The Best of 2012 Awards
There was a noticeable change of direction for the gaming industry in 2012. As many developers shifted their gaze toward the next generation, the big-budget games that would normally fill our time were in much shorter supply. Thankfully, those that did surface often delighted, intrigued, or otherwise compelled us in some way, so there was again no shortage of diverse, memorable games. Don't think for a second that fewer retail releases dampened our enthusiasm during our heated Game of the Year discussions. Downloadable games have grown immeasurably in recent years, and the wealth of quality experience gave us ample opportunity to argue endlessly in favor of those that moved us. If 2012 is the last full year of the current generation, it certainly ended in a rising crescendo worthy of the technology that's finally being put to rest.
Our approach to this year's award ceremony is slightly different than previous ones. We still have an overall Game of the Year, along with platform- and genre-specific awards. But our Special Achievements, where we focus on individual aspects of games, have taken a new life. No longer do we focus on broad categories such as Funniest Game or Best Soundtrack. Instead, we cut to the heart of what our chosen games did that was worthy of commendation, and phrase the award accordingly. That means there are no longer nominees fighting over the crown given that most of these awards are worded in such a way that only one game actually fits the criteria.
Don't think we forget about you, our passionate readers. Last year, our People's Choice award opened the door to every game released in the year, but we've taken a different approach this time. Using our own secret formula, we selected 64 of the best games of the year, and randomly threw them into a bracket where they move through the ranks based on the popular vote from readers just like you. The cutoff for eligibility is December 4th, 2012, and the voting begins on December 7th.
Enjoy the spectacle!
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