Around the time of the Oscars every year, I often hear people say things like, “Who picks the winners, anyway?” When I explain that it’s theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an organization with 6,000+ “motion picture professionals,” a few people say, “They should let the people pick ’em.” Frankly, I think it’s a good thing that life doesn’t work that way, as the general populace often doesn’t know what the hell it’s doing (e.g.,American Idol).
Here’s some more evidence of that. Last night, X-Play aired an hour-long special on its “G-Phoria 2008” Awards, which are purposely set during the summer so “gamers can find respite from the heat and take advantage of time off to engage in their passion.” To be eligible, a game had to have been released between July 01, 2025, and July 06, 2025. All 19 awards were selected by viewer votes (online atG4tv.comand via text message), so I guess it’s not entirely fair for me to bitch since I didn’t voice my opinion. Whatever, I’m going to do it anyway.
You’d think that, with the window shifted to include the first seven months of this year and the last five of last year, people would’ve gotten over the whole “ZOMGHalo 3IS THE BEST GAME EVAR!” thing — but apparently not. So they picked it as the best game released in the past twelve months.SighPersonally, I could name at least five games that are better in my opinion, but obviously, the massive cultural phenomenon that is theHaloseries doesn’t give a damn about what I think.
Anyway, other winners includedskate.as the Best Sports Game;Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfareas the Best Online Multiplayer Game; andTurokas the Game Most Deserving of an Uwe Boll Movie. Hit the jump for the full list, and then debate its contents in the comments.
The “G-Phoria2008” winners include:Game of the YearHalo 3Favorite SystemXbox 360Best GraphicsMetal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Best New CharacterNiko Bellic – Grand Theft Auto IV
Best Party GameRock BandBest Strategy GameSid Meier’s Civilization Revolution
Best Sports Gameskate.Best Action GameGrand Theft Auto IVBest ShooterCall of Duty 4: Modern WarfareBest Racing GameMario Kart WiiBest Role-Playing GameMass Effect
Best Online Multiplayer GameCall of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Best Downloadable ContentRock Band
Best Handheld GameGod of War: Chains of OlympusBest Voice ActingMetal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the PatriotsBest SoundtrackRock BandGame Most Deserving of an Uwe Boll MovieTurok
