The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This is "awarded to a game that embodies the independent spirit of game creation, representing a higher degree of risk tolerance and advances our media with innovative gameplay and experiences".[1] All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category.[2]
| D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |
| First awarded | 2004 |
| Currently held by | Cocoon |
| Website | www |
The award's most recent winner is Cocoon, developed by Geometric Interactive and published by Annapurna Interactive.
Past Variations
editThe Academy introduced the computer genre award of Downloadable Game of the Year for the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.[3] "Downloadable games are those games in which the user must download a copy to their hard drive of their computer to play. These games sometimes feature a username and password to play, but are not a requirement for entry".[4] 2006 was the first year that did not offer separate console and PC genre categories, so console and PC games were eligible.[5] The nomination packet for the 2007 awards listed a genre category for Casual Game of the Year. The category description matched the description for "Downloadable" and even used past finalists as examples.[6] Finalists were still listed for "Downloadable" instead of "Casual".[7] Casual Game of the Year was officially offered for the 2009 awards.[8][9] Some of the past finalists for "Downloadable" were listed as examples for "Casual". Casual games were defined as "titles that are designed to appeal to novice or experienced players; are produced with low-cost budget targets; are available through online or retail distribution; and may be played on console, computer, or mobile platforms".[10] Downloadable Game of the Year was reintroduced for the 2012 awards as a "Game of the Year" category; recognizing the "game where the sole form of distribution is through a digital marketplace on PC or console".[11] Both awards for "Downloadable" and "Casual" would not be offered for the 2015 awards. That same year, the Academy introduced the D.I.C.E. Sprite Award which was "awarded to a game having disproportionate resources for development and exposure (as compared to AAA titles), represent a higher degree of risk tolerance and advances our media with innovative gameplay and experiences. Examples include: The Walking Dead, Limbo, and Fez".[12] The D.I.C.E. Sprite Award would be replaced with Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game for the 2019 awards ceremony.[13]
Winners and nominees
edit| Indicates the winner |
2000s
edit2010s
edit2020s
edit| Year | Game | Developer(s) | Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 (24th) |
Hades | Supergiant Games | Supergiant Games | [47][48] |
| Coffee Talk | Toge Productions | Toge Productions, Chorus Worldwide | ||
| If Found... | Dreamfeel | Annapurna Interactive | ||
| Kentucky Route Zero | Cardboard Computer | |||
| Noita | Nolla Games | Nolla Games | ||
| 2021 (25th) |
Unpacking | Witch Beam | Humble Bundle | [49][50] |
| Death's Door | Acid Nerve | Devolver Digital | ||
| Inscryption | Daniel Mullins Games | |||
| Loop Hero | Four Quarters | |||
| Sable | Shedworks | Raw Fury | ||
| 2022 (26th) |
Tunic | Isometricorps Games | Finji | [51][52][53] |
| Immortality | Half Mermaid Productions | Half Mermaid Productions | ||
| Neon White | Angel Matrix | Annapurna Interactive | ||
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge | Tribute Games | Dotemu | ||
| Vampire Survivors | poncle | poncle | ||
| 2023 (27th) |
Cocoon | Geometric Interactive | Annapurna Interactive | [54][55][56][57] |
| Dredge | Black Salt Games | Team17 | ||
| El Paso, Elsewhere | Strange Scaffold | Strange Scaffold | ||
| Thirsty Suitors | Outerloop Games | Annapurna Interactive | ||
| Venba | Visai Games | Visai Games |
Multiple nominations and wins
editDevelopers and publishers
editPopCap Games has developed the most nominees. PopCap Games, Supergiant Games, and Thatgamecompany are the only developers that have won more than once. Annapurna Interactive, Microsoft and Sony Interactive Entertainment are tied for publishing the most finalists. Microsoft, Sony, and Supergiant Games are the only companies that have published the winners of this category more than once. Big Fish Games has developed and published the most finalists that have not won.
| Developer | Nominations | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Supergiant Games | 4 | 3 |
| PopCap Games | 8 | 2 |
| Thatgamecompany | 4 | 2 |
| Halfbrick Studios | 2 | 1 |
| Raptisoft | 2 | 1 |
| Big Fish Studios | 6 | 0 |
| Gamelab | 3 | 0 |
| Pogo.com | 3 | 0 |
| Lucas Pope | 2 | 0 |
| Publisher | Nominations | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Game Studios | 8 | 2 |
| Sony Computer Entertainment | 8 | 2 |
| Supergiant Games | 3 | 2 |
| Annapurna Interactive | 8 | 1 |
| PopCap Games | 7 | 1 |
| Electronic Arts | 6 | 1 |
| Nintendo | 3 | 1 |
| Finji | 2 | 1 |
| Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment | 2 | 1 |
| Big Fish Games | 7 | 0 |
| PlayFirst | 5 | 0 |
| Devolver Digital | 4 | 0 |
| Ubisoft | 3 | 0 |
| 3909 | 2 | 0 |
| Disney Interactive | 2 | 0 |
Franchises
editPlants vs. Zombies is the only game that has been nominated for the same category more than once: Casual Game of the Year in 2010 for the PC release, and in 2011 for iOS devices and/or the Xbox 360. Journey is the only game that is a finalist for both Downloadable Game of the Year and Casual Game of the Year within the same year, winning for the latter.
| Franchise | Nominations | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Plants vs. Zombies | 3 | 1 |
| Journey | 2 | 1 |
| Diner Dash | 2 | 0 |
| Drawn | 2 | 0 |
| Mystery Case Files | 2 | 0 |
| Peggle | 2 | 0 |
| Rayman | 2 | 0 |
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "2019 Award Category Details". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
- ^ "D.I.C.E. Awards Voting Rules & Procedures". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ "Seventh Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Nomination Form" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 10, 2003. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ "8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Procedures & Rules" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2005. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ "9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Nomination Packet" (PDF). DICE Summit. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 11, 2006. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ "Submission Form - 10th Annual Awards" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ a b "10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Finalists" (PDF). D.I.C.E. Summit. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "12th ANNUAL INTERACTIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS RULES AND PROCEDURES" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ a b "Little Big Planet wins big at D.I.C.E." GameSpot. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Rules and Procedures" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 10, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ "15th ANNUAL INTERACTIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS RULES AND PROCEDURES" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 24, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ "18th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Rules and Procedures" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ "22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Rules & Procedures" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ^ "Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) Announces Finalists for the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2006. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ "Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) Announces Winners for the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2006. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ "AIAS Announces Finalists for Annual Interactive Achievement Awards". GameZone. GameZone. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ "7th Annual Interactive Achievement Award Winners Announced". Writers Write. Writers Write, Inc. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ "8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Finalists". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on March 2, 2005. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ Feldman, Curt (February 2, 2005). "Half-Life 2 named Game of the Year D.I.C.E. Awards". GameSpot. GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ Blevins, Tal. "DICE 2005: AIAS Best of 2004 Awards". IGN. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ "FINALISTS FOR THE 9TH ANNUAL INTERACTIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS ANNOUNCED" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2006. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "9TH ANNUAL INTERACTIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED BY THE ACADEMY OF INTERACTIVE ARTS AND SCIENCES" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2006. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Thorsen, Tor (January 17, 2006). "God of War leads AIAS Award finalists". GameSpot. GameSpot. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ "DICE 2006: Interactive Achievement Awards". IGN. IGN. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ "GEARS OF WAR INVADES SIN CITY CAPTURING EIGHT STATUES AT THE 10TH ANNUAL INTERACTIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Announced - News". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ Rainer (January 17, 2008). "'Interactive Achievement Awards' Nominees Announced". WorthPlaying. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ "ACADEMY AWARDS TOP HONORS TO CALL OF DUTY 4, BIOSHOCK, THE ORANGE BOX AT 11TH ANNUAL INTERACTIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS". GamesIndustry.biz. February 8, 2008. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ "'Uncharted 2: Among Thieves' Breaks Away and Flees with 10 Awards During the 13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards". www.prnewswire.com. February 19, 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ Sinclair, Brendan (January 20, 2011). "Red Dead Redemption, Enslaved, God of War lead IAA nominees". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ "Mass Effect 2 Takes 14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards' Game of the Year". IGN. February 11, 2011. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ "Uncharted 3 Leads Nominees For 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards". GameRant. gamerant.com. January 13, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ Bertz, Matt (February 9, 2012). "Skyrim Dominates The 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards". Game Informer. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ Haley, Sebastian (February 7, 2013). "Journey dominates the 2013 D.I.C.E. Awards (full winner list)". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on October 16, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ "THE LAST OF US HONORED WITH 10 AWARDS INCLUDING GAME OF THE YEAR AT 17TH ANNUAL D.I.C.E. AWARDS" (PDF). Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ "2015 Award Category Details". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- ^ "2015 D.I.C.E. Awards". BrutalGamer. February 6, 2015. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- ^ "2016 Award Category Details". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- ^ Pereira, Chris (February 19, 2016). "The 2016 DICE Award Winners [UPDATED]". GameSpot. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- ^ "2017 Award Category Details". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- ^ Albert, Weston (February 24, 2017). "Overwatch Wins Game of the Year at DICE Awards 2017". GameRant. gamerant.com. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- ^ "2018 Award Category Details". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- ^ Iyer, Karthik (February 23, 2018). "DICE Awards 2018: Here Are All the Games That Won". Beebom. Beebom Media Private Limited. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- ^ Shanley, Patrick (February 13, 2019). "D.I.C.E. Awards: Full Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
- ^ "2020 Award Category Details". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
- ^ Shanley, Patrick (April 22, 2021). "2020 DICE Awards: 'Untitled Goose Game' Takes Top Honor". The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
- ^ "2021 Awards Category Details". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
- ^ Skrebels, Joe (April 22, 2021). "D.I.C.E. Awards 2021: All the Winners". IGN. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ "2022 Awards Category Details". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
- ^ Bankhurst, Adam (February 25, 2022). "DICE Awards 2022 Winners: The Full List". IGN. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
- ^ "Congratulations to the 26th Annual #DICEAwards Finalists". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ Kim, Matt (January 12, 2023). "26th Annual DICE Awards Game of the Year Nominees Announced". IGN. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ Bankhurst, Adam (February 24, 2023). "DICE Awards 2023 Winners: The Full List". IGN. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ^ "Congratulations to the 27th Annual #DICEAwards Finalist". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ Bankhurst, Adam (February 15, 2024). "DICE Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List". IGN. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ "Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Announces Winners of 2023's Best Video Games at 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Awards Category Details Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved February 16, 2024.