Game Critics Awards nominate best of E3 2011, Infinite and Uncharted 3 lead the pack

Oh, game journalists, you're so predictable. Just look at the nominees for this year's Game Critics Awards, for example. Four nominations for both BioShock Infinite and Uncharted 3? Could your bias for top-notch presentation and exhilarating, imaginative gameplay be more obvious?

As you'll see in the big list after the break, that kind of bias for really great-looking games permeates all the selections. Just once, we'd like to see some recognition for the really lousy, boring games. Just once, we'd like to hear, "And the award for Super Good Game goes to ... a weird Korean free-to-play dating MMO set in a bakery."

Just once.

Best of Show

Batman: Arkham City (Rocksteady/WB Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
BioShock Infinite (Irrational Games/2K Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Tomb Raider (Crystal Dynamics/Square Enix for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PlayStation 3)

Best Original Game

Bastion (Supergiant Games/WB Games for PC, Xbox 360)
BioShock Infinite (Irrational Games/2K Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
From Dust (Ubisoft Montpellier/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Journey (Thatgamecompany/SCEA for PlayStation 3)
Sound Shapes (Queasy Games/SCEA for PSVita)

Best Console Game

Batman: Arkham City (Rocksteady/WB Games for PS3, Xbox 360)
Mass Effect 3 (Bioware/EA Games for PS3, Xbox 360)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda for PS3, Xbox 360)
Tomb Raider (Crystal Dynamics/Square Enix for PS3, Xbox 360)
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PlayStation 3)

Best Handheld/Mobile Game

Contre Jour (Mokus/Chillingo/EA for iPad, iPhone)
Mario Kart (Nintendo/Nintendo for 3DS)
Sound Shapes (Queasy Games/SCEA for PSVita)
Super Mario (Nintendo EAD Tokyo/Nintendo for 3DS)
Uncharted: Golden Abyss (SCE Bend Studio/Naughty Dog/SCEA for PSVita)

Best PC Game

Battlefield 3 (DICE/EA Games for PC)
BioShock Infinite (Irrational Games/2K Games for PC)
End of Nations (Petroglyph Games/Trion Worlds for PC)
Star Wars: The Old Republic (Bioware Austin/EA Games for PC)
Torchlight 2 (Runic Games/Perfect World for PC)

Best Hardware

PlayStation Vita (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Rocksmith (Ubisoft San Francisco/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Sony 3D Display (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Wii U (Nintendo)
Zoom for Kinect (Nyko)

Best Action Game

Battlefield 3 (DICE/EA Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Infinity Ward/Sledgehammer/ATVI for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Gears of War 3 (Epic Games/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
Prey 2 (Human Head Studios/Bethesda for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360)
Rage (id Software/Bethesda for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360)

Best Action/Adventure Game

Assassin's Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360)
Batman: Arkham City (Rocksteady/WB Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
BioShock infinite (Irrational Games/2K Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Tomb Raider (Crystal Dynamics/Square Enix for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PlayStation 3)

Best Role Playing Game

Dark Souls (From Software/Namco Bandai Games for PS3, Xbox 360)
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (Big Huge Games/38 Studios/EAP for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360)
Mass Effect 3 (BioWare/EA Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare Austin/EA for PC)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

Best Racing Game

Driver: San Francisco (Ubisoft Reflections/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Forza 4 (Turn 10 Studios/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
Mario Kart (Nintendo/Nintendo for 3DS)
Need for Speed:The Run (EA Black Box/EA Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
Wipeout 2048 (Studio Liverpool/SCEE for PSVita)

Best Fighting Game

Skullgirls (Reverge Labs/Autumn Games for PS3, Xbox 360)
Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition (Iron Galaxy Studios/Capcom for PS3, Xbox 360)
Street Fighter X Tekken (Capcom/Capcom for PS3, Xbox 360, PSVita)
Soul Calibur V (Namco/Namco Bandai for PS3, Xbox 360)
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (Namco Bandai Games for Arcade)
WWE 12 (Yuke's/THQ for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

Best Sports Game

FIFA Soccer 12 (EA Canada/EA Sports for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Madden NFL 12 (EA Tiburon/EA Sports for PS3, Xbox 360)
NBA 2K12 (Visual Concepts/2K Sports for PS3, Xbox 360)
SSX (EA Canada/EA Sports for PS3, Xbox 360)
UFC Undisputed 3 (Yuke's/THQ for PS3, Xbox 360)

Best Strategy Game

Age of Empires Online (Gas Powered Games/Microsoft Studios for PC)
End of Nations (Petroglyph/Trion Worlds for PC)
From Dust (Ubisoft Montpellier/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Skulls of the Shogun (Haunted Temple Studios for PC, Xbox 360)
Trenched (Double Fine/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)

Best Social/Casual Game

Dance Central 2 (Harmonix/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
Disneyland Adventures (Frontier Developments/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
Rocksmith (Ubisoft San Francisco/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Rhythm Heaven (TNX/Nintendo for Wii)
Sound Shapes (Queasy Games/SCEA for PSVita)

Best Motion Simulation Game

Dance Central 2 (Harmonix/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
Fruit Ninja Kinect (Halfbrick/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster (Double Fine Productions/WB Games for Xbox 360)
The Gunstringer (Twisted Pixel Games/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Nintendo EAD/Nintendo for Wii)

Best Online Multiplayer Game

Battlefield 3 (DICE/EA for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Infinity Ward/Sledgehammer/ATVI for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Gears of War 3 (Epic Games/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare Austin/EA for PC)
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PlayStation 3)

Best Downloadable Game

Bastion (Supergiant Games/WB Games for PC, Xbox 360)
From Dust (Ubisoft Montpellier/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet (Fuelcell Games/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
Journey (Thatgamecompany/SCEA for PlayStation 3)
Papo & Yo (Minority/SCEA for PlayStation 3)

Reader Comments (40)

No Zelda in Action/Adventure? :/

@AlexMeloche

I don't really understand putting it in the 'Motion' category. Really? You're putting Link up against Elmo and a watermelon?

Lots of good games coming out. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

@Ospov Infinite or UC3? Doesn't matter to me, cause in the end both games are paid for on Amazon with my trade in credit.

How is Bioshock Infinite in Best Original Game? Is it not like a sequel or prequel or something?

@collinc Prequel, I think. I'd like to know how it counts as original myself.

@Faceless Troll

It's set earlier than the other two games, but they haven't confirmed if it's a prequel or a new game sharing the name

@collinc
I think Rage should there instead.

@Faceless Troll - I've heard a few pundits say that the "Bioshock" name is only being added for marketing purposes, and that it might as well be an original property. I haven't played it yet, so I couldn't say.

@Its The Rocketeer In any case I don't see how you can count it as original since it's based on an existing IP.

@Faceless Troll

Because it's in the sky now? I don't know. I'm reaching here. Apparently all something needs to be original is a new setting in an old franchise.

@collinc

Just take a glimpse of the world of Columbia, and then tell me that's not original.

@Shadowbender You mean a shooter in a jungle setting? Yeah . . . no.

@Faceless Troll

You're a sneaky one. That was good.

@Its The Rocketeer It's considered to be both a prequel and a completely new game because it takes place before Bioshock, yet doesn't have anything to do with it at the same time.

@Its The Rocketeer

That's clever: since it's a prequel, the unoriginal one is the first Bioshock.

Uncharted seems to be doing very well, but I guess that's to be expected from such a great series.

Great job Jeremy.

"Best Motion Simulation Game"...
So that's a genre now? That's what we're going with?

@JonahStein
lets go with that, thats the only reason i can think of why Skyward Sword isnt up to Best Action/Adventure Game

Really looking forward to Bioshock Infinite,BF3, GoW3, U3, SWTOR, DSouls, Skyrim, WO2048, F4, Rage, ACR, TR,T2, Etc. Good bye wallet! welcome back to 2007! =) Hmmm it's a conspiracy.. 2k7 and 2k11 both have a bunch of great games perhaps 7/11 is behind this?!

Was a somewhat limp E3 for how much I was looking forward to it. The nominations make sense, but we could have probably guessed most of them before the actually event.

Oh well, still some great games on the way.

seems like they listed almost every game that was shown.

It's funny that after seeing all these awesome games coming like Batman, Tomb Raider, and Uncharted 3, with crazy, insane graphics and gameplay, all I keep thinking about and wanting more than anything is Bastion. Of course, I want those other games I mentioned, but Bastion just looks so... good. I want.

Needs more "3".

But I'm surprised there wasn't more AC: Revelations on the list. And Skyward Sword seemed as if it should have appeared more.

I'd say good list. I'm very happy for Infinite and UC3. Both of those I am ecstatic for. Can't wait.

Arkham City best of show nominee? Holy frak!

if having creative work compete for which is "best" in a category wasn't stupid enough, lets have a competition between games that arent even out yet

dumb dumb dumb dumb

@ORTHROK

Don't really see the problem.

These awards should be restricted to games which are already done or at the very least playable on the show floor.

AC:Revelations only one nomination?....hmm

What's up with almost no coverage of Deus Ex from E3??? It kinda worries me that it may not turn out well...

No Rayman Origins? Like....At all?

As much as I'm obsessed with Gears 3, I don't think it can win against Battlefield 3

Umm... Deus Ex Human Revolution? No? Sly Cooper Thieves in Time?

My only horses in this race are Journey for best original game, and Dark Souls for best RPG (even I'll concede that Skyrim is going to get the award, since it will lose out on GOTS). Any of the games up for Game of the Show would work for me, although I think Rocksteady is deserving of some awards at this point. Bioshock Infinite is going to take it though. On podcast after podcast during the week of E3, all I kept hearing was how incredible the Bioshock Infinite demo was.

I'm grabbing the whole list. Security Admins can afford these.

Best of show should be renamed way to bankruptcy

I'm still amazed by the long legs of FFXIII web trolling. FFXIII-2 didnt even get an RPG nomination? It looks amazing so far, and looking like it adressed the linearity "problem" of the original... But that's just me...

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster? Xbox 360? LoL how times have changed. Poor hardcore Xbox player.

KOF XIII was easily the most exciting announcement of the show for me, and they didn't even include it as a nominee for best fighting game!?!

Skyrim should win everything by default

Game Critics Awards nominate best of E3 2011, Infinite and Uncharted 3 lead the pack

Reader Comments (40)

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 12:43PM AlexMeloche said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 2:01PM Uncle Jesse said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 12:42PM Ospov said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:00PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 12:47PM collinc said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 12:52PM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:00PM Its The Rocketeer said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:01PM kvn7918 said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:02PM BananaBoat said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:03PM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:04PM Ospov said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:16PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:22PM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:27PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 2:27PM Psychotine said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 3:17PM fco said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 12:48PM IslandLife said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 12:53PM JonahStein said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:03PM Theguyoverthere said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 12:55PM Accessgranted said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 12:56PM Truant said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:00PM Fire Walk With Me said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:05PM Uncle Jesse said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:07PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:10PM ToolroomKnight said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:10PM ORTHROK said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:17PM Vidikron said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:11PM spin cycle said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:12PM rambo8 said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:14PM DannyT said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:14PM Freakservo said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:16PM Schlecht said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:16PM y0d4991337 said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:17PM BananaBoat said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:44PM Anarqi said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 1:45PM Neptune said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 2:06PM Camilomf said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 4:15PM RealityCheck2011 said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 11:03PM Buster Rod G said

Posted: Jun 22nd 2011 11:46PM Vuvuzelas said

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