Gears Takes Home Three G.A.N.G. Awards

Non profit organization the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) has announced the winners of its 5th annual G.A.N.G. Awards, with Gears of War taking home three awards, including best audio.

The awards event, held at the Game Developers Conference and hosted by G.A.N.G. founder Tommy Tallarico and president Paul Lipson, featured performances including industry veterans like the original LucasArts music team and Charles Martinet, the voice of Nintendo's Mario. Red Steel composer Tom Salta also performed with DJ Charlie Malone using Nintendo Wii remotes to trigger sound effects.

Legendary Nintendo composer Koji Kondo, musician on such titles as Mario, Zelda and Star Fox was also in attendance to receive G.A.N.G's Lifetime Achievement Award for his body of work over the past 2 decades.

The full list of winners for the 5th annual G.A.N.G. Awards are as follows:

AUDIO OF THE YEAR - Gears of War

BEST ARRANGEMENT OF A NON-ORIGINAL SCORE - The Godfather

BEST ARRANGEMENT OF A NON-ORIGINAL SCORE - Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams

BEST AUDIO - OTHER - Cartoon Networks Re-animated: Fit to be Pie'd

BEST CINEMATIC/CUT-SCENE AUDIO - Gears of War

BEST DIALOGUE - 24: The Game

BEST GAME AUDIO ARTICLE, PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST - 2006 GDC Audio Boot Camp - Scott Selfon

BEST INTERACTIVE SCORE - Need for Speed: Carbon

BEST USE OF LICENSED MUSIC - Guitar Hero II

BEST ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTAL - "Titan" - Paraworld

BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK ALBUM - Halo 2: Volume Two

BEST ORIGINAL VOCAL SONG - CHORAL - "Baba Yetu" - Civilization IV

BEST ORIGINAL VOCAL SONG - POP - "Dr. Kunkle's Funnkle Cake" - Thrillville

MOST INNOVATIVE USE OF AUDIO - Guitar Hero II

MUSIC OF THE YEAR - Tomb Raider: Legend

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Christopher Tin

SOUND DESIGN OF THE YEAR - Gears of War

BEST USE OF MULTI-CHANNEL SURROUND IN A GAME - Call of Duty 3

G.A.N.G. RECOGNITION AWARD - Audiokinetic - Wwise

G.A.N.G. RECOGNITION AWARD - Gene Semel

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - Koji Kondo

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Scott Gershin, David Murrant and Scott Selfon

“It was an honor to recognize such stunning talent in our industry this year,” said Paul Lipson, president of G.A.N.G. “This event marks the 5th anniversary of G.A.N.G., and we are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of game audio professionals from every genre and discipline.”