 1. GAME OF THE YEAR
The game released during the qualifying year that the adjudicators have decided was "ahead of the pack".
- outstanding overall quality
- outstanding game design
- demonstrates gameplay innovation
- 51% Canadian made (see Nomination Packet - Submission Eligibility - for criteria)
2. BEST CONSOLE GAME
The best game operated on a videogame console
- outstanding overall quality
-outstanding game design
- demonstrates gameplay innovation
3. BEST PC GAME
The best game operated on Windows or Macintosh OS based multipurpose computing system.
- outstanding overall quality
- outstanding game design
- demonstrates gameplay innovation
4. BEST NEW VIDEO GAME COMPANY
Category open to any new studio in Canada. Awarded to recognize the new studio for outstanding achievement in surmounting the obstacles it overcame in releasing its first publicly available game during the qualifying year.
- any studio with no prior game release is considered a "new" studio assuming their first game meets the requirements.
- Requirements are that the studio must have initially released, and made publicly available to consumers, their game during the qualifying year irrespective of platform or delivery medium.
- Upgrades, expansion and mission packs are NOT eligible.
5. BEST SOUND DESIGN
Awarded to an individual or team for creative excellence in sound effects design and implementation, achievement in voice direction and mixing of sound elements in the field of video games.
- originality
- implementation
- creative direction
- performance
6. BEST ORIGINAL MUSICAL SCORE
Awarded to an individual or team for creative excellence for original musical composition and scoring in the field of animation.
- sound quality
- originality
- creative direction
7. BEST CHARACTER
Recognizes best overall character during the qualifying year.
- character appeal
- originality
- visual presentation
- animated realisation
8. BEST ART DIRECTION
Recognizes direction and implementation of cutting-edge visuals in relation to hardware/platform specs and limitations, or most innovative application of graphics techniques.
- overall visual quality
- visual diversity and range
- environment visuals
- character visuals
- effects implementation/presentation
- cut-scene visuals
- dependent on platform, leverage of technical capabilities (e.g. effects, bump/normal mapping, ray tracing, multiple light sources)
9. BEST HANDHELD GAME OF THE YEAR (psp, ds, etc...)
The best game developed for a wireless handset (device whose primary function is NOT voice communication)
- outstanding overall quality
- outstanding game design
- demonstrates outstanding achievement in game design
- demonstrates gameplay innovation
10. BEST GAME DESIGN OF THE YEAR
Recognizes best overall new game design released during the qualifying year. This category is adjudicated based on the implementation and coordination of design concepts in any type of electronic game.
- outstanding game design
- outstanding execution in control
- outstanding gameflow
- outstanding game mechanics
- outstanding game balance/tuning
11. BEST MOBILE/CASUAL/ARCADE GAME OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the best casual game (May be mobile, pay-for-play OR free game played on ANY platform) released during the qualifying year.
-entertainment value
-outstanding game design
-Canadian made
12. BEST WRITING FOR A GAME PRODUCTION
Awarded to a writer or team for outstanding achievement and creative excellence in game writing.
- must have received a screen credit as writer, writing team or design team
- story creativity
- story arc
- story originality
- character development
- ingame dialogue
- cutscene dialogue
PLUS:
VIDEO GAME HALL OF FAME
Recipient (Individual) voted in by the Canadian Video Game Industry
OUTSTANDING INNOVATION IN GAMING
Recognizes technical or creative innovation that will have a significant impact on future game development. Category is open for submission from anywhere in the world.
-demonstrates innovation that impacts future game development, e.g.: Defines a new genre or is a technological breakthrough impacting the game experience
**At the discretion of the selection committee this category may not be awarded in a given year if the committee does not feel there was a submission of sufficient quality
INTERNATIONAL VIDEO GAME OF THE YEAR
Same criteria as the CAEAA Game of the Year for any game produced and published outside of Canada. |
