BBC NEWS | Technology | Joystick gold for action shooter (original) (raw)

David Tyler from Activision, which publishes Call of Duty 4, says the success is a reflection of the professionalism of the game's developers.

The modern combat-themed first person shooter, Call of Duty 4, has emerged the clear winner at the 2008 Golden Joystick awards.

The game scooped "Ultimate Game of the Year", "Online Game of the Year" and "PC Game of the Year" awards.

The awards, now in their twenty-sixth year, are awarded in 16 categories, and are voted for by UK gamers.

Other winners included Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Grand Theft Auto IV, and Super Smash Bros.

Ian McClellan and Gary Sims from Guitar Hero III publisher Activision describe Guitar Hero III as family entertainment.

The two most prestigious British awards a video game can win are either a Bafta Video Game Award, or a Golden Joystick.

The Baftas are chosen by experts in the games industry but the Golden Joystick is voted on by the public, with 850,000 gamers voting for the 2008 awards.

Call of Duty 4 is a departure for the series. Previous editions were all set in World War II and this version has players taking on the dual role of an NCO in the SAS and a US Marine sergeant.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS Nuts All-Nighter Award: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare The Sun Family Game of the Year: Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bliss Handheld Game of the Year**: Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass** 4Talent Mobile Game of the Year: Bejeweled 2 Mobile Game Pitch 2008: Tobias Rowe with Finders Keeper Official Nintendo Magazine Game of the Year: Super Smash Bros ESA PC Game of the Year: CoD 4: Modern Warfare Activision/Blizzard Retailer of the Year: Play.com Official Playstation Magazine High Definition PlayStation Game of the Year: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots BBC 1Xtra Soundtrack of the Year: Grand Theft Auto IV Arvato Digital Services Xbox Game of the Year: Grand Theft Auto IV Edge Most Wanted Award: Fallout 3 GamesRadar.com Online Game of the Year: CoD 4: Modern Warfare CVG.co.uk UK Developer of the Year : Rockstar North E4.com Grand Master Flash Award: Stickman Madness Play.com One To Watch: CoD: World at War Future UK Publisher of the Year: Activision Blizzard Virgin Media Ultimate Game of the Year: CoD 4: Modern Warfare

David Tyler, marketing director at Activision, said: "We're really honoured to receive this award. We'd like to thank everyone involved, especially the development team, Infinity Ward."

"The Golden Joysticks' importance has grown year on year and it has helped raise the profile of the games industry as a whole."

Wins for Grand Theft Auto IV means that the series has now scooped a Golden Joystick Award for seven years running.

The game won the BBC 1Xtra Soundtrack of the Year and Xbox Game of the Year' awards. Its developers - Rockstar North - won CVG's Developer of the Year award.

The series has courted controversy since its inception. Organisations including Mothers Against Drink Driving, officials from New York City, and the MP George Galloway have all criticised the game.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock picked up The Sun's "Family Game of the Year" award while Nintendo's Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass was Handheld Game of the Year.

Emerging new talent was also rewarded. Developer Tobias Rowe won the Mobile Game Pitch for his game Finders Keepers, while the new Grandmaster Flash Award - given for the best new web-based flash game - went to Darius Bagdziunas for his Stickman Madness game.

Grand Theft Auto IV wins Radio 1Xtra's Soundtrack of the Year