Annual Game Music Awards 2014 – Suggestions and Submissions Now Open

Game Music Online can confirm that the nominations process for the Annual Game Music Awards 2014 has begun. These panel-voted, officially-recognised awards provide a thorough and wide-reaching recognition of achievement in game music over the last year. The fifth awards ceremony of this kind, the AGMAs are intended to celebrate achievement across the game audio industry and give recognition to the incredibly creative people working in it.

Over the next few months, a panel of experienced and knowledgeable journalists will review the game audio created and released over the course of 2014. The panelists will select their nominations by carefully considering the merit of the game music created this year — as art and entertainment, as part of in-game experiences and as part of stand-alone albums. While ‘best music’ and ‘best sound’ categories are commemorated in other video game awards, the majority of these awards only commemorate top-selling video games and overlook other often-excellent productions (e.g. import and indie soundtracks).

We do our best to consider everything created over the past year, we benefit from your help on what to nominate. We will consider suggestions from site visitors, as well as official submissions of industry members. This ensures we don’t miss anything out. Last year, this process helped to ensure we gave several artists (e.g. Zack Parrish) and productions (e.g. Truthcannon) the attention they deserved. If you would like to make a suggestion or submission, please email chris [at] vgmonline [dot] net We will listen to and seriously consider all suggestions and submissions while determining the nominations for this year’s awards.

A full list of categories for the Annual Game Music Awards 2014 are listed below. All game music first released between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014 are eligible for consideration. Productions that were first released before January 1, 2014, but have since been localised or re-released are not eligible. Please make your suggestions or submissions by December 15, 2014. We will announce the nominees for the awards on January 5, 2015 and the winners from February 2, 2015.

Soundtracks of the Year

1.1. Best Soundtrack – Eastern
1.2. Best Soundtrack – Western
1.3. Best Soundtrack – Orchestral / Cinematic
1.4. Best Soundtrack – Contemporary / Alternative
1.5. Best Soundtrack – Retro / Remixed
1.6. Best Soundtrack – Indie / Casual Games
1.7. Best Soundtrack – Rhythm / Music Games

Artists of the Year

2.1. Outstanding Contribution – Eastern Composer
2.2. Outstanding Contribution – Western Composer
2.3. Outstanding Contribution – Independent Composer
2.4. Outstanding Contribution – Newcomer
2.5. Outstanding Contribution – Breakthrough Artist
2.6. Outstanding Contribution – Soloist
2.7. Outstanding Contribution – Ensemble
2.8. Outstanding Contribution – Engineer

Productions of the Year

3.1. Outstanding Achievement – Sound Direction
3.2. Outstanding Achievement – Cinematic Music
3.3. Outstanding Achievement – In-Game Music
3.4. Outstanding Achievement – Licensed & Diegetic Music
3.5. Outstanding Achievement – Sound Design
3.6. Outstanding Achievement – Voice Dialogue
3.7. Outstanding Achievement – Main Theme
3.8. Outstanding Achievement – Vocal Theme

Albums of the Year

4.1. Best Album – Soundtrack CD
4.2. Best Album – Arrangement
4.3. Best Album – Remix
4.4. Best Album – Fan Arranged
4.5. Best Album – Chiptune
4.6. Best Album – Compilation
4.7. Best Album – Original

Organisations of the Year

5.1. Outstanding Production – Game Developer
5.2. Outstanding Production – Game Publisher
5.3. Outstanding Production – Music Studio
5.4. Outstanding Production – Record Label
5.5. Outstanding Production – Concert
5.6. Outstanding Production – Music Festival or Tour
5.7. Outstanding Production – Publication or Article

Special Achievement Awards

6.1. Special Achievement Award – Western Artist
6.2. Special Achievement Award – Eastern Artist
6.3. Special Achievement Award – Unsung Hero
6.4. Special Achievement Award – Organisation
6.5. Special Achievement Award – Site Contributor

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Chris Greening. Last modified on October 27, 2014.

About the Author

Chris Greening I've contributed to websites related to game audio since 2002. In this time, I've reviewed over a thousand albums and interviewed hundreds of musicians across the world. As the founder and webmaster of VGMO -Video Game Music Online-, I hope to create a cutting-edge, journalistic resource for all those soundtrack enthusiasts out there. In the process, I would love to further cultivate my passion for music, writing, and generally building things. Please enjoy the site and don't hesitate to say hello!