[h=1]The Last Of Us, BioShock Infinite Finish First Amongst The Game Audio Network Guild Award Winners[/h]
The Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) recently announced the winners of the 12th Annual G.A.N.G. Awards.
Fans of video game audio are likely familiar with the
Game Audio Network Guild, the non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of game audio. Well, this year's Game Developers Conference in San Francisco was the stage for the organization to announce the winners of the 12th Annual G.A.N.G. Awards and amongst the winners were some high-profile games featuring stellar soundtracks and sound design such as
The Last of Us and
BioShock Infinite.
Here's a little info on how the winners are determined.
Voted and judged upon by the game audio industry and members of G.A.N.G., the finalists represent an array of the best audio in video games from 2013. A 75 person Advisory Committee helped in deciding each of the final nominees which included hundreds of hours of research, listening, watching and playing. Over 2,500 people representing over 30 countrieshave signed up as members of G.A.N.G. since its inception in 2002. The final winners, voted on by the general membership of G.A.N.G., included multiple wins for The Last of Us and Bioshock Infinite. Other notable winners included Peggle 2, Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm, Halo Spartan Assault and Beyond Two Souls.
In addition, the GANG Recognition award went to legendary game designer, Eugene Jarvis for his continuing support of the importance of audio in games, and his trailblazing work in game audio in games such as Defender and Robotron 2084. The brand new GANG Ambassador Award was presented to blind video gamer and advocate Brandon Cole for his ongoing efforts evangelizing the importance of game audio for gamers with visual impairments.
Here's a rundown of all the award winners:
Audio of the Year: The Last of Us
Music of the Year: Bioshock Infinite
Sound Design of the Year: The Last of Us
Best Original Soundtrack Album: TIE – Halo: Spartan Assault and Beyond Two Souls
Best Interactive Score: Peggle 2
Best Handheld Audio: Tearaway
Best Cinematic Cutscene Audio: Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm
Best Dialogue: The Last of Us
Best Original Instrumental: “Lighter Than Air” (Bioshock Infinite)
Best Original Song: Choral: “Dieses Herz” (Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs)
Best Original Vocal Song: Pop – “Orchid’s Theme” (Killer Instinct)
Best use of Licensed Music: Bioshock Infinite
Best Game Audio Article, Publication or Broadcast: GDC Boot Camp XII
Best Audio Mix: The Last of Us
Best Audio in a Casual/Indie/Socal Game: Peggle 2
GANG Ambassador Award: Brandon Cole
GANG Recognition Award: Eugene Jarvis
GANG Lifetime Achievement Award: David Warhol
GANG Distinguished Service Award: Andrew Kane
GANG Student/Apprentice Award – Music: PJ Tracy
GANG Student/Apprentice Award – Sound Design: Andrew Villa
So, what say you about this year's award winners?