"Best Downloadable Game" is a category in 2010? Really? I think it might be time to change that to best PSN/XBLA/WiiWare game, because on a PC every game is downloadable.

Well, there's at least one PC game on there, Michel - the category is defined as: "Best Downloadable Game Award recognizes the overall best game released on console or PC platforms specifically and solely for digital download - with an emphasis on smaller, more 'casual'-friendly titles."

Ok that description is a little more clear. But I still don't see how distribution method has anything to do with the game itself. Were Spider and Flight Control even considered under Downloadable? Some kind of "casual" or "smaller game" category would probably be more appropriate.

How does Demon's Souls not even get nominated for Best Game design? If we're talking pound for pound in game design, Demon's Souls wins against all of those games.

Nominations are done by popular vote I think? While these votes may be from game developers, the nominating pool is large enough for the trend to be toward popular or highly visible games, not necessarily toward apt or appropriate selections. Also, all these things are highly subjective!

For me, the complete absence of SFIV, Spelunky, Osmos, Captain Forever, Drop7, Closure, and Clash of Heroes renders these nominations almost completely irrelevant. If Batman wins best game design but SFIV and Captain Forever (and Demon Souls) weren't even competing, what does that actually mean? If Spider beats Spirit Tracks without having to go up against Clash of Heroes or Drop7, is it still prestigious and significant?

Having an elite jury select the awards might be more meaningful or more prestigious if the nominations weren't limited to high profile metacritic winners?

THAT SAID, I am genuinely excited to see indie games step out past the 'downloadable' category and vie for the "real" honors, that is so exciting to me, despite any issues I might have. All my love and respect to those small studios (TGC, Tiger Style, etc)!

Cool to see Zeno Clash up there. Also, glad that new SMB didn't see the light of day. Bury that crap deep in the Earth!

@Adam, agree completely, Spelunky specifically... Derek had the class to leave Spelunky out of the IGF because it would have beat everyone in every category, and it feels flat not having him win _something_. Well, he's won our hearts. That's probably better.

:)

@Greg, Adam: Closure and Spelunky will probably be on this list in a year or two when the commercial console versions are released.

I bet you're right! It's pretty hard to be a GDC Award contender without being on the 360, unless you're a second-party PS3 exclusive.

PC games have it even tougher :( It's the way of the world these days!

Wow. I guess games that are released early in the year are forgotten. RE5 I think should have deserved some recognition. It wasn't a masterpiece but still is one of the prettiest games I have seen.

Not sure if I agree with giving ACII a visual award. The screenshots never matched actual gameplay graphics.

this is a lot less insulting than that spike tv bullshit

I really wanted SF IV to be on there. It wins best game design in my heart! heh.

Chris,

I'm not sure what screenshots you are specifically alluding to but I personally think ACII is one of the most visually impressive games of this generation. There are a few rough edges to be sure but overall the animation, architecture and level of detail is almost unrivaled, especially when you consider the scope of the game world. I thought it was a visually impressive game on just about every possible level.

I understand your point Adam. Although, I'm curious why you guys believe that SFIV belongs on there. I'm not taking a stab at it...I'm genuinely curious what they did that was so great. Personally, fighting games as a genre have continued to underwhelm me this gen because the game design seems so dated.

I can understand why people tend to pass over New Super Mario Bros. Wii as just another installment in a long running series, but in my mind it should be up for Best Design. There are parts of that game that have me grinning from ear to ear it's so cleverly thought out. And yeah, DEMON'S SOULS.

The strength of Demon's Souls was superior, elegant design, so it is ashame the nomination for Best Design does not include it. DS really shows how smart rules evoke more powerful emotion than industry best production values.