The D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure 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 in which "players are challenged with real-time action activities where timing, skill, and accuracy are necessary to succeed. Puzzle-solving, resource management and exploration often drive the quest oriented narrative rather than primarily combat mechanics". 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 Final Fantasy VII for console and Blade Runner for computer. There have been numerous mergers and additions of adventure-related games throughout the early years of the awards ceremony. The current version was officially introduced at the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards in 2008, which was awarded to Super Mario Galaxy.
The award's most recent winner is Ghost of Yōtei, developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
History
Initially the Interactive Achievement Awards had separate awards for Console Adventure Game of the Year and Computer Adventure Game of the Year. The adventure category was merged with the Role-Playing category at the 2000 awards; this was probably because the previous console adventure game winners also won the award for console role-playing, which were Final Fantasy VII in 1998 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in 1999. 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. 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 only Action/Adventure Game of the Year award, which also included platform games going forward. This would ultimately be separated into Action Game of the Year and Adventure Game of the Year in 2008. Console Adventure Game of the Year (1998—1999) Computer Adventure Game of the Year (1998—1999) Console Adventure/Role-Playing Game of the Year (2000) Computer Adventure/Role-Playing Game of the Year (2000) Console Action/Adventure Game of the Year (2001—2005) Computer Action/Adventure Game of the Year (2001—2005) Console Platform Action/Adventure Game of the Year (2003—2005) Action/Adventure Game of the Year (2006—2007) Adventure Game of the Year (2008—present)
Winners and nominees 1990s + Table keyIndicates the winner YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)1997/1998 (1st) Console Adventure Game of the YearFinal Fantasy VIISquareSoftSony Computer EntertainmentCastlevania: Symphony of the NightKonamiKonamiOddworld: Abe's OddyseeOddworld InhabitantsGT InteractiveResident Evil 2CapcomCapcomRiven: The Sequel to MystCyan WorldsAcclaim Entertainment PC Adventure Game of the YearBlade RunnerWestwood StudiosVirgin InteractiveThe Curse of Monkey IslandLucasArtsLucasArtsRealms of the HauntingGremlin InteractiveInterplay ProductionsRiven: The Sequel to MystCyan WorldsRed Orb EntertainmentTex Murphy: OverseerAccess SoftwareAccess SoftwareThe Journeyman Project 3: Legacy of TimePresto StudiosRed Orb Entertainment1998/1999 (2nd) Console Adventure Game of the YearThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeNintendo EADNintendoBanjo-KazooieRareNintendoMediEvilCambridge StudioSony Computer EntertainmentOddworld: Abe's ExoddusOddworld InhabitantsGT Interactive PC Adventure Game of the YearGrim FandangoLucasArtsLucasArtsDark Side of the Moon: A Sci-Fi AdventureSouthPeak InteractiveSouthPeak InteractiveKing's Quest: Mask of EternitySierra On-LineSierra On-LineSanitariumDreamForge IntertainmentASC GamesStarship TitanicThe Digital VillageSimon & Schuster InteractiveThe X-Files GameHyperBole StudiosFox Interactive1999/2000 (3rd) Console Adventure/Role Playing Game of the YearFinal Fantasy VIIISquareSoftSquare Electronic ArtsLegacy of Kain: Soul ReaverCrystal DynamicsEidos InteractiveLegend of LegaiaContrailSony Computer Entertainment Computer Adventure/Role Playing Game of the YearAsheron's CallTurbineMicrosoftGabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the DamnedSierra On-LineSierra On-LineOutcastAppealInfogramesPlanescape: TormentBlack Isle StudiosInterplay EntertainmentUltima IX: AscensionOrigin SystemsElectronic Arts
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 Year Grand 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 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 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 Shanghai, Ubisoft AnnecyUbisoft Computer Action/Adventure Game of the YearTom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora TomorrowUbisoft Milan, Ubisoft Shanghai, Ubisoft AnnecyUbisoftFull Spectrum WarriorPandemic StudiosTHQMyst IV: RevelationUbisoft MontrealUbisoftThe SufferingSurreal SoftwareMidway Games, Encore, Inc. Console Platform Action/Adventure Game of the YearPrince of Persia: Warrior WithinUbisoft MontrealUbisoftJak 3Naughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentRatchet & Clank: Up Your ArsenalInsomniac Games2005 (9th) God 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 MilanUbisoft2006 (10th) Gears 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 MontrealUbisoft2007 (11th) Super Mario GalaxyNintendo EADNintendoAssassin's CreedUbisoft MontrealUbisoftGod of War IISanta Monica StudioSony Computer EntertainmentRatchet & Clank Future: Tools of DestructionInsomniac GamesUncharted: Drake's FortuneNaughty Dog2008 (12th) Mirror's EdgeDICEElectronic ArtsCastlevania: Order of EcclesiaKonamiKonamiGod of War: Chains of OlympusReady at DawnSony Computer EntertainmentNaruto: The Broken BondUbisoft MontrealUbisoftPrince of Persia2009 (13th) Uncharted 2: Among ThievesNaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentAssassin's Creed IIUbisoft MontrealUbisoftBatman: Arkham AsylumRocksteady StudiosWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentNew Super Mario Bros. WiiNintendo EADNintendoRatchet & Clank Future: A Crack in TimeInsomniac GamesSony Computer Entertainment
2010s