Game Audio Network Guild Announces New Categories for 13th Annual G.A.N.G. Awards and Opens 2014 Nominations.
The Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) today announced that it has opened the nomination process and is expanding the category lineup for the 13th Annual G.A.N.G. Awards. The new awards will recognize game music covers and remixes and provides for expanded recognition for smaller scale and independent games. Nominations We’re due by Jan 8th.
“The game industry has undergone significant changes over the past few years. Not only is there a lot of great music and sound design in games from smaller developers, but a lot of great innovation as well,” said G.A.N.G. President, Brian Schmidt. “We believe it is time to better recognize outstanding audio achievements in the indie scene, as well as the casual and social game markets. “Furthermore,” continued Schmidt, “a great fan culture has emerged, with some truly exceptional renditions of game music in albums, on iTunes, on YouTube and elsewhere on the web, sometimes even blurring the line between game music creator and game music consumer.”
As part of the award restructuring, the existing “Best Audio for a Casual/Social/Indie Game” will be split to separate “Indie” games from smaller scale games but which are funded and marketed by major publishers. Music and Sound Design will also now be recognized separately for casual or social games. In addition, the existing category “Best use of Licensed Music” will be retired.
The new categories include:
- Best Game Music Cover/Remix
- Best Audio for an Indie Game
- Best Music for a Casual/Social Game
- Best Sound Design for a Casual Social Game
Over 2,500 people representing over 30 countries have signed up as members of G.A.N.G. since its inception in 2002. “It’s hard to believe how far game audio has come in the dozen years since the organization was started,” said Tommy Tallarico, G.A.N.G. Founder, CEO and Chairman. “The game audio community continues to create new frontiers in video game music and sound design. 2014 is going to once again be a great year for everyone as game audio continues to surpass expectations. We look forward to all the entries in the new categories.”
All entries must have been first published in calendar year 2014 in order to be eligible for the 2014 Game Audio Network Guild Awards.
Nominations will be open through Thursday, January 8, 2015.
The winners will be announced at the 13th Annual G.A.N.G. Awards ceremony being held on Thursday, March 5th, 2015 in San Francisco, CA during the Game Developers Conference.