The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt might be the last game in CD Projekt’s Witcher saga, but it’s first in the eyes of voters at the 2016 Game Developers Choice Awards. The final adventure for Geralt of Rivia was awarded “Game of the Year” honors at the annual ceremony, as well as “Best Technology” for “its complex game engine that combines brilliant visuals with a huge game world.”
However, the big winner of the night was Sam Barlow’s Her Story. After cleaning up earlier in the day at the IGF Awards, Her Story also collected the “Innovation Award,” “Best Narrative,” and “Best Handheld/Mobile Game” at the 2016 GDC Awards.
The only other multi-award winner was Ori and the Blind Forest, which shone brightly as the winner of “Best Visual Art” and “Best Debut.”
As they do every year, the Game Developers Choice jury also distributed a trio of special awards at this year’s ceremony. The “Ambassador Award” was given to Tracy Fullerton, professor and Director of the University of Southern California Game Design program. Bethesda’s Todd Howard won a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his work with The Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises. And finally, Markus “Notch” Persson, the creator of Minecraft, was praised with the “Pioneer Award.”
Game of the Year
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (CD Projekt RED / CD Projekt)
Innovation Award
- Her Story (Sam Barlow)
Best Debut
- Ori and the Blind Forest (Moon Studios)
Best Design
- Rocket League (Psyonix)
Best Handheld/Mobile Game
- Her Story (Sam Barlow)
Best Visual Art
- Ori and the Blind Forest (Moon Studios / Microsoft Studios)
Best Narrative
- Her Story (Sam Barlow)
Best Audio
- Crypt of the NecroDancer (Brace Yourself Games)
Best Technology
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (CD Projekt RED / CD Projekt)
Audience Award
- Life Is Strange (Dontnod Entertainment)
