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Journey takes top prize at GDC Awards

Thatgamecompany's adventure title beats out Mass Effect 3, Walking Dead, and others to secure top honor; Cart Life wins grand prize at Independent Game Festival Awards.

By Eddie Makuch on March 27, 2013 at 8:29PM PDT

The votes are in and Journey has taken top honors at the 13th annual Game Developers Choice Awards this evening in San Francisco, California. Journey not only took home the top award, but also accolades for innovation, best visual arts, best downloadable game, best audio, and best game design.

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Thatgamecompany's adventure game beat out XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Mass Effect 3, The Walking Dead, and Dishonored to secure the Game of the Year Award.

Jenova Chen, cofounder of Thatgamecompany, thanked his parents and his educators for helping him get where he is today. He said creating Journey was no easy task, but noted he has learned a great deal since beginning on his own journey to make the game.

The 2013 Game Developers Choice Awards was hosted by Double Fine founder Tim Schafer. Last year's winner was The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

The GDC Awards were preceded by the 15th annual Independent Games Festival Awards, where Cart Life took home the Seumas McNally Grand Prize. In addition to the top prize, Cart Life--developed by Richard Hofmeier--won the excellence in narrative and nuovo award.

A full list of the night's nominees with winners in italics follows below.

GAME DEVELOPERS CHOICE AWARDS

Game of the Year
Dishonored (Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks)
The Walking Dead (Telltale Games)
Mass Effect 3 (BioWare/Electronic Arts)
XCOM: Enemy Unknown (Firaxis Games/2K Games)
Journey (Thatgamecompany/Sony Computer Entertainment)

Best Audio
Journey (Thatgamecompany/Sony Computer Entertainment)
Hotline Miami (Dennaton Games/Devolver Digital)
Sound Shapes (Queasy Games/Sony Computer Entertainment)
Assassin's Creed III (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
Halo 4 (343 Industries/Microsoft Studios)

Best Debut
Humble Hearts (Dust: An Elysian Tail)
Polytron Corporation (Fez)
Giant Sparrow (The Unfinished Swan)
Subset Games (FTL: Faster Than Light)
Fireproof Games (The Room)

Best Game Design
Dishonored (Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks)
Mark of the Ninja (Klei Entertainment/Microsoft Studios)
Spelunky (Derek Yu/Andy Hull)
Journey (Thatgamecompany/Sony Computer Entertainment)
XCOM: Enemy Unknown (Firaxis Games/2K Games)

Best Downloadable Game
The Walking Dead (Telltale Games)
Spelunky (Derek Yu/Andy Hull)
Trials: Evolution (RedLynx/Microsoft Studios)
Mark of the Ninja (Klei Entertainment/Microsoft Studios)
Journey (Thatgamecompany/Sony Computer Entertainment)

Best Technology
Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
PlanetSide 2 (Sony Online Entertainment)
Halo 4 (343 Industries/Microsoft Studios)
Call of Duty: Black Ops II (Treyarch/Activision)
Assassin's Creed III (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)

Best Handheld/Mobile Game
Gravity Rush (SCE Japan Studio/Sony Computer Entertainment)
Hero Academy (Robot Entertainment)
Sound Shapes (Queasy Games/Sony Computer Entertainment)
The Room (Fireproof Games)
Kid Icarus: Uprising (Sora/Nintendo)

Best Narrative
Spec Ops: The Line (Yager Entertainment/2K Games)
Mass Effect 3 (BioWare/Electronic Arts)
Dishonored (Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks)
The Walking Dead (Telltale Games)
Virtue's Last Reward (Chunsoft/Aksys Games)

Best Visual Arts
Borderlands 2 (Gearbox Software/2K Games)
Journey (Thatgamecompany/Sony Computer Entertainment)
Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
Dishonored (Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks)
Halo 4 (343 Industries/Microsoft Studios)

Innovation
Mark of the Ninja (Klei Entertainment/Microsoft Studios)
Journey (Thatgamecompany/Sony Computer Entertainment)
FTL: Faster Than Light (Subset Games)
The Unfinished Swan (Giant Sparrow/Sony Computer Entertainment)
ZombiU (Ubisoft Montpellier/Ubisoft)

Ambassador Award
Chris Melissinos, curator of The Smithsonian's The Art of Video Games exhibit

Pioneer Award
Spacewar creator Steve Russell

Audience Award
Dishonored

Lifetime Achievement Award
BioWare founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk

INDEPENDENT GAMES FESTIVAL AWARDS

Seumas McNally Grand Prize
Hotline Miami (Dennaton Games)
FTL: Faster Than Light (Subset Games)
Cart Life (Richard Hofmeier)
Little Inferno (Tomorrow Corporation)
Kentucky Route Zero (Cardboard Computer)

Excellence in Visual Art
Incredipede (Northway Games and Thomas Shahan)
Kentucky Route Zero (Cardboard Computer)
Guacalamelee! (Drinkbox Studios)
Loves in a Dangerous Spacetime (Asteroid Base)
Year Walk (Simogo)

Excellence in Narrative
Thirty Flights of Loving (Blendo Games)
Cart Life (Richard Hofmeier)
Kentucky Route Zero (Cardboard Computer)
Dys4ia (Auntie Pixelante)
Gone Home (The Fullbright Company)

Technical Excellence
StarForge (CodeHatch)
Perspective (DigiPen Widdershins)
Little Inferno (Tomorrow Corporation)
Intrusion 2 (Aleksey Abramenko)
LiquidSketch (Tobias Neukom)

Excellence In Design
Samurai Gunn (Beau Blyth)
FTL: Faster Than Light (Subset Games)
Starseed Pilgrim (Droqen & Ryan Roth)
Super Hexagon (Terry Cavanagh)
Super Space (David Scamehorn and Alexander Baard/DigiPen)

Excellence In Audio
Kentucky Route Zero (Cardboard Computer)
Bad Hotel (Lucky Frame)
140 (Jeppe Carlsen)
Hotline Miami (Dennaton Games)
Pixeljunk 4AM (Q-Games)

Nuovo Award
Cart Life (Richard Hofmeier)
Spaceteam (Henry Smith)
Dys4ia (Auntie Pixelante)
Bientot l'ete (Tale of Tales)
7 Grand Steps (Mousechief)
MirrorMoon (SantaRagione + BloodyMonkey)
VESPER.5 (Michael Brough)
Little Inferno (Tomorrow Corporation)

Audience Award
FTL: Faster Than Light (Subset Games)

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4706

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@queuing_for_PS4

You actually just used the word "Gaylo".

Every opinion you've ever expressed on GameSpot is invalid.

You're a disgrace. Please leave and never return, you embarassment.

4 • 12 years ago

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Edited By GamerOuTLaWz

@Spartan_418 @queuing_for_PS4 Hes not alone, Halo is shit and deserves the title.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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Journey was an amazing game. For the price, there's never been a game that's been a better deal. Not sure if these awards proves that point... or just that all exclusive games get the nod

2 • 12 years ago

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Edited By grove12345

Seen the reviews and playthroughs of journey...i dont get it

3 • 12 years ago

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@grove12345 You need to play it, you can't watch a f*cking game and get the same reaction as experiencing first hand.

Let's Plays have severely dampened gaming and it disgusts me that people who just watch a game think they have the right to judge it.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@grove12345 I didn't either..... until i played it

Upvote • 12 years ago

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Some great games nominated, but Journey deserves it.

2 • 12 years ago

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A typical situation when arty platformer for non-gamers triumphs over the few and far between hardcore games (XCOM, Dishonored) that cater to the non-teen, non-CoD, non-casual public in Game Awards.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@Morphine_OD Sorry, I must've missed the meeting in which they appointed you as the one who decides what's a game and who's a gamer.

4 • 12 years ago

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@Timaetaj @Morphine_OD **** you hipster

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@Morphine_OD @Timaetaj lol. If your standard of a "gamer" is yourself, I'm more than glad that you consider me a "hipster".

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@Morphine_OD be careful who you call 'non-gamers'. this wasn't voted for by 'non-gamers', the game wasn't reviewed by 'non-gamers', it wasn't made game of the year by 'non-gamers' and it wasn't bought by 'non-gamers' either as they were busy playing Fifa or Cod. Do you really think a game would get such amazingly unanimous praise and several GOTY awards if it had no merit to GAMERS?

3 • 12 years ago

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@ryogapower @Morphine_OD if by "gamer" you mean someone who plays an hour per week, on easy difficulty and buys one game a year then yeah - Journey is totally made for gamers.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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Edited By GetafixOz

I applaud the choice. The award judges saw an opportunity to be regarded as forward thinking, art focussed, imaginative and generally mastabatory and lept on with both hands.... or at least the one that was free at the time. If there was an award for making a choice based on ensuring you got attention for your award then they would get the gold medal, great work on showing how completely self serving awards can be. Its basically the equivalent of giving Roman Polanski a lifetime acheivement oscar.

4 • 12 years ago

7221

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@GetafixOz The only thing worse is when people think sarcasm makes them sound smart and insightful.

4 • 12 years ago

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@Hey_Jay @GetafixOz Spot on, its not working for you either

Upvote • 12 years ago

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Edited By Hey_Jay

@FlameBoyBen Wow, that adult comment really hurt you. Anyway, I get myself into many arguments, yes, but that's because I have no tolerance for ignorance and childishness. I see something wrong, and I have no hesitation to confront it and call them on it. One of the worst things someone can do is let people get away with being stupid.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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Edited By FlameBoyBen

@Hey_Jay @GetafixOz

U start a lot of fight hey_jay, Just out of curiosity is this in your quest to become "adult" :P

lol ok i will stop :) but notice there still that patronizing attitude that you carry so well ;p

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@GetafixOz @Hey_Jay Your banter is absolute aces. /actual sarcasm

See the difference? Apparently English is difficult for you. No worries. You'll catch on.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@Hey_Jay @GetafixOz My point exactly, neither was I genius

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Edited By Hey_Jay

@GetafixOz @Hey_Jay Yeah, I wasn't being sarcastic. I think you need a dictionary.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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If you want to enjoy super visual effects, you should try Age of Wushu. Eastern classic aesthetics.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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im so glade the over rated pos of a game Dishonored won no major award except the fanboy award aka Audience Award. journey congrats after playing that game yah one of the best games of the year. my personal favorite game of the year was spec op the line but close behind it darksiders 2. so in conclusion f dishonored and congrats journey!

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@jcwainc I'm so glad the tru piece of art no one plays, likes and cheers for apart from housewives and hipsters won the grand prize. Poor fan's favorite Dishonored, the game that gave the true gamers exactly what they wanted and even more.

2 • 12 years ago

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I can't think of a game that deserves goty more from last year... Except maybe VLR, which should have at least won best narrative.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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This game is so meh, and i play age of wushu.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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Interesting that Journey won over these big budget games, but at the end of the day - it deserved it, this game pushed boundaries and wasn't rehashing tired ass videogame shite. it was definitely something special.

6 • 12 years ago

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Good for Journey.It is truly one of the most moving and wonderful little games I have ever had the pleasure of playing. My only wish is for more. But this game is like a great book, I just wish I could hang on to it and let me future children play it too just like a good book from your youth.

5 • 12 years ago

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I think Max Payne 3 deserved to make the best game nomination list at least. it is a great game. The only problem with Max Payne 3 is that it should've been a longer game.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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good. mass effect 3 did not deserve it

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@FlameBoyBen If it had won, it would have deserved it just fine. That's why it was on the list. That's why, despite the outrage, there was still a massive amount of people who either never had a problem or got over it like an adult.

5 • 12 years ago

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Edited By FlameBoyBen

@Hey_Jay @FlameBoyBen

This may be crazy mate, I mean I might be going out on a limb here, but its my opinion. I mean you were totally in your right to write on the comments and say " oh I wish mass effect would have won"

But no, you saw my comment and like an "adult" u were "offended" and needed to educate me in the current group-think. Which is a totally "adult think to do.

Lose the patronizing attitude

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@FlameBoyBen Making empty comments is childish, so I pointed it out (a lot of whiners on this site so overly sensitive). I become very blunt when I'm confronted with people who like to yap without expressing any substance. It's a fault that I am aware of, and I know it doesn't help when I try to approach a situation with more civility than those I am approaching, but it is my natural reaction as I have zero tolerance for ignorance. I associate comments such as yours with those that are typed in all caps in rage or comments that say something sucks or is stupid and that's it. My perspective is this for people I confront -- Provide an explanation and make an argument for your case rather than bark like a tool. Be an intelligent human being rather than a mindless dog. Simply put, say something that's actually saying something.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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Edited By FlameBoyBen

@max-hit @FlameBoyBen Please don't tell me what a comment section is

Upvote • 12 years ago

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Edited By FlameBoyBen

@Hey_Jay @FlameBoyBen

Calling me a "child" and claiming to be an "adult" avoids all discussion, it invites argument.

Ur correct I was condescending, that is fair, I was pretty put off being called a child in a very simple statement "good. mass effect 3 did not deserve it"

How can u know all about what makes a child from that statement. Its arrogance assumption based on nothing

Honestly calling me "shaken" is a bit harsh. but i guess its very "adult" of you

But in the end of the day mass effect 3 lost, Hence most is right with the world. but thats only in my glorious opinion :P

Upvote • 12 years ago

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Edited By Hey_Jay

@FlameBoyBen ... and your hypocritical condescension helps the situation, right? So, yes, I saw a child make an empty statement with no context or explanation and made the choice to provide legitimate input with actual insight and reasoning for my counter argument. God forbid someone attempt to have a different opinion than yours and confront you with it before you get all pissy as if you weren't expecting a reply and hoping to just drop your comment and run off. I'm sorry that I actually seek discussion and wish to flesh out people's hollow comments. I'm also sorry that you clearly took more offense than I did and decided to speak down to me rather than defend your position. Do you not understand how conversation works? People make comments and then some people reply. It's nothing to be afraid of. All it took was one little reply and you get all shaken up. Funny that you should accuse me of attitude. Ironic.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@FlameBoyBen It's a comment section and you must know that everyone is allowed to post a replay to a comment. Mass Effect 3 was a great game; the ending wasn't as satisfying as it should've been but everything else was at an excellent level.

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Edited By Alt-appy

@Hey_Jay @FlameBoyBen finally someone makes sense. Had no problem with the game or its controversial ending.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@GetafixOz @Hey_Jay @Alt-appy The irony is palpable.

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@Hey_Jay @Alt-appy Speaking of being dissapointed with an ending. I sat here for months reading how amazing the ending of Journey was. I guess it was an ending that basically had the player "returning to the source" Neo/Matrix style and when I could finally be bothered to go watch it on Youtube I yawned with delight as it came to pass. Imgination is all but gone from this industry.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@Hey_Jay I think your a tad confused on what a fact is.

That's cool an "adult" shouldn't concern himself with such things :P

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@Alt-appy To be fair my friend, who said anything about an ending

Take a look at my post and find the part where I wrote about an ending

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@Alt-appy I'll admit that I was one of the people who was initially disappointed with the ending (though I didn't rage on the internet like a child), but I sat with it, let it sink in, and eventually I came to accept it and got over it and even later came to appreciate it. In fact, I just did another full playthrough, just recently, because of how much I enjoyed the whole experience. The fact is that Mass Effect 3 is a great game.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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deactivated-5ed5ff7933d88

Apparently the fact that Journey was a PS3 exclusive game bankrupted thatgamecompany...I did not know that. Apparently the development costs killed them and the couldn't recoup in sales.

Upvote • 12 years ago

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@cjtopspin Well I have suggested the game stronly to any one looking for something wonderful and interestingly beautiful. It's truly a stand out title.

3 • 12 years ago

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Edited By ahpuck

@cjtopspin It did not bankrupted thatgamecompany, it nearly did, but it didn't.

Upvote • 12 years ago

Ravenlore_basic

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Edited By Ravenlore_basic

@cjtopspin IF it was not a exclusive there is no guarantee that it would have made any difference. There are not many non shooter games on Xbox 360 that sell well. Many people on PS3 did not even like as much as it was very SHORT.

Though after many awards the sales Have picked up some. I am sure once they make another game similar to other games they have made and it does not sell well on Xbox then they will know.

Upvote • 12 years ago

Ravenlore_basic

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Ravenlore_basic

Journey is a great game a breath of fresh air. I just hope that its not copied to death. 1 game is enough every few years to keep it special

4 • 12 years ago

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