2006 NAViGaTR Nominations

The 2006 NAViGaTR Nominations honoring the best in video game art,
technology, and production have been announced. Hope you get to see the very cool nominations announcement video on Carnival Cruise Lines at:

www dot navgtr dot org


February 25, 2007 --- The National Academy of Video Game Testers and Reviewers Corp.™ is pleased to announce the nominees for its sixth annual awards honoring the best of the interactive entertainment industry in the fields of art, technology, and production. A voting body of more than 1,150 eligible video game media critics, analysts, and journalists determined the final 236 nominees in 48 categories, up from 223 nominations last year.



The nominees for Game of the Year are Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Final Fantasy XII, Gears of War, Loco Roco, Okami, and Viva Pinata. The nominees for Game of the Year represent 29.24% of the total nominations, up from 22.87% last year.



For the first time ever, four original IP’s have been nominated for Game of the Year. With 16 nominations, Gears of War has broken the records set by God of War and Psychonauts last year for being the most-nominated original IP’s in Academy history. Final Fantasy XII also received 16 nominations, just one short of Metroid Prime's 17 nomination record.



Other leading original IP’s over the years have been ICO (13 nominations), Shadow of the Colossus (10), Kingdom Hearts (10), Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus (10), Fable (10), Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay (10), Halo (9), and Devil May Cry (9).



Of the games which tallied three or more nominations this year, 54% of the nominations went to original properties (70 nominations), compared to franchises (60 nominations). Last year, the comparison was 84:57.



This year, Microsoft leads all other publishers with 29 nominations. In 2002, Nintendo set a record with 41 nominations. The record still stands.



Square Enix, Nintendo, and 2K Games also lead with 23, 22, and 20 nominations respectively, making this only the second year in which four publishers totaled 20 nominations or more. Other top performers were Sony and Capcom with 18 nominations each, THQ (13), Rockstar, Konami, and Electronic Arts with 9 nominations each, Atlus (8), Activision (6), and Atari (5), Sega, RedOctane, and Namco Bandai with 4 nominations each.



Gears of War and Final Fantasy XII are leading the pack with 16 nominations each. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion received the next highest total with 13 nominations, while Clover Studios’ swan song Okami received 12 nominations. These four games are the only games to score double digit nominations.



Loco Roco rolled in with 7 nominations, while Viva Pinata pinned down 5 nominations. Suikoden V, Company of Heroes, and Bully also earned 5 nominations each. Resistance: Fall of Man, Kingdom Hearts II, Guitar Hero II, and Dead Rising received 4 nominations each.



Earning three nominations each were the games Rule of Rose, Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends, Neverwinter Nights 2, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Lumines II, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, Elite Beat Agents, Dreamfall: The Longest Journey, Destroy All Humans! 2: Make War Not Love, and Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman’s Mine.



Through annual awards, television specials, videos, and other future plans, we hope to preserve the history of the medium as well as honor the creative and technical individuals who have paved the way for new ideas and innovations.



In addition to the annual awards show, NAVGTR Corp. also distributes the historical archive series, “Gaming in the Clinton Years.” For a full index of 400 series episodes, log onto http colon slash slash www dot navgtr dot org slash library dot html



For more information on NAVGTR Corp.’s missions and programs, log onto www dot navgtr dot org. Winners will be announced May 20, 2007.



The general voting body of more than 1,150 journalists and writers includes contributors for such varied outlets as About.com, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Austin American-Statesman, NBC, CNN, CNN.com, CNNmoney.com, Chicago Sun-Times, Computer Gaming World, Contra Costa Times, Digital Journal, ElectricPlayground.com, FHM, GamersTemple.com, GamingTarget.com, Gannett News Service, Gear, HappyPuppy.com, Kids & Computers, LA Weekly, Los Angeles Times, National Post, New York Times, Marquee, PC Gamer, Philadelphia Inquirer, PlanetPong.com, Salon, San Jose Mercury-News, USA Today, USAToday.com, Wired News, Wizard Magazine, WOW Weekly, ZDNet, Detroit Free Press, National Public Radio, Public Radio International, Play Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff-Davis Media), Evergeek Media, The Ottawa Citizen, The Vancouver Sun, The Regina Leader-Post, and hundreds more.



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2006 Category
2006 Nominees




Adult Content
Bully

Adult Content
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

Adult Content
Love Chess: Age of Egypt

Adult Content
Scarface: The World is Yours




Animation in a Game Cinema
Call of Duty 3

Animation in a Game Cinema
Fight Night Round 3

Animation in a Game Cinema
Final Fantasy XII

Animation in a Game Cinema
Gears of War

Animation in a Game Cinema
Okami




Animation in a Game Engine
Gears of War

Animation in a Game Engine
Kingdom Hearts II

Animation in a Game Engine
Loco Roco
Animation in a Game Engine
Okami

Animation in a Game Engine
Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania



Art Direction in a Game Cinema
Final Fantasy XII
Art Direction in a Game Cinema
Gears of War

Art Direction in a Game Cinema
Godfather, The

Art Direction in a Game Cinema
Marvel Ultimate Alliance

Art Direction in a Game Cinema
Suikoden V




Art Direction in a Game Engine
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Art Direction in a Game Engine
Final Fantasy XII

Art Direction in a Game Engine
Gears of War

Art Direction in a Game Engine
Okami

Art Direction in a Game Engine
Yoshi’s Island DS



Camera Direction in a Game Engine
Gears of War

Camera Direction in a Game Engine
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence

Camera Direction in a Game Engine
Okami

Camera Direction in a Game Engine
Rule of Rose

Camera Direction in a Game Engine
Viva Pinata




Character Design
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Character Design
Final Fantasy XII

Character Design
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

Character Design
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner

Character Design
Yggdra Union



Control Design
Company of Heroes

Control Design
Gears of War

Control Design
Loco Roco

Control Design
Okami

Control Design
Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri

Control Design
Wii Sports



Control Precision
Elite Beat Agents
Control Precision
Gears of War
Control Precision
Guitar Hero II

Control Precision
Loco Roco

Control Precision
Tomb Raider: Legend




Costume Design
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Costume Design
Final Fantasy XII

Costume Design
Marvel Ultimate Alliance

Costume Design
N3: Ninety-Nine Nights
Costume Design
Suikoden V




Direction in a Game Cinema
Dead Rising

Direction in a Game Cinema
Final Fantasy XII

Direction in a Game Cinema
Gears of War

Direction in a Game Cinema
Okami

Direction in a Game Cinema
Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends




Game - Classic Revival
Bonk’s Adventure (1990)

Game - Classic Revival
Final Fantasy III

Game - Classic Revival
Gunstar Heroes (1993)

Game - Classic Revival
Metal Slug Anthology

Game - Classic Revival
Tetris DS




Game - Music or Performance
Elite Beat Agents

Game - Music or Performance
Guitar Hero II

Game - Music or Performance
Guitaroo Man Lives!

Game - Music or Performance
SingStar Rocks!




Game - Original Action
Dead Rising

Game - Original Action
Gears of War

Game - Original Action
Just Cause

Game - Original Action
Prey

Game - Original Action
Resistance: Fall of Man

Game - Original Action
Saint’s Row



Game - Original Adventure
Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman’s Mine
Game - Original Adventure
Bully

Game - Original Adventure
Marvel Ultimate Alliance

Game - Original Adventure
Okami

Game - Original Adventure
Rule of Rose




Game - Original Children’s
Cooking Mama

Game - Original Children’s
Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime

Game - Original Children’s
Loco Roco

Game - Original Children’s
Super Princess Peach
Game - Original Children’s
Viva Pinata




Game - Original Fighting
God Hand

Game - Original Fighting
Samurai Champloo Sidetracked

Game - Original Fighting
Yakuza




Game - Original Racing
Cars: The Video Game

Game - Original Racing
Excite Truck

Game - Original Racing
GT Pro Series

Game - Original Racing
Pursuit Force

Game - Original Racing
Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam




Game - Original RPG
Contact

Game - Original RPG
Enchanted Arms

Game - Original RPG
Steambot Chronicles

Game - Original RPG
Titan Quest



Game - Original Sports
Mario Hoops: 3 on 3
Game - Original Sports
Super Swing Golf

Game - Original Sports
Table Tennis

Game - Original Sports
Wii Sports




Game - Sequel Action
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Game - Sequel Action
Daxter

Game - Sequel Action
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
Game - Sequel Action
Half-Life 2: Episode 1

Game - Sequel Action
Metroid Prime Hunters




Game - Sequel Adventure
Broken Sword: The Angel

Game - Sequel Adventure
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey

Game - Sequel Adventure
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Game - Sequel Adventure
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

Game - Sequel Adventure
Sam and Max: Episode 1




Game - Sequel Children’s
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

Game - Sequel Children’s
Mega Man: Powered Up

Game - Sequel Children’s
New Super Mario Bros.

Game - Sequel Children’s
Nintendogs: Dalmation

Game - Sequel Children’s
Yoshi’s Island DS




Game - Sequel Fighting
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2

Game - Sequel Fighting
Fight Night Round 3

Game - Sequel Fighting
Guilty Gear: Judgment

Game - Sequel Fighting
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

Game - Sequel Fighting
Tekken: Dark Resurrection




Game - Sequel Racing
ATV Off Road Fury 4

Game - Sequel Racing
FlatOut 2

Game - Sequel Racing
Outrun 2006

Game - Sequel Racing
Ridge Racer 7

Game - Sequel Racing
Test Drive Unlimited




Game - Sequel RPG
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Game - Sequel RPG
Final Fantasy XII

Game - Sequel RPG
Kingdom Hearts II

Game - Sequel RPG
Neverwinter Nights 2

Game - Sequel RPG
Suikoden V




Game - Sequel Sports
FIFA 07

Game - Sequel Sports
Madden NFL 2007

Game - Sequel Sports
NBA 2K7

Game - Sequel Sports
NHL 2K7

Game - Sequel Sports
World Soccer Winning Eleven 9




Game - Simulation Game
Microsoft Flight Simulator X

Game - Simulation Game
Sid Meier’s Railroads

Game - Simulation Game
The Sims 2: Open for Business

Game - Simulation Game
The Sims 2: Pets

Game - Simulation Game
Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania




Game - Special Class
Big Brain Academy

Game - Special Class
Brain Age

Game - Special Class
Gunpey
Game - Special Class
Lumines II
Game - Special Class
Trauma Center: Second Opinion



Game - Strategy
Age of Empires: The War Chiefs

Game - Strategy
Company of Heroes

Game - Strategy
Defcon

Game - Strategy
Medieval II: Total War

Game - Strategy
Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends




Game Design
Dead Rising

Game Design
Final Fantasy XII

Game Design
Gears of War

Game Design
New Super Mario Bros

Game Design
Okami




Game of the Year
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Game of the Year
Final Fantasy XII

Game of the Year
Gears of War
Game of the Year
Loco Roco
Game of the Year
Okami

Game of the Year
Viva Pinata




Graphics/Technical
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Graphics/Technical
Final Fantasy XII

Graphics/Technical
Gears of War

Graphics/Technical
Okami

Graphics/Technical
Resistance: Fall of Man




Innovation in Game Play
Elektroplankton

Innovation in Game Play
Loco Roco

Innovation in Game Play
Nintendo Wii

Innovation in Game Play
Odama

Innovation in Game Play
Viva Pinata




Innovation in Game Technology
Havok FX 4.0

Innovation in Game Technology
Nintendo Wii

Innovation in Game Technology
Sony PlayStation 3

Innovation in Game Technology
Unreal Engine 3

Innovation in Game Technology
Vivox Precision Studio




Lead Performance in a Comedy
Christopher Warren, “Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman’s Mine”

Lead Performance in a Comedy
Gerry Rosenthal, “Bully”

Lead Performance in a Comedy
Grant Albrecht, “Destroy All Humans! 2: Make War Not Love”

Lead Performance in a Comedy
Johnny Depp, “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow

Lead Performance in a Comedy
Max Casella, “Daxter”

Lead Performance in a Comedy
Seth MacFarlane, “Family Guy”




Lead Performance in a Drama
Ellie Conrad-Leigh, “Dreamfall: The Longest Journey”

Lead Performance in a Drama
Merle Dandridge, “Half-Life 2: Episode 1”

Lead Performance in a Drama
Patrick Stewart, “Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion”

Lead Performance in a Drama
Sean Bean, “Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion”

Lead Performance in a Drama
Vida Guerra, “Scarface: The World is Yours”




Lighting/Texturing
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic

Lighting/Texturing
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Lighting/Texturing
Final Fantasy XII

Lighting/Texturing
Gears of War

Lighting/Texturing
Resistance: Fall of Man




Original Musical Score
Company of Heroes

Original Musical Score
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey

Original Musical Score
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Original Musical Score
Final Fantasy XII

Original Musical Score
Suikoden V




Original/Adapted Song
“Heavenly Star,” Lumines II

Original/Adapted Song
“Kiss Me Good-bye,” Final Fantasy XII

Original/Adapted Song
“Loco Roco No Uta,” Loco Roco

Original/Adapted Song
“Sanctuary,” Kingdom Hearts II




Song Collection
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

Song Collection
Guitar Hero II

Song Collection
Lumines II

Song Collection
Saint’s Row
Song Collection
SingStar Rocks!




Sound Editing in a Game Cinema
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII

Sound Editing in a Game Cinema
Final Fantasy XII

Sound Editing in a Game Cinema
Gears of War

Sound Editing in a Game Cinema
Okami

Sound Editing in a Game Cinema
Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends




Sound Effects
Call of Duty 3

Sound Effects
Company of Heroes

Sound Effects
Dead Rising

Sound Effects
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Sound Effects
Gears of War




Supp Performance in a Comedy
John Bell, “Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman’s Mine”

Supp Performance in a Comedy
Peter Vack, “Bully”

Supp Performance in a Comedy
Richard Horvitz, “Destroy All Humans! 2: Make War Not Love”

Supp Performance in a Comedy
Seth Green, “Family Guy”




Supp Performance in a Drama
Adam Sietz, “Neverwinter Nights 2”

Supp Performance in a Drama
Andreas Katsulas, “24: The Game”

Supp Performance in a Drama
Catherine Taber, “Final Fantasy XII”

Supp Performance in a Drama
Christopher Lee, “Kingdom Hearts II”

Supp Performance in a Drama
Terence Stamp, “Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion”




Use of Sound
Company of Heroes

Use of Sound
Gears of War

Use of Sound
Guitar Hero II
Use of Sound
Okami

Use of Sound
Resistance: Fall of Man




Writing in a Comedy
Bully

Writing in a Comedy
Destroy All Humans! 2: Make War Not Love

Writing in a Comedy
Elite Beat Agents
Writing in a Comedy
Sam and Max: Episode 1
Writing in a Comedy
Viva Pinata



Writing in a Drama
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Writing in a Drama
Final Fantasy XII

Writing in a Drama
Neverwinter Nights 2

Writing in a Drama
Rule of Rose

Writing in a Drama
Suikoden V




GAME TALLIES



16, GEARS OF WAR

16, FINAL FANTASY XII

13, ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION

12, OKAMI

07, LOCO ROCO

05, VIVA PINATA

05, SUIKODEN V

05, COMPANY OF HEROES

05, BULLY

04, RESISTANCE: FALL OF MAN

04, KINGDOM HEARTS II

04, GUITAR HERO II

04, DEAD RISING

03, RULE OF ROSE

03, RISE OF NATIONS: RISE OF LEGENDS

03, NEVERWINTER NIGHTS 2

03, MARVEL ULTIMATE ALLIANCE

03, LUMINES II

03, GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE CITY STORIES

03, ELITE BEAT AGENTS

03, DREAMFALL: THE LONGEST JOURNEY

03, DESTROY ALL HUMANS! 2

03, AL EMMO AND THE LOST DUTCHMAN’S MINE

02, ZOO TYCOON 2: MARINE MANIA

02, YOSHI’S ISLAND DS

02, WII SPORTS

02, SINGSTAR ROCKS!

02, SCARFACE: THE WORLD IS YOURS

02, SAM AND MAX: EPISODE 1

02, SAINT’S ROW

02, NINTENDO WII

02, NEW SUPER MARIO BROS.

02, LEGO STAR WARS II: THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY

02, HALF-LIFE 2: EPISODE 1

02, FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 3

02, FAMILY GUY

02, DAXTER

02, CALL OF DUTY 3



PUBLISHER TALLIES



29, MICROSOFT

23, SQUARE ENIX

22, NINTENDO

20, 2K GAMES

18, SONY

18, CAPCOM

13, THQ

09, ROCKSTAR

09, KONAMI

09, ELECTRONIC ARTS

08, ATLUS

06, ACTIVISION

05, ATARI

04, SEGA

04, REDOCTANE

04, NAMCO

03, VIVENDI

03, UBISOFT

03, HIMALAYA STUDIOS

03, BUENA VISTA

03, ASPYR

02, TELLTALE GAMES

02, TECMO

02, MAJESCO

02, LUCASARTS

02, EIDOS

 

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