The 2012 Video Game Awards Disclosed

BY JESSICA HEITZMAN
SC Staff Writer

Video game players set down their controllers, minimized their MMO and began to check off the ballots for the Spike 2012 Video Game Awards, held December 13.

Many amazing games were nominated this year. Unfortunately, not every video game can grab the Spike Award, so it’s heartbreaking to see those who’ve worked so hard to make their game reign over the others.

The awards were hosted by Samuel L. Jackson four years in a row. Below is a list of awards that ranked most noteworthy. Below that is the complete list of winners:

Game of the Year:

The Walking Dead: The Game – Based on the comic book series by Robert Kirkman’s “The Walking Dead,” players control Lee Everett, a man who’s been given a second chance at life only to live amongst the flesh eating zombies.

Players are forced to play the game through real life choices that affect either consequences or rewards throughout the game. The choices Lee makes are a matter of life and death. What will you choose?

Best Xbox 360 Game:

Halo 4 – Master Chief has returned to the year 2557, now marooned on his damaged ship in space. Chief quickly realizes he isn’t safe. Chief is overrun by the Covenant, and he is pulled into a strange and unknown world. He must fend off the Covenant and a new foe while trying to find a way back to Earth, but in the process, he discovers a terrible power that threatens humanity and he must find a way to stop it.

Best PS3 Game:

Journey – Players take control of a robed figure where they must journey through sands in order to reach the mountain and venture through it. Players may come across other players on their journey, but they are unable to communicate with each other, except through a wordless shout.

Best Wii / Wii U Game:

New Super Mario Bros. U – Nintendo takes you back to the old school days of the Nintendo console and “Super Mario Bros.” Nintendo has improved “Super Mario Bros.” continuing the popularity of multiplayer format. Players can take on the role of Mario, Luigi, Toad or even your Mii character. This time, however, instead of trying to save Princess Peach from Bowser, players will need to make their way home to Mushroom Kingdom from a mysterious new land.

Best PC Game:

XCOM: Enemy Unknown – Earth is threatened by an unknown enemy, and now the government must assemble an organization, known as XCOM, to deal with the extraterrestrial invaders. Players take control of the commander of XCOM, where they must create a fully operational base, research alien technologies, plan combat missions, and control combat help with strategic moves.

Best RPG:

Mass Effect 3 – The “Reapers,” an ancient alien race, has invaded Earth, decimating everything in their path. Players control Commander Shepard, Earth’s last hope of survival. Players are able to shape their characters by the choices they make. They choose everything from which planets to explore, how events will unfold and whom to create an alliance with to take on the end of the world.

Best Multiplayer:

Borderlands 2 – Borderlands 2 combines RPG and first person shooter. Players can team up with three other players online or split-screen co-op offline. Borderlands 2 introduces new weapons, enemies and defense mechanisms. Players are now able to choose from four new character classes and develop the story as they explore new areas of Pandora.
Studio of the Year: Telltale Games

Best Handheld / Mobile Game: Sound Shapes

Best Shooter:
Borderlands 2

Best Action Adventure Game: Dishonored

Best Individual Sports Game: SSX

Best Team Sports Game:
NBA 2K13

Best Driving Game:
Need for Speed Most Wanted

Best Fighting Game:
Persona 4 Arena

Best Adapted Video Game: The Walking Dead: The Game

Best Independent Game:
Journey

Best Graphics:
Halo 4

Best Song in Game:
“Cities” by Beck

Best Original Score:
Journey

Best Performance by a Male Human:
Dameon Clarke as Handsome Jack (Borderlands 2)

Best Performance by a Female Human:
Melissa Hutchison as Clementine (The Walking Dead: The Game)

Best Downloadable Game: The Walking Dead: The Game

Best Social Game: You Don’t Know Jack

Best DLC:
Dawnguard – The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Most Anticipated Game: Grand Theft Auto V

Email Jessica at:
jmh2643@live.esu.edu