2012's Game of the Year Could Actually be a Digital Title

GP writer Jared discusses why he thinks that this year’s game of the year could be a digital title for many people.

[rrquinta]

If so, that would be a huge landmark for the industry.

[DasTier]

No, it would be a joke. As good as The walking dead series was it was not, in anyway, even nearly as good as a large number of "real" games which realeased in 2012.

[millzy102]

walking dead is a real game as in you can play it besides its getting physical copies after episode 5 is released and i think it would justify game of the year as its different to any other game out there by focusing on story, just because its not an action doesn't mean its not a real game.

[Ben_Grimm]

What is a REAL game in your opinion ujean?

Does it have to be sold in stores to make it "real".

I have enjoyed a number of DL only games more so than I have a lot of retails this year. I wouldn't mind at all seeing a DL game get GOTY.

In fact it may tell devs that you don't have to have a 3 year production cycle with sparkling graphics and an insane budget. All you need is a great team and a great idea.

[Diver]

a game that leaves out a common feature like inverted aim, has a producer say they will fix it, then sends emails from support saying they have no intention of fixing it. yeah goty.

[Jinkies]

Going to have to agree with ujean here

Walking Dead is fantastic but in reality it's not as good as some make it out to be.

Downloadable Game of the Year - Yes

Game of the Year - No

I wish they would move away from Point and Click games and make full retail third person story games. They have good writers, don't see why they can't make a third person story-survival game. If this wins GOTY then they will never move on from the point and click genre

[Norrison]

@Ujean69 and jinkies
You guys are totally missing the point of the walking dead, it's all about the story and bonding with the characters, not mindless generic shooting like 95% of the shooter/zombie games.

[MysticStrummer]

Gotta love it when people define "real" games and gamers in order to exclude games or gamers they don't like or agree with. Walking Dead is a real game, sorry to break it to you, and it has every right to win GotY awards. Personally I'd give the nod to Journey over Walking Dead, though I loved WD.

@Diver - That's a really weak point. Show me one GotY that didn't have any bugs, missing features that people wanted, or some other type of problem. I'd have given Dark Souls GotY over Skyrim, but I can't claim Dark Souls had no possibility for improvement.

[Bimkoblerutso]

It really would, though just the fact that there are TWO unanimous candidates (Journey and Walking Dead) is already a landmark, really.

I love that big, stupid AAA action games are not the only games people are looking to nowadays for GOTY.

[Thatguy-310]

Journey and walking dead for me. More Journey though. Idk its hard to explain but the whole experience just felt spiritual which makes it more of an amazing title. People that have played the game would understand why it's good. It's an experience well worth trying. It's a gem this Gen and should be admired for it.

[SnotyTheRocket]

either the Walking dead or Journey. I have yet to play any of those games..... I don't know why. But, when the disk of the Walking Dead comes out, i'll be getting this.

[MariaHelFutura]

?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[ginsunuva]

Why? We shouldn't act as if it's weird for a downloadable game to receive honors. That implies that disc games are normally better than downloadables.

[Ilovetheps5]

I've been saying for a while that Journey is my Game of the Year. It's an amazing game that I have some good memories of. Thatgamecompany did a great job with their game.

[CalvinKlein]

Im sure alot of ps3 fanboys would agree with you since that is the only good Ps3 exclusive this year and they only consider ps3 exclusives for GOTY.

[MariaHelFutura]

Alot of great exclusive and multiplatform retail/digital titles have been on the PS3 in 2012. GOTY is a personal choice. I personally enjoyed LBP Karting 10x more than Assassin's Creed 3, just as others feel the opposite. The media's general consensus of GOTY is what sold the most and is the most popular. Which is not mine.....

[Ilovetheps5]

You must think that I am a PlayStation fanboy. If you would go through my comment history, it probably seems like I'm a Nintendo fanboy. I bought the Wii U day one and am loving it. I honestly think Journey was a fantastic game. I don't care about these pathetic console wars. Who cares what console you play on as long as you enjoy your time. Sorry, but not everything boils down to console wars. Skyward Sword probably would be my GotY if my Wii hadn't died on me and if I finished the game. But, I never was able to finish the game, so I can't place it as my GotY.

[Thatguy-310]

Their is a reason it's one of the most critically acclaimed game this year so just because it's exclusive doesn't mean you have to label most of the praise it gets for GOTY fanboyism. It deserves it and the fact that it was nominated makes me believe it will win. It's between Journey and The walking dead. Year of downloadable titles baby

[MysticStrummer]

I'm sure other types of fanboys would agree with you since fanboys get offended by people with different opinions.

[RuperttheBear]

I'd have to give it to Far Cry 3 myself. There's been some great games this year but I've had more fun with Far Cry 3 than all of them put together.

[soundslike]

I wouldn't second guess that choice.

Although I find it kind of silly to judge a batch of games by the year, when the release dates of a season of games start in the fall and end in the spring of the next year

[sdozzo]

I still think it will go to one of the bigger titles with high production. They all are nice games though.

[I_LOVE_MYSELF]

Journey is easily one of my best experiences this year. There hasn't been much competition this year anyway, but that is beside the point. I don't think it is GOTY if I was to weigh up what I look for in a game and be super critical. I do however think this is the most memorable game of the year for me. I honestly thought Black Ops 2 was going to win my heart this year, but it failed to meet my expectations.

[Trekster_Gamer]

Halo 4, love it or hate it should be on the short list for GOTY. If it is not then I tend it ignore and show or website or article that does not at least include it.

[shempo]

ofc since it didnt had any REAL contender to face this year....

and besides halo 4 is nothing but hype....its one of the worst of the series halo 1-2 remains the best,good that the multiplayr is playable tho or else i would aleady give the game to a friend or something

[StrongMan]

No game with a Metacritic rating below a 90 has ever won GOTY from the VGAs and Halo 4 is rated at an 87 which is the lowest rated Halo of all time. Hate it or love it that's how it goes.

[Trekster_Gamer]

True, but some reviews were totally biased and people know this. Even other professional reviewers said this. Even it you listen to the latest BONUS Round they could not give a viable reason why Halo4 was not on the list and they produce the show! Halo 4 should not be condemned because of a few biased not worthy or reading reviews say otherwise

Gametrailers 9.0
Gamespot 9.0
and many other worthy respected sites give it just as high and higher review.

Love it or hate it but don't be biased.

[coolvibu93]

So? 3 of the 5 nominated games don't have 90s either.

[MysticStrummer]

You're saying people who hate the game should just accept it as a possible GotY? That's completely ridiculous.

[shempo]

walking dead and journey nuff said
got sick and tired of all those hype media bullsh!t fps they keep milking.

[DigitalRaptor]

Journey is nothing short of sensational. A thing of spiritual beauty limited not to its visuals but its subtle yet powerful messages, and its entrancing gameplay. As a niche, downloadable indie title, being recognized as game of the year would mean big things in this industry.

The Walking Dead is one that I have heard really amazing things about and sounds like it deserves to win too. Waiting for the retail edition though.

[TekoIie]

Walking dead is GOTY worthy? So what does that make Fable: The Journey worthy too?

Im serious are we really considering a QTE game for GOTY? Is this how far we're willing to fall?

[Thatguy-310]

Gaming is more about the experience man. Experiences make a mark in this industry and for that reason it boils down to Journey or the walking dead. Both simple in game play but the emotions they provoke is amazing. Believe it or not people actually admire when a game is able to evoke so much of it hence why they have been critically acclaimed.

[TekoIie]

No... Gaming is about playing GAMES and only GAMES qualify for GAME of the year. Not an interactive movie and that doesnt translate into video games for those of you who believe it does...

[DigitalRaptor]

The Walking Dead is a point-and-click adventure game, not an action game, and by your comment it's clear you don't play many of those. To say those types of games are "interactive movies" shows how little you know of gaming history. Point and click adventure games, text-based adventure games, etc. Those are some of the origins of the games you play today.

TWD is a great game and a faithful representation of the comic books. You can move your character around in 3D space and select environmental queues and it's relatively slow paced. That is its gameplay, but those types of games are equally about the story and characters and atmosphere.

Just because you seem to view games so one-dimensionally doesn't negate quality where it exists.

[PhoenixRising37]

The trolling on this particular article is very intense.

[yeahokchief]

Maxe Payne 3 had the best story and narration, Darksiders 2 was the best gamer's game, Dishonored is the best fps rpg since the original Deus Ex and Bioshock, and Journey was the best downloadable but I have to give my game of the year to

H I T M A N A B S O L U T I O N - goty 2012