This year SXSW hosted their first ever Gaming Awards recapping 2013. In thinking back on playing The Last of Us I remember being sad when it was over, because I wanted more The Last of Us! I am glad to see Naughty Dog gaining recognition for a game that definitely took plenty of time and hard work to create. The first time The Last of Us’ name crossed the screen was a nomination for Excellence in Gameplay and the crowd rejoiced in unison. The Last of Us was nominated for seven awards and took the cake bringing in four of those home. Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us received wins for Excellence in Narrative, Excellence in Sound Effects, Excellence in Musical Score and Game of the Year.
Shawn O’Keefe, interactive festival producer, opened the show solemnly dedicating the entire 1st SXSW Gaming Awards to Matthew Crump. Six days ago Matthew Crump passed away due to a heart attack. Crump was recognized as being an integral part in bringing gaming to SXSW in 2012 and was the lead organizer for the SXSW Gaming Awards. Matthew Crump firmly believed in increasing diversity in the gaming industry and at South by Southwest. In honor of his legacy, the SXSW Gaming team named their Multicultural Innovation Award after him.
The rest of the show was hosted by iJustine and SMOSH. The event ran smoothly and the audience was very engaged. A few of the highlights were: a preview of SMOSH’s Honest Game Trailer for Super Mario 3D World, Cirque du Soleil, and an awesome video of Rooster Teeth staff attempting to find locations from The Last of Us. The awards show was an hour and a half, I believe everyone at the convention appreciated the planner’s respect of their time. The crowd was extremely vocal and cheered for the games they wanted to win such as, The Stanley Parable and The Walking Dead Season 2. The team at SXSW has a few minor kinks to work out but all together it was a good show.
Here are the list of nominees and winners by category, winners are in bold.
Excellence in Gaming
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Two Worlds
Super Mario 3D World S
The Last of Us
Brothers:A Tale of Two Sons
Tearaway
Excellence in Art
Bioshock Infinite
Rayman Legends
Tearaway
Kentucky Route Zero
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Excellence in Animation
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Super Mario 3D World S
The Last of Us
Tearaway
Tomb Raider
Excellence in Technical Achievement
Grand Theft Auto V
Antichamber
Swapper
Super Mario 3D World S
Papa Sangre II
Excellence in Narrative
The Last of Us
Gone Home
Bioshock Infinite
Kentucky Route Zero
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Excellence in Design & Direction
Grand Theft Auto V
Tearaway
Gone HOme
Bioshock Infinite
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Best Multi-player
Battlefield 4
Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm
DOTA 2
Super Mario 3D World
Call of Duty: Ghosts
Excellence in Gaming Marketing
Saints Row IV
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Ridiculous Fishing
Call of Duty: Ghosts
The Stanley Parable
Convergence
Lego Marvel Superheroes
Injustice: Gods Among Us
The Last of Us
The Wolf Among Us
The Walking Dead Season 2
Excellence in Sound Effects
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
Battlefield 4
Grand Theft Auto V
Forza Motorsport 5
The Last of Us
Excellence in Musical Score
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Bioshock Infinite
The Last of Us
Tomb Raider
Tearaway
Texas Arts Achievement
Galactic Cafe
Gamer’s Voice
Nidhogg
Matthew Crump Multicultural Innovation
Papers Please
Game of The Year
The Last of Us
Grand Theft Auto V
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Tomb Raider
Tearaway
Super Mario 3D World S
Bioshock Infinite
Gone Home
