D.I.C.E. Award for Action Game of the Year

The D.I.C.E. Award for Action Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award recognizes titles that "follow the gameplay from the prospective of the character that the player is controlling. These games feature heavy weapons use and/or involve characters engaged in combat while moving through a linear or open environment. The opponent can either be controlled by another player or by the game". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category. The award initially had separate awards for console games and computer games at the 1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards in 1998, with the first winners being GoldenEye 007 for console and Quake II for computer. There have been numerous mergers and additions of action-related games throughout the early years of the awards ceremony's history. The current version was officially introduced at the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards in 2008, which was awarded to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

The most recent winner of the award is Hades II, developed and published by Supergiant Games.

History

Initially, the Interactive Achievement Awards had separate awards for Console Action Game of the Year and Computer Action Game of the Year. The 1999 awards featured genre-specific Online awards, including Online Action/Strategy Game of the Year. There was only one Online Game of the Year in 2000. In 2001, the awards for action games and adventure games were consolidated to Action/Adventure awards, recognizing titles in which players are challenged with real-time action activities and combat where possibly skill, accuracy and puzzle-solving are required. Additional categories for console and computer first person action games were added for the 6th awards ceremony. This was probably because both winners for console and PC Action/Adventure in 2002 were first-person shooters, being Halo: Combat Evolved for console and Return to Castle Wolfenstein for PC. A category for Console Platform Action/Adventure Game of the Year was also introduced in 2003. Starting in 2006, genre-specific awards would no longer have separate categories for console and computer games, resulting in one Action/Adventure Game of the Year award, which included platform games going forward, and one First-Person Action Game of the Year award. These would ultimately be replaced by Action Game of the Year and Adventure Game of the Year in 2008. Console Action Game of the Year (1998–2000) Computer Action Game of the Year (1998–2000) Online Action/Strategy Game of the Year (1999) Console Action/Adventure Game of the Year (2001–2005) Computer Action/Adventure Game of the Year (2001–2005) Console First-Person Action Game of the Year (2003–2005) Computer First-Person Action Game of the Year (2003–2005) Console Platform Action/Adventure Game of the Year (2003–2005) Action/Adventure Game of the Year (2006–2007) First-Person Action Game of the Year (2006–2007) Action Game of the Year (2008–present)

Winners and nominees 1990s + Table keyIndicates the winner YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)1997/1998 (1st) Console Action Game of the YearGoldenEye 007RareNintendoCrash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes BackNaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentGex: Enter the GeckoCrystal DynamicsMidway GamesResident Evil 2CapcomCapcomTurok: Dinosaur HunterIguana EntertainmentAcclaim Entertainment PC Action Game of the YearQuake IIid SoftwareActivisionCarmageddon Max PackStainless GamesInterplay ProductionsDie By the SwordTreyarchStar Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces IILucasArtsLucasArtsRedneck RampageXatrix EntertainmentInterplay ProductionsWing Commander: ProphecyOrigin SystemsElectronic Arts1998/1999 (2nd) Console Action Game of the YearBanjo-KazooieRareNintendoMetal Gear SolidKonamiKonamiParasite EveSquareSoftSquare Electronic ArtsSpyro the DragonInsomniac GamesSony Computer EntertainmentTenchu: Stealth AssassinsAcquireActivision PC Action Game of the YearHalf-LifeValveSierra On-LineStarsiege: TribesDynamixSierra On-LineTom Clancy's Rainbow SixRed Storm EntertainmentRed Storm EntertainmentUnrealEpic Games, Digital ExtremesGT Interactive Online Action/Strategy Game of the YearStarsiege: TribesDynamixSierra On-LineAir Warrior IIIKesmaiInteractive MagicCyberStrike 2Simutronics989 Studios1999/2000 (3rd) Console Action Game of the YearCrazy TaxiHitmakerSegaArmadaMetro3DMetro3DGauntlet LegendsMidway GamesMidway GamesSuper Smash Bros.HAL LaboratoryNintendoSyphon FilterEidectic989 Studios Computer Action Game of the YearHalf-Life: Opposing ForceGearbox SoftwareSierra On-LineQuake III Arenaid SoftwareActivisionTom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Rogue SpearRed Storm EntertainmentRed Storm EntertainmentUnreal TournamentEpic Games, Digital ExtremesGT Interactive

2000s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2000 (4th) Console Action/Adventure Game of the YearThe Legend of Zelda: Majora's MaskNintendo EADNintendoBanjo-TooieRareNintendoRayman 2: The Great EscapeUbi PicturesUbisoftSpyro: Year of the DragonInsomniac GamesSony Computer EntertainmentVagrant StorySquareSoftSquare Electronic Arts PC Action/Adventure Game of the YearDeus ExIon StormEidos InteractiveCrimson SkiesZipper InteractiveMicrosoft GamesEscape from Monkey IslandLucasArtsLucasArtsStar Trek: Voyager – Elite ForceRaven SoftwareActivisionThe Operative: No One Lives ForeverMonolith ProductionsFox Interactive2001 (5th) Console Action/Adventure Game of the YearHalo: Combat EvolvedBungieMicrosoft Game StudiosConker's Bad Fur DayRareRareGrand Theft Auto IIIDMA DesignRockstar GamesIcoJapan StudioSony Computer EntertainmentJak & Daxter: The Precursor LegacyNaughty Dog PC Action/Adventure Game of the YearReturn to Castle WolfensteinGray Matter StudiosActivisionAliens Versus Predator 2Monolith ProductionsSierra On-LineClive Barker's UndyingEA Los AngelesElectronic ArtsMyst III: ExilePresto StudiosUbisoft2002 (6th) Console Action/Adventure Game of the YearGrand Theft Auto: Vice CityRockstar NorthRockstar GamesHitman 2: Silent AssassinIO InteractiveEidos InteractiveJet Set Radio FutureSmilebitSegaRezUnited Game ArtistsTom Clancy's Splinter CellUbisoft MontrealUbisoft Computer Action/Adventure Game of the YearGrand Theft Auto IIIRockstar NorthRockstar GamesStar Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi OutcastRaven SoftwareLucasArtsSyberiaMicroïdsThe Adventure CompanyThe ThingComputer ArtworksBlack Label Games Console First-Person Action Game of the YearMetroid PrimeRetro StudiosNintendoJames Bond 007: NightfireEurocomElectronic ArtsMedal of Honor: FrontlineEA Los AngelesTimeSplitters 2Free Radical DesignEidos InteractiveTom Clancy's Ghost ReconRed Storm EntertainmentUbisoft Computer First-Person Action Game of the YearMedal of Honor: Allied Assault2015Electronic ArtsAmerica's ArmyUnited States ArmyUnited States ArmyNo One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s WayMonolith ProductionsSierra Entertainment Console Platform Action/Adventure Game of the YearRatchet & ClankInsomniac GamesSony Computer EntertainmentSly Cooper and the Thievius RaccoonusSucker Punch ProductionsSony Computer EntertainmentSuper Mario SunshineNintendo EADNintendo2003 (7th) Console Action/Adventure Game of the YearCrimson Skies: High Road to RevengeFASA StudioMicrosoft Game StudiosManhuntRockstar NorthRockstar GamesMax Payne 2: The Fall of Max PayneRemedy EntertainmentMetal Arms: Glitch in the SystemSwingin' Ape Studios, Mass Media GamesVivendi Universal GamesThe Simpsons: Hit & RunRadical Entertainment Computer Action/Adventure Game of the YearPrince of Persia: The Sands of TimeUbisoft MontrealUbisoftGrand Theft Auto: Vice CityRockstar NorthRockstar GamesMax Payne 2: The Fall of Max PayneRemedy EntertainmentThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingEA Redwood StudiosElectronic ArtsUru: Ages Beyond MystCyan WorldsUbisoft Console First-Person Action Game of the YearTom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven ShieldUbisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Milan, Red Storm EntertainmentUbisoftDeus Ex: Invisible WarIon StormEidos Interactive Computer First-Person Action Game of the YearCall of DutyInfinity WardActivisionBattlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWIIDICEElectronic ArtsTron 2.0Monolith ProductionsBuena Vista Games Console Platform Action/Adventure Game of the YearPrince of Persia: The Sands of TimeUbisoft MontrealUbisoftJak IINaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentRatchet & Clank: Going CommandoInsomniac GamesThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind WakerNintendo EADNintendoViewtiful JoeClover StudioCapcom2004 (8th) Console Action/Adventure Game of the YearGrand Theft Auto: San AndreasRockstar NorthRockstar GamesFull Spectrum WarriorPandemic StudiosTHQMetal Gear Solid 3: Snake EaterKonamiKonamiPikmin 2Nintendo EADNintendoPsi-Ops: The Mindgate ConspiracyMidway GamesMidway GamesTom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow Ubisoft Milan, Ubisoft ShanghaiUbisoft Computer Action/Adventure Game of the YearTom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora TomorrowUbisoft Milan, Ubisoft ShanghaiUbisoftFull Spectrum WarriorPandemic StudiosTHQMyst IV: RevelationUbisoft MontrealUbisoftThe SufferingSurreal SoftwareMidway Games, Encore, Inc. Console First-Person Action Game of the YearHalo 2BungieMicrosoft Game StudiosGoldenEye: Rogue AgentEA Los AngelesElectronic ArtsKillzoneGuerrilla GamesSony Computer EntertainmentMetroid Prime 2: EchoesRetro StudiosNintendoThe Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher BayStarbreeze StudiosVivendi Universal Games Computer First-Person Action Game of the YearHalf-Life 2ValveVivendi Universal GamesDoom 3id SoftwareActivisionJoint Operations: Typhoon RisingNovaLogicNovaLogicMedal of Honor: Pacific AssaultEA Los AngelesElectronic ArtsUnreal Tournament 2004Epic Games, Digital ExtremesAtari Console Platform Action/Adventure Game of the YearPrince of Persia: Warrior WithinUbisoft MontrealUbisoftJak 3Naughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentRatchet & Clank: Up Your ArsenalInsomniac Games2005 (9th) Action/Adventure Game of the YearGod of WarSanta Monica StudioSony Computer EntertainmentPrince of Persia: The Two ThronesUbisoft MontrealUbisoftShadow of the ColossusJapan StudioSony Computer EntertainmentThe Incredible Hulk: Ultimate DestructionRadical EntertainmentVivendi Universal GamesTom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos TheoryUbisoft Montreal, Ubisoft MilanUbisoft First-Person Action Game of the YearBattlefield 2DICEElectronic ArtsBrothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30Gearbox SoftwareUbisoftCall of Duty 2Infinity WardActivisionCondemned: Criminal OriginsMonolith ProductionsSegaF.E.A.R.Vivendi Universal Games2006 (10th) Action/Adventure Game of the YearGears of WarEpic GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosDaxterReady at DawnSony Computer EntertainmentSaints RowVolitionTHQThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight PrincessNintendo EADNintendoTom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double AgentUbisoft Milan, Ubisoft Shanghai, Ubisoft MontrealUbisoft First-Person Action Game of the YearTom Clancy's Rainbow Six: VegasUbisoft MontrealUbisoftBlackCriterion GamesElectronic ArtsHalf-Life 2: Episode OneValveValve, Electronic ArtsPreyHuman Head Studios2K GamesResistance: Fall of ManInsomniac GamesSony Computer Entertainment2007 (11th) Call of Duty 4: Modern WarfareInfinity WardActivisionBioShock2K Boston, 2K Australia2K GamesCrysisCrytekElectronic ArtsHalo 3BungieMicrosoft Game StudiosThe Orange BoxValveValve, Electronic Arts2008 (12th) Dead SpaceEA Redwood ShoresElectronic ArtsCall of Duty: World at WarTreyarchActivisionFar Cry 2Ubisoft MontrealUbisoftGears of War 2Epic GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosGrand Theft Auto IVRockstar NorthRockstar Games2009 (13th) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2Infinity WardActivisionLeft 4 Dead 2ValveValvePrototypeRadical EntertainmentActivisionRed Faction: GuerrillaVolitionTHQShadow ComplexChair EntertainmentMicrosoft Game Studios

2010s