18 Feb

The awards season for last year’s gaming season is in full swing, with BAFTA having already doled out its nominations for the past year. Not to be outdone, the Game Audio Network Guild (or G.A.N.G.) has revealed their awards short-list. Once again leading the pack is Uncharted 2, tied with Assassin’s Creed II with nine nominations each. The ceremony will be held at this year’s Game Developer’s Conference, on March 12th.

“The level of quality for game audio continues to get higher and higher each year,” said Tommy Tallarico, G.A.N.G. Founder, CEO and Chairman. “It’s so important to make sure that the talented game audio individuals from around the world get the recognition they deserve.”  G.A.N.G. President Paul Lipson added, “This was one of our biggest submission years yet and over 70 game audio professionals on our global advisory boards helped in deciding the final nominees.  With the level of talent these days, being voted as a final nominee is a remarkable accomplishment.”

AUDIO OF THE YEAR

Assassin’s Creed II

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Need For Speed: Shift

Resident Evil 5

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

MUSIC OF THE YEAR

Assassin’s Creed II

AVATAR: The Game

Dragon Age: Origins

Flower

Halo 3: ODST

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

BEST SOUND DESIGN

Assassin’s Creed II

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Need For Speed: Shift

Resident Evil 5

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

BEST SOUNDTRACK ALBUM

Assassin’s Creed II

Brutal Legend

Dragon Age: Origins

inFAMOUS

Tom Clancy’s: H.A.W.X.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

BEST INTERACTIVE SCORE

Assassin’s Creed II

Flower

Halo 3: ODST

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

BEST HANDHELD AUDIO

Gran Turismo (PSP)

Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier (PSP)

Mecho Wars (iPhone)

Resistance: Retribution (PSP)

The Secret Of Monkey Island: Special Edition (iPhone)

BEST CINEMATIC/CUT-SCENE AUDIO

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Left 4 Dead 2

Need For Speed: Shift

Resident Evil 5

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

BEST DIALOGUE

Assassin’s Creed II

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Brutal Legend

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Resident Evil 5

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

BEST ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTAL

“Ezio’s Family” – Assassin’s Creed II

“Flight Over Venice” – Assassin’s Creed II

“Spirit of Bladehenge” – Brutal Legend

“Sonny Tang” – Eat Lead

“Reunion” – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

BEST ORIGINAL VOCAL – CHORAL

“Venice Rooftops” – Assassin’s Creed II

“A Creature Shall Rise” – Brutal Legend

“Sad Theme” – Tom Clancy’s: H.A.W.X.

“Washington Under Seige” – Tom Clancy’s: H.A.W.X.

“Halls of Iron” – World of Warcraft: Fall of the Lich King

BEST ORIGINAL VOCAL – POP

“I Am The One” (High Fantasy Version) – Dragon Age: Origins

“Lelianna’s Song” – Dragon Age: Origins

“Silent Melody” – inFAMOUS

“Best Friends Menu Theme” – Littlest Pet Shop Friends

“Pray – Theme Song” – Resident Evil 5

“Plants vs. Zombies” – Plants vs. Zombies

BEST USE OF MULTI-CHANNEL SURROUND IN A GAME

Bayonetta

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Forza Motorsport 3

Left 4 Dead 2

Resident Evil 5

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

BEST USE OF LICENSED MUSIC

Brutal Legend

DJ Hero

Guitar Hero: Van Halen

Rock Band: The Beatles

SingStar: Queen

BEST GAME AUDIO ARTICLE, PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST

“Avoiding Tedium – Fighting Repetition in Game Audio” – AES Conference Paper

“Dynamics of Narrative” – Gamasutra.com

“The Future of Game Audio / The Game Audio Mixing Revolution” – Gamasutra.com

“Less is More” – Game Developer Magazine

“Surviving the Crunch – Being Healthy Sound Designers” – Designing Sound

“Surviving Your First Composing Gig” – Shockwave-Sound.com