Annual Game Music Awards 2013 – Productions of the Year
We are proud to present the winners in the ‘Productions of the Year’ category of the Annual Game Music Awards 2013. These panel-voted, officially-recognised awards provide a thorough and wide-reaching recognition of achievement in game music over the last year. The panelists have selected their choices 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. Congratulations to all winners, runners-up, and nominees.
Outstanding Achievement — Cinematic Music
BioShock Infinite
Garry Schyman fully captured the mysterious, wondrous world and emotional, character-driven storyline of Irrational Games and 2K’s BioShock Infinite. He maintained the experimental focus and thematic emphasis of BioShock, while creating an entirely distinct sound befitting Columbia’s world.
Runners-Up
The Last of Us
Beyond: Two Souls
Other Nominations
Company of Heroes 2
Dead Space 3
Defiance
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm
Ryse: Son of Rome
The Wonderful 101
Outstanding Achievement — In-Game Music
SimCity
Offering sophisticated yet laidback orchestrations, Chris Tilton found just the right mood for Maxis and Electronic Arts’ SimCity reboot. Even more impressively, he shifted the layers featured in each composition depending on the dynamic of the city and how players viewed their creation.
Runners-Up
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
Mario & Luigi RPG: Dream Team
Other Nominations
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Forza Motorsport 5
Metro: Last Light
Pikmin 3
Rayman Legends
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Tearaway
Outstanding Achievement — Licensed & Diegetic Music
Grand Theft Auto V
Rockstar didn’t spare any expense with the audio for the latest instalment of Rockstar’s killer franchise. The game offers an interactive original score, 17 radio stations featuring 240 songs and and iconic DJs. and even brand new licensed tracks from a wide array of artists.
Runners-Up
Gran Turismo 6
BioShock Infinite
Other Nominations
Diagasso! Band Brothers P
DmC: Devil May Cry
Dead Rising 3
FIFA 13
Need For Speed: Rivals
Rocksmith 2014
Saints Row IV
Outstanding Achievement — Sound Design
Gone Home
The sound for indie Gone Home steers away from the booming gun sounds or surround channel soundscapes of its big-budget competitors. Instead, Fullbright’s Steve Gaynor and Karla Zimonja focused on using realistic, emotive sound design to truly immerse players into the mystery.
Runners-Up
Grand Theft Auto V
Rayman Legends
Other Nominations
Battlefield 4
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Forza Motorsport 5
Killzone: Shadow Fall
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
Papa Sangre II
Peggle 2
Outstanding Achievement — Voice Dialogue
The Last of Us
Solidly written, performed, and recorded, the dialogue of Naughty Dog and Sony’s The Last of Us stands in the upper echelons of video games. The nuanced performances from the cast members, led by Troy Baker’s Joel and Ashley Johnson’s Ellie, particularly enhanced the experience.
Runners-Up
BioShock Infinite
The Stanley Parable
Other Nominations
Batman: Arkham Origins
Beyond: Two Souls
DuckTales Remastered
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Grand Theft Auto V
Saints Row IV
The Wonderful 101
Outstanding Achievement — Main Theme
The Last of Us – The Last of Us
Unique, emotional, and memorable, Gustavo Santaolalla’s “The Last of Us” perfectly sets the tone of the post-apocalyptic story. The warm, longing guitar leads capture the characters’ desperate struggle for survival in otherwise cold, barren surroundings.
Runners-Up
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon – Blood Dragon Theme
Sonic: Lost World – Wonder World / The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief – The Raven
Other Nominations
Battlefield 4 – Warsaw Theme
Might and Magic: Forgotten Wars – Main Theme
Monster Hunter 4 – Wind of Departure
PlanetSide 2 – Main Theme
State of Decay – Main Theme
Strike Suit Zero – Main Theme
The Last of Us – The Last of Us
Outstanding Achievement — Vocal Theme
Deemo – I Race the Dawn
An international collaboration between Australian composer Kevin Penkin, American lyricist Paige Rohe, and Japanese vocalist Michiyo Honda, “I Race the Dawn” won the hearts of those who played Rayark’s Deemo. With its unforgettable melody, hybridised stylings, and a dreamy performance, it’s easy to hear why.
Runners-Up
BioShock Infinite – Will the Circle Be Unbroken
The Guided Fate Paradox – Ending Note
Other Nominations
Dead Rising 3 – Please Remember My Name
Device 6 – Anna
Disgaea D2 – The Story Starts Here
Drakengard 3 – The Final Song
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance – It Has to Be This Way
Saya no Uta – Song of Saya
The Legend of Heroes: Sen no Kiseki – Pulse Towards Tomorrow
Posted on April 22, 2014 by Chris Greening. Last modified on September 28, 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!
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