Awards Submission Info

Awards Submissions Information - 22nd Annual G.A.N.G. Awards
SUBMISSIONS Open From September 16th 2023 - October 23rd, 2023, 11:59pm PT

PLEASE READ THE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY FOR EACH ENTRY BEING NOMINATED.

INCORRECT OR INCOMPLETE ENTRIES MAY BE DISCARDED.

Award category submission requirements can be found below.

The 22nd Annual G.A.N.G. Awards Show will be held Thursday, March 21 at 7:30pm at GDC

Submission Form

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Submission Information

Submission Fees:
Members of G.A.N.G. may make up to 5 submissions at no charge. Additional submissions are $25 USD.
Non-members may make submissions for a $75 USD fee.

ReelCrafter links are the preferred format for submission links. For a free ReelCrafter account, visit https://www.reelcrafter.com/gang-awards

For every game please have the following information ready before you begin entering your submission:

  • Submitter’s Name
  • Submitter’s email address
  • Submitter’s role (composer, marketing rep, etc)
  • Released Game Title (or equivalent)
  • Developer/Studio Name
  • Publisher Name
  • Original Release Date (must be between January 1, 2023 and September 30, 2023)
  • Submission Link – ReelCrafter link to video highlighting audio from the game.
  • Credited Individual(s) – If applicable
  • Comments – any information you would like to make with your submission (1000 char max)

The information above must be included in your submission for eligibility and consideration.

If you are nominated we will need additional information and content in preparation for the awards.

NOMINEE INFORMATION

  • Studio/Publisher Marketing Contact (Name, email, phone)
  • Contact Person for Game KeyCode: if your submission category requires complimentary game keys or products for review
  • Official Game Trailer: downloadable link
  • Nominee Video Clip: this video will be played during the nominated category at the awards. Please submit a high resolution, downloadable (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) video that you want played during the awards if your submission is nominated. Do NOT include any on-screen overlay text in the video
  • Information for “Overlay text”: Overlay text (typically publisher, developer)
We will use a few seconds of the Nominee Video Clip to create the “and the nominees are” video that shows just before the winner is announced, and also the “walk up” video, which will play if you win in that category.

If one title is a nominee in more than one category, you may either use the same clip for them all, or create custom clips for each. However, we do ask that you fill out the “Nominee Information” form, for every category in which you are nominated.

The nominee video clip format is 1080p, 30fps mp4, with a high quality bit-rate (> 10000kbps)

 

Submission Requirements

Each category has its own requirements. Please read them carefully. Thank you for your participation in the 20th Annual Game Audio Network Guild Awards. All members in good standing are eligible to submit titles for consideration. 

Eligibility
Submissions are required to have a release date between Jan 1, 2023 & Sep 30, 2023 to qualify for eligibility. If a game was released in a prior year, but has a highly significant content update (e.g. an expansion or DLC) and you wish to submit, enter a detailed description of the new content in the “Comments on Submission” Section.

Note: if a game is in “Early Access” or “Game Preview” it has NOT been officially released and therefore is NOT yet eligible for consideration.

Video Submissions:
Video entry links must be submitted as ReelCrafter links. If you are submitting a video, they should be relevant to the category you are submitting for. Videos should show unaltered, live gameplay footage. You can get a free ReelCrafter account here.

What is the purpose of the Video Link?
Video links are provided to allow judges and members to view games they may not be as familiar with so they can get a better idea of how gameplay audio sounds in context of the overall game or so you can draw specific attention to one or more areas of the game.

With the exception of the award for Best Game Trailer Audio category, game trailers or other marketing videos will NOT be accepted, since they don’t reflect audio in the context of the game itself. If a submission has such a video, the video will be removed from the submission – submitters will not be contact if their submission violates submission guidelines and is removed. Titles removed for violating submission guidelines will not be stripped of eligibility and can be considered for all categories.

Note: There must be a sufficient number of entries in a particular category for an award to be made for that category. 
The Game Audio Network Guild reserves the right to take whatever measures it deems necessary to protect the integrity of the G.A.N.G. Awards, including block voting, vote trading or any other items which may compromise the voting process

If you resubmit  a title for consideration, please label the resubmission clear as such in the title or description of the new submission.

For example, if you are submitting a video for “Technical and Creative Achievement in Music,” the submission video must showcase footage captured in-game. We would not accept videos for “Best Interactive Score” if you show us footage that has edits of different scenes of gameplay with your linear score layered on top. Note that you *may* overlay text or narration describing what to listen for, but the underlying video and audio should be of captured game footage.

Indie Games Category Submissions:
For the purposes of the Game Audio Network Guild Awards, “Indie Games” are works that receive the bulk of their funding via their own resources, developers, private investors, crowdsourcing, grants, internal studio funding, or association with a university, school, or nonprofit institution. Submissions may be published or unpublished, but their development may not be largely funded by a publisher.

Taken largely by from Indiecade submission eligibility.

Awards Categories

VOTING GUIDELINES

Audio of the year is intended to award the year’s best overall game audio experience. All audio elements, including sound design, music, voice performance, plus their integration, mix, and context within the game are to be considered. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, all gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented. This category transcends game genre, aesthetic style, production budget, and platform.

Audio of the Year is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Audio of the Year is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, illustrating all elements of the audio (music, sound design, VO) within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts and aspects of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage. Please do NOT include music soundtrack links with your submission.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Music of the Year is intended to award the year’s best overall game music experience. All aspects of the music are to be considered, including composition, arrangement, mix, adaptive scoring, integration, music supervision, musical direction, and context within the game. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, all gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented. Voters should NOT base their decision on the soundtrack or listening to the music outside the context of the game. This category transcends game genre, aesthetic style, production budget, and platform.

Music of the Year is awarded to the game title as a whole as well as the individual musical creatives.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Music of the Year is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, featuring the music within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts and aspects of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage (unless there is no music during gameplay). Please do NOT include music soundtrack links with your submission.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Sound Design of the Year is intended to award the year’s best overall game sound design experience. All elements of the sound design are to be considered, including ambience, physical sounds, abstract sounds, foley recording, procedural, etc. plus their integration, mix, and context within the game. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, all gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented. This category transcends game genre, aesthetic style, production budget, and platform.

Sound Design of the Year is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Sound Design of the Year is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, featuring the sound design within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Dialogue of the Year is intended to award the year’s best overall experience of dialogue in games. The award takes all aspects of dialogue into consideration, including written script, individual performance, ensemble performance, direction, casting, recording, integration, and in-game dialogue systems. If there is dialogue in both cinematics and during user controlled gameplay, both should be considered. Context and effectiveness within the game experience is an important criteria.

Dialogue of the Year is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Dialogue of the Year is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, featuring the game’s voice and dialogue within the context of the game. If cinematic content is used, at least half of the video must include gameplay that features dialogue (unless there is no dialogue during gameplay.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best Audio for an Indie Game is intended to award the year’s best overall game audio experience in a game produced by an indepedent game studio. All audio elements, including sound design, music, voice performance, plus their integration, mix, and context within the game are to be considered. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, all gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented.

Best Audio for an Indie Game is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Audio for an Indie Game is one game capture video, no more than 5 minutes in length, illustrating all elements of the audio (music, sound design, VO) within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts and aspects of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage. Please do NOT include music soundtrack links with your submission.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best Music for an Indie Game is intended to award the year’s best overall game music experience in a game produced by an indepedent game studio. All aspects of the music are to be considered, including composition, arrangement, mix, adaptive scoring, integration, music supervision, musical direction, and context within the game. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, all gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented. Voters should NOT base their decision on the soundtrack or listening to the music outside the context of the game.

Best Music for an Indie Game is awarded to the game title as a whole as well as the individual musical creatives.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Music for an Indie Game is one game capture video, no more than 5 minutes in length, featuring the music within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts and aspects of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage (unless there is no music during gameplay). Please do NOT include music soundtrack links with your submission.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best Sound Design for an Indie Game is intended to award the year’s best overall game sound design experience for a game produced by an independent game studio. All elements of the sound design are to be considered, including ambience, physical sounds, abstract sounds, foley recording, procedural, etc. plus their integration, mix, and context within the game. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, all gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented.

Best Sound Design for an Indie Game is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Sound Design for an Indie Game is one game capture video, no more than 5 minutes in length, featuring the sound design within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage.

VOTING GUIDELINES

This category is intended to award the year’s best overall experience of spoken performance or dialogue in a game produced by an independent game studio. The award takes all aspects of dialogue into consideration, including written script, individual performance, ensemble performance, direction, casting, recording, integration, and in-game dialogue systems. If there is dialogue in both cinematics and during user controlled gameplay, both should be considered. Context and effectiveness within the game experience is an important criteria.

Best Dialogue for an Indie Game is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Dialogue for an Indie Game is one game capture video, no more than 5 minutes in length, featuring the game’s voice and dialogue within the context of the game. If cinematic content is used, at least half of the video must include gameplay that features dialogue (unless there is no dialogue during gameplay.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best Audio for a Casual or Social Game is intended to award the year’s best overall game audio experience in a casual or social game. All audio elements, including sound design, music, voice performance, plus their integration, mix, and context within the game are to be considered. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, all gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented. Casual or social game categories are only for game titles that embody all or a combination of simpler rules, shorter sessions, less learned skill than long-form games, and/or require social interaction between players as a core game experience. This category transcends game genre, aesthetic style, production budget, and platform.

Best Audio for a Casual of Social Game is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Audio for a Casual or Social Game is one game capture video, no more than 5 minutes in length, illustrating all elements of the audio (music, sound design, VO) within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts and aspects of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage. Please do NOT include music soundtrack links with your submission.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Creative and Technical Achievement in Music is intended to award game music that pushes the creative and technical boundaries of what’s previously been done in this area. It considers both technical achievement AND its creative application within a game. This includes games that make innovative use of existing or third party technologies, as well as those introducing entirely new technologies. Areas of innovation can include, but are not limited to, adaptive/interactive scoring, surround/3D music, custom playlist curation, generative/algorithmic composition, etc. The creative combining of technologies is to be considered as well. Creative and Technical Achievement in Music is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Creative and Technical Achievement in Music includes a game capture video, no more than 5 minutes in length, that clearly demonstrates the adaptive music systems within the context of the game. Annotating the video with high level descriptions of the techniques and methods used is encouraged. A brief write up (300 words max) describing the innovation, technology, and integration is required; this description should be in the text/comments section of the uploaded video.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best Main Theme is intended to award the year’s best thematic composition originating from a video game. Voters should be mindful to judge based on the overall excellence of the piece, considering all aspects including the strength of the composition, production, mix, and aesthetic in regards to its creative context within the game. There are no stylistic or ensemble limitations: orchestral and non-orchestral music should be judged equally considering the sound palette and style intended. (e.g. a major chord will sound awesome with a 100-piece orchestra but it doesn’t make it “better” than a smaller ensemble, rock or electronic style).

Best Main Theme is awarded to the individual musical creatives.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Main Theme is a continuous recording of the piece of music. Only one submission per game will be accepted. Edits are dioscouraged and refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. Please do NOT include linear cinematics, video, or music soundtrack links with your submission.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best Original Song is intended to award the year’s best original song originating from and written explicitly for a video game. All aspects of the song including writing, composition, performance, production, mixing etc. are to be considered. The song recording is to be judged outside the context of the game, but how well it complements the game in general should be considered. A song here is defined as a composition of lyrics and music, often with a verse/chorus structure.

Best Original Song is awarded to the individual musical creatives.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Original Song is a recording of the piece of music. Only one submission per game will be accepted. A song is defined as a structured song (eg verse, chorus, etc) sung by a vocalist with lyrics (in any language including made up languages). Edits are dioscouraged and refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. Please do NOT include linear cinematics, video, or music soundtrack links with your submission.

VOTING GUIDELINES

“Best Original Soundtrack Album is intended to award the year’s best commercially released soundtrack of music from a video game. Voters should think of this as the ‘best music collection’ and judge based on how it stands on it’s own as a collection of music and/or a listening experience. Best Original Soundtrack Album is awarded to the game title as a whole as well as the individual musical creatives and/or musical artist(s).

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirements for Best Original Soundtrack Album is a recording of the soundtrack. Provide a link to show that the soundtrack album is available publicly; you may optionally provide a link to a private upload of the soundtrack itself. The soundtrack must have been formally released (digitally or physically) during the calendar year with a published released date (as usually found in iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Bandcamp stores). Only the first SKU release is eligible (i.e. the vinyl release came out 1 year after the digital, that counts as the 2nd SKU and wouldn’t be eligible). This is for the original soundtrack, not a remix of the original musical content. This category does not require a Reelcrafter or Vimeo media link.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Creative and Technical Achievement in Sound Designis intended to award game sound design that pushes the creative and technical boundaries of what’s previously been done in this area. It considers both technical achievement AND its creative application within a game. This includes games that make innovative use of existing or third party technologies, as well as those introducing entirely new technologies. The creative combining of technologies is to be considered as well. Creative and Technical Achievement in Sound Design is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Creative and Technical Achievement in Sound Design includes a game capture video, no more than 5 minutes in length, that clearly demonstrates the sound design and implementation systems within the context of the game. Annotating the video with high level descriptions of the techniques and methods used is encouraged. A brief write up (300 words max) describing the innovation, technology, and integration is required; this description should be in the text/comments section of the uploaded video.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best UI, Reward, or Objective Sound is intended to award the year’s best sound design experience for UI, Reward, or Objective for a video game. Only elements of the sound design to be considered are any and all aspects that include or involve UI, Rewards, or Objectives and their integration, mix, and context within the game. Best UI, Reward, or Objective Sound Design is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best UI, Reward, or Objective Sound Design is one game capture video, no more than 5 minutes in length, featuring the sound design within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best Game Foley is intended to award the year’s best sound design foley experience for a video game. Only elements of the sound design to be considered are any and all aspects that include or involve foley recording and their integration, mix, and context within the game.

Best Game Foley is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Game Foley is one game capture video, no more than 5 minutes in length, featuring the sound design within the context of the game. Video content showing recording and foley performance process is optional. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best Voice Performance is intended to award the year’s best experience of a single cast member for dialogue in a game. The award takes dialogue aspects of individual performance, direction, and character embodiment into consideration within the context of the game. If there is dialogue in both cinematics and during user controlled gameplay, both should be considered. Context and effectiveness within the game experience is an important criteria. Best Voice Performance is awarded to the individual voice artist as well as the game as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Voice Performance is one game capture video, no more than 5 minutes in length, featuring the game’s voice and dialogue within the context of the game. If cinematic content is used, at least half of the video must include gameplay that features dialogue (unless there is no dialogue during gameplay. Video content showing recording and foley performance process is optional.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best Ensemble Cast Performance is intended to award the year’s best experience of an ensemble cast for dialogue in a game. The award takes dialogue aspects of ensemble performance, direction, character embodiment, and chemistry of character interaction into consideration within the context of the game. If there is dialogue in both cinematics and during user controlled gameplay, both should be considered. Context and effectiveness of inter-character chemistry and interactive within the game experience is an important criteria. Best Ensemble Cast Performance is awarded to the game as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Ensemble Cast Performance is one game capture video, no more than 5 minutes in length, featuring the game’s voice and dialogue within the context of the game. If cinematic content is used, at least half of the video must include gameplay that features dialogue (unless there is no dialogue during gameplay. Video content showing recording and foley performance process is optional.

VOTING GUIDELINES

A special judging panel will be created to look at and curate submissions, as well as select the winner. This panel should include those that have experience mixing or directing audio for non-linear and linear media. Best Audio Mix is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Audio Mix a game capture video, no more than 5 minutes in length, that represents the overall audio experience and mix. Please note that the 5 final nominees for this category will be required to supply a copy or the game or code so that the game can be played by the judging panel.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best Cinematic & Cutscene Audio is intended to award the year’s best cinematic & cutscene audio, which is defined as linear game-controlled story elements that have little to no player interaction. All audio elements, including sound design, music, voice, and mix are to be considered. The overall effectiveness of how these elements work together, how they support the narrative, and how they complement the visuals, should also be considered.

Best Cinematic & Cutscene Audio is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Cinematic & Cutscene Audio is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, showing only linear cutscene footage (pre-rendered video and/or real-time rendered video capture). Included cinematic clips must be part of the game story/experience. Game trailer footage is not eligible.

2023 VR Award

Unfortunately, for 2023, the award for Best VR Audio will not be given out.

However, any VR title can–and is encouraged to– submit in any of the other appropriate categories.

 

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best New Original IP Audio is intended to award the year’s best overall game audio experience to a new IP or original game title that is not a sequel, part of a series, or part of an anthology of any kind. All audio elements, including sound design, music, voice performance, plus their integration, mix, and context within the game are to be considered. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, all gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented. This category transcends game genre, aesthetic style, production budget, and platform. Best New Original IP Audio is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best New Original IP Audio is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, illustrating all elements of the audio (music, sound design, VO) within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts and aspects of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage. Please do NOT include music soundtrack links with your submission.

VOTING GUIDELINES

xBest Game Music Cover or Remix is intended to award the year’s best cover song or remix of music and themes from a previously commercially released video game. Voters should consider the piece as an interpretive creative arrangement in comparison to the original version and should be mindful to judge based on the overall excellence of the piece, considering all aspects including the strength of the cover/remix, production, mix, and aesthetic without regards to context within the originating game title. Best Game Music Cover or Remix is awarded to the individual musical creatives and/or musical artist(s).

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Game Music Cover of Remix is a recording of the piece of music. Multiple tracks from the same release are discouraged. Games from any commercially available platform are eligible. A cover is defined as a new performance or recording by someone other than the original artist or composer of a song. A remix is defined as a piece of media which has been altered or contorted from its original state by adding, removing, and changing pieces of the item. Edits are dioscouraged and refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. Please do NOT include video or entire album links with your submission.

VOTING GUIDELINES

A special judging panel will be created to look at and curate submissions, as well as select the winner. This panel should include those that have published writings about game audio, include people from game audio education and academia.

Best Game Audio Article or Publication is awarded to the individual contributors.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Best Game Audio Article or Publication is intended to reward a standout achievement in game audio writing, scholarship, or journalism. Eligible mediums include books, blog series, academic writing, and game audio articles. If a long running series has won in a previous year, it will get lower consideration in subsequent years. This category does not require a Reelcrafter or Vimeo media link.

VOTING GUIDELINES

A special judging panel will be created to look at and curate submissions, as well as select the winner. This panel should include those that have published writings about game audio, include people from game audio education and academia. Best Game Audio Article or Publication is awarded to the individual contributors.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Best Game Audio Presentation, Podcast, or Broadcast is intended to reward a standout achievement in game audio reporting, discussion, workshops, and audio journalism. Eligible mediums include audio blogs, documentaries, video blog series, podcast series, presentations and other spoken or recorded game audio journalism, dicussion, reporting, or workshops (with or without visual presentation). If a long running series has won in a previous year, it should get lower consideration in subsequent years.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Best Game Trailer Audio is intended to award the year’s best overall video game trailer audio experience. All audio elements, including sound design, music, voice performance, mix, and context to the game’s overal asethetic are to be considered. This category transcends game genre, aesthetic style, production budget, and platform.

Best Game Trailer Audio is awarded to the game title as a whole.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The submission requirement for Best Game Trailer Audio is one video containing one trailer, no longer than 6 minutes, showcasing all disciplines of the audio (music, sound design, voice, mix) within the context of the game. Please do NOT include music soundtrack links with your submission.