As we run into December, it’s that time of year again when gamers come together to debate, argue, and ultimately celebrate the previous twelve months of gaming. While everyone will keep a mental note of their favorite game, Spike TV’s awards ceremony often signals the beginning of ‘Game of the Year articles popping up just about everywhere on the internet. Although the procedure was a little different this year as the VGAs went through a bit of a makeover.
Previously known as the Spike Video Game Awards (VGAs), the show has had a lick of paint over the last year being re-branded as VGX. While it put a bigger focus on reveals such as a new generation remaster of Tomb Raider and Telltale Games taking on both Game of Thrones and Borderlands episodic series, the entire affair was still framed by awards.
It was an incredibly strong showing for games this year with three major ‘Game of the Year contenders in Grand Theft Auto V, The Last of Us, and BioShock Infinite all hogging the nominations. The program featured close categories throughout with Game of the Year, Studio of the Year, Best Independent Game, and acting categories being especially tight calls.
In the end, what we got was a seemingly fair distribution of awards with GTA V winning the Best Game, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag winning the Best Action/Adventure, BioShock Infinite winning Best Shooter and Naughty Dog winning the Best Studio.
But those weren’t the only winners. With the show now over, here is a complete list of the games that won and those that missed out.
BioShock Infinite
Grand Theft Auto V
Super Mario 3D World
The Last of Us
Tomb Raider
Irrational Games
Naughty Dog
Rockstar North
The Fullbright Company
Battlefield 4
BioShock Infinite
Call of Duty: Ghosts
Metro: Last Light
Gone Home
Kentucky Route Zero
Papers, Please
The Stanley Parable
Grand Theft Auto 5 VGX
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Grand Theft Auto V
The Last of Us
Tomb Raider
FIFA 14
MLB 13: The Show
NBA 2K14
NHL 14
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Pokemon X/Y
Divekick
Injustice: Gods Among Us
Killer Instinct
Tekken Revolution
F1 2013
Grid 2
Forza Motorsport 5
Need for Speed Rivals
The Last of US VGX
Borderlands 2: Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep
Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Mass Effect 3: Citadel
BioShock Infinite
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Grand Theft Auto V
Tomb Raider
Grand Theft Auto V
Rayman Legends
The Last of Us
Tomb Raider
Pikmin 3
Rayman Legends
Super Mario 3D World
The Wonderful 101
Battlefield 4
Gone Home
Papers, Please
The Stanley Parable
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Pokemon X/Y
Tearaway
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Disney Infinity
Plants vs. Zombies 2
Skylanders Swap Force
Bioshock Infinite VGX
Troy Baker (as Joel in The Last of Us)
Troy Baker (as Booker DeWitt in BioShock Infinite)
Steven Ogg (as Trevor Philips in Grand Theft Auto V)
Willem Dafoe (as Nathan Dawkins in Beyond: Two Souls)
Ashley Johnson (as Ellie in The Last of Us)
Courtnee Draper (as Elizabeth in BioShock Infinite)
Camilla Luddington (as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider)
Ellen Page (as Jodie Holmes in Beyond: Two Souls)
BioShock Infinite
Grand Theft Auto V
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
The Last of Us
“A.D.H.D.” performed by Kendrick Lamar (Grand Theft Auto V)
“Sleepwalking” performed by The Chain Gang of 1974 (Grand Theft Auto V)
“Survival” performed by Eminem (Call of Duty: Ghosts)
“Will the Circle be Unbroken” performed by Courtnee Draper & Troy Baker (BioShock Infinite)
Destiny
Titanfall
South Park: The Stick of Truth
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Watch Dogs
Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
Trevor Phillips (Grand Theft Auto V)
The Lutece Twins (BioShock Infinite)
Naive and Nyaa (Brothers)
Angry Birds: Star Wars
Infinity Blade 3
Plants vs. Zombies: It’s About Time
Ridiculous Fishing