Games have long preferred visual innovation to audio. I mean, they're called video games, not video and audio games. But that's not to say game audio doesn't deserve recognition!

GANG stands for Game Audio Network Guild, a group dedicating themselves to championing the work of music and sound effect teams in the game industry. And it's work that deserves championing! After all, what would Halo be without its opening score? What would Metal Gear be without the dramatic "discovered" chime? How could I have enjoyed the first Manhunt if I hadn't had Brian Cox threatening my earhole?

So the GANG awards were held during GDC last week, with prizes handed out for things like best music, best sound design, etc. Fittingly, Dead Space took out the big audio prize of the night, while in an upset Asian PSN title Afrika won best music. Other winners were Grand Theft Auto IV, LittleBigPlanet and, awesomely, Sega maestro Richard Jacques.

Full list of winners below:

Audio Of The Year
Dead Space

Music Of The Year
Afrika

Sound Design Of The Year
Dead Space

Best Cinematic/Cut-Scene Audio (Tie)
World Of Warcraft: Wrath Of The Lich King
Gears Of War 2

Best Use Of Multi-Channel Surround In A Game
Left 4 Dead

Best Original Vocal Song - Choral
"Main Title" - World Of Warcraft: Wrath Of The Lich King

Best Original Vocal Song - Pop
"Still Alive" - Mirror's Edge

Best Original Instrumental (Tie)
"The Garden" - LittleBigPlanet
"Main Theme" - Afrika

Best Original Soundtrack Album
Video Games Live: Volume One

Best Dialogue
Grand Theft Auto IV

Best Use Of Licensed Music
Rock Band 2

Best Handheld Audio
God Of War: Chains Of Olympus

Best Interactive Score
LittleBigPlanet

Best Game Audio Article, Publication Or Broadcast
"The Complete Guide To Game Audio" 2nd Edition - Aaron Marks

Best Audio - Other
Watchman Motion Comic

Rookie Of The Year
Wataru Hokoyama (Afrika, Resident Evil 5)

Lifetime Achievement Award
Bob Rice

G.A.N.G. Distinguished Service Awards
Richard Jacques
Tom Salta
Stephen Years

G.A.N.G. Recognition Awards
Jim Charne
John Broomhall

Student/Apprentice Competition Winners
Music - Tom Graczkowski
Sound Design - Benoit Babin

Dead Space, Afrika Take Home GANG Audio Awards [Gamasutra]

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