The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award is "presented to the individual or team whose work has furthered the interactive experience through the creation of a memorable character within an interactive title. Outstanding character takes into consideration the marriage of voice acting and performance (motion capture work), character design and execution, and writing". All creative/technical members of the Academy are qualified to vote in this category, regardless of their field of expertise. There were originally separate awards for female and male characters, but eventually merged into one category at the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards in 2008.
The award's most recent winner is for Atsu (portrayed by Erika Ishii, directed by Nate Fox, and written by Ian Ryan) from Ghost of Yōtei, developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
History There used to be separate awards presented for a female character performance and a male character performance. Over the years it would go back and forth between Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance and Outstanding Character Performance, before being simplified to just Outstanding Achievement in Character in 2015. Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance - Female (2004, 2007) Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance - Male (2004, 2007) Outstanding Character Performance - Female (2005–2006) Outstanding Character Performance - Male (2005–2006) Outstanding Character Performance (2008–2009, 2011, 2014) Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance (2010, 2012) Outstanding Character Performance - Male or Female (2013) Outstanding Achievement in Character (2015–present)
Winners and nominees + Table keyIndicates the winner
2000s YearGame, Actor/Actress, RoleDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2003 (7th) Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance - FemaleJada Pinkett Smith as Niobe (Enter the Matrix)Shiny EntertainmentAtariTara Strong as Rikku (Final Fantasy X-2)SquareSoftSquare EnixChristina Milian as Angel (Def Jam Vendetta)AKI Corporation, EA CanadaElectronic ArtsAnna Garduño as Keira (Jak II)Naughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentAnna Edwards as Yasmin (The Getaway)Team Soho Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance - MaleElijah Wood as Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)EA Redwood ShoresElectronic ArtsMethod Man (Def Jam Vendetta)AKI Corporation, EA CanadaElectronic ArtsJames McCaffrey as Max Payne (Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne)Remedy EntertainmentRockstar GamesMichael Ironside as Sam Fisher (Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell)Ubisoft MontrealUbisoftSnoop Dogg (True Crime: Streets of LA)LuxofluxActivision2004 (8th) Outstanding Character Performance - FemaleJudi Dench as M (GoldenEye: Rogue Agent)EA Los AngelesElectronic ArtsVanessa Marshall as Zhai (Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone)Stormfront StudiosAtariLinda Currie (Zoo Tycoon 2)Blue Fang GamesMicrosoft Game Studios Outstanding Character Performance - MaleRobert Guillaume as Dr. Eli Vance (Half-Life 2)ValveVivendi Universal GamesDaniel Riordan as Rannek (Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone)Stormfront StudiosAtariDavid Hayter as Naked Snake (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater)KonamiKonamiCary Elwes as The Bard (The Bard's Tale)inXile EntertainmentinXile EntertainmentVin Diesel as Riddick (The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay)Starbreeze StudiosVivendi Universal Games2005 (9th) Outstanding Character Performance - FemaleJade EmpireBioWareMicrosoft Game StudiosGunNeversoftActivisionNeed for Speed: Most WantedEA Canada, EA Black BoxElectronic ArtsPrince of Persia: The Two ThronesUbisoft Montreal, Ubisoft CasablancaUbisoft Outstanding Character Performance - MaleGod of WarSanta Monica StudioSony Computer EntertainmentGunNeversoftActivisionJade EmpireBioWareMicrosoft Game StudiosOddworld: Stranger's WrathOddworld InhabitantsElectronic ArtsTom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos TheoryUbisoft Montreal, Ubisoft MilanUbisoft2006 (10th) Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance - FemaleLouise Ridgeway as Leafos (Viva Piñata)RareMicrosoft Game StudiosMaine Anders as Christy Martin (Bully)Rockstar VancouverRockstar GamesBrenda Strong as Mary Alice Young (Desperate Housewives: The Game)Liquid EntertainmentBuena Vista GamesTia Carrere as Lin (Saints Row)VolitionTHQLynda Carter (The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion)Bethesda Game StudiosBethesda Softworks, 2K Games Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance - MaleJohn DiMaggio as Marcus Fenix (Gears of War)Epic GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosGerry Rosenthal as Jimmy Hopkins (Bully)Rockstar VancouverRockstar GamesMax Casella as Daxter (Daxter)Ready at DawnSony Computer EntertainmentLego Han Solo (Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy)Traveller's TalesLucasArtsMichael Ironside as Sam Fisher (Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent)Ubisoft ShanghaiUbisoft2007 (11th) PortalValveValve, Electronic ArtsBioShock2K Boston, 2K Australia2K GamesHeavenly SwordNinja TheorySony Computer EntertainmentMass EffectBioWareMicrosoft Game StudiosUncharted: Drake's FortuneNaughty DogSony Computer Entertainment2008 (12th) Sackboy (LittleBigPlanet)Media MoleculeSony Computer EntertainmentDom Santiago (Gears of War 2)Epic GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosMarcus Fenix (Gears of War 2)Old Snake (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots)Kojima ProductionsKonamiLara Croft (Tomb Raider: Underworld)Crystal DynamicsEidos Interactive2009 (13th) Mark Hamill as The Joker (Batman: Arkham Asylum)Rocksteady StudiosWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentJack Black as Eddie Riggs (Brütal Legend)Double Fine ProductionsElectronic ArtsKaren Dyer as Sheva Alomar (Resident Evil 5)CapcomCapcomClaudia Black as Chloe Frazer (Uncharted 2: Among Thieves)Naughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentNolan North as Nathan Drake (Uncharted 2: Among Thieves)
2010s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2010 (14th) Rob Wiethoff as John Marston (Red Dead Redemption)Rockstar San DiegoRockstar GamesAndy Serkis as Monkey (Enslaved: Odyssey to the West)Ninja TheoryNamco Bandai GamesTerrence C. Carson as Kratos (God of War III)Santa Monica StudioSony Computer EntertainmentMark Meer as Male Commander Shepard (Mass Effect 2)BioWareElectronic ArtsNeil Kaplan as Tychus Findlay (StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty)Blizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment2011 (15th) Wheatley (Portal 2)ValveValveAdam Jensen (Deus Ex: Human Revolution)Eidos-MontréalSquare Enix EuropeCole Phelps (L.A. Noire)Team BondiRockstar GamesNathan Drake (Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception)Naughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentVictor Sullivan (Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception)2012 (16th) Lee Everett (The Walking Dead)Telltale GamesTelltale GamesTiny Tina (Borderlands 2)Gearbox Software2K GamesVaas Montenegro (Far Cry 3)Ubisoft MontrealUbisoftCortana (Halo 4)343 IndustriesMicrosoft StudiosFemale Commander Shepard (Mass Effect 3)BioWareElectronic Arts2013 (17th) Ellie (The Last of Us)Naughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentTrevor Philips (Grand Theft Auto V)Rockstar NorthRockstar GamesMarius Titus (Ryse: Son of Rome)Paradox Development StudiosParadox InteractiveJoel (The Last of Us)Naughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentNarrator (The Stanley Parable)Galactic CaféGalactic Café2014 (18th) Talion (Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor)Monolith ProductionsWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentJonathan Irons (Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare)Sledgehammer GamesActivisionPagan Min (Far Cry 4)Ubisoft MontrealUbisoftAbigail "Fetch" Walker (Infamous First Light)Sucker Punch ProductionsSony Computer EntertainmentDeslin Rowe (Infamous Second Son)2015 (19th) Lara Croft (Rise of the Tomb Raider)Crystal DynamicsSquare Enix EuropeEvie Frye (Assassin's Creed Syndicate)Ubisoft QuebecUbisoftHannah Smith (Her Story)Sam BarlowSam BarlowMax Caulfield (Life Is Strange)Don't NodSquare Enix EuropeGeralt of Rivia (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt)CD Projekt RedCD Projekt2016 (20th) Trico (The Last Guardian)Japan Studio, GenDesignSony Interactive EntertainmentNick Reyes (Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare)Infinity WardActivisionDelilah (Firewatch)Campo SantoCampo SantoHenry (Firewatch)Nathan Drake (Uncharted 4: A Thief's End)Naughty DogSony Interactive Entertainment2017 (21st) Senua (Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice)Ninja TheoryNinja TheoryBayek (Assassin's Creed Origins)Ubisoft MontrealUbisoftAloy (Horizon Zero Dawn)Guerrilla GamesSony Interactive EntertainmentIden Versio (Star Wars Battlefront II)DICE, Motive Studios, Criterion GamesElectronic ArtsChloe Frazer (Uncharted: The Lost Legacy)Naughty DogSony Interactive Entertainment2018 (22nd) Kratos (God of War)Santa Monica StudioSony Interactive EntertainmentKassandra (Assassin's Creed Odyssey)Ubisoft QuebecUbisoftAtreus (God of War)Santa Monica StudioSony Interactive EntertainmentPeter Parker/Spider-Man (Marvel's Spider-Man)Insomniac GamesArthur Morgan (Red Dead Redemption 2)Rockstar GamesRockstar Games2019 (23rd) The Goose (Untitled Goose Game)House HousePanic Inc.Jesse Faden (Control)Remedy Entertainment505 GamesCliff Unger (Death Stranding)Kojima ProductionsSony Interactive EntertainmentSam Porter Bridges (Death Stranding)Greez (Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order)Respawn EntertainmentElectronic Arts
2020s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2020 (24th) Miles Morales (Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales)Insomniac GamesSony Interactive EntertainmentEivor Varinsdottir (Assassin's Creed Valhalla)Ubisoft MontrealUbisoftZagreus (Hades)Supergiant GamesSupergiant GamesAbby (The Last of Us Part II)Naughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentEllie (The Last of Us Part II)2021 (25th) Lady Dimitrescu (Resident Evil Village)CapcomCapcomColt Vahn (Deathloop)Arkane StudiosBethesda SoftworksKena (Kena: Bridge of Spirits)Ember LabEmber LabAlex Chen (Life Is Strange: True Colors)Deck NineSquare Enix EuropeRivet (Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart)Insomniac GamesSony Interactive Entertainment2022 (26th) Kratos (God of War Ragnarök)Santa Monica StudioSony Interactive EntertainmentAlejandro Vargas (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II)Infinity WardActivisionAtreus (God of War Ragnarök)Santa Monica StudioSony Interactive EntertainmentAloy (Horizon Forbidden West)Guerrilla GamesGuybrush Threepwood (Return to Monkey Island)Terrible ToyboxDevolver Digital2023 (27th) Miles Morales (Marvel's Spider-Man 2)Insomniac GamesSony Interactive Entertainment Saga Anderson (Alan Wake 2) Remedy Entertainment Epic Games Astarion (Baldur's Gate 3) Larian Studios Larian Studios Karlach (Baldur's Gate 3) Jala (Thirsty Suitors) Outerloop Games Annapurna Interactive2024 (28th) Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle)MachineGamesBethesda Softworks Watcher (1000xResist)Sunset VisitorFellow Traveller GamesYuffie Kisaragi (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth)Square EnixSquare EnixIndika (Indika)Odd-Meter11 Bit StudiosSenua (Senua's Saga: Hellblade II)Ninja TheoryXbox Game Studios2025 (29th) Atsu (Ghost of Yōtei)Sucker Punch ProductionsSony Interactive EntertainmentEsquie (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) Sandfall Interactive Kepler InteractiveMaelle (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) Courtney/Invisigal (Dispatch) AdHoc Studio AdHoc StudioRobert Robertson III/Mecha Man (Dispatch)
Multiple nominations and wins Developers and publishers