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]
