately 1,207 voters consider the best and brightest in 57 categories, resulting in the most comprehensive awards program covering the industry.

Award categories:
ANIMATION, ARTISTIC
ANIMATION, TECHNICAL
ART DIRECTION, PERIOD
ART DIRECTION, FANTASY
ART DIRECTION, CONTEMPORARY
CAMERA DIRECTION IN A GAME ENGINE
CHARACTER DESIGN
CONTROL DESIGN, 2D OR LIMITED 3D
CONTROL DESIGN, 3D
CONTROL PRECISION
COSTUME DESIGN
DIRECTION IN A GAME CINEMA
GAME DESIGN, NEW IP
GAME DESIGN, FRANCHISE
GAME ENGINEERING
GRAPHICS, TECHNICAL
LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY
LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA
LIGHTING/TEXTURING
ORIGINAL LIGHT MIX SCORE, NEW IP
ORIGINAL LIGHT MIX SCORE, FRANCHISE
ORIGINAL DRAMATIC SCORE, NEW IP
ORIGINAL DRAMATIC SCORE, FRANCHISE
ORIGINAL/ADAPTED SONG
SONG COLLECTION
SOUND EDITING IN A GAME CINEMA
SOUND EFFECTS
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA
USE OF SOUND, NEW IP
USE OF SOUND, FRANCHISE
WRITING IN A COMEDY
WRITING IN A DRAMA
GAME, CLASSIC REVIVAL
GAME, MUSIC OR PERFORMANCE-BASED
GAME, ORIGINAL ACTION
GAME, ORIGINAL ADVENTURE
GAME, ORIGINAL FAMILY
GAME, ORIGINAL FIGHTING
GAME, ORIGINAL RACING
GAME, ORIGINAL ROLE PLAYING
GAME, ORIGINAL SPORTS
GAME, FRANCHISE ACTION
GAME, FRANCHISE ADVENTURE
GAME, FRANCHISE FAMILY
GAME, FRANCHISE FIGHTING
GAME, FRANCHISE RACING
GAME, FRANCHISE ROLE PLAYING
GAME, FRANCHISE SPORTS
GAME, PUZZLE
GAME, SIMULATION
GAME, SPECIAL CLASS
GAME, STRATEGY
GAME OF THE YEAR

awards, caucus, trade show events, polling, video games, and game development