Red Dead Redemption wins VGA 'Game of the Year'

by Andrew Yoon on Dec 11th 2010 10:20PM

There could only be one winner. After it was all said and done, Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption took home the coveted Game of the Year prize from the VGA, besting Call of Duty: Black Ops, God of War III, Halo: Reach and Mass Effect 2.

Other noteworthy winners throughout the evening include Costume Quest's victory as downloadable game of the year, and Limbo's victory as indie game of the year. In addition, BSG's Tricia Helfer finally won an award for something, as a voice in Starcraft 2.

For the full list of winners, click past the break.

GAME OF THE YEAR

Red Dead Redemption (Rockstar Games / Rockstar San Diego)

STUDIO OF THE YEAR

BioWare

BEST XBOX 360 GAME

Mass Effect 2 (Electronic Arts / BioWare)

BEST PS3 GAME

God of War III (Sony Computer Entertainment / SCE Studios Santa Monica)

BEST Wii GAME

Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Nintendo / Nintendo)

BEST PC GAME

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (Blizzard Entertainment / Blizzard Entertainment)

BEST HANDHELD GAME

God of War: Ghost of Sparta (Sony Computer Entertainment / Ready At Dawn Studios)

BEST SHOOTER

Call of Duty: Black Ops (Activision / Treyarch)

BEST ACTION ADVENTURE GAME

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (Ubisoft / Ubisoft Montreal)

BEST RPG

Mass Effect 2 (Electronic Arts / BioWare)

BEST MULTI-PLAYER

Halo: Reach (Microsoft / Bungie Studios)

BEST INDIVIDUAL SPORTS GAME

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 (Electronic Arts / EA Tiburon)

BEST TEAM SPORTS GAME

NBA 2K11 (2K Sports / Visual Concepts)

BEST DRIVING GAME

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit (Electronic Arts / Criterion Games)

BEST MUSIC GAME

Rock Band 3 (MTV Games / Harmonix)

BEST SOUNDTRACK

DJ Hero 2 (Activision / FreeStyleGames)

BEST SONG IN A GAME

Far Away by José González (Red Dead Redemption)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Red Dead Redemption (Rockstar Games / Rockstar San Diego)

BEST GRAPHICS

God of War III (Sony Computer Entertainment / SCE Studios Santa Monica)

BEST ADAPTED VIDEO GAME

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game (Ubisoft / Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Chengdu)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A HUMAN MALE

Neil Patrick Harris as Peter Parker / Amazing Spider-Man (Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions / Activision)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A HUMAN FEMALE

Tricia Helfer as Sarah Kerrigan (StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty / Blizzard Entertainment)

BEST DOWNLOADABLE GAME

Costume Quest (THQ / Double Fine Productions)

BEST DLC

Red Dead Redemption - Undead Nightmare (Rockstar Games / Rockstar San Diego)

BEST INDEPENDENT GAME

Limbo (PlayDead)

MOST ANTICIPATED GAME

Portal 2 (Valve / Valve)

Tags: microsoft, nintendo, playstation, ps3, psp, Red-Dead-Redemption, sony, vga-2010, wii, xbox

Reader Comments (143)

Seems like they were out to please everyone with the award winners this year.

@jeepgun

I agree. The winners should appeal to every gamer in some way.

And Red Dead Redemption is a wonderful game, definitely deserves all of the praise. Congratulations to you, Rockstar.

@jeepgun

Everyone except Nintendo fans

I'm glad Limbo won Best Independent Game.

I was pulling for ME2, but RDR was just as good.

@The angry pro consumer gaming ga I think it would've been fantastic for an RPG to win GoTY instead of yet another pure action game.

@wcarnation

I hope you see the irony in that statement. ME2 is even more of an action game than RDR. If you wanted an RPG to win, then the award probably should've went to Fallout: New Vegas or something.

Still, my personal GOTY is easily ME2.

@EatSleepChuck Yes, dialog options, choices, character classes, etc. are all hallmarks of action games.

Huh. This being Spike, I figured that either Halo or CODBLOPS would win.

@Gibbeynator

Humour +1
You got a chuckle out of me for "CODBLOPS."

@Gibbeynator

Halo should have won. Reach is GotY in my book. I haven't put nearly as much time in any othe game thi year as Reach. It's the end of the decade defining franchise and it's the best of the series.

@ItsameMatt03 I think that what you're suffering from is what psychologists commonly refer to as an "opinion"... Sometimes contagious, but alas there have been reported cases of people having far worse symptoms than you... Unfortunately, there is no cure...

@piez I usually just go with BLOPS but you had to go with the CODBLOPS

@Gibbeynator - If you look at the list of awards given out, it is almost like it is designed so that everyone gets at least one or two awards. By making a category for "Best Xbox 360 Game" and "Best PS3 Game", you are essentially making room for whatever two games didn't win game of the year. How could Red Dead Redemption be GOTY, yet not the best game on either platform?

Not that it matters. The only reason the VGA's are worthwhile is the game announcements.

@BananaBoat Because it's a multi-platform game... Not a console exclusive...

@Turbogame

And Mass Effect 2 is not technically an exclusive either. It's "Microsoft-exclusive", as in you need a Microsoft-made OS (Windows or Xbox 360 with fancy NXE OS) to play it currently, but it's not an exclusive.

I'm surprised Reach didn't get it for the 360, not that I'm complaining about ME2 winning though. Both are huge games. I just figured they'd do the usual and give it to the big name first/second party game.

@Turbogame - I know, but that isn't the point though. The point is that those two categories essentially open up two spots for games that didn't win GOTY, in an arbitrary fashion. This would be like the academy awards having a category for films shot digitally, and for those shot on film, in addition to having a best picture category.

I know it's dumb to try to apply logic to the VGA's, but I can't help myself.

I agree w/ RDR winning Game of the Year. W/ all the crap R* San Diego had to go thru and possibly not making a dime from releasing the game. The game was great. 1 of the best games this year. Kudos to them.

I still don't agree w/ Black Ops winning best character. I mean, WTF?

I only watch the VGAs for the reveals and they did NOT disappoint. Not at all!

@MLC
It is sad that blops won any award other than the sold a shit load award. The game was fun but Bad Company 2 as a whole is a much better game.

@golfs4panzys

I guess you missed the part where COD Black Ops rightfully won "Best Shooter" and "Best character/characterization?"

@Brian Griffin

No I saw what it won and am arguing the "rightfully" part. The story was terrible and fell flat on its face in terms of character development. I'm not trying to champion Battlefield, I own blops I just don't think it was worthy of any award other than for selling a lot of copies.

Well, I can't say I'm disappointed, i enjoyed it. Glad that Black-ops didn't win it.

I approve this choice. For me it's probably a split decision between RDR and ME2 right now, but I still need to spend more time with AC:B.

Red Dead was my second out of the choices, so I'm pleased.

But sad for Mass Effect 2.

how does AC2 beat RDR for best action game, but not nominated for GOTY that RDR wins... goes to show you how much thought that put into the awards..

I am glad Limbo and Far Away won.

Read Dead Redemption is an excellent game, but that doesn't excuse Mario Galaxy 2 from not being nominated for several of these categories. You can't not pretend to conduct an orchestra while listening to galaxy 2's soundtrack.

Fantastic, well done RDR and Rockstar. Got my vote.

Yes!! rockstar deserved it they made such an awesome game with a great single & muilitiplayer.

buying awards is always fun.

NO ME2 for game of the year is sad
Jennifer hale not getting best voice actor for ME2 makes me even more sad.

I'm glad they gave God of War 3 best PS3 game. Seeing last year they gave it to Modern Warfare 2 over Uncharted 2. That made no sense at all.

@S Reefer It makes some sense. Uncharted won overall game of the year last year.

@Shadowbender Which means that it was the best game of the year, hence, the best game on PS3 as well.

@Cheesus Crust

Then by your logic RDR should have won either best 360 or PS3 game this year.

But it didn't.

@This Little Man Says His Name Is
Which is why people are upset about this list

@daftpunx234

There's an unstated rule that applies to some awards that says that if you win a larger prize, you're out of the running for sub prizes.

Hence, Kanye West freaking about Beyonce, or gamers with this award list.

You can go ahead and read into it... the 'overall' game beat the console winning games. But I really don't think it works that way. All the games that won seem to be pretty good games, but I imagine every single gamer in the world has at least a few games this year they'd rank differently (in my case, there's no question GT5 is better than NFS).

Also, Did you guys notice when Neil P won, He was already standing in the entrance like it was already planned for him to win? Because honestly, Martin Sheen did an outstanding job and deserved that award. But like always the Spike TV VGA are a joke. Oh my Tony Hawk, did you guys get the feeling like he didn't wanna be there? His speech was bland and awful fast.

@Riley Freeman

I'm pretty sure a lot of the winners know in advance. The CGI acceptance speeches weren't made in 8 seconds.

But there's always the possibility that Spike has each developer of a nominated game create a speech, and then they play the one that won, but what are the odds of that?

@Riley Freeman Totally agree, I thought it was Joke at first. I feel like they gave it to him to be funny but its not a joke award, there are serious contenders there.

@Riley Freeman I tuned in just to see that award. Martin Sheen did a fantastic job as the illusive man. I read the ME books and everytime it had him speaking I couldnt help but hear his voice. Or I could be freekin nuts. One of the two.

@Riley Freeman The whole thing is a farce. I just tuned in to see the trailers. None of the presenters seemed to read from the teleprompter correctly and Rachel Bilon's attempt at humour fell flat. Still, Olivia Munn's chest nearly falling out of her dress will give socially inept males some wet dreams no doubt.

YEA BABY!!! Way to go Rockstar this Is well deserved!!!!

@Guts -- I totally agree. It was the only original game in the running and an excellent game at that.

A lot of these awards weren't even mentioned during the actual show... I figured people would be making a bigger deal about that...

@Seroth You're not the only one that noticed. A lot of these awards deserved more attention, no doubt about it.

I personally thought GT5 was better than Hot Pursuit but they're both excellent games. GT5 is much more serious though so it appeals to a smaller crowd.

@Special Agent Steve

GT5 is amazing but as far as I know, it wasn't even considered for these awards so I guess it will be on the ticket for next year.

@Special Agent Steve

They are both pretty great games.

I agree GT5 appeals to a smaller audience. As I've said a few times, games have gotten so much better than there's less need to compromise, and a lot of people who played GT1 even though they wanted something less realistic, now have what they wanted all along.

I think Blur was better than NFS, but oh well. All good games.

GT5 is an amazing game that really pushes the idea of GT way out there. Better simulation, but also more 'earn it' attitude. I love it, but I don't know that it will get many awards because it's a very particular taste.

The good news for PS3 players intending to pick up Mass Effect 2: Your cover art won't be laden with "VGA Game of the Year" blurbs and logos.

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Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption wins VGA 'Game of the Year'

Reader Comments (143)

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:22PM jeepgun said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:29PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Dec 12th 2010 12:29PM Mr Khan said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:23PM Glossophobia said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:24PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said

Posted: Dec 12th 2010 12:19AM wcarnation said

Posted: Dec 12th 2010 1:16AM EatSleepChuck said

Posted: Dec 14th 2010 4:29AM wcarnation said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:24PM Gibbeynator said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:28PM piez said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:41PM ItsameMatt03 said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:54PM Turbogame said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:57PM spacemonkey086 said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 11:04PM BananaBoat said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 11:07PM Turbogame said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 11:43PM sonicspike41 said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 11:45PM BananaBoat said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:25PM MLC said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 11:21PM golfs4panzys said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 11:52PM Brian Griffin said

Posted: Dec 12th 2010 12:01AM golfs4panzys said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:25PM Riley Freeman said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:26PM Boring K said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:26PM piez said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:27PM ennzo said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:27PM jasonmm said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:28PM Basevi said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:28PM Hong Dong said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:29PM bargaingamer said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:29PM SaltCube64 said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:29PM Draugdraugr said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:29PM S Reefer said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:36PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 11:07PM Cheesus Crust said

Posted: Dec 12th 2010 6:58AM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Dec 12th 2010 12:44PM daftpunx234 said

Posted: Dec 12th 2010 3:24PM Dustin F said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:29PM Riley Freeman said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:33PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:37PM Dionkey said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 11:56PM Haon said

Posted: Dec 12th 2010 12:53AM Hong Dong said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:30PM jrobington said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:30PM Kenoji said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:32PM Seroth said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:35PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:33PM Special Agent Steve said

Posted: Dec 12th 2010 12:06AM golfs4panzys said

Posted: Dec 12th 2010 3:36PM Dustin F said

Posted: Dec 11th 2010 10:38PM Epoque said

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