D.I.C.E. Award for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year

The D.I.C.E. Award for Strategy/Simulation 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 games "in which user directs or manipulates resources to create a set of conditions that result in success as determined within the confines of the game. These games can offer the user the chance to simulate or to virtually reproduce an experience, real or imaginary, which would require some form of equipment. Strategy games emphasize the planning of tactics rather than the execution". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category. Originally, there were separate awards for strategy games and simulation games, which simulate aspects of the real world.

The award's most recent winner is The Alters, developed and published by 11 Bit Studios.

History Initially the Interactive Achievement Awards had separate awards for Computer Strategy Game of the Year and Computer Simulation Game of the Year. The categories would then be merged into Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year in 2008. Computer Strategy Game of the Year (1998—2004) Computer Simulation Game of the Year (1998—2004) Strategy Game of the Year (2005—2007) Simulation Game of the Year (2005—2007) Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year (2008—present)

There was a tie between Age of Empires and StarCraft for Computer Strategy Game of the Year at the 1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.

Winners and nominees 1990s + Table keyIndicates the winner YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)1997/1998 (1st) Computer Strategy Game of the YearAge of EmpiresEnsemble StudiosMicrosoftStarCraftBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentCommand & Conquer GoldWestwood StudiosVirgin InteractiveSid Meier's Gettysburg!Firaxis GamesElectronic ArtsTotal AnnihilationCavedog EntertainmentInfogramesWarlords III: Reign of HeroesStrategic Studies GroupRed Orb Entertainment Computer Simulation Game of the YearMicrosoft Flight Simulator 98Microsoft Simulation GroupMicrosoftF-22: Air Dominance FighterDigital Image DesignOcean SoftwareJane's F-15EA BaltimoreElectronic ArtsJane's Longbow 2Origin SystemsStar Trek: Starfleet AcademyHigh Voltage SoftwareInterplay Productions1998/1999 (2nd) Computer Strategy Game of the YearSid Meier's Alpha CentauriFiraxis GamesElectronic ArtsCaesar IIIImpressions GamesSierra On-LineClose Combat III: The Russian FrontAtomic GamesMicrosoftMechCommanderFASA InteractiveMicroProseSimCity 3000MaxisElectronic Arts Computer Simulation Game of the YearNeed for Speed III: Hot PursuitEA Canada, EA SeattleElectronic ArtsF-22 Total Air WarDigital Image DesignInfogramesDescent: FreeSpace — The Great WarVolitionInterplay ProductionsIndependence WarParticle SystemsInfogramesJane's WWII FightersElectronic ArtsElectronic Arts1999/2000 (3rd) Computer Strategy Game of the YearAge of Empires II: The Age of KingsEnsemble StudiosMicrosoftCommand & Conquer: Tiberian SunWestwood StudiosElectronic ArtsHeroes of Might and Magic IIINew World ComputingThe 3DO CompanyHomeworldRelic EntertainmentSierra On-LineRollerCoaster TycoonChris Sawyer ProductionsHasbro Interactive Computer Simulation Game of the YearMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2000Microsoft Simulation GroupMicrosoftFreeSpace 2VolitionInterplay ProductionsJane's F/A-18EA BaltimoreElectronic ArtsMiG AlleyRowan SoftwareEmpire InteractiveStar Wars: X-Wing AllianceTotally GamesLucasArts

2000s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2000 (4th) PC Strategy Game of the YearAge of Empires II: The ConquerorsEnsemble StudiosMicrosoft GamesCommand & Conquer: Red Alert 2Westwood PacificElectronic ArtsSacrificeShiny EntertainmentInterplay EntertainmentZeus: Master of OlympusImpressions GamesSierra On-Line PC Simulation Game of the YearMechWarrior 4: VengeanceFASA InteractiveMicrosoft GamesEnemy Engaged: RAH-66 Comanche vs. KA-52 HokumRazorworksEmpire InteractiveLinks 2001Access SoftwareMicrosoft GamesNeed for Speed: Porsche UnleashedEden Studios, EA CanadaElectronic ArtsRollerCoaster Tycoon: Loopy LandscapesMicroProseHasbro Interactive2001 (5th) PC Strategy Game of the YearSid Meier's Civilization IIIFiraxis GamesInfogramesBattle RealmsLiquid Entertainment, Crave EntertainmentUbisoftBlack & WhiteLionhead StudiosElectronic ArtsKohan: Immortal SovereignsTimeGate StudiosStrategy First PC Simulation Game of the YearMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2002Microsoft Simulation GroupMicrosoft Game StudiosIL-2 Sturmovik1C: Maddox GamesUbisoftMicrosoft Train SimulatorKuju EntertainmentMicrosoft Game Studios2002 (6th) Computer Strategy Game of the Year Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentAge of MythologyEnsemble StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosMedieval: Total WarCreative AssemblyActivision Computer Simulation Game of the YearThe Sims: UnleashedMaxisElectronic ArtsCombat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for EuropeAces Game StudioMicrosoft Game StudiosMechWarrior 4: MercenariesFASA StudioThe Aurora Neverwinter ToolsetBioWareInfogrames2003 (7th) Computer Strategy Game of the YearCommand & Conquer: GeneralsEA PacificElectronic ArtsEmpires: Dawn of the Modern WorldStainless Steel StudiosActivisionHomeworld 2Relic EntertainmentSierra EntertainmentPraetoriansPyro StudiosEidos InteractiveRise of NationsBig Huge GamesMicrosoft Game Studios Computer Simulation Game of the YearThe Sims: SuperstarMaxisElectronic ArtsMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of FlightAces Game StudioMicrosoft Game StudiosIL-2 Sturmovik: Forgotten Battles1C: Maddox GamesUbisoftTrainz Railroad Simulator 2004AuranOteeva2004 (8th) Strategy Game of the YearRome: Total WarCreative AssemblyActivisionThe Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earthEA Los AngelesElectronic ArtsWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of WarRelic EntertainmentTHQ Simulation Game of the YearThe Sims 2MaxisElectronic ArtsPacific Fighters1C: Maddox GamesUbisoftRollerCoaster Tycoon 3Frontier DevelopmentsInfogrames2005 (9th) Strategy Game of the YearCivilization IVFiraxis Games2K GamesAge of Empires IIIEnsemble StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosEmpire Earth IIMad Doc SoftwareVivendi Universal Games Simulation Game of the YearThe MoviesLionhead StudiosActivisionAnimal Crossing: Wild WorldNintendo EADNintendoSilent Hunter IIIUbisoft BucharestUbisoft2006 (10th) Strategy Game of the YearCompany of HeroesRelic EntertainmentTHQMedieval II: Total WarCreative AssemblySegaRise of Nations: Rise of LegendsBig Huge GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosStar Wars: Empire at WarPetroglyph GamesLucasArtsThe Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-kingEA Los AngelesElectronic Arts Simulation Game of the YearMicrosoft Flight Simulator XAces Game StudioMicrosoft Game StudiosSid Meier's Railroads!Firaxis Games2K GamesTourist TrophyPolyphony DigitalSony Computer Entertainment2007 (11th) Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium WarsEA Los AngelesElectronic ArtsAce Combat 6: Fires of LiberationProject AcesNamco Bandai GamesCompany of Heroes: Opposing FrontsRelic EntertainmentTHQSupreme CommanderGas Powered GamesWorld in ConflictMassive EntertainmentVivendi Games2008 (12th) Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3EA Los AngelesElectronic ArtsAdvance Wars: Days of RuinIntelligent SystemsNintendoCivilization RevolutionFiraxis Games2K GamesSins of a Solar EmpireIronclad GamesStardockTom Clancy's EndWarUbisoft ShanghaiUbisoft2009 (13th) Brütal LegendDouble Fine ProductionsElectronic ArtsFire Emblem: Shadow DragonIntelligent SystemsNintendoHalo WarsEnsemble StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosThe Sims 3MaxisElectronic ArtsWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IIRelic EntertainmentTHQ

2010s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2010 (14th) StarCraft II: Wings of LibertyBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentCivilization VFiraxis Games2K GamesSupreme Commander 2Gas Powered GamesSquare EnixToy SoldiersSignal StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Chaos RisingRelic EntertainmentTHQ2011 (15th) Orcs Must Die!Robot EntertainmentMicrosoft StudiosIron BrigadeDouble Fine ProductionsMicrosoft StudiosTotal War: Shogun 2Creative AssemblySegaToy Soldiers: Cold WarSignal StudiosMicrosoft StudiosWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - RetributionRelic EntertainmentTHQ2012 (16th) XCOM: Enemy UnknownFiraxis Games2K GamesFTL: Faster Than LightSubset GamesSubset GamesMinecraft: 360 EditionMojang Studios, 4J StudiosMicrosoft StudiosOrcs Must Die! 2Robot EntertainmentTotal War: Shogun 2: Fall of the SamuraiCreative AssemblySega2013 (17th) XCOM: Enemy WithinFiraxis Games2K GamesCivilization V: Brave New WorldFiraxis Games2K GamesEuropa Universalis IVParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveFire Emblem AwakeningIntelligent SystemsNintendoStarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment2014 (18th) Hearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentBoom BeachSupercellSupercellCivilization: Beyond EarthFiraxis Games2K GamesDungeon of the EndlessAmplitude StudiosAmplitude StudiosEndless LegendIceberg Interactive2015 (19th) Heroes of the StormBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentCities: SkylinesColossal OrderParadox InteractiveFallout ShelterBethesda Game Studios, Behaviour InteractiveBethesda SoftworksGrey GooPetroglyph GamesGrey BoxKerbal Space ProgramSquadSquad2016 (20th) Civilization VIFiraxis Games2K GamesThe Banner Saga 2StoicVersus EvilDeus Ex GoSquare Enix MontrealSquare Enix EuropeFire Emblem FatesIntelligent SystemsNintendoXCOM 2Firaxis Games2K Games2017 (21st) Mario + Rabbids Kingdom BattleUbisoft Milan, Ubisoft ParisUbisoftEndless Space 2Amplitude StudiosSegaHalo Wars 2Creative AssemblyMicrosoft StudiosTotal War: Warhammer IISegaXCOM 2: War of the ChosenFiraxis Games2K Games2018 (22nd) Into the BreachSubset GamesSubset GamesBad NorthPlausible ConceptRaw FuryFrostpunk11 Bit Studios11 Bit StudiosNorthgardShiro GamesShiro GamesRimWorldLudeon StudiosLudeon Studios2019 (23rd) Fire Emblem: Three HousesIntelligent SystemsNintendoAnno 1800Ubisoft MainzUbisoftOxygen Not IncludedKlei EntertainmentKlei EntertainmentSlay the SpireMegaCritHumble BundleTotal War: Three KingdomsCreative AssemblySega

2020s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2020 (24th) Microsoft Flight SimulatorAsobo StudiosXbox Game StudiosCrusader Kings IIIParadox Development StudioParadox InteractiveDesperados IIIMimimi GamesTHQ NordicMonster TrainShiny ShoeGood Shepherd EntertainmentPer AsperaTiön IndustriesRaw Fury2021 (25th) Age of Empires IVRelic Entertainment, World's EdgeXbox Game StudiosGloomhavenFlaming Fowl StudiosAsmodee DigitalGriftlandsKlei EntertainmentKlei EntertainmentInscryptionDaniel Mullins GamesDevolver DigitalLoop HeroFour Quarters2022 (26th) Dwarf FortressBay 12 GamesKitfox GamesIxionBulwark StudiosKasedo GamesMarvel's Midnight SunsFiraxis Games2K GamesPotion Craft: Alchemist Simulatorniceplay GamestinyBuildWarhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - DaemonhuntersComplex GamesFrontier Foundry2023 (27th) Dune: Spice WarsShiro GamesFuncom, Shiro GamesAgainst the StormEremite GamesHooded HorseCobalt CoreRocket Rat GamesBrace Yourself GamesThe Last SpellIshtar GamesThe Arcade CrewWartalesShiro GamesShiro Games2024 (28th) BalatroLocalThunkPlayStackCaves of QudFreehold GamesKitfox GamesFrostpunk 211 Bit Studios11 Bit StudiosSatisfactoryCoffee Stain StudiosCoffee Stain StudiosTactical Breach WizardsSuspicious DevelopmentsSuspicious Developments2025 (29th) The Alters11 Bit Studios11 Bit StudiosDrop Duchy Sleepy Mill Studio The Arcade CrewEuropa Universalis VParadox TintoParadox InteractiveThe King is Watching Hypnohead tinyBuildStarVaders Pengonauts Joystick Ventures

Multiple nominations and wins Developers and publishers Firaxis Games, as a developer, has received the most nominations and has won the most awards; Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios, as a publisher, has received the most nominations and has won the most awards. There are numerous developers with consecutive wins in this category: