Bioshock: Infinite (left), The Last of Us (right)
Las Vegas, NV (January 8, 2014) / NAVGTR CORP. — The National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers, a non-profit media organization, has announced nominations for its 13th annual awards program honoring video game art, technology, and production.
Introduced at the official CES press conference by Kate-Madonna Hindes of girlmeetsgeek.com, the presenters were Tish Trotter of Geek Smash, Larry Hester of Complex Media, Marshall Honorof of Laptop Magazine, and Ivo Lukas of Huffington Post.
The nominees as determined by a group of 815 press voters in 54 competitive categories were announced for the first time at the Consumer Electronics Show with 97 registered media guests. The recipients for two honorary awards were also announced. For a complete list of categories and nominees, visit https://navgtr.org
The leader in nominations (17) is The Last of Us, followed by Bioshock: Infinite with twelve. Other highlights include four actresses dominating a performance category, five new gaming platforms in the Innovation (Technology) category, six nominations for the 1989 throwback DuckTales Remastered, eight nominations for Studio Ghibli’s first video game Ni No Kuni, two Roman era games nominated for costumes, and only one next-gen game (Black Flag) in the Graphics, Technical category.
Small budget nominees include Antichamber, The Stanley Parable, Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller, Gone Home, Jungle Rumble, Propinquity, Monaco, Slayin, High Strangeness, and Depression Quest.
With 21 nominations, Ubisoft is the most-nominated development company this year. Sony development houses are close behind with 18 nominations, followed by Naughty Dog’s 17 nods.
By publisher, Sony leads with 50 nominations, about one-fifth of all nominations. Other totals are 29 for Nintendo, 22 each for Ubisoft and 2K Games, 15 for Capcom, 13 for Electronic Arts, 12 for Microsoft Studios, 9 each for Namco Bandai and Telltale Games, 8 each for Disney and Square Enix, 7 for Deep Silver, and 6 for Warner Bros.
The nominees for GAME OF THE YEAR are:
• Battlefield 4
• Bioshock: Infinite
• Grand Theft Auto V
• The Last of Us
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
• Super Mario 3D World
• Tomb Raider
Creative and technical award categories recognize achievement in animation, art direction, character design, control design, control precision, game design, game engineering, musical score, sound effects, writing, and more.
Selected categories include:
CONTROL DESIGN, 2D OR LIMITED 3D
Badland
Civilization V: Brave New World
Dragon’s Crown
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
Rayman Legends
INNOVATION IN GAME TECHNOLOGY
iPad Air
Oculus Rift Development Kit
Ouya
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA
Troy Baker as “Joel,” The Last of Us
Kezia Burrows as “Nilin,” Remember Me
Camilla Luddington as “Lara Croft,” Tomb Raider
Ashley Johnson as “Ellie,” The Last of Us
Ellen Page as “Jodie Holmes,” Beyond: Two Souls
Winners will be announced February 17.
Honorary awards will be given to Mark Cerny for his role shepherding developer-friendly hardware architecture in PlayStation products, as well as to Anita Sarkeesian for exhaustive research of game tropes in “Damsel in Distress,” a YouTube series.
All titles, characters, likenesses, and indictia are copyrights or trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
ABOUT NAVGTR CORP.
NAVGTR Corp.TM is a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation devoted to promoting and recognizing the developments and achievements of the interactive entertainment industry for public awareness and education.
http://www.facebook.com/navgtrawards
MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS BY TITLE
17 The Last of Us
12 Bioshock Infinite
10 Beyond: Two Souls
08 Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
07 Rayman Legends
07 Tomb Raider
06 Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
06 DuckTales Remastered
06 Puppeteer
06 The Wolf Among Us: Episode 1 – Faith
05 God of War: Ascension
05 Grand Theft Auto V
05 Remember Me
05 XCOM: Enemy Within
04 BattleBlock Theater
04 Dead Space 3
04 The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
04 Saints Row IV
04 The Stanley Parable
04 Super Mario 3D World
04 Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist
03 Antichamber
03 Batman: Arkham Origins
03 Battlefield 4
03 Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
03 Lego City Undercover
03 Metro: Last Light
03 Ryse: Son of Rome
03 Starcraft: Heart of the Swarm
03 The Walking Dead: 400 Days
MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS BY DEVELOPER
21 Ubisoft
18 Sony (includes 10 Sony Japan, 06 Sony Santa Monica)
17 Naughty Dog
15 Nintendo
12 Irrational Games
10 Quantic Dream
09 Telltale Games
08 Capcom
08 Level 5, Studio Ghibli
07 Crystal Dynamics
07 Firaxis Games, Feral
06 Monolith
06 Wayforward
05 Atlus
05 DONTNOD Entertainment
05 Rockstar North
04 1-Up
04 The Behemoth
04 Crytek
04 Galactic Cafe, Davey Wreden
04 Visceral Games
04 Volition, Inc.
03 4A Games
03 Alexander Bruce
03 Blizzard Entertainment
03 DICE
03 Intelligent Systems
03 TT Fusion
03 Warner Bros.
MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS BY PUBLISHER
50 Sony
29 Nintendo
22 Ubisoft
22 2K Games
15 Capcom
13 Electronic Arts
12 Microsoft Studios
09 Namco Bandai
09 Telltale Games
08 Disney
08 Square Enix
07 Deep Silver
06 Warner Bros.
05 Atlus
05 Rockstar Games
04 NIS America
04 Galactic Cafe, Davey Wreden
03 Blizzard Entertainment
03 Demruth
-30-
Complete list of nominations in all categories follows. Click on category name to tweet about it and add #navgtr hashtag.
GAME OF THE YEAR
Battlefield 4
Bioshock: Infinite
Grand Theft Auto V
The Last of Us
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Super Mario 3D World
Tomb Raider
ANIMATION
Beyond: Two Souls
The Last of Us
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Rayman Legends
Tomb Raider
ANIMATION, INTERACTIVE
Dead Space 3
DuckTales Remastered
Knack
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
The Walking Dead: 400 Days
ART DIRECTION, PERIOD INFLUENCE
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Bioshock: Infinite
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Ryse: Son of Rome
ART DIRECTION, FANTASY
God of War: Ascension
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Puppeteer
Rayman Legends
Tearaway
ART DIRECTION, CONTEMPORARY
Grand Theft Auto V
The Last of Us
Remember Me
Tomb Raider
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist
CAMERA DIRECTION IN A GAME ENGINE
Beyond: Two Souls
Bioshock: Infinite
The Last of Us
Super Mario 3D World
XCOM: Enemy Within
CHARACTER DESIGN
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Grand Theft Auto V
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
The Wolf Among Us: Episode 1 – Faith
CONTROL DESIGN, 2D OR LIMITED 3D
Badland
Civilization V: Brave New World
Dragon’s Crown
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
Rayman Legends
CONTROL DESIGN, 3D
Batman: Arkham Origins
Beyond: Two Souls
The Last of Us
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist
CONTROL PRECISION
BattleBlock Theater
Injustice: Gods Among Us
Killzone: Mercenary
Rayman Legends
Tomb Raider
COSTUME DESIGN
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Batman: Arkham Origins
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Ryse: Son of Rome
Total War: Rome II
DIRECTION IN A GAME CINEMA
Dead Space 3
God of War: Ascension
The Last of Us
Lost Planet 3
The Wolf Among Us: Episode 1 – Faith
GAME DESIGN, NEW IP
Antichamber
The Cave
The Last of Us
The Stanley Parable
The Wolf Among Us: Episode 1 – Faith
GAME DESIGN, FRANCHISE
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Bioshock: Infinite
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Super Mario 3D World
XCOM: Enemy Within
GAME ENGINEERING
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Battlefield 4
Disney Infinity
Fire Emblem: Awakening
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
XCOM: Enemy Within
GRAPHICS, TECHNICAL
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Beyond: Two Souls
Bioshock: Infinite
Crysis 3
The Last of Us
INNOVATION IN GAME TECHNOLOGY
iPad Air
Oculus Rift Development Kit
Ouya
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY
Kevan Brighting as “Narrator,” The Stanley Parable
Stephen Greif as “Narrator,” Puppeteer
Joseph May as “Chase McCain,” Lego City Undercover
Nolan North as “Deadpool,” Deadpool
Alan Young as “Uncle Scrooge,” DuckTales Remastered
LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA
Troy Baker as “Joel,” The Last of Us
Kezia Burrows as “Nilin,” Remember Me
Camilla Luddington as “Lara Croft,” Tomb Raider
Ashley Johnson as “Ellie,” The Last of Us
Ellen Page as “Jodie Holmes,” Beyond: Two Souls
LIGHTING/TEXTURING
Beyond: Two Souls
Bioshock: Infinite
The Last of Us
Metro: Last Light
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist
ORIGINAL LIGHT MIX SCORE, NEW IP
BattleBlock Theater
Monaco
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Puppeteer
The Wolf Among Us: Episode 1 – Faith
ORIGINAL LIGHT MIX SCORE, FRANCHISE
DuckTales Remastered
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Rayman Legends
The Walking Dead: 400 Days
ORIGINAL DRAMATIC SCORE, NEW IP
Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller
The Last of Us
Remember Me
Ryse: Son of Rome
Soul Sacrifice
ORIGINAL DRAMATIC SCORE, FRANCHISE
God of War: Ascension
Lost Planet 3
Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm
Tomb Raider
XCOM: Enemy Within
ORIGINAL/ADAPTED SONG
“Buckle Your Pants,” BattleBlock Theater
“Clair De Lune,” Rain
“House on Fire,” Contrast
“Kokoro no Kakera,” Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
SONG COLLECTION
Bioshock: Infinite
Grand Theft Auto V
Rocksmith 2014 Edition
Saints Row IV
SOUND EDITING IN A GAME CINEMA
God of War: Ascension
The Last of Us
Puppeteer
Remember Me
Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm
SOUND EFFECTS
Bioshock: Infinite
Dead Space 3
God of War: Ascension
The Last of Us
Metro: Last Light
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY
Nick Ellsworth as “Moon Bear King,” Puppeteer
June Foray as “Ma Beagle,” DuckTales Remastered
Yuri Lowenthal as “Sir Galleth,” Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
Russi Taylor as “Webby/Huey/Dewey/Louie,” DuckTales Remastered
Trevor White as “Frank Honey,” Lego City Undercover
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA
Laura Bailey as “Nemissa,” Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner – Soul Hackers
Willem Dafoe as “Nathan Dawkins,” Beyond: Two Souls
Courtnee Draper as “Elizabeth,” Bioshock Infinite
Chuck Kourouklis as “Toad,” The Wolf Among Us: Episode 1 – Faith
Steffan Rhodri as “Drippy,” Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
USE OF SOUND, NEW IP
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
Antichamber
Beyond: Two Souls
The Last of Us
Outlast
USE OF SOUND, FRANCHISE
Battlefield 4
Bioshock: Infinite
Dead Space 3
Rayman Legends
Saints Row IV
WRITING IN A COMEDY
Deadpool
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Lego City Undercover
Saints Row IV
The Stanley Parable
WRITING IN A DRAMA
Beyond: Two Souls
Bioshock: Infinite
Gone Home
The Last of Us
Remember Me
GAME, CLASSIC REVIVAL
DuckTales Remastered
Flashback
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded
GAME, MUSIC OR PERFORMANCE
Jungle Rumble
Propinquity
Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien
GAME, ORIGINAL ACTION
Badland
BattleBlock Theater
Guacamelee
The Last of Us
Monaco
GAME, ORIGINAL ADVENTURE
Beyond: Two Souls
Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller
Gone Home
The Stanley Parable
The Wolf Among Us: Episode 1 – Faith
GAME, ORIGINAL FAMILY
Disney Infinity
Game & Wario
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Puppeteer
Tearaway
GAME, ORIGINAL FIGHTING
Slayin
Towerfall
GAME, ORIGINAL RACING
Gas Guzzlers Extreme
Lococycle
GAME, ORIGINAL ROLE PLAYING
Ascend: Hand of Kul
Dragon’s Crown
High Strangeness
Path of Exile
Sorcery!
GAME, ORIGINAL SPORTS
no nominations
GAME, FRANCHISE ACTION
Batman: Arkham Origins
Bioshock: Infinite
Grand Theft Auto V
Metro: Last Light
Saints Row IV
GAME, FRANCHISE ADVENTURE
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Tomb Raider
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist
The Walking Dead: 400 Days
GAME, FRANCHISE FAMILY
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Lego Marvel Super Heroes
Pokemon X & Y
Rayman Legends
Super Mario 3D World
GAME, FRANCHISE FIGHTING
Infinity Blade III
Injustice: Gods Among Us
Killer Instinct
WWE 2K14
GAME, FRANCHISE RACING
Forza Motorsport 5
Gran Turismo 6
Grid 2
Need for Speed: Rivals
GAME, FRANCHISE ROLE PLAYING
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Shadowrun Returns
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner – Soul Hackers
Tales of Xillia
GAME, FRANCHISE SPORTS
FIFA 14
MLB 13: The Show
NBA 2K14
Pro Evolution Soccer 2014
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14
GAME, SIMULATION
SimCity
Star Command
GAME, SPECIAL CLASS
Antichamber
Depression Quest
Device 6
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies
Rain
GAME, STRATEGY
Civilization V: Brave New World
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Plants vs. Zombies 2
Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm
XCOM: Enemy Within
HONORARY AWARDS
Mark Cerny, for his role shepherding developer-friendly hardware architecture in PlayStation products;
Anita Sarkeesian, for exhaustive documentation and thought-provoking analysis of video game tropes in “Damsel in Distress”