SXSW 2014 | The Last of Us Reigns Supreme at Inaugural SXSW Gaming Awards

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

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