The night also honoured the best independent games at a separate awards show
The Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2018 is still underway in San Franscisco which has been considered the most important conference for game developers and publishers to not only network but view and interactive with the latest technology and products in the gaming industry.
Wednesday night honoured the best gaming achievements of 2017 at the 18th annual Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA) which saw The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild taking the top prize of the night (not a surprise there) while mobile game Gorogoa and Cuphead each winning two awards.
Cuphead has been one of 2017’s most anticipated titles, blew players and critics with its homage to 1930s cartoon, outstanding art direction and musical score. Despite it giving players great heartburn and indigestion at times due to its difficulty, we have yet to report on any friendships or relationships reach a screeching conclusion or any persons receiving therapy for too many rage quits.
Cuphead took home two awards, Best Visual Art and Best Debut for the game’s developer StudioMDHR. Other notable winners included What Remains of Edith Finch, NieR: Automata and Superhot VR.
Legendary game developer and founder of Double Fine Productions was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, in which he delivered an emotional speech on his epic journey in game development over the last three decades. A veteran at LucasArts, having worked on various advrnture titles, contributing his sense of humour, imagination and dedication to gameplay, Schafer’s most iconic titles to date include which his most notable works include Grim Fandango, Day of the Tentacle and Full Throttle.
Now, founder of Doible Fine Productions, Schafer adds his signature touch of more familiar titles like Brutal Legend and Psychonauts whist expanding his role as company president and creative director.
The conplete list of winners in all the categories were voted on by game developers themselves:
- Best Audio: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo)
- Best Debut: Studio MDHR (Cuphead)
- Best Design: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo)
- Best Mobile Game: Gorogoa (Jason Roberts/Buried Signal)
- Innovation Award: Gorogoa (Jason Roberts/Buried Signal)
- Best Narrative: What Remains of Edith Finch (Giant Sparrow)
- Best Technology: Horizon Zero Dawn (Guerrilla Games)
- Best Visual Art: Cuphead (Studio MDHR)
- Best VR/AR Game: SUPERHOT VR (The SUPERHOT Team)
- Audience Award: Nier: Automata (PlatinumGames)
- Game of the Year: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo)
- Ambassador Award: Rami Ismail
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Tim Schafer
