Editing Game Developers Choice Awards

{{Short description|Annual award for games and developers}}
{{Use mdy dates|cs1-dates=ly|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox award
|name           = Game Developers Choice Awards
|image          = Game Developers Choice Awards.svg
|imagesize      = 300px
|alt            = 
|caption        = 
|awarded_for    = Outstanding [[video game developer|game developers]] and [[video game|games]]
|presenter      = [[Game Developers Conference]]
|date           = 
|reward         = 
|year           = {{start date and age|2001|3|24}}
|year2          =  
|website        = {{Official website|https://gamechoiceawards.com/}}
}}
The '''Game Developers Choice Awards''' are awards annually presented at the [[Game Developers Conference]] for outstanding [[video game developer|game developers]] and [[video game|games]].<ref name=GDCAsite>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/|title=Game Developers Choice Awards|access-date=September 13, 2016 }}</ref> Introduced in 2001, the Game Developers Choice Awards were preceded by the [[Spotlight Awards]], which were presented from 1997 to 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive.htm|title=Archive|access-date=September 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529100139/http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive.htm |archive-date=May 29, 2010}}</ref> Since then, the ceremony for the [[Independent Games Festival]] is held just prior to the Choice Awards ceremony.

==Winner selection process==
Nominations for games are made by International Choice Awards Network (ICAN), a group of leading game creators. Votes are then additionally made by editors of [[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]].<ref name="Game Developers Choice Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/rules.html|title=Game Developers Choice Awards|date=March 23, 2021 }}</ref> Any video game released in the preceding calendar year, regardless of medium, is eligible to be nominated, though upgrades, expansions, and mission packs are not eligible to be nominated.<ref name="Game Developers Choice Awards"/>

The top nominated games are assembled into the list of nominees, typically presented in December, are then voted on by final voting body, made up of ICANs, and editors of Game Developer.<ref name="Game Developers Choice Awards"/> In this final stage of voting, games with the highest votes in a category are the winners.<ref name="Game Developers Choice Awards"/>

Winners for Special Awards (Lifetime Achievement, Pioneer, Ambassador) are decided by a "Special Awards Jury", which appears to consist of a variety of 5 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/advisory.html|title=Game Developers Choice Awards|date=March 23, 2021 }}</ref> This group may consider recommendations from ICAN members.<ref name="Game Developers Choice Awards"/>

The winners are announced during the [[Game Developers Conference]], which is typically held in March of the calendar year.

GDC related properties are owned by the [[UBM Technology Group|UBM technology group]].

===Historical process===

In 2007, [[gamasutra.com]] took over management of the awards from the [[IGDA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/pr/pr_2007_1220.htm|title=Press Release:The 2008 Game Developers Choice Awards|date=December 20, 2007|access-date=September 13, 2016 }}</ref>
An advisory board selected by the editors of gamasutra.com and ''[[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]]'' magazine oversees the selection process.

In the past, nominations are accepted from registered gamasutra.com users, confirmed to be game developers, and from the advisory board.
Once the nomination process is complete, the advisory board identifies five finalists for each regular category.

The recipients of the Lifetime Achievement, Pioneer (formerly known as First Penguin) and Maverick awards are selected by the advisory board.
For the other awards, a vote open to all those who participated in the nomination process chooses a recipient from each category's finalists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/rules.html|title=rules and regulations|access-date=September 13, 2016 }}</ref>

==List of winners==
''Note: Events held for awards are held early in the following year. Winners are listed first and highlighted in '''bold'''.''

===Game of the Year===
{{Main|Game Developers Choice Award for Game of the Year}}
The Game of the Year Award recognizes the overall best game released during the previous calendar year, as interpreted by the members of the Game Developers Conference.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Game
! Genre
! Developer(s)
|-
| 2000|| ''[[The Sims (video game)|The Sims]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_1st.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2000 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com  |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Life simulation || [[Maxis]]
|-
| 2001|| ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_2nd.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2001 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Action-adventure || [[DMA Design]]
|-
| 2002|| ''[[Metroid Prime]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_3rd.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2002 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Action-adventure || [[Retro Studios]]
|-
| 2003|| ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (video game)|Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_4th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2003 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Role-playing || [[BioWare]]
|-
| 2004|| ''[[Half-Life 2]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_5th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2004 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || First-person shooter || [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]
|-
| 2005|| ''[[Shadow of the Colossus]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_6th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2005 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Action-adventure || [[Team Ico]]
|-
| 2006|| ''[[Gears of War (video game)|Gears of War]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_7th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2006 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Third-person shooter || [[Epic Games]]
|-
| 2007|| ''[[Portal (video game)|Portal]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_8th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2007 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Puzzle-platformer || [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]
|-
| 2008|| ''[[Fallout 3]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_9th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2008 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Action role-playing || [[Bethesda Game Studios]]
|-
| 2009|| ''[[Uncharted 2: Among Thieves]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_10th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2009 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Action-adventure || [[Naughty Dog]]
|-
| 2010|| ''[[Red Dead Redemption]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_11th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2010 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Action-adventure || [[Rockstar San Diego]]
|-
| 2011|| ''[[The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_12th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2011 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Action role-playing || [[Bethesda Game Studios]]
|-
| 2012|| ''[[Journey (2012 video game)|Journey]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_13th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2012 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Adventure || [[Thatgamecompany]]
|-
| 2013|| ''[[The Last of Us]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_14th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2013 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Action-adventure || [[Naughty Dog]]
|-
| 2014|| ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_15th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2014 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Action-adventure || [[Monolith Productions]]
|-
| 2015|| ''[[The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_16th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2015 |publisher=gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> || Action role-playing || [[CD Projekt Red]]
|-
| 2016|| ''[[Overwatch (video game)|Overwatch]]''<ref name="GDC2017">{{cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathan |date=March 1, 2017 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/02/gdc-2017-overwatch-wins-game-of-the-year-at-game-developers-choice-awards |title=GDC 2017: Overwatch Wins Game of the Year at Game Developers |publisher=[[IGN]] |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref> || First-person shooter || [[Blizzard Entertainment]]
|-
| 2017|| ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]]''<ref name="GDC2018">{{cite web | url = https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/21/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-is-gdc-2018s-game-of-the-year/ | title = The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is GDC 2018's game of the year | first = Stephanie | last = Chan | date = March 21, 2018 | access-date = March 21, 2018 | work = [[Venture Beat]] }}</ref> || Adventure || [[Nintendo]]
|-
| [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2018]] || ''[[God of War (2018 video game)|God of War]]''<ref name="GDC2019">{{cite web | url = https://www.usgamer.net/articles/god-of-war-wins-another-goty-at-2019-game-developers-choice-awards | title = God of War Wins Another GOTY at 2019 Game Developers Choice Awards | first = Mike | last = Williams | date = March 20, 2019 | access-date = March 20, 2019 | work = [[USGamer]] | archive-date = 2019-03-21  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190321035132/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/god-of-war-wins-another-goty-at-2019-game-developers-choice-awards | url-status = dead }}</ref> || Action-adventure || [[Santa Monica Studio]]
|-
| [[20th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]] || ''[[Untitled Goose Game]]''<ref name="GDC2020">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/359779/Untitled_Goose_Game_nabs_Game_of_the_Year_at_the_2020_Game_Developers_Choice_Awards.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200319012821/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/359779/Untitled_Goose_Game_nabs_Game_of_the_Year_at_the_2020_Game_Developers_Choice_Awards.php | url-status = dead | archive-date = March 19, 2020 | title = Untitled Goose Game nabs Game of the Year at the 2020 Game Developers Choice Awards! | date = March 18, 2020 | access-date = March 18, 2020 | work = [[Gamasutra]] }}</ref> || Puzzle || [[House House]]
|-
| [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2020]] || ''[[Hades (video game)|Hades]]''<ref name="GDC2021">{{cite web | url =https://www.pcgamer.com/hades-wins-gdc-game-of-the-year-umurangi-generation-wins-igf-grand-prize/ | title = Hades wins GDC Game of the Year, Umurangi Generation wins IGF Grand Prize | date= July 22, 2021 | access-date = August 24, 2021 | work = PcGamer }}</ref> ||  Action role-playing  || [[Supergiant Games]]
|-
| [[22nd Game Developers Choice Awards|2021]] || ''[[Inscryption]]''<ref name="GDC2022">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-03-24-inscryption-wins-big-at-gdc-and-igf-awards-gdc-2022 | title = Inscryption wins big at GDC and IGF Awards | first = Marie | last = Dealessandri | date = March 24, 2022 | accessdate = March 24, 2022 | work = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] }}</ref> ||  Roguelike Deck-Builder  || [https://www.danielmullinsgames.com/ Daniel Mullins Games]
|-
| [[23rd Game Developers Choice Awards|2022]] || ''[[Elden Ring]]''<ref name="GDC2023">{{cite web |author1=Beth Elderkin |title='Elden Ring' Wins Game Of The Year At The 2023 Game Developers Choice Awards |url=https://gdconf.com/news/elden-ring-wins-game-year-2023-game-developers-choice-awards |website=Game Developers Choice Conference |date=March 22, 2023}}</ref> ||  Action role-playing  || [[FromSoftware]]
|-
| [[24th Game Developers Choice Awards|2023]] || ''[[Baldur's Gate 3]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/game-developers-choice-awards-2024-winners-the-full-list |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List |website=[[IGN]] |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> || Role-playing || [[Larian Studios]]
|-
| [[25th Game Developers Choice Awards|2024]] || ''[[Balatro]]''<ref name="GDC2025">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/game-developers-choice-awards-2025-1236331522/ |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2025 Names 'Balatro' Game Of The Year — Complete Winners List |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |last=Jackson |first=Destiny |date=19 March 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref> || Roguelike Deck-Builder || [[LocalThunk]]
|}

===Best Audio===
Best Audio award recognizes the overall excellence of audio in a game, including sound effects, musical composition, sound design and orchestration.

* 2000: ''[[Diablo II]]''
* 2001: ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
* 2002: ''[[Medal of Honor: Allied Assault]]''
* 2003: ''[[Call of Duty]]''
* 2004: ''[[Halo 2]]''
* 2005: ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]''
* 2006: ''[[Guitar Hero II]]''
* 2007: ''[[BioShock]]''
* 2008: ''[[Dead Space (2008 video game)|Dead Space]]''
* 2009: ''[[Uncharted 2: Among Thieves]]''
* 2010: ''[[Red Dead Redemption]]''
* 2011: ''[[Portal 2]]''
* 2012: ''[[Journey (2012 video game)|Journey]]''
* 2013: ''[[BioShock Infinite]]''
* 2014: ''[[Alien: Isolation]]''
* 2015: ''[[Crypt of the NecroDancer]]''
* 2016: ''[[Inside (video game)|Inside]]''<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* 2017: ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]]''<ref name="GDC2018"/>
* [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2018]]: ''[[Celeste (video game)|Celeste]]''<ref name="GDC2019"/>
* [[20th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]]: ''[[Control (video game)|Control]]''<ref name="GDC2020"/>
* [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2020]]: ''[[Hades (video game)|Hades]]''<ref>{{Cite web|last1=GDC|first1=Ghost of Tsushima was the second most awarded game at the 21st|last2=Art|first2=receiving the Best Visual|last3=Awards|first3=Audience|title=21st Game Developers Choice Awards: Here are the winners|url=https://www.techspot.com/news/90521-21st-game-developers-choice-awards-here-winners.html|access-date=October 29, 2021|website=TechSpot|date=July 22, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[22nd Game Developers Choice Awards|2021]]: ''[[Unpacking (video game)|Unpacking]]''<ref name="GDC2022"/>
* [[23rd Game Developers Choice Awards|2022]]: ''[[God of War Ragnarök]]''<ref name="GDC2023"/>
* [[24th Game Developers Choice Awards|2023]]: ''[[Hi-Fi Rush]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/game-developers-choice-awards-2024-winners-the-full-list |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List |website=[[IGN]] |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
* [[25th Game Developers Choice Awards|2024]]: ''[[Astro Bot]]''<ref name="GDC2025">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/game-developers-choice-awards-2025-1236331522/ |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2025 Names 'Balatro' Game Of The Year — Complete Winners List |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |last=Jackson |first=Destiny |date=19 March 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref>

===Best Debut===
The Best Debut Award recognizes the best game from any development studio which released its first publicly available title during the calendar year. This was formerly known as the New Studio of the Year Award. In years prior to 2008, the award was awarded to the studio name, as opposed to the game title.

* 2000: [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] / [[Minh Le]] / [[Jess Cliffe]] (for ''[[Counter-Strike (video game)|Counter-Strike]]'')
* 2001: [[Bohemia Interactive]] (for ''[[Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis]]'')
* 2002: [[Retro Studios]] (for ''[[Metroid Prime]]'')
* 2003: [[Infinity Ward]] (for ''[[Call of Duty (video game)|Call of Duty]]'')
* 2004: [[Crytek]] (for ''[[Far Cry (video game)|Far Cry]]'')
* 2005: [[Double Fine Productions]] (for ''[[Psychonauts]]'')
* 2006: [[Iron Lore Entertainment]] (for ''[[Titan Quest]]'')
* 2007: [[Realtime Worlds]] / [[Microsoft Game Studios]] (for ''[[Crackdown (video game)|Crackdown]]'')
* 2008: [[Media Molecule]] (for ''[[LittleBigPlanet (2008 video game)|LittleBigPlanet]]'')
* 2009: [[Runic Games]] (for ''[[Torchlight]]'')
* 2010: [[Mojang]] (for ''[[Minecraft]]'')
* 2011: [[Supergiant Games]] (for ''[[Bastion (video game)|Bastion]]'')
* 2012: [[Subset Games]] (for ''[[FTL: Faster Than Light]]'')
* 2013: [[The Fullbright Company]] (for ''[[Gone Home]]'')
* 2014: [[Stoic (company)|Stoic]] (for ''[[The Banner Saga]]'')
* 2015: [[Moon Studios]] (for ''[[Ori and the Blind Forest]]'')
* 2016: [[Campo Santo (company)|Campo Santo]] (for ''[[Firewatch]]'')<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* 2017: Studio MDHR (for ''[[Cuphead]]'')<ref name="GDC2018"/>
* [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2018]]: Mountains (for ''[[Florence (video game)|Florence]]'')<ref name="GDC2019"/>
* [[20th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]]: ZA/UM (for ''[[Disco Elysium]]'')<ref name="GDC2020"/>
* [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2020]]: Kinetic Games (for ''[[Phasmophobia (video game)|Phasmophobia]]'')<ref>{{Cite web|last1=GDC|first1=Ghost of Tsushima was the second most awarded game at the 21st|last2=Art|first2=receiving the Best Visual|last3=Awards|first3=Audience|title=21st Game Developers Choice Awards: Here are the winners|url=https://www.techspot.com/news/90521-21st-game-developers-choice-awards-here-winners.html|access-date=October 29, 2021|website=TechSpot|date=July 22, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[22nd Game Developers Choice Awards|2021]]: Iron Gate Studio (for ''[[Valheim]]'')<ref name="GDC2022"/>
* [[23rd Game Developers Choice Awards|2022]]: [[BlueTwelve Studio]] (for ''[[Stray (video game)|Stray]]'')<ref name="GDC2023"/>
* [[24th Game Developers Choice Awards|2023]]: Visai Games (for ''[[Venba (video game)|Venba]]'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/game-developers-choice-awards-2024-winners-the-full-list |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List |website=[[IGN]] |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
* [[25th Game Developers Choice Awards|2024]]: PlayThunk (for ''[[Balatro]]'')<ref name="GDC2025">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/game-developers-choice-awards-2025-1236331522/ |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2025 Names 'Balatro' Game Of The Year — Complete Winners List |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |last=Jackson |first=Destiny |date=19 March 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref>

===Best Design===
Best Design award recognizes the overall excellence of design in a game, including gameplay, mechanics, puzzles, play balancing, and scenarios.

* 2000: ''[[Deus Ex (video game)|Deus Ex]]''
* 2001: ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]''
* 2002: ''[[Battlefield 1942]]''
* 2003: ''[[Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time]]''
* 2004: ''[[Katamari Damacy]]''
* 2005: ''[[Shadow of the Colossus]]''
* 2006: ''[[Wii Sports]]''
* 2007: ''[[Portal (video game)|Portal]]''
* 2008: ''[[LittleBigPlanet (2008 video game)|LittleBigPlanet]]''
* 2009: ''[[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]''
* 2010: ''[[Red Dead Redemption]]''
* 2011: ''[[Portal 2]]''
* 2012: ''[[Journey (2012 video game)|Journey]]''
* 2013: ''[[The Last of Us]]''
* 2014: ''[[Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft]]''
* 2015: ''[[Rocket League]]''
* 2016: ''[[Overwatch (video game)|Overwatch]]''<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* 2017: ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]]''<ref name="GDC2018"/>
* [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2018]]: ''[[Into the Breach]]''<ref name="GDC2019"/>
* [[20th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]]: ''[[Baba Is You]]''<ref name="GDC2020"/>
* [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2020]]: ''[[Hades (video game)|Hades]]''<ref>{{Cite web|last1=GDC|first1=Ghost of Tsushima was the second most awarded game at the 21st|last2=Art|first2=receiving the Best Visual|last3=Awards|first3=Audience|title=21st Game Developers Choice Awards: Here are the winners|url=https://www.techspot.com/news/90521-21st-game-developers-choice-awards-here-winners.html|access-date=October 29, 2021|website=TechSpot|date=July 22, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[22nd Game Developers Choice Awards|2021]]: ''[[It Takes Two (video game)|It Takes Two]]''<ref name="GDC2022"/>
* [[23rd Game Developers Choice Awards|2022]]: ''[[Elden Ring]]''<ref name="GDC2023"/>
* [[24th Game Developers Choice Awards|2023]]: ''[[Baldur's Gate 3]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/game-developers-choice-awards-2024-winners-the-full-list |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List |website=[[IGN]] |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
* [[25th Game Developers Choice Awards|2024]]: ''[[Balatro]]''<ref name="GDC2025">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/game-developers-choice-awards-2025-1236331522/ |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2025 Names 'Balatro' Game Of The Year — Complete Winners List |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |last=Jackson |first=Destiny |date=19 March 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref>

===Best Mobile/Handheld Game===
Best Mobile/Handheld Game Award recognizes the overall best game commercially released on any handheld platform.

* 2007: ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass]]''
* 2008: ''[[God of War: Chains of Olympus]]''
* 2009: ''[[Scribblenauts (video game)|Scribblenauts]]''
* 2010: ''[[Cut the Rope (video game)|Cut the Rope]]''
* 2011: ''[[Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP]]''
* 2012: ''[[The Room (video game)|The Room]]''
* 2013: ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds]]''
* 2014: ''[[Monument Valley (video game)|Monument Valley]]''
* 2015: ''[[Her Story (video game)|Her Story]]''
* 2016: ''[[Pokémon Go]]''<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* 2017: ''[[Gorogoa]]''<ref name="GDC2018"/>
* [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2018]]: ''[[Florence (video game)|Florence]]''<ref name="GDC2019"/>
* [[20th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]]: [[What the Golf?|''What the Golf?'']]<ref name="GDC2020"/>
* [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2020]]: ''[[Genshin Impact]]''<ref name="GDC2021"/>

===Innovation Award===
The Innovation Award recognizes games that demonstrate innovation and push the boundaries of games as an expressive medium. Multiple awards per year were given before 2007.

* 2000: ''[[Counter-Strike (video game)|Counter-Strike]]''; ''[[Crazy Taxi (video game)|Crazy Taxi]]''; ''[[Deus Ex (video game)|Deus Ex]]''; ''[[Jet Grind Radio]]''; ''[[No One Lives Forever]]''
* 2001: ''[[Black and White (computer game)|Black and White]]''; ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]''; ''[[ICO (video game)|ICO]]''; ''[[Majestic (video game)|Majestic]]''; ''[[Rez (video game)|Rez]]''
* 2002: ''[[Animal Crossing (video game)|Animal Crossing]]''; ''[[Battlefield 1942]]''; ''[[Medal of Honor: Allied Assault]]''; ''[[The Thing (game)|The Thing]]''
* 2003: ''[[EyeToy: Play]]''; ''[[Viewtiful Joe (video game)|Viewtiful Joe]]''; ''[[WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!]]''
* 2004: ''[[Donkey Konga]]''; ''[[I Love Bees]]''; ''[[Katamari Damacy]]''
* 2005: ''[[Nintendogs]]''; ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]''
* 2006: ''[[Line Rider]]''; ''[[Ōkami]]''; ''[[Wii Sports]]''
* 2007: ''[[Portal (video game)|Portal]]''
* 2008: ''[[LittleBigPlanet]]''
* 2009: ''[[Scribblenauts (video game)|Scribblenauts]]''
* 2010: ''[[Minecraft]]'' <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_11th.html|title = Archive - 11th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards|date = April 27, 2021}}</ref>
* 2011: ''[[Johann Sebastian Joust ]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_12th.html|title = Archive - 12th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards|date = April 23, 2021}}</ref>
* 2012: ''[[Journey (2012 video game)|Journey]]''
* 2013: ''[[Papers, Please]]''
* 2014: ''[[Monument Valley (video game)|Monument Valley]]''
* 2015: ''[[Her Story (video game)|Her Story]]''
* 2016: ''[[No Man's Sky]]''<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* 2017: ''[[Gorogoa]]''<ref name="GDC2018"/>
* [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2018]]: ''[[Nintendo Labo]]''<ref name="GDC2019"/>
* [[20th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]]: ''[[Baba Is You]]''<ref name="GDC2020"/>
* [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2020]]: ''[[Dreams (video game)|Dreams]]''<ref name="GDC2021"/>
* [[22nd Game Developers Choice Awards|2021]]: ''[[Unpacking (video game)|Unpacking]]''<ref name="GDC2022"/>
* [[23rd Game Developers Choice Awards|2022]]: ''[[Immortality (video game)|Immortality]]''<ref name="GDC2023"/>
* [[24th Game Developers Choice Awards|2023]]: ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/game-developers-choice-awards-2024-winners-the-full-list |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List |website=[[IGN]] |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
* [[25th Game Developers Choice Awards|2024]]: ''[[Balatro]]''<ref name="GDC2025">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/game-developers-choice-awards-2025-1236331522/ |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2025 Names 'Balatro' Game Of The Year — Complete Winners List |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |last=Jackson |first=Destiny |date=19 March 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref>

===Best Narrative===
Best Narrative award recognizes the quality of writing in a game, including story, plot construction, dialogue, and branching narratives.

* 2002: ''[[Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell]]''
* 2003: ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (video game)|Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''
* 2004: ''[[Half-Life 2]]''
* 2005: ''[[Psychonauts]]''
* 2006: ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]''
* 2007: ''[[BioShock]]''
* 2008: ''[[Fallout 3]]''
* 2009: ''[[Uncharted 2: Among Thieves]]''
* 2010: ''[[Mass Effect 2]]''
* 2011: ''[[Portal 2]]''
* 2012: ''[[The Walking Dead (2012 video game)|The Walking Dead]]''
* 2013: ''[[The Last of Us]]''
* 2014: ''[[Kentucky Route Zero|Kentucky Route Zero: Episode 3]]''
* 2015: ''[[Her Story (video game)|Her Story]]''
* 2016: ''[[Firewatch]]''<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* 2017: ''[[What Remains of Edith Finch]]''<ref name="GDC2018"/>
* [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2018]]: ''[[Return of the Obra Dinn]]''<ref name="GDC2019"/>
* [[20th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]]: ''[[Disco Elysium]]''<ref name="GDC2020"/>
* [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2020]]: ''[[The Last of Us Part II]]''<ref name="GDC2021"/>
* [[22nd Game Developers Choice Awards|2021]]: ''[[Psychonauts 2]]''<ref name="GDC2022"/>
* [[23rd Game Developers Choice Awards|2022]]: ''[[Pentiment (video game)|Pentiment]]''<ref name="GDC2023"/>
* [[24th Game Developers Choice Awards|2023]]: ''[[Baldur's Gate 3]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/game-developers-choice-awards-2024-winners-the-full-list |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List |website=[[IGN]] |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
* [[25th Game Developers Choice Awards|2024]]: ''[[Metaphor: ReFantazio]]''<ref name="GDC2025">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/game-developers-choice-awards-2025-1236331522/ |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2025 Names 'Balatro' Game Of The Year — Complete Winners List |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |last=Jackson |first=Destiny |date=19 March 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref>

===Best Technology===
Best Technology award recognizes the overall excellence of technology in a game, including graphics programming, artificial intelligence, networking, and physics.

* 2004: ''[[Half-Life 2]]''
* 2005: ''[[Nintendogs]]''
* 2006: ''[[Gears of War (video game)|Gears of War]]''
* 2007: ''[[Crysis]]''
* 2008: ''[[LittleBigPlanet]]''
* 2009: ''[[Uncharted 2: Among Thieves]]''
* 2010: ''[[Red Dead Redemption]]''
* 2011: ''[[Battlefield 3]]''
* 2012: ''[[Far Cry 3]]''
* 2013: ''[[Grand Theft Auto V]]''
* 2014: ''[[Destiny (video game)|Destiny]]''
* 2015: ''[[The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt]]''
* 2016: ''[[Uncharted 4: A Thief's End]]''<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* 2017: ''[[Horizon Zero Dawn]]''<ref name="GDC2018"/>
* [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2018]]: ''[[Red Dead Redemption 2]]''<ref name="GDC2019"/>
* [[20th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]]: ''[[Control (video game)|Control]]''<ref name="GDC2020"/>
* [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2020]]: ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator]]''<ref name="GDC2021"/>
* [[22nd Game Developers Choice Awards|2021]]: ''[[Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart]]''<ref name="GDC2022"/>
* [[23rd Game Developers Choice Awards|2022]]: ''[[God of War Ragnarök]]''<ref name="GDC2023"/>
* [[24th Game Developers Choice Awards|2023]]: ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/game-developers-choice-awards-2024-winners-the-full-list |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List |website=[[IGN]] |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
* [[25th Game Developers Choice Awards|2024]]: ''[[Astro Bot]]''<ref name="GDC2025">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/game-developers-choice-awards-2025-1236331522/ |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2025 Names 'Balatro' Game Of The Year — Complete Winners List |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |last=Jackson |first=Destiny |date=19 March 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref>

===Best Visual Art===
Best Visual Art award recognizes the overall excellence of visual art in a game, including animation, modeling, art direction, and textures.

* 2000: ''[[Jet Grind Radio]]''
* 2001: ''[[ICO (video game)|ICO]]''
* 2002: ''[[Kingdom Hearts (video game)|Kingdom Hearts]]''
* 2003: ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker]]''
* 2004: ''[[World of Warcraft]]''
* 2005: ''[[Shadow of the Colossus]]''
* 2006: ''[[Gears of War (video game)|Gears of War]]''
* 2007: ''[[BioShock]]''
* 2008: ''[[Prince of Persia (2008 video game)|Prince of Persia]]''
* 2009: ''[[Uncharted 2: Among Thieves]]''
* 2010: ''[[Limbo (video game)|Limbo]]''
* 2011: ''[[Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception]]''
* 2012: ''[[Journey (2012 video game)|Journey]]''
* 2013: ''[[BioShock Infinite]]''
* 2014: ''[[Monument Valley (video game)|Monument Valley]]''
* 2015: ''[[Ori and the Blind Forest]]''
* 2016: ''[[Inside (video game)|Inside]]''<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* 2017: ''[[Cuphead]]''<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2018]]: ''[[Gris (video game)|Gris]]''<ref name="GDC2019"/>
* [[20th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]]: ''[[Control (video game)|Control]]''<ref name="GDC2020"/>
* [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2020]]: ''[[Ghost of Tsushima]]''<ref name="GDC2021"/>
* [[22nd Game Developers Choice Awards|2021]]: ''[[Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart]]''<ref name="GDC2022"/>
* [[23rd Game Developers Choice Awards|2022]]: ''[[Elden Ring]]''<ref name="GDC2023"/>
* [[24th Game Developers Choice Awards|2023]]: ''[[Alan Wake 2]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/game-developers-choice-awards-2024-winners-the-full-list |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List |website=[[IGN]] |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
* [[25th Game Developers Choice Awards|2024]]: ''[[Black Myth: Wukong]]''<ref name="GDC2025">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/game-developers-choice-awards-2025-1236331522/ |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2025 Names 'Balatro' Game Of The Year — Complete Winners List |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |last=Jackson |first=Destiny |date=19 March 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref>

===Best VR/AR Game===
* 2016: ''[[Job Simulator: The 2050 Archives]]''<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* 2017: ''[[Superhot|Superhot VR]]''<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2018]]: ''[[Beat Saber]]''<ref name="GDC2019"/>
* [[20th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]]: ''[[Vader Immortal]]''<ref name="GDC2020"/>
* [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2020]]: ''[[Half-Life: Alyx]]''<ref name="GDC2021"/>

==Special Awards Recipients==

===Audience Award===
These awards are voted by the audience for best game of that year.

* 2012: ''[[Dishonored]]''
* 2013: ''[[Kerbal Space Program]]''
* 2014: ''[[Elite Dangerous]]''
* 2015: ''[[Life Is Strange (video game)|Life Is Strange]]''
* 2016: ''[[Battlefield 1]]''<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* 2017: ''[[Nier: Automata]]''<ref name="GDC2018"/>
* [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2018]]: ''[[Beat Saber]]''<ref name="GDC2019"/>
* [[20th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]]: ''[[Sky: Children of the Light]]''<ref name="GDC2020"/>
* [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2020]]: ''[[Ghost of Tsushima]]''
* [[22nd Game Developers Choice Awards|2021]]: ''[[Valheim]]''
* [[23rd Game Developers Choice Awards|2022]]: ''[[God of War Ragnarök]]''
* [[24th Game Developers Choice Awards|2023]]: ''[[Baldur's Gate 3]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/game-developers-choice-awards-2024-winners-the-full-list |title=Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List |website=[[IGN]] |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
* 2024: ''[[Final Fantasy VII Rebirth]]''

===The Pioneer Award===
Known as the First Penguin award until 2007, the Pioneer Award celebrates individuals who developed a breakthrough technology, game concept or gameplay design.

* 2001: [[Chip Morningstar]] and [[Randy Farmer]], creators of [[LucasArts]]'s ''[[Habitat (video game)|Habitat]]''
* 2002: Hubert Chardot, "for his risk-taking work on ''[[Alone in the Dark]]''"
* 2003: [[David Crane (programmer)|David Crane]], [[Larry Kaplan]], [[Jim Levy]], [[Alan Miller (game designer)|Alan Miller]], [[Bob Whitehead]], founders of [[Activision]]
* 2004: [[Masaya Matsuura]], founder of [[NanaOn-Sha]], pioneer of music/game integration
* 2005: [[Richard Bartle]], co-creator of [[Multi-user dungeon|MUD]], ancestor to [[Massively multiplayer online game|MMOs]]
* 2006: [[Don Woods (programmer)|Don Woods]], [[Will Crowther]], creators of the early text game ''[[Colossal Cave Adventure]]''
* 2007: [[Alexey Pajitnov]], creator of ''[[Tetris]]''
* 2008: [[Ralph Baer]], inventor of the [[Magnavox Odyssey]]
* 2009: [[Alex Rigopulos]] and [[Eran Egozy]], founders of [[Harmonix]]
* 2010: [[Gabe Newell]], co-founder of [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]
* 2011: [[Yu Suzuki]], lead of [[Sega AM2]] development team responsible for several arcade games and the ''[[Shenmue]]'' series
* 2012: [[Dave Theurer]], developer of ''[[Missile Command]]'' and ''[[Tempest (video game)|Tempest]]''
* 2013: [[Steve Russell (computer scientist)|Steve Russell]], creator of ''[[Spacewar!]]''
* 2014: Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill, creators of [[Riot Games]]<ref name="Gamasutra">{{cite web |url= https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/anita-sarkeesian-riot-co-founders-win-gdca-2014-special-awards |title= Anita Sarkeesian, Riot co-founders win GDCA 2014 Special Awards  |date= February 11, 2014 |website= www.gamasutra.com |publisher= Gamasutra |access-date=February 17, 2014}}</ref>
* 2015: [[David Braben]], founder of [[Frontier Developments]], co-creator of the [[Elite (video game)|''Elite'' series]]
* 2016: [[Markus "Notch" Persson]], creator of ''[[Minecraft]]''
* 2017: [[Jordan Mechner]], creator of ''[[Prince of Persia]]''<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* 2018: None (see below)
* [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]]: [[Rieko Kodama]], graphic artist/director/producer for several Sega titles<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/trailblazing-sega-dev-rieko-kodama-to-be-honored-with-pioneer-award-at-gdc-2019- | title = Trailblazing Sega dev Rieko Kodama to be honored with Pioneer Award at GDC 2019! | date = January 17, 2019 | access-date = January 17, 2019 | work = [[Gamasutra]] }}</ref>
* [[20th Game Developers Choice Awards|2020]]: [[Roberta Williams]], co-founder of [[Sierra On-line]] and early developer of the [[adventure game]] genre<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/adventure-game-trailblazer-roberta-williams-to-receive-pioneer-award-at-gdc-2020 | title = Adventure game trailblazer Roberta Williams to receive Pioneer Award at GDC 2020 | date=  February 26, 2020 | access-date= February 26, 2020 |work = [[Gamasutra]] }}</ref>
* [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2021]]: [[Tom Fulp]], creator of [[Newgrounds]] and co-founder of [[The Behemoth]]<ref name="gdc2021 special">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gdc-to-honor-newgrounds-founder-tom-fulp-and-industry-veteran-laralyn-mcwilliams-at-21st-annual-awards/1100-6493519/ | title = GDC To Honor Newgrounds Founder Tom Fulp And Industry Veteran Laralyn McWilliams At 21st Annual Awards | first = Cameron | last=  Koch | date = July 1, 2021 | accessdate = July 1, 2021 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref>
* [[22nd Game Developers Choice Awards|2022]]: None given
* [[23rd Game Developers Choice Awards|2023]]: [[Mabel Addis]], first female video game designer<ref name="GDC2023"/>
* 2025: [[Lucas Pope]], developer of ''[[Papers, Please]]'' and ''[[The Return of the Obra Dinn]]''<ref name="2025 special"/>

GDC had announced their intention to award [[Nolan Bushnell]] (co-founder of [[Atari]]) the 2018 Pioneer Award.<ref name="GDC2018noms">{{cite web| url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/313891/Nolan_Bushnell_Tim_Schafer_and_Rami_Ismail_to_be_honored_at_the_2018_GDC_Awards.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180130230101/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/313891/Nolan_Bushnell_Tim_Schafer_and_Rami_Ismail_to_be_honored_at_the_2018_GDC_Awards.php | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 30, 2018 | title = Nolan Bushnell, Tim Schafer, and Rami Ismail to be honored at the 2018 GDC Awards! | date = January 30, 2018 | access-date = January 30, 2018 | work = [[Gamasutra]] }}</ref> However, after several people asked the GDC to reconsider this in light of documented sexist activities in Bushnell's past in light of the current [[Me Too movement|#MeToo movement]], GDC opted to not award the Pioneer Award and instead "will dedicate this year's award to honor the pioneering and unheard voices of the past".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/nolan-bushnell-metoo-gdc-award-w516148 | title = GDC Re-Examines Award for Atari Founder After Outcry Over Past Conduct | first = Stefanie | last = Fogel | date = January 30, 2018 | access-date = January 31, 2018 | work = [[Glixel]] | archive-date = June 20, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180620153436/https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/nolan-bushnell-metoo-gdc-award-w516148 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gdc-pioneer-award-not-nolan-bushnell-atari-founder | title = GDC Announces It Will Not Award Atari Founder Nolan Bushnell After Controversy | first = Matt | last = Kim | date = January 31, 2018 | access-date = January 31, 2018 | work = [[US Gamer]] | archive-date = 2019-03-28  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190328214906/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/gdc-pioneer-award-not-nolan-bushnell-atari-founder | url-status = dead }}</ref>

===Ambassador Award===
The Ambassador Award is given to individuals within or outside the industry who helped video games "advance to a better place."<ref name=Ambassador>{{cite web |url= http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/ambassador.html |title= Ambassador Award Archive |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year= 2014 |website=gamechoiceawards.com |publisher= Game Developers Choice Awards |access-date=April 4, 2014}}</ref> It replaced the IGDA Award for Community Contribution after 2007.<ref name=ACC>{{cite web |url= http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/contribution.html |title= Community Contribution Archive |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year= 2014 |website= gamechoiceawards.com |publisher= Game Developers Choice Awards |access-date=April 4, 2014}}</ref>

* 2008: [[Jason Della Rocca]] (former head of [[International Game Developers Association]])
* 2009: [[Tommy Tallarico]] (video game musician and composer)
* 2010: [[Jerry Holkins]], [[Mike Krahulik]] and [[Robert Khoo]] (creators and founders of ''[[Penny Arcade]]'')
* 2011: Tim Brengle and Ian Mackenzie (Organizers of the [[Game Developers Conference]] volunteer program for 20+ years<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/ambassador.html |title=Ambassador Award Archive |author=www.gamechoiceawards.com |date=March 2011 |access-date=January 16, 2012}}</ref>)
* 2012: Kenneth Doroshow and Paul M. Smith (the lawyers which argued ''[[Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association]]'' to the [[US Supreme Court]] supporting the video game industry)
* 2013: [[Chris Melissinos]] (developer at [[Sun Microsystems]] leading gaming-related [[Java (programming language)|Java]] initiatives)
* 2014: [[Anita Sarkeesian]] (creator of ''[[Feminist Frequency]]'')<ref name="Gamasutra"/>
* 2015: [[Brenda Romero]] (game developer, one of the leads of [[Romero Games]])
* 2016: [[Tracy Fullerton]] (game developer and professor at [[USC Interactive Media & Games Division]])
* 2017: [[Mark DeLoura]] (former editor of ''[[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]]'' and served as Senior Advisor for Digital Media for the U.S. [[Office of Science and Technology Policy]])<ref name="GDC2017"/>
* 2018: [[Rami Ismail]] (co-founder of [[Vlambeer]], assistance to indie game development)<ref name="GDC2018noms"/>
* 2019: None given
* 2020: [[Kate Edwards]] (former head of the [[International Game Developers Association]])<ref name="gamasutra 2020noms">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/356378/Death_Stranding_leads_the_pack_of_2020_Game_Developers_Choice_Awards_nominees.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200108192505/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/356378/Death_Stranding_leads_the_pack_of_2020_Game_Developers_Choice_Awards_nominees.php | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 8, 2020 | title= Death Stranding leads the pack of 2020 Game Developers Choice Awards nominees | date =January 8, 2020 | access-date = January 8, 2020 | work = [[Gamasutra]] }}</ref>
* 2021: None given
* 2022: [[Steven Spohn]] (founder of [[AbleGamers]])
* 2023: None given
* 2024: [[Fawzi Mesmar]] (creative director, game designer, leader, and author, known for his work in the video game industry)

===Lifetime Achievement Award===
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the achievements of a developer who has impacted games and game development.

* 2001: [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]] ([[List of Sim games|''Sim'' games]])
* 2002: [[Yuji Naka]] (''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series)
* 2003: [[Gunpei Yokoi]] (1941–1997) ([[Game Boy]], ''[[Super Mario Land]]'' series, [[Metroid|''Metroid'' series]])
* 2004: [[Mark Cerny]] (''[[Crash Bandicoot]]'' and ''[[Spyro the Dragon (video game)|Spyro the Dragon]]'')
* 2005: [[Eugene Jarvis]] (''[[Defender (arcade game)|Defender]]'' and ''[[Robotron: 2084]]'')
* 2006: [[Richard Garriott]] (''[[Ultima (series)|Ultima]]'')
* 2007: [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] (creator of ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'', ''[[Donkey Kong (series)|Donkey Kong]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'', ''[[Star Fox]]'', ''[[F-Zero]]'', and ''[[Pikmin (series)|Pikmin]]'')
* 2008: [[Sid Meier]] (''[[Civilization series]]'' and many different simulators)
* 2009: [[Hideo Kojima]] (''[[Metal Gear series]]'')
* 2010: [[John Carmack]] (''[[Doom series]]'')
* 2011: [[Peter Molyneux]] (''[[God games]]'')
* 2012: [[Warren Spector]] (''[[Deus Ex (video game)|Deus Ex]]'', ''[[System Shock]]'', ''[[Thief: The Dark Project]]'')
* 2013: [[Ray Muzyka]] and [[Greg Zeschuk]] (co-founders of [[BioWare]])
* 2014: [[Ken Kutaragi]] ("father" of the [[PlayStation]] console line)
* 2015: [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]] (''[[Final Fantasy]]'' series)
* 2016: [[Todd Howard (video game designer)|Todd Howard]] (''[[Elder Scrolls]]'', ''[[Fallout (franchise)|Fallout]]'')
* 2017: [[Tim Sweeney (game developer)|Tim Sweeney]] (founder of [[Epic Games]])<ref>{{cite web | url  = https://venturebeat.com/2017/01/20/epic-games-guru-tim-sweeney-to-receive-lifetime-achievement-award-at-gdc/ | title = Epic Games' Tim Sweeney to receive lifetime achievement award at GDC | first = Dean | last = Takahasi | date = January 20, 2017 | access-date = January 20, 2017 | work = [[Venture Beat]] }}</ref>
* 2018: [[Tim Schafer]] (developer for [[LucasArts adventure games]], founder of [[Double Fine]])<ref name="GDC2018noms"/>
* [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards|2019]]: [[Amy Hennig]] (video game writer/director, notably for the ''[[Uncharted]]'' series)<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-12-11-amy-hennig-to-receive-lifetime-achievement-award | title = Amy Hennig to receive lifetime achievement award | first=  Brendan | last = Sinclair  |date = December 11, 2018 | access-date = December 11, 2018 | work = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] }}</ref>
* [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards|2021]]: [[Laralyn McWilliams]], creative director of ''[[Free Realms]]'' and lead director of ''[[Full Spectrum Warrior]]''<ref name="gdc2021 special"/>
* [[22nd Game Developers Choice Awards|2022]]: [[Yuji Horii]], creator of the ''[[Dragon Quest]]'' series
* [[23rd Game Developers Choice Awards|2023]]: [[John Romero]], co-founder of [[id Software]] and [[Ion Storm]], and co-creator of the [[Wolfenstein 3D]], [[Doom series|Doom]], and [[Quake series|Quake]] series<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gdc-awards-to-honor-mabel-addis-john-romero | title=GDC Awards to honor Mabel Addis, John Romero | date=February 23, 2023 }}</ref>
* 2024: [[Yoko Shimomura]], composer of ''[[Street Fighter II]]'' and the ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'' series<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gdc-awards-to-honor-yoko-shimomura-fawzi-mesmar| title=GDC Awards to honor Yoko Shimomura, Fawzi Mesmar | date=February 9, 2024 }}</ref>
* 2025: [[Sam Lake]], Creative Director at [[Remedy Entertainment]]<ref name="2025 special" >{{cite web | url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sam-lake-and-lucas-pope-to-be-honored-at-this-years-gdc-awards/ | title=Sam Lake and Lucas Pope to be honored at this year's GDC Awards | date=February 20, 2025 }}</ref>

==Retired awards==
The following award categories have been retired or replaced with a different focus.

===Best Downloadable Game===
Best Downloadable Game Award recognizes the overall best game released on console or PC platforms specifically and solely for digital download - with an emphasis on smaller, more 'casual'-friendly titles.

* 2007: ''[[Flow (video game)|flOw]]''
* 2008: ''[[World of Goo]]''
* 2009: ''[[Flower (video game)|Flower]]''
* 2011: ''[[Minecraft]]''
* 2012: ''[[Bastion (video game)|Bastion]]''
* 2013: ''[[Journey (2012 video game)|Journey]]''
* 2014: ''[[Papers, Please]]''

===Character Design===
The Character Design award recognizes the overall excellence of non-licensed character design in a game, including originality, character arc and emotional depth.

* 2004: ''[[Half-Life 2]]''
* 2005: ''[[Shadow of the Colossus]]''
* 2006: ''[[Ōkami]]''

===Excellence in Level Design===
* 2000: ''[[American McGee's Alice]]''
* 2001: ''[[ICO (video game)|ICO]]''
* 2002: ''[[Metroid Prime]]''

===Excellence in Programming===
* 2000: ''[[The Sims]]''
* 2001: ''[[Black and White (computer game)|Black and White]]''
* 2002: ''[[Neverwinter Nights (2002 video game)|Neverwinter Nights]]''
* 2003: ''[[Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time]]''

===IGDA Award for Community Contribution===
The IGDA Award for Community Contribution recognized developers for significant efforts "building community, sharing knowledge, speaking on behalf of developers and/or contributing to the art form of game development".<ref name=ACC/> The [[#Ambassador Award|Ambassador Award]] replaced it after 2007.<ref name=Ambassador/>

* 2000: [[John D. Carmack|John Carmack]]
* 2001: [[Jeff Lander]]
* 2002: [[Doug Church]] ([[Eidos Interactive]])
* 2003: [[Ray Muzyka]] and [[Greg Zeschuk]]
* 2004: [[Sheri Graner Ray]]
* 2005: [[Chris Hecker]]
* 2006: [[George Sanger (musician)|George Sanger]]

===Original Game Character of the Year===
* 2000: Seaman from ''[[Seaman (video game)|Seaman]]''
* 2001: [[Daxter]] from ''[[Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy]]''
* 2002: [[Sly Cooper]] from ''[[Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus]]''
* 2003: [[HK-47]] from ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (video game)|Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''

===Maverick Award===
The Maverick Award recognizes the current achievements of a developer who exhibits independence in thought and action while experimenting with alternate/emerging forms of digital games.

* 2003: Brian Fiete, [[Jason Kapalka]], and John Vechey ([[PopCap Games]])
* 2004: [[Matt Adams]], Ju Row Farr, and Nick Tandavanitj ([[Blast Theory]])
* 2005: Mike Dornbrook, [[Eran Egozy]], Greg LoPiccolo, and [[Alex Rigopulos]] ([[Harmonix Music Systems]])
* 2006: [[Greg Costikyan]]

===Best New Social/Online Game===
* 2009: ''[[FarmVille]]''

== Game Developers Choice Online Awards ==
For its eight iteration in 2010, GDC Austin was rebranded as GDC Online, with a greater focus on [[Massively multiplayer online game|MMOs]], and [[social-network game|social]] and [[casual game]]s.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/213940/gdc-austin-being-renamed-and-re-focused-as-gdc-online/ |title=GDC Austin being renamed and re-focused as GDC Online |last=Rudden |first=Dave |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[IDG Entertainment]] |date=February 10, 2010 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226065723/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/213940/gdc-austin-being-renamed-and-re-focused-as-gdc-online/ |archivedate=December 26, 2010 }}</ref> The '''Game Developers Choice Online Awards''' were also introduced to recognize technical excellence and innovation in [[online game]]s. In addition to the awards of the competitive categories, special awards were given out to pioneering online games and creators.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/27/gdc-online-2010-announces-first-gdc-online-awards |title=GDC Online 2010 Announces First GDC Online Awards |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=June 14, 2012 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }}</ref> In 2012 it was announced that GDC Online would be replaced by GDC Next in Los Angeles in 2013, and the awards were subsequently discontinued.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2012-09-17-gdc-next-app-developers-conference-coming-to-la-in-nov-2013.html |title=GDC Next, App Developers Conference coming to LA in Nov. 2013 |last=Sliwinski |first=Alexander |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[Verizon Media]] |date=September 17, 2012 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/video-relive-the-2012-gdc-online-choice-awards |title=Video: Relive the 2012 GDC Online Choice Awards |website=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[Informa]] |date=November 7, 2012 |access-date=April 22, 2021 }}</ref>

=== 2010 ===
The 2010 awards ceremony took place on October 7, 2010. ''[[League of Legends]]'' by [[Riot Games]] led the winners with five awards from six nominations, including the publicly voted Audience Award.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/league-of-legends-tops-game-developers-choice-online-awards/1100-6281265/ |title=League of Legends tops Game Developers Choice Online Awards |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]] |date=October 8, 2010 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }}</ref> [[Richard Bartle]] received the Online Game Legend award for his work on the first [[MUD1|MUD]] and the 2003 book ''[[Designing Virtual Worlds]]''. The [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]] (MMORPG) ''[[Ultima Online]]'' was inducted into the GDC Online Awards Hall of Fame for being "a specific online game that has resulted in the long-term advancement of the medium, pioneering major shifts in online game development and games as a whole."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-08-13-game-developers-choice-online-awards-to-knight-richard-bartle-as.html |title=Game Developers Choice Online Awards to knight Richard Bartle as a "Game Legend" |last=Olivetti |first=Justin |work=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[Verizon Media]] |date=August 13, 2010 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! Award
! Game
! Publisher
|-
| Best Online Technology
| ''[[League of Legends]]''
| [[Riot Games]]
|-
| Best Social Network Game
| ''[[Social City]]''
| [[Playdom]]
|-
| Best Online Visual Arts
| ''[[League of Legends]]''
| [[Riot Games]]
|-
| Best Audio for an Online Game
| ''[[Aion (video game)|Aion]]''
| [[NCSoft]]
|-
| Best Community Relations
| ''[[World of Warcraft]]''
| [[Blizzard Entertainment]]
|-
| Best Online Game Design
| ''[[League of Legends]]''
| [[Riot Games]]
|-
| Best Live Game
| ''[[Eve Online]]''
| [[CCP Games]]
|-
| Best New Online Game
| ''[[League of Legends]]''
| [[Riot Games]]
|-
| Audience Award
| ''[[League of Legends]]''
| [[Riot Games]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Special Awards
! Award
! Recipient
|-
| Online Game Legend Award
| [[Richard Bartle]]
|-
| GDC Online Awards Hall of Fame
| ''[[Ultima Online]]'' ([[Electronic Arts]])
|}

=== 2011 ===
[[File:Kelton Flinn - Game Developers Choice Online Awards.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2|[[Kelton Flinn]] receiving the Online Game Legend Award]]
The 2011 awards ceremony took place on October 12, 2011. All the awards from the previous year returned, and a new award for Online Innovation was introduced. ''[[Minecraft]]'' and ''[[Rift (video game)|Rift]]'' by [[Mojang]] and [[Trion Worlds]] respectively took home the most awards, with two each. [[Kelton Flinn]] and [[John R. Taylor III|John Taylor]] received the special Online Game Legend award as founders of [[Kesmai]] and creators of ''[[Island of Kesmai]]'' and ''[[Air Warrior (video game)|Air Warrior]]''. Additionally, the MMORPG ''[[EverQuest]]'' was inducted into the GDC Online Awards Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/everquest-honored-at-gdc-online-awards/1100-6339672/ |title=EverQuest honored at GDC Online awards |last=Downin |first=Jonathan |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]] |date=October 13, 2011 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! Award
! Game
! Publisher
|-
| Best Online Game Design
| ''[[Spiral Knights]]''
| [[Three Rings Design]]/[[Sega]]
|-
| Best Online Visual Arts
| ''[[DC Universe Online]]''
| [[Sony Online Entertainment]]
|-
| Best Community Relations
| ''[[Minecraft]]''
| [[Mojang]]
|-
| Best Online Technology
| ''[[Rift (video game)|Rift]]''
| [[Trion Worlds]]
|-
| Best Social Network Game
| ''Gardens of Time''
| [[Playdom]]
|-
| Best Audio for an Online Game
| ''[[Clone Wars Adventures]]''
| [[Sony Online Entertainment]]
|-
| Best New Online Game
| ''[[Rift (video game)|Rift]]''
| [[Trion Worlds]]
|-
| Best Live Game
| ''[[Minecraft]]''
| [[Mojang]]
|-
| Online Innovation
| ''[[Shadow Cities]]''
| Grey Area
|-
| Audience Award
| ''[[Wizard101]]''
| [[KingsIsle Entertainment]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Special Awards
! Award
! Recipient
|-
| Online Game Legend
| [[Kelton Flinn]] and [[John R. Taylor III|John Taylor]]
|-
|  GDC Online Awards Hall of Fame
| ''[[EverQuest]]'' ([[Sony Online Entertainment]])
|}

=== 2012 ===
[[File:Raph Koster - Game Developers Conference Online 2012 - 01.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2|[[Raph Koster]] at GDC Online 2012]]
The 2011 awards ceremony took place on October 10, 2012. ''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]'', developed by [[BioWare|BioWare Austin]], became the top winner at four awards, with ''League of Legends'' by Riot Games trailing slightly behind at three awards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/11/3491014/star-wars-the-old-republic-and-league-of-legends-clean-up-at-game |title=Star Wars: The Old Republic and League of Legends clean up at Game Developers Choice Online Awards |last=McElroy |first=Griffin |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=October 11, 2012 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }}</ref> The Online Game Legend award was given to [[Raph Koster]], developer of previous Hall of Fame inductee ''Ultima Online'' as well as ''[[Star Wars: Galaxies]]''. MMORPG ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' was inducted into the GDC Online Awards Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-08-30-world-of-warcraft-raph-koster-will-be-honored-at-gdc-online-awards |title=World of Warcraft, Raph Koster will be honored at GDC Online Awards |last=Radd |first=David |work=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=August 30, 2012 |accessdate=April 22, 2021 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! Award
! Game
! Developer
|-
| Best Online Game Design
| ''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]''
| [[BioWare|BioWare Austin]]
|-
| Best Online Visual Arts
| ''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]''
| [[BioWare|BioWare Austin]]
|-
| Best Community Relations
| ''[[League of Legends]]''
| [[Riot Games]]
|-
| Best Online Technology
| ''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]''
| [[BioWare|BioWare Austin]]
|-
| Best Social Network Game
| ''[[Draw Something]]''
| [[OMGPOP]]/[[Zynga]]
|-
| Best Audio for an Online Game
| ''[[Diablo III]]''
| [[Blizzard Entertainment]]
|-
| Best New Online Game
| ''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]''
| [[BioWare|BioWare Austin]]
|-
| Best Live Game
| ''[[League of Legends]]''
| [[Riot Games]]
|-
| Online Innovation
| ''[[Journey (2012 video game)|Journey]]''
| [[Thatgamecompany]]
|-
| Audience Award
| ''[[League of Legends]]''
| [[Riot Games]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Special Awards
! Award
! Recipient
|-
| Online Game Legend
| [[Raph Koster]]
|-
| GDC Online Awards Hall of Fame
| ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' ([[Blizzard Entertainment]])
|}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://gamechoiceawards.com/ Official website]

{{Game Developers Choice Awards}}

[[Category:Game Developers Choice Awards| ]]
[[Category:Video game awards]]
[[Category:Awards established in 2001]]
[[Category:Informa brands]]