The 22nd Annual Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) Awards have unveiled their nominations, with “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” by Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Arts taking center stage. This year’s nominations are a testament to the exceptional talent and innovation in game audio, with “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” leading the way in several categories.
“Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” Dominates with 16 Nominations
“Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” has emerged as a frontrunner, securing an impressive 16 nominations. These span across various categories, including “Music of the Year,” “Best Voice Performance,” and “Creative and Technical Achievement in Sound Design.” The game’s immersive audio experience, which complements the journey of Jedi Knight Cal Kestis against the Galactic Empire, has been widely acclaimed.
“Mortal Kombat 1” Follows Suit
Not far behind, “Mortal Kombat 1” from NetherRealm Studios garnered eight nominations. Categories like “Audio of the Year” and “Best Original Song” highlight the game’s dynamic sound design, but it’s “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” that continues to be a focal point in this year’s awards.
Honoring Industry Veterans and “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor”
The G.A.N.G. Awards will also honor Steve Schnur of Electronic Arts with the Lifetime Achievement Award. His contributions to game audio have been significant, paralleling the innovative audio achievements seen in “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Celebrating Diverse Audio Achievements
The awards cover a wide spectrum of audio excellence. “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” is a recurring name in many categories, underscoring its impact on the industry. Other notable nominations include:
- Best Audio Mix: Here, “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” is nominated alongside titles like “Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty.
- Best Original Soundtrack Album: “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” finds itself in a category with other auditory masterpieces like “Tchia” and “Mortal Kombat 1.
Indie Games and “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor”
Indie games also receive significant recognition, with titles like “Tchia” and “Planet of Lana” being nominated. However, the presence of “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” in numerous categories highlights the game’s broad appeal and technical prowess in game audio.
The Evolution of Game Audio
Brian Schmidt, President of the Game Audio Network Guild, remarked on the evolving nature of game audio, a sentiment echoed by the diverse nominations and the standout presence of “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Looking Forward to the Winners
The winners of the 22nd Annual G.A.N.G. Awards, where “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” is a major contender, will be announced on March 21, 2024, at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. This event is not just a celebration of the past year’s achievements in game audio but also a showcase of the evolving and dynamic nature of this crucial aspect of gaming, exemplified by the immersive audio experience of “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
The full list of nominees:
Audio of the Year
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (CD PROJEKT RED CD, PROJEKT RED)
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Respawn Entertainment, Electronic Arts)
Destiny 2 (Lightfall Bungie, Bungie)
Mortal Kombat 1 (NetherRealm Studios, Warner Bros. Games)
Diablo IV (Blizzard Entertainment, Blizzard Entertainment)
Best Audio for a Casual or Social Game
Honor of Kings (TiMi Studio Group, Tencent Games)
Diablo Immortal (Blizzard Entertainment, NetEase Games, Blizzard Entertainment)
Disney Illusion Island (Dlala Studios, Disney Games)
Call of Duty (Mobile TiMi Studio Group, Activision)
Harry Potter: Magic Awakened (Warner Bros. Games, Netease Games, Portkey Games)
Best Audio for an Indie Game
Tchia (Awaceb, Kepler Interactive)
Eternights (Studio Sai, Studio Sai)
Planet of Lana (Wishfully, Thunderful Publishing)
City of Beats (Torched Hill, Freedom Games)
Viewfinder (Sad Owl Studios, Thunderful Publishing)
Best Audio Mix
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Respawn Entertainment, Electronic Arts)
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (CD PROJEKT RED CD, PROJEKT RED)
Mortal Kombat 1 (NetherRealm Studios, Warner Bros. Games)
Diablo IV (Blizzard Entertainment, Blizzard Entertainment)
Destiny 2 (Lightfall Bungie, Bungie)
Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios, Larian Studios)
Best Cinematic & Cut Scene Audio
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (CD PROJEKT RED CD, PROJEKT RED)
Diablo IV (Blizzard Entertainment, Blizzard Entertainment)
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Respawn Entertainment, Electronic Arts)
Destiny 2 (Lightfall Bungie, Bungie)
Mortal Kombat 1 (NetherRealm Studios, Warner Bros. Games)
Best Dialogue for an Indie Game
Bramble: The Mountain King (Dimfrost Studio, Merge Games)
Blasphemous 2 (The Game Kitchen, Team17)
Broken Spectre (Games by Stitch, Games by Stitch)
Best Ensemble Cast Performance
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Respawn Entertainment, Electronic Arts)
Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios, Larian Studios)
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical (Summerfall Studio, Humble Games)
Best Game Audio Article or Publication
“Game Audio Mixing: Insights to Improve Your Mixing Performance” (Alex Riviere, Routledge)
“Game Audio Fundamentals: An Introduction to the Theory, Planning, and Practice of Soundscape Creation for Games” (Keith Zizza, Routledge)”Working with Sound: The Future of Audio Work in Interactive Entertainment” (Rob Bridgett, Routledge)
“SEASON: A letter to the future | Experiencing field recording as a game mechanic” (Vibe Avenue & Spencer Doran, Audiokinetic Blog)
“A Sound Effect interview ‘Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’” (Jennifer Walden, A Sound Effect)
Best Game Audio Presentation, Podcast, or Broadcast
Game Developers Conference 2023 “The Art of the Theme” (Brendon Williams, Jason Walsh Game)
Tonebenders Sound Design Podcast “227 – Moss: Book II” (Timothy Muirhead, Mark Kilborn)
National Public Radio “The Sounds of America: The Super Mario Bros. Theme Song” (Jennie Cataldo, National Public Radio)
Tonebenders Sound Design Podcast “217 – Recording Animals with Mattia Cellotto & Dmitry Chernov” (Timothy Muirhead, Tonebenders Sound Design Podcast)
Game Developers Conference 2023 “Chaos Theory in Game Music” (Winifred Phillips, Game Developers Conference 2023)